Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

None.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14 May 2026.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2026 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

To receive a verbal update from the Leader of the Council.

The Leader highlighted the current national support for the England football team ahead of the World Cup taking place across the Summer and the role of the Council in bringing communities together through initiatives such as digital signage across the Borough, school-based competitions and events in Southwater Square.

The Leader emphasised the importance of fostering community spirit, both in celebration and commiseration.

To recieve the final outturn position for 2025/26.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the performance against the 2025/26 Net Revenue budget which resulted in outturn being within budget by £133k be noted;

b)    the revenue outturn position for 2025/26, which remains subject to audit by the Council’s external auditors, and related virements in Appendix C be noted;

c)     the transfers to reserves, and associated approval to the relevant members of the Senior Management Team after consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member to spend the reserves detailed in Appendix E be noted;

d)    delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer in relation to the Income/Budget equalisation reserve to approve its use;

e)    the capital outturn position and related supplementary estimates, re-phasing and virements shown in Appendix D and as summarised in the report be noted;

f)      delegated authority be granted to the Director: Finance, People & IDT to make any changes required, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Customer Services; and

g)    the performance against income targets be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resident Services presented the financial outturn report for 2025/26.

The report demonstrated that the Council had delivered a balanced budget, with an underspend of £133,000 against a net budget of £167.6m, reflecting strong financial management despite significant national pressures facing local government. The Council had continued to prioritise the protection of frontline services while maintaining a disciplined and resilient financial approach.

It was noted that the Council faced additional costs of approximately £6.8m within Adult Social Care, alongside further pressures within Children’s Services equating to £2.8m and Education & Skills equating to £1.6m.

Despite this, over 90% of planned savings had been achieved and investment programmes, including housing delivery through Nuplace had continued to generate income and support local priorities delivering £6.3m in rental income and £2m returned to the Council. At the time of the meeting, no use had been made of strategic reserves to balance the budget.

Cabinet Members highlighted the importance of sustained investment, robust financial discipline and strong leadership in maintaining high-quality services and commended the Council’s Finance Officers for their professionalism and commitment.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group welcomed the report but highlighted ongoing national funding pressures, particularly in relation to Adult Social Care, noting that these remained a systemic issue requiring central government reform.

The Leader of the Conservative Group supported the financial management achieved but similarly emphasised that Adult Social Care pressures were driven by national funding arrangements and continued to place strain on local authorities.

In response, the Leader of the Council reiterated that the Council’s approach to investment and income generation had enabled it to remain financially stable while continuing to deliver positive outcomes for residents.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the performance against the 2025/26 Net Revenue budget which resulted in outturn being within budget by £133k be noted;

b)    the revenue outturn position for 2025/26, which remains subject to audit by the Council’s external auditors, and related virements in Appendix C be noted;

c)    the transfers to reserves, and associated approval to the relevant members of the Senior Management Team after consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member to spend the reserves detailed in Appendix E be noted;

d)    delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer in relation to the Income/Budget equalisation reserve to approve its use;

e)    the capital outturn position and related supplementary estimates, re-phasing and virements shown in Appendix D and as summarised in the report be noted;

f)      delegated authority be granted to the Director: Finance, People & IDT to make any changes required, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Governance and Customer Services; and

g)    the performance against income targets be noted.

To receive an update on the Council’s Pride in Our High Street programme.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the work of the Pride in Our High Streets (PIOHS) programme in supporting resilient local high streets, local businesses and communities of the borough be noted; and

b)    the continuation of the PIOHS programme and the development of the Elevate programme including potential new initiatives, such as: ‘Spend Booster’ be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Jobs, Transport & Digital Connectivity presented an update on the Pride in Our High Streets programme.

The report outlined the Council’s long-term investment in supporting town centres and local businesses across the Borough. Since the programme’s inception in 2015, it had supported 133 new businesses, delivered 138 shopfront improvements and provided over 100 digital and environmental grants.

Through approximately £725,000 of public investment, the programme had leveraged £2.46m in private sector investment and supported the creation of over 440 jobs. Vacancy rates remained significantly below national levels, with only 24 empty units across 727 retail properties.

The Cabinet Member for Jobs, Transport & Digital Connectivity highlighted the programme’s role in adapting high streets to modern challenges, including the shift towards experience-based economies and digital adoption.

Cabinet Members emphasised that continued investment had enabled Telford and Wrekin to outperform national trends, maintaining vibrant and resilient local centres.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group welcomed the report and recognised the importance of supporting local businesses and maintaining vibrant community spaces within town centres.

The Leader of the Conservative Group expressed support for the programme, noting the need for the Council to continue to adapt to wider economic pressures affecting high streets nationally.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the work of the Pride in Our High Streets (PIOHS) programme in supporting resilient local high streets, local businesses and communities of the borough be noted; and

b)    the continuation of the PIOHS programme and the development of the Elevate programme including potential new initiatives, such as: ‘Spend Booster’ be noted.

To approve the refreshed Telford & Wrekin Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy for 2026 – 2028.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the impact of the domestic abuse strategy programme over the past three years, in terms of raising awareness of the agenda and offering expanded support to more residents who are affected be noted; and

b)    the refreshed Telford & Wrekin Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy for 2026 – 2028 be approved.

The Cabinet Member for Public Health and Unlocking Opportunities for All presented the refreshed Domestic Abuse Strategy for 2026–2028.

The report highlighted the Council’s continued commitment to tackling domestic abuse and violence against women and girls (VAWG). Key developments included strengthened partnership governance arrangements, the establishment of a lived experience advisory board, engagement with over 9,000 secondary school pupils to challenge harmful behaviours, the expansion of safe accommodation provision, including additional refuge spaces and training provision for 95% of maternity staff to support early identification.

The report reflected on significant progress during the previous strategy period, including increased safe accommodation provision, expanded partnership working and improved early identification of domestic abuse cases.

The Strategy set out four priority pillars, supported by clear commitments and delivery through annual action plans.

Cabinet Members welcomed the comprehensive and partnership-led approach, noting the significant support provided to victims and survivors.

The Leader of the Conservative Group acknowledged the Council’s statutory duty to support victims of domestic abuse and welcomed the overall approach of the Strategy. While supporting the focus on women and girls, he suggested further consideration be given to services for male victims. He commented on recent data trends, noting the lack of a clear downward reduction in incidents. Finally, he asked what additional preparations were in place to respond to any increase in domestic abuse during major events such as the World Cup.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group welcomed the report and highlighted the strength of partnership working in tackling domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. He reflected on the long-standing importance of support services, noting the historical development of refuges and how the need for such provision remained highly relevant. He emphasised that domestic abuse continued to be a significant issue, referenced the high demand placed on policing services and commended the continued collaborative work of the Council and its partners in supporting victims.

In response, the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Unlocking Opportunities for All confirmed that whilst domestic abuse affected all genders, national data indicated that women remained disproportionately impacted. She confirmed that support and accommodation were available for all victims, including men and highlighted that over 300 perpetrators had engaged in behaviour change programmes.

The Cabinet Member emphasised that the Strategy was inclusive of all relationships, including same-sex relationships and aimed to ensure access to support for all individuals affected. In relation to concerns around sporting events she confirmed that targeted awareness campaigns and support information were being promoted, including during the World Cup.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the impact of the domestic abuse strategy programme over the past three years, in terms of raising awareness of the agenda and offering expanded support to more residents who are affected be noted; and

b)    the refreshed Telford & Wrekin Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy for 2026 – 2028 be approved.

To provide an update on the Council's use of it's powers pursuant to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

RESOLVED – that the Council’s use of, and compliance with the requirements of, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 be noted.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Better Housing and Safer Streets presented the annual report on the Council’s use of investigatory powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).

The report outlined that powers had been used lawfully, proportionately and only where necessary to support enforcement activities such as tackling rogue trading and illegal sales, as well as wider criminal activity affecting local communities.

It was noted that the use of RIPA powers remained limited, with only a small number of applications made during the reporting period and no use of covert human intelligence sources.

Cabinet Members recognised the importance of balancing enforcement with appropriate safeguards, ensuring that all activity was necessary, proportionate and justified, and subject to appropriate oversight and training.

The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group noted that, whilst governance reports such as this could often be seen as technical in nature, they were nonetheless essential. He emphasised the importance of maintaining an appropriate balance between the use of investigatory powers and safeguarding individual rights, referencing the need to ensure that such powers were exercised lawfully, proportionately and in the correct manner. He added that, when used appropriately, these powers could play an important role in tackling issues such as anti-social behaviour, while avoiding any risk of overreach.

The Leader of the Conservative Group acknowledged the importance of the report and despite some initial reservations regarding the use of test purchasing operations involving young people, he was reassured that appropriate safeguards were in place to ensure there would be no repercussions for those involved. He recognised the need for such measures in addressing issues such as the illegal sale of vaping products, alcohol and cigarettes to minors and emphasised that this represented a careful and necessary balance between effective enforcement and the protection of individuals.

RESOLVED – that the Council’s use of, and compliance with the requirements of, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 be noted.

To consider representation on Outside Bodies for 2026/27.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the outside bodies to which the Council historically has nominated to, as set out in Appendix A of the report be noted; and

b)    delegated authority be granted to the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member: Finance and Resident Services to decide which bodies to nominate to and which Councillor is nominated.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resident Services presented the annual appointments to outside bodies.

A review of the outside bodies appointments had been carried out to assess the needs of the Council in respect of representation on a range of external organisations to support partnership working and the delivery of the Council’s priorities. It was noted that a number of appointments were required on a statutory basis and that arrangements were reviewed annually.

The report also sought delegated authority to the Monitoring Officer to consider nominations for outside bodies in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Resident Services.

The Leader of the Conservative Group raised concerns regarding the balance of representation across political groups.

In response, the Leader of the Council advised that appointments were often determined through governance requirements and invited specific examples to be raised for further consideration outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the outside bodies to which the Council historically has nominated to, as set out in Appendix A of the report be noted; and

b)    delegated authority be granted to the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Cabinet Member: Finance and Resident Services to decide which bodies to nominate to and which Councillor is nominated.