Apologies had been received from Councillors Gary Grove and Councillor Sam Walmsley (joined via Teams).

Members are reminded that they must declare their disclosable pecuniary interests and other registrable or non-registrable interests in any matter being considered at the meeting as set out in Appendix B of the Members’ Code of Conduct and consider if they should leave the room prior to the item being considered. Further advice can be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

No interests were declared.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2026.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2026 be confirmed as an accurate record.

To receive any questions from members of the public.  Deadline for notification is 12 noon on Tuesday 3 February 2026.

One public question was received:

John Palmer, in relation to data breaches.

The full question and response can be found here - Response to Public Questions - 9 February 2026.pdf

To receive any questions of which members of the Council have given notice.  Deadline for notification is 12 noon on Tuesday 3 February 2026.

There were no members’ questions.

To scrutinise financial monitoring at Quarter 3 and identify issues that may require further investigation by an Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

REPORT TO FOLLOW

The Finance Director introduced the Quarter 3 financial position, explaining that there had been a small deterioration since Period 7 and that the report set out reasons for the change along with planned actions. It was confirmed that monthly reporting would return for months 10 and 11.

Questions were raised about why certain year?to?date figures appeared disproportionately high, particularly in Children and Young People and Enabling services. It was explained that these figures were affected by grant income held corporately and only transferred at year end, which inflated mid?year totals. Members were assured that this would be clarified in future reporting

Further questions focused on the £39 million referenced in relation to revenue costs. Mannie confirmed that this related to capital expenditure already incurred on the North West Relief Road and Oxon Link Road and that if any costs were written down, they would then fall to revenue. The Council’s Exceptional Financial Support bid included provision for this

In response to a query regarding the effectiveness of the Operations Boards, the Interim Director for Finance Improvement  (S151) explained that the spend control panels had been meeting regularly, reviewing high volumes of payments, and that the approach was now evolving to restore more decision?making to Service Directors while the panels moved toward oversight and thematic deep dives.

Members agreed to revisit progress on spend controls in the autumn when the impact of changes could be reviewed

To scrutinise Performance at Quarter 3 and identify issues that may require further investigation by an Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Service Director for Strategy & Change introduced the report which set out progress against the Council’s strategic objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs).

Members discussed performance relating to health and wellbeing indicators, recognising that several measures reflected system?wide outcomes requiring partnership working. Members also considered improvements in the use of bed and breakfast accommodation and the sustainability of those improvements.

Concerns were raised regarding sickness absence, completion rates for Education, Health and Care Plans, FOI response times, personal data breaches, and the absence of targets for some indicators, including personal development plans and data breaches. Officers confirmed that further work was underway, including additional reporting, deep dives, and reviews of targets and dashboards.

Members welcomed the intention to review the performance framework to ensure alignment with the forthcoming corporate plan and the Local Government Outcomes Framework.

To receive and consider the Financial Strategy 2026/27 - 2030/31, to be known in future as “Draft 2026/27 General Fund budgets and Medium Term Financial Plan 2026-2031”.

REPORT TO FOLLOW

The Interim Finance Director introduced the report which provided an updated position on the draft 2026/27 General Fund budgets and Medium-Term Financial Plan 2026/27 – 2030/31 since the meeting of Cabinet on 21st January 2026.

Members highlighted the importance of managing future demand, particularly in adult and children’s social care, and stressed the need for a stronger preventative approach across the Council and its partners.

Concern was expressed about the long?term sustainability of the Council’s finances in light of rising demand, inflationary pressures and uncertainty in future funding. Members noted the risks associated with reliance on Exceptional Financial Support, including uncertainty around timing and any conditions that may be attached.

The Committee emphasised that prevention and partnership working would be essential to reducing demand over the medium to long term, while recognising current capacity constraints and operational pressures.

Members acknowledged that stabilising the budget in 2026/27 would be necessary before longer?term transformation and demand?reduction ambitions could be fully realised.

A review of the proposed changes to the draft fees and charges for 2026/27 in light of the Fees & Charges Policy approved by Cabinet on 3/12.  The proposed charges will form part of the budget setting and Council Tax setting for 2026/27.

REPORT TO FOLLOW

The Interim Finance Director introduced the report which presented the budgeted income to be received and proposed the level of fees and charges to be applied by Shropshire Council in 2026/27.

Members noted that proposed increases to fees and charges were largely inflation?based and recognised that full cost recovery was not appropriate in all cases.

The Committee acknowledged that some fees were subject to statutory or external constraints and sought reassurance that impacts on service users had been considered.

Clarification was requested and noted in relation to the basis for social housing rent increases, which Members recognised were set in accordance with national guidance.

To receive an update further to Phase Two of the Partnership Working Task and Finish Group investigations.

REPORT TO FOLLOW

The Chair of the Partnership Working Task & Finish Group presented the report, which was their second report following completion of their second phase of work.

Members welcomed the work undertaken by the Task and Finish Group and supported the focus on strengthening relationships with town and parish councils.

The Committee noted concerns raised by town and parish councils regarding communication, trust, capacity pressures and the clarity of roles and responsibilities.

Members emphasised the importance of meaningful engagement, local knowledge and avoiding unnecessary bureaucracy in any future partnership arrangements. The need for improved communication, clearer data, and stronger officer understanding of town and parish councils was highlighted.

Members recognised the significant variation between parishes and stressed that any partnership approach must be flexible and proportionate, delivering tangible benefits while avoiding duplication or the creation of additional governance tiers.

To consider proposals for the Committee’s work programme 2025 – 2026, attached

Members considered the Committee’s work programme and discussed priorities for future scrutiny.

The Committee supported focusing forthcoming work on financial security, including reviewing the Council’s investment position and long?term financial resilience.

Members noted the importance of aligning the work programme with the improvement plan and the forthcoming corporate plan, and emphasised that scrutiny activity should add value by informing decision?making at an early stage.

It was suggested that informal discussions or workshops may be helpful to shape the work programme ahead of the new municipal year.

To note that the next meeting is scheduled to take place on 8 June 2026.

Members noted that the next meeting was scheduled to take place on 8 June 2026.