The Cabinet of Wiltshire Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 17 March 2026 to discuss a range of important matters, including potential grant funding for landscape enhancements, improvements to a major motorway junction, and the allocation of funds for crisis resilience. The meeting will also cover financial monitoring, budget setting, and the council's treasury management strategy.

Proposal to Secure Grant Funding for a Landscape Enhancement Initiative in the North Wessex Downs National Landscape

The Cabinet will consider a proposal for the North Wessex Downs National Landscape (NWDNL) to apply for grant funding from the National Grid Landscape Enhancement Initiative (LEI). This initiative, funded by Ofgem, aims to mitigate the visual impact of electricity pylons and enhance designated landscapes. The NWDNL is seeking to secure over £1 million in grant funding for multiple projects across Wiltshire, Hampshire, West Berkshire, and Oxfordshire. These projects could include new hedgerow and woodland planting, grassland creation, pond restoration, and the development of new permissive paths. The funding is intended to support the NWDNL's Management Plan goals and contribute to its Nature Recovery Plan, as well as align with the council's Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRS) and Defra's Protected Landscapes Target and Outcomes Framework (PLTOF). If successful, the funding will be used for both capital and revenue works, with a mandatory three-year maintenance plan post-delivery. The council's role would be as the accountable body for the grant funding.

Crisis Resilience Fund

A key decision facing the Cabinet is the allocation of the Crisis Resilience Fund (CRF), a new three-year programme from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, which will provide Wiltshire with approximately £4.4 million annually from April 2026 to March 2029. This fund is designed to support low-income households facing financial shocks and to build individual and community financial resilience. The CRF will be divided into four components: Crisis Payment, Housing Payment, Resilience Services, and Community Coordination. The Cabinet will be asked to approve the cessation of the council's current Local Welfare Payment scheme, as its functions will be replicated and strengthened within the CRF's Crisis Payment element. The Housing Payment strand will replace Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) from April 2026, with a phased transition. The council is encouraged to invest significantly in Resilience Services to improve long-term financial well-being, such as increasing savings, reducing debt, and maximising income. Community Coordination will focus on strengthening local welfare networks and referral pathways between services. The council's existing Local Welfare Payment scheme will be replaced by the CRF, with the aim of streamlining support and enhancing financial resilience for residents.

M4 Junction 17 Improvements - Procurement

The Cabinet will be asked to approve the appointment of a contractor for the Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and construction phases of the M4 Junction 17 Improvements scheme. This junction is a critical link between the M4 motorway and key towns in west Wiltshire, including Chippenham, Melksham, and Trowbridge, as well as providing access to Malmesbury and the A429. Enhancements are necessary to accommodate planned growth and improve strategic connectivity. The Department for Transport (DfT) is providing significant funding for the scheme, with Wiltshire Council contributing through Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and potential Section 106 contributions from developers. The proposed improvements include signalisation of all approaches to the roundabout, widening of carriageways and the circulatory area, and increasing the number of traffic lanes. The procurement process has involved a competitive open procedure with a 60% quality and 40% price weighting. The report details the tender evaluation process, including quality questions covering organisation, methodology, risks, carbon reduction, social value, and case studies, alongside a financial assessment. The recommended delivery model is a Traditional approach using NEC4 ECC Option C, which promotes collaboration and risk sharing.

Financial Year 2025/26 - Quarter Three Revenue Budget Monitoring

Councillor Gavin Grant, Cabinet Member for Finance, will present a report on the revenue budget monitoring for the third quarter of the financial year 2025/26. The report will detail the financial position as of 31 December 2025, including forecasts and any suggested actions. The current forecast indicates an underspend for the year, attributed to robust cost control measures and some windfall income. However, the report also highlights continuing pressures, particularly in care budgets for both adults and children's services. Cabinet members will be informed of the need for continued tight cost control to mitigate any potential overspends that may crystallise at the end of the financial year. The report will also detail planned transfers from various reserves to fund specific activities and note the impact on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) reserve and the cumulative Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit.

Financial Year 2025/26 - Quarter Three Capital Budget Monitoring

Councillor Gavin Grant will also present the capital budget monitoring report for the third quarter of 2025/26. The report will outline revisions to the Capital Programme for 2025/26, amounting to £196.777 million, a variance of £17.966 million from the approved quarter 2 budget. The report will detail virements between capital scheme lines, additional budgets funded by grants and contributions, and the removal of budgets due to project completion or grant returns. It will also highlight budgets brought forward from future years and those reprogrammed into future years. The Cabinet will be asked to approve specific virements and note various budget adjustments.

Performance Monitoring Report 2025/26 Q3

Councillor Mel Jacob, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Communities, Engagement and Corporate Services, will present the quarterly performance monitoring report. This report provides an update on the council's performance framework, tracking progress against the high-level priorities set out in Our Wiltshire Plan 2025-35 . It will also outline current and potential threats to the delivery of the plan. Cabinet members will receive an update on selected measures used to monitor progress, and the report will include a strategic risk summary. The Cabinet will be asked to note performance against strategic priorities, the strategic risk summary, and approve updated risk appetite levels.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget Setting 2026/27 including Dwelling Rent Setting 2026/27 and 30-Year Business Plan Review

Councillor Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management and Housing, will present the proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Annual Revenue Budget and Capital Programme for 2026/27, along with an update on the 30-year Business Plan. The report highlights the ongoing need to focus on housing quality, compliance, decarbonising the housing stock, and optimising the use of homes for vulnerable residents. A key decision for the Cabinet will be the level of rent increase for council tenants, which forms the financial basis for the HRA Business Plan. The report will also address concerns regarding debt levels, the house-building programme, and EPC ratings. The Cabinet will be recommended to approve the HRA Annual Revenue Budget, dwelling rent increases, garage rent increases, the HRA Capital Programme, and revisions to the HRA 30-year business plan.

Wiltshire Council Budget 2026/27 and MTFS Update 2026/27-2028/29

Councillor Gavin Grant will present the Cabinet's proposals for the council's Budget for 2026/27 and the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for 2026/27 to 2028/29. The report also outlines the council's Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2032/33 and the Dedicated Schools Grant. The budget proposals include amendments to remove saving proposals related to the closure of Lower Compton and Purton Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) and Community Transport Grants. Agreement has been reached with Hills Waste Solutions to sustain the HRCs, and community transport funding will be covered by S106 funding and redirected transport services. The report details a net general fund budget of £567.660m for 2026/27, an increase in Council Tax, and planned capital investment. Cabinet will be recommended to approve the general fund budget, set the Council Tax, approve the Capital Programme and Capital Strategy, and endorse the MTFS.

Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2026/27

Councillor Gavin Grant will present the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2026/27, recommending that Council approve the Prudential and Treasury Indicators, along with the strategy itself. The strategy supports effective decision-making and ensures a sound financial framework. A key concern highlighted is the council's cash position in relation to the High Needs Block, which may necessitate borrowing. The report will also discuss the critical impact of interest rates on borrowing costs and investment yields. The Cabinet will be recommended to adopt the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy, Prudential and Treasury Indicators, Annual Investment Strategy, Investment Policy, Creditworthiness Policy, and Loans Policy.

Reprocurement of Electricity and Gas Purchasing Contract

Councillor Mel Jacob will present a report seeking approval to proceed with the procurement strategy for electricity and gas supply contracts from 1 April 2027 for up to five years. The total spend over this period is estimated at £45 million. The strategy involves awarding a contract through a Public Sector Framework, which will include management and administration services to minimise resource burden and ensure supply chain discipline. The Cabinet will be asked to approve the recommended procurement strategy and delegate authority to the Director of Assets to proceed with the award.

Sexual Health Procurement

Councillor Clare Cape, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Co-ordination with the NHS, will present a report seeking authority to commence a procurement process for future sexual health services in Wiltshire. Wiltshire Council is responsible for commissioning specialist sexual health services, and the current contract with Salisbury Foundation Trust, which provides integrated sexual health and HIV treatment services, is due to end on 31 March 2027. The Cabinet will be asked to recognise the requirement for a comprehensive sexual health service, including contraceptive services, STI testing and treatment, chlamydia screening, HIV testing, and PrEP, and to delegate responsibility for the tendering, commissioning, negotiation, and award of the contract to the Director of Public Health.

School Admissions Policies 2027-28

Councillor Mel Jacob will present a report on the elements of the Admissions Policy that require Cabinet determination for the 2027/28 academic year. The proposed co-ordinated schemes and admission arrangements have been consulted on with relevant stakeholders, and the policies have been updated accordingly. The Cabinet will be asked to approve the appended schemes, which will form the determined Admissions Policy for Wiltshire for 2027/28.

Urgent Items

There are no urgent items scheduled for discussion.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

A resolution is proposed to exclude the press and public from the meeting for Item 11, M4 Junction 17 Improvements - Procurement, due to the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to financial and business affairs. The public interest in withholding this information is considered to outweigh the public interest in disclosing it.