The impact of Reform UK on Warwickshire County Council

drafted 2026-07-06 · accepted

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This council: flagship · Adult Social Care · Asylum and Migration · Children's services and safeguarding · Climate · Council Spending and Efficiency · Devolution and local government reorganisation · Heritage · Housing, planning and local plans · Outsourcing of public services · Renaming and rebranding · Roads, highways and potholes · SEND and home-to-school transport · Support for (or hostility to) women · Waste, recycling and bins

Reform UK has led Warwickshire County Council since May 2025 (source).

Reform UK took control of Warwickshire County Council in May 2025.[1] Its Leader, Councillor George Finch, told full Council in July 2025 that the Reform manifesto was to cut the net zero agenda and spending on diversity, equality and inclusion.[2] The administration did not rescind the council's climate emergency: it carried a motion reaffirming the emergency it had declared in 2019.[3][4] Its new Council Plan for 2026-30 reviewed the council's previous net-zero commitments and shifted emphasis away from that target.[5] The Reform budget for 2026/27 set out £103m of budget reductions over five years.[6] Cabinet approved a new Flag Policy restricting the flags flown at Shire Hall to three.[7]

Climate and net zero

A stated aim to cut net zero

At full Council in July 2025, Leader Councillor George Finch said the Reform manifesto was to cut the net zero agenda, with savings to be made in that area.[2]

The climate emergency reaffirmed

The council carried a motion reaffirming the climate emergency it had declared in 2019, and re-established a cross-party climate working group to review climate change impacts.[3][8] That cross-party Climate Emergency working group continued to operate under the Reform administration, and in March 2026 Council endorsed its report and agreed a further update for December 2026.[9] The council's declared targets, set out to scrutiny in February 2025, were to reach net zero as a council by 2030 and across the county by 2050.[10]

The Council Plan and net-zero de-emphasis

In March 2026 Cabinet approved the draft Council Plan 2026-30, 'Recalibrating Warwickshire', for public engagement.[5] The draft included a review of the council's previous net-zero commitments and shifted emphasis towards lower bills, cleaner rivers and reduced flooding.[5] Cabinet endorsed the final Council Plan in May 2026, carrying the net-zero de-emphasis through from the draft.[11] An opposition councillor objected that the final plan gave insufficient attention to climate change, and Finch replied that improved outcomes were not to be achieved solely through net zero measures.[11] A focus area previously titled 'vibrant places, safe communities and environment' was renamed 'proud places and safe communities' in the adopted plan, removing the explicit reference to the environment; the rewording had not itself been put to public engagement.[12]

The budget and the climate team

A Reform councillor confirmed that the 2026/27 budget delivered savings in the climate change service.[13] A Green budget amendment to invest in solar and renewable energy and to retain the council's climate change team was defeated by 6 votes to 42 in February 2026.[14] A further Liberal Democrat and Green amendment to retain climate-team funding was defeated 19 to 24 before the Reform budget was adopted.[13]

Delays and a dropped report

A dedicated Annual Sustainable Futures Report had been presented to scrutiny each February before the change of administration; in February 2026 no standalone report was presented, and climate performance appeared only within the general performance report.[1] Officers confirmed that the fleet decarbonisation, estates decarbonisation and tree and woodland strategies were delayed, and that three climate-change performance measures were underachieving.[1] Scrutiny was told the estates management plan covering solar and heat-pump installation on council buildings was delayed, with decarbonising the council's own estate contingent on capital availability.[15]

Solar farms and farmland

In March 2026 the council carried a 'Restore Britain' motion stating that productive farmland must be protected from the installation of solar farms, on food-security and rural-economy grounds.[16] An amendment to remove the wording protecting farmland from solar farms was defeated, and the substantive motion was carried.[17]

A 20mph rollout narrowed to a review

In December 2025 the council amended a road-safety motion so that a proposed rollout of 20mph limits around schools became only a review of the existing criteria.[18] The amendment was seconded by the Reform Leader, Councillor George Finch, who said the proximity of budget setting meant he could not support the original wording; the amended motion was carried unanimously.[18]

Spending and efficiency

No DOGE unit, an in-house savings programme

Asked in June 2025 whether the council would introduce a DOGE unit like the one at Kent, the Portfolio Holder for Finance said there was an ambition to save money but no firm plans in place.[19] In September 2025 Cabinet instead resolved to establish the council's own internal two-year Value for Money savings programme, rather than commissioning DOGE or an external review.[20]

The 2026/27 budget

In February 2026 the Reform Deputy Leader, Councillor Stephen Shaw, presented the administration's 2026/27 budget and 2026-31 financial strategy.[21] It set out a value-for-money programme of procurement review, a £730,000 investment in AI to drive efficiencies, new revenue generation and a review of staff expenditure.[21] Shaw said the council's savings record had enabled a proposed £103m of budget reductions over five years and £27.7m in 2026/27, alongside a proposed 3.89% council tax rise.[6] The 3.89% proposal failed to secure support, and Shaw moved an amendment raising the rise to 4.44% and retaining youth grant funding; the budget was then agreed by a recorded vote.[22]

The Flag Policy

In September 2025 Cabinet approved a new Flag Policy limiting the flags flown at Shire Hall to three as a matter of course: the Union Flag, the Cross of St George and the County flag, with the Armed Forces Covenant flag flown during Armed Forces Week.[7] Any other organisation wanting a flag flown would have to apply to the Chairman.[7] The Pride flag had previously been flown outside the County Council building; under the new policy Warwickshire Pride was told it would have the same right to apply as any other organisation, with no automatic precedent.[23]

Call-ins and objections

Two call-ins against the policy were heard by scrutiny in September 2025.[24] Amendments to hand flag decisions to a cross-party group and to require published reasons were both defeated 4 to 6, and the committee resolved to take no action, leaving the policy in force.[24] Opposition councillors argued the policy risked breaching the council's Equalities Act duties and was aimed at eliminating support for the LGBTQ+ community, and noted its own equality impact assessment had warned it was likely to draw complaints.[25]

Adult social care

The care precept

For 2026/27 the Government set Warwickshire's council tax referendum limit at 4.99%, including a ring-fenced 2% adult social care precept.[26] The Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health, Councillor Anne-Marie Sonko, argued for taking the full 2% precept, saying providers were worried about affordability without it.[27] Reform UK's original budget proposed a 3.89% council tax rise, below the 4.99% ceiling, and it was defeated on 17 February 2026.[28] The Council then adopted a revised Reform UK amendment raising the overall increase to 4.44% for 2026/27.[28]

Provider costs

No specific 2026/27 provider fee uplift figure appears in the published minutes.[29] The Portfolio Holder described rising provider costs, partly driven by national minimum wage increases, as a budget pressure, and said savings came from recommissioning contracts rather than cutting fees.[29]

Children's services

Cuts to children's centre funding

Warwickshire's 2026/27 budget halved funding for children's centres.[30] At Cabinet in March 2026, Councillor Sarah Boad said the 50% reduction was not consistent with the draft Council Plan's objective of reducing health inequalities.[30] Council Leader Councillor Finch responded that proposed mobile centres could be deployed at accessible locations to support residents experiencing the highest levels of deprivation.[30] Opposition members recorded during the February 2026 budget debate that the same proposals would also cut youth services, and that the administration had not reinstated youth grant funding or children's centre resources.[31]

A new Family Hub

Alongside the funding reduction, Cabinet authorised Hatters Space in Nuneaton in January 2026 as the location of Warwickshire's first Best Start Family Hub, under the Department for Education's Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life strategy.[32]

SEND and home-to-school transport

In October 2025 Cabinet agreed to consult on changes to the Children's and Young People's Travel Assistance policy, with the Leader citing costs that had risen to nearly £50m.[33] Consultation feedback reported to scrutiny in April 2026, from 623 responses, showed the strongest opposition to proposed changes affecting non-statutory provision such as SEND transport.[34] Final recommendations were due to go to Cabinet in June 2026, with any changes proposed to take effect from September 2026, subject to approval.[34]

Roads and highways

In February 2026 the Director of Highways reported a rise in pothole repair jobs since 1 January 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, and a resulting backlog of permanent repair jobs.[35] In the February 2026 budget debate a Reform councillor described continued commitment to resurfacing and pothole repairs, without a quantified budget increase; no document in Warwickshire's published minutes states a specific increase to the pothole or resurfacing budget for 2026/27.[36]

Outsourcing

The highways contract retendered

In July 2025 Leader Councillor George Finch told County Council that the highways maintenance contract was out to tender, with a dialogue and bid-optimisation phase due to start in September 2025; officers had kept open the option of bringing pothole repairs in-house alongside external bids.[37] By February 2026 the retendered contract had been awarded to Balfour Beatty, replacing the council's previous highways term-maintenance arrangement, with mobilisation reported ahead of a May 2026 start.[38] Officers said the new contract's price-per-defect model was intended to raise the share of permanent, rather than temporary, pothole repairs.[38]

Devolution and reorganisation

On 14 October 2025 the Council resolved, by 30 votes to 14 with 3 abstentions, to submit a single unitary council for Warwickshire as its preferred model of local government reorganisation, moved by Leader Councillor George Finch.[39] The Council rejected amendments that would instead have backed two unitary authorities, a Green amendment, and a single-member amendment.[39] At the same meeting the Council resolved, by 26 votes to 14, that full constituent membership of the West Midlands Combined Authority would be the best arrangement for any new unitary authority to meet the government's devolution requirement, rather than a Devolution Priority Programme fast-track.[40]

Waste and recycling

The Household Waste Recycling Centre green waste charge

Warwickshire County Council, as Waste Disposal Authority, approved an increase to its chargeable Household Waste Recycling Centre 'Green Waste' disposal rate for 2026/27: a 6.95% rise on the weighbridge-based charge and a 12.35% rise on the volume-based charge, approved by the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Heritage and Culture on 30 January 2026.[41] The charge applies to commercial or excess quantities of garden waste brought to recycling centres; free access remains for household waste.[42]

Kerbside garden waste is a district matter

Kerbside garden-waste collection charging in the county is set by the district and borough councils, not by Warwickshire County Council: Stratford District Council introduced its charge in April 2021, and by September 2025 subscription volumes were reported as falling at Stratford and Warwick but rising at Rugby.[43]

Support for women

Domestic abuse services

On 10 July 2025 Cabinet authorised a competitive tender to recommission the Domestic Abuse Specialist Counselling and Therapy (DASCAT) Service, a countywide service for child and adult domestic abuse victim-survivors, at a lower contract value than the previous round.[44] The Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health told Cabinet that funding for the council's statutory duties under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, previously met through a Section 31 Safe Accommodation Grant, had from April 2025 become part of the council's core budget.[45] At the same meeting Cabinet also resolved to agree a separate report on Warwickshire Domestic Abuse Supported Accommodation, introduced by the Portfolio Holder for Fire and Rescue and Community Safety; its substance was withheld from the public minutes as exempt information.[46]

Cabinet composition

As recorded for Cabinet's 11 May 2026 meeting, Warwickshire's nine-member Cabinet comprised seven men and two women, Councillors Anne-Marie Sonko and Jennifer Warren.[47]

Renaming and rebranding

The Home to School Transport Policy

Cabinet resolved in October 2025 to consult on the Home to School Transport Policy under a new name, the Children's and Young People's Travel Assistance policy, linking the change to updated statutory guidance and rising costs.[48]

A children's home renamed

Warwickshire's Corporate Parenting Panel was told in January 2026 that the children's home Hero's Garden had been renamed Willow House, the only looked-after-children service found renamed in the corpus, with no evidence of a renamed corporate-parenting panel, strategy, or 'family'-branded identity of the kind seen at other Reform-led councils.[49]

The Council Plan's employer objective

The Council Plan 2026-30 refresh, endorsed by Cabinet in May 2026, replaced the objective 'being a great employer' with 'delivering excellence', which a councillor argued was a less clear description of the council's aspirations as an employer.[50]

References

1. Warwickshire County Council's Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee received a dedicated 'Annual Sustainable Futures Report' each February (last seen 26 Feb 2025, presented by the Head of Climate Change and Sustainability, covering net-zero targets, carbon literacy status and carbon-emission reduction progress) before the May 2025 Reform takeover. In the equivalent slot one year later (25 Feb 2026), no standalone Annual Sustainable Futures Report was presented; climate performance instead appeared only within the general Quarter 3 Integrated Performance Report, where officers confirmed council climate strategies (fleet decarbonisation, estates decarbonisation, tree/woodland) were delayed and three climate-change measures were rated underachieving/challenging.
“The Annual Sustainable Futures Report was presented by Sarah Stear, Head of Climate Change and Sustainability and outlined the three key ambitions of the Council.” Minutes, 25 June 2025 ↗
“Steve Smith reported that the fleet decarbonisation strategy, estates management plan, and tree and woodland strategy were all in progress at varying stages.” Minutes, 25 February 2026 ↗
“the three underachieving measures relate to climate change” Minutes, 25 February 2026 ↗
2. Leader Councillor George Finch stated during the 22 July 2025 County Council meeting that the Reform administration's manifesto was to cut the net zero agenda, with savings to be made in that area.
“the Reform manifesto was to cut the net zero agenda and expenditure on diversity, equality and inclusion initiatives and savings would be made in these areas as a result” Minutes, 22 July 2025 ↗
3. The council resolved to carry the motion, reaffirming its commitment to the climate emergency declared in 2019 and to re-establish a working group to review climate change impacts in Warwickshire.
“A vote was held. The motion was carried.” Minutes, 22 July 2025 ↗
4. The Council resolves to continue recognising the climate emergency declared in 2019.
“Continue to recognise the climate emergency unanimously declared in 2019 by Warwickshire County Council;” Document, 22 July 2025 ↗
5. In the Reform administration's draft 'Recalibrating Warwickshire - Council Plan 2026-30', introduced by Leader Councillor George Finch and approved by Cabinet (5 March 2026) for public engagement, the Plan included a review of the council's previous Net Zero commitments and shifted emphasis away from the net-zero target towards lower bills, cleaner rivers and reduced flooding.
“It also included a review of previous commitments relating to Net Zero and the climate emergency, with a renewed emphasis on delivering lower bills, cleaner rivers, and reduced flooding.” Minutes, 5 March 2026 ↗
6. In moving the Reform UK administration's 2026/27 Budget and 2026-31 MTFS, Cllr Shaw stated the Council's track record of delivering planned savings had enabled a proposed £103m of budget reductions over five years (to 2030/31) and £27.7m of savings in 2026/27 alone, alongside a proposed 3.89% council tax rise.
“The Council’s track record of delivering planned savings had enabled a proposed £103m of budget reductions over five years and £27.7m in the next financial year.” Document, 5 February 2026 ↗
7. Warwickshire County Council's Cabinet resolved on 4 September 2025 to approve a new Flag Policy formalising which flags fly from the flagpoles at Shire Hall, restricting them to three as a matter of course — the Union Flag, the Cross of St George and the County flag (swapped for the Armed Forces Covenant flag during Armed Forces Week) — with other organisations required to apply to the Chairman for any other flag to be flown; the report was presented by Portfolio Holder Councillor Michael Bannister.
“Resolved That Cabinet approves the Warwickshire County Council Flag Policy appended to this report.” Minutes, 4 September 2025 ↗
“Councillor Bannister explained that three flags would be flown as a matter of course: the Union flag, the Cross of St George and the County flag.” Minutes, 4 September 2025 ↗
8. The Council resolves to re-establish the climate cross-party working group to review and update the impact of climate change on the council and residents, reporting back within six months.
“Re-establish the climate cross-party working group to review and update the impact of climate change on the council and the residents of Warwickshire, reporting back no later than 6 months from its first meeting.” Document, 22 July 2025 ↗
9. Warwickshire County Council's dedicated climate governance body, the Climate Emergency Cross-Party Working Group, continued to operate under the Reform administration rather than being abolished or downgraded. At the County Council meeting on 17 March 2026, Councillor Will Roberts moved and Councillor Darren Cheshire seconded a recommendation that Council endorse the Working Group's report; Roberts explained the cross-party group had been established to understand the Council's activity on climate change and delivering the Sustainable Futures Strategy, and Council agreed the Working Group would provide a further update to full Council on 15 December 2026.
“Endorses the next steps set out in the report prior to the Climate Emergency Cross-Party Working Group providing an update to full Council at its meeting on 15 December 2026.” Document, 17 March 2026 ↗
“Councillor Darren Cheshire seconded the recommendation and reserved the right to speak.” Document, 17 March 2026 ↗
“Councillor Will Roberts moved the recommendation as set out in the report. In doing so, he explained that the cross-party group had been established to understand the Council’s activity in addressing climate change and delivering the Sustainable Futures Strategy.” Minutes, 17 March 2026 ↗
10. Warwickshire County Council's declared climate targets, as set out in the Annual Sustainable Futures Report presented to the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Feb 2025), were to reach net zero as a council by 2030 and net zero across the county by 2050.
“To become a net zero council by 2030, to become a net zero county by 2050 and adapt our services and communities to be able cope with climate change.” Minutes, 25 June 2025 ↗
11. Cabinet on 11 May 2026 endorsed the FINAL, adopted version of the Council Plan 2026-30 for onward consideration by full Council on 14 May 2026, confirming the net-zero de-emphasis carried through from the draft into the adopted plan: opposition Councillor Jonathan Chilvers objected that the final version still gave insufficient attention to climate change, and Leader Councillor George Finch replied that improved outcomes were not to be achieved solely via net zero measures.
“The Leader, Councillor George Finch, introduced this report seeking Cabinet’s endorsement of the final version of the Council Plan for 2026-30 for onward consideration by full Council on 14 May 2026” Minutes, 11 May 2026 ↗
“Councillor Jonathan Chilvers expressed disappointment that the final version of the Council Plan did not fully reflect the views of Council or the comments made by overview and scrutiny committees. He stated that this was most pronounced in the level of attention given to climate change, which he considered insufficiently addressed.” Minutes, 11 May 2026 ↗
“He emphasised that improved outcomes could be achieved through a range of measures and were not limited to increased adoption of solar panels or a focus on net zero emissions.” Minutes, 11 May 2026 ↗
12. At the same 11 May 2026 Cabinet meeting, Councillor David Curtis noted that the Council Plan's 'vibrant places, safe communities and environment' engagement-survey focus area had been renamed 'proud places and safe communities' in the adopted Plan, removing the explicit reference to the environment, a rewording that had not itself been put to public engagement.
“this focus area had been renamed “proud places and safe communities” in the Plan, removing explicit reference to the environment” Minutes, 11 May 2026 ↗
13. A Reform councillor (Neil Garland) confirmed the Reform UK 2026/27 budget itself delivered savings 'in the climate change service'; a further Joint Liberal Democrat/Green amendment at the reconvened 17 Feb 2026 meeting, which would have retained climate-team funding and created space for investment in local energy generation, was also defeated (19 to 24) before the Reform UK budget (without that investment) was adopted.
“Highlighted identified savings, including waste management, efficiencies in communications and ICT, and in the climate change service.” Minutes, 5 February 2026 ↗
“The results were 19 votes in favour, 24 votes against and 2 abstentions. The amendment was defeated.” Minutes, 17 February 2026 ↗
“He noted that the amendment retained funding for the climate team and created space for investment in flood resilience and local energy generation.” Minutes, 17 February 2026 ↗
14. At the 5 Feb 2026 County Council budget meeting, the Green Group's budget amendment (moved by Cllr Jonathan Chilvers, seconded by Cllr Mark Stevens) proposed extra investment in solar/renewable energy generation and storage on the council estate, plus retention of the council's climate change team, as part of its 'climate resilience' priority against the Reform UK administration's budget; the amendment was defeated 6 votes to 42.
“Highlighted sustainable investments in active travel and solar energy generation and storage, noting these would deliver ongoing savings through reduced energy costs.” Minutes, 5 February 2026 ↗
“investment in local energy generation and storage, and retention of the climate change team.” Minutes, 5 February 2026 ↗
“The results were 6 votes in favour, 42 votes against and 1 abstention. The amendment was defeated.” Minutes, 5 February 2026 ↗
15. At the 25 Feb 2026 Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, in response to a question from Cllr Jonathan Chilvers about delays to the council's climate-related work, Director Steve Smith confirmed the estates management plan (covering solar and heat pump installation on council buildings) was delayed, with decisions on decarbonising the council's own estate contingent on capital availability and assessed site-by-site rather than committed.
“decisions on decarbonising buildings would depend on capital availability, with technologies such as solar and heat pumps to be assessed on a site-by-site basis.” Minutes, 25 February 2026 ↗
16. On 17 March 2026 Warwickshire County Council carried, by a majority, a 'Restore Britain Group Motion' moved by Councillor Scott Cameron and seconded by Councillor Luke Cooper, whose adopted text states that productive farmland must be protected from the installation of solar farms (alongside mass housing / industrial development), on food-security and rural-economy grounds.
“Productive farmland must be protected from mass housing / industrial development and the installation of solar farms whilst ensuring farmers are more easily able to diversify” Decisions, 17 March 2026 ↗
“Restore Britain Group Motion Councillor Scott Cameron moved the following Motion, seconded by Councillor Luke Cooper who reserved his right to speak.” Minutes, 17 March 2026 ↗
17. An amendment by Councillor Jerry Roodhouse (seconded by Councillor Ben Edwards) that sought to remove the wording protecting farmland from solar-farm installation was defeated by a majority and the substantive motion was then carried; the debate expressly recorded concern about removing the solar-farm protection.
“The Amendment was defeated by a majority vote. A vote was then held on the substantive Motion which was carried by a majority.” Minutes, 17 March 2026 ↗
“Concerns were expressed about the wording of the Amendment, particularly regarding the removal of wording which sought the protection of farmland from the installation of solar farms.” Minutes, 17 March 2026 ↗
18. At its full-council meeting of 16 December 2025, Warwickshire County Council watered down a road-safety motion so that a proposed rollout of 20mph limits around schools became only a review of existing criteria. An amendment (proposed by Councillor Jan Matecki, seconded by the Reform Leader of the Council, Councillor George Finch) struck out the motion's call for 'the introduction of 20mph limits ... on all roads adjacent to educational establishments during peak school traffic times' and replaced it with a commitment to 'Review the current criteria ... for setting 20mph speed limits and assess how these are applied to roads adjacent to schools'. Finch said he had been unable to support the original motion because of the budget setting and potential expenditure its wording implied but supported the amendment; the amendment was accepted as friendly and the amended motion was carried unanimously.
“due to the proximity of budget setting and the potential expenditure required as a result of the original wording, he had been unable to support the original Motion but he was supportive of the amendment” Minutes, 16 December 2025 ↗
“A vote was then held on the substantive motion which was carried unanimously” Minutes, 16 December 2025 ↗
“The introduction of 20mph limits or advisory speed limits of 20mph on all roads adjacent to educational establishments during peak school traffic times” Minutes, 16 December 2025 ↗
“Review the current criteria used by Warwickshire County Council for setting 20mph speed limits and assess how these are applied to roads adjacent to schools” Decisions, 16 December 2025 ↗
19. At Cabinet on 12 June 2025, Councillor Chilvers asked the Portfolio Holder and Leader whether Warwickshire had plans to introduce a DOGE unit similar to Kent County Council's; the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property, Councillor Shaw, replied that there was an ambition to save money but no firm DOGE plans were in place at that point.
“Councillor Chilvers addressed the need to deliver savings in 2025/26 and asked the Portfolio Holder if he or the Leader had plans to introduce a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), similar to that brought in by the new administration at Kent County Council. In response, Councillor Shaw advised that there was an ambition to save money for the Council and people of Warwickshire but there were no firm plans in place so far.” Document, 10 July 2025 ↗
20. At Cabinet on 4 September 2025, rather than commissioning DOGE or an external paid review, Councillor Shaw proposed and Cabinet resolved to establish the Council's own internal two-year 'Value for Money' savings programme, governed by Shaw with Executive Director for Resources delegated to finalise scope; Shaw stated the programme would let the Council capture savings 'should a DOGE programme come in' -- i.e. as of this decision DOGE itself had still not been established or invited in.
“He highlighted that by initiating this programme, as many savings as possible could be made, should a DOGE programme come in.” Minutes, 16 October 2025 ↗
“1) Approves establishing a Council Value for Money programme to support the Medium-Term Financial Strategy refresh, focusing on the objectives set out in paragraph 4.23 of the report and programme workstreams in paragraph 4.24 of the report;” Minutes, 16 October 2025 ↗
21. Cllr Stephen Shaw (Reform UK Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property) presented the Reform UK administration's 2026/27 Budget and 2026-31 Medium Term Financial Strategy to County Council on 5 February 2026, describing a value-for-money programme of procurement review, a £730,000 AI investment to drive efficiencies, new revenue generation, and staff-expenditure review.
“Councillor Stephen Shaw (Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property) presented the Reform UK budget proposal stating that national financial pressures, particularly over the previous 18 months, continued to impact local authorities and required the Council to deliver efficient, value-for-money services.” Minutes, 17 March 2026 ↗
22. The budget process was adjourned after the original 3.89% Reform UK proposal failed to secure support on 17 February 2026, and Cllr Shaw then moved an amendment raising the council tax rise to 4.44% and retaining youth grant funding; Council formally resolved to agree the 2026/27 Budget and continue work on the 2026-31 MTFS by a recorded vote (against 18, abstentions 3).
“ent which proposed a 4.44% increase in council tax and the retention of the youth grant funding.” Minutes, 17 February 2026 ↗
“Resolved That Council agrees the 2026/27 Budget and authorises work to continue on ensuring the 2026-31 Medium Term Financial Strategy is aligned with and supports the delivery of the Council’s ambitions as set out in the Council Plan.” Document, 17 February 2026 ↗
23. At the Cabinet meeting, councillors noted the Pride flag had previously been flown outside the County Council building; under the new three-flag policy Warwickshire Pride (who had written to object) was told they would have the same right as any other organisation to apply, with no automatic precedent to fly their flag.
“He felt that the flying of the Pride flag outside the County Council building had sent a message that the Council would not judge people on their sexuality but on their character.” Minutes, 4 September 2025 ↗
“In response to a letter received from Warwickshire Pride, Councillor Bannister advised that their organisation would have the same rights as any other and did not get any automatic precedent.” Minutes, 4 September 2025 ↗
24. Two call-ins against the Flag Policy (one from Liberal Democrat councillors, one cross-party) were heard by the Resources and Fire & Rescue Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 22 September 2025; amendment motions moved by Councillor Keith Kondakor (seconded by Councillor Richard Dickson) to hand flag decisions to a cross-party group, and by Councillor Richard Dickson (seconded by Councillor Keith Kondakor) to require published reasons, were both defeated 4–6, and the committee resolved to take no action — leaving the restrictive Flag Policy in force.
“Resolved That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee takes no action on the Flag Policy.” Minutes, 22 September 2025 ↗
“Councillor Keith Kondakor proposed a motion that decisions on which flags could be flown should be made by a group containing the Chair of the Council and two members of the next two largest parties that made up the Council. The motion was seconded by Councillor Richard Dickson.” Minutes, 22 September 2025 ↗
25. Opposition councillors at the call-in hearing argued the new Flag Policy risked breaching the Council's Equalities Act duties and was aimed at excluding LGBTQ+ recognition; Councillor Sam Jones said the policy was aimed at eliminating support for the LGBTQ+ community, and Councillor Richard Dickson said the policy's own equality impact assessment had flagged it was likely to draw complaints.
“Councillor Sam Jones stated his belief the flag policy was aimed more at eliminating support for the LGBTQ+ community, and noted concerns that had been raised by the relevant staff networks.” Minutes, 22 September 2025 ↗
“Councillor Dickson noted the policy’s equality impact assessment had stated before its enaction had been agreed by Cabinet that it was likely to draw complaints.” Minutes, 22 September 2025 ↗
26. For 2026/27 the Government-set council tax referendum limit for Warwickshire was 4.99%, of which 2% was the ring-fenced adult social care precept portion; the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property set this out to Cabinet in December 2025.
“Council tax referendum limits had been set by central government at 4.99% and included a 2% portion for Adult Social care.” Minutes, 11 December 2025 ↗
27. During the February 2026 budget debate, the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health, Councillor Anne-Marie Sonko, argued for taking the 2% adult social care precept, saying providers were worried about affordability without it.
“Highlighted the importance of the 2% adult social care precept, reporting that providers were concerned about affordability and future financial impacts without it.” Minutes, 5 February 2026 ↗
28. Warwickshire's original Reform UK budget proposal (council tax increase 3.89%, below the 4.99% maximum) was defeated 16 votes for to 28 against on 17 February 2026; the Council then adopted a revised Reform UK amendment raising the overall council tax increase to 4.44% for 2026/27, moved by Councillor Stephen Shaw and seconded by Councillor Christopher Kettle, carried 24 votes for to 18 against with 3 abstentions.
“The results were 19 votes in favour, 24 votes against and 2 abstentions. The amendment was defeated.” Minutes, 17 February 2026 ↗
“Votes for (24): Councillors Robert Aitkenhead, Michael Bannister, Jo Barker, Wayne Briggs, Darren Cheshire, Luke Cooper, James Crocker, Andy Crump, Yousef Dahmash, George Finch, Neil Garland, Robert Gisbourne, Dan Glover, Nigel Golby, Stuart Green, Rob Howard, Dale Keeling, Christopher Kettle, Jan Matecki, Chris Mills, Stephen Shaw, Anne-Marie Sonko, John Waine, and Adrian Warwick” Minutes, 17 February 2026 ↗
“Councillor Shaw presented an amendment which proposed a 4.44% increase in council tax and the retention of the youth grant funding.” Minutes, 17 February 2026 ↗
29. No specific 2026/27 provider fee uplift percentage or rate (domiciliary, residential or nursing) is documented in the published minutes; the Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health described rising provider costs, partly driven by national minimum wage increases, as a budget pressure and said savings came from recommissioning contracts rather than fee cuts.
“Noted that rising demand and increased provider costs (driven in part by national minimum wage increases) were major pressures affecting the sector.” Minutes, 5 February 2026 ↗
“Explained that savings were achieved through recommissioning contracts for better value rather than reducing frontline services, which were protected.” Minutes, 5 February 2026 ↗
30. Warwickshire's 2026/27 budget halved funding for children's centres. At Cabinet on 5 March 2026, Councillor Sarah Boad stated that the 50% reduction in children's centre funding was not consistent with the draft Council Plan objective of reducing health inequalities; Council Leader Councillor Finch responded that proposed mobile centres could be deployed at accessible locations to support residents experiencing the highest levels of deprivation.
“He noted that the proposed mobile centres could be deployed at accessible locations to provide localised support, particularly for residents experiencing the highest levels of social deprivation.” Minutes, 5 March 2026 ↗
“She stated that the 50% reduction in funding for children’s centres in the 2026/27 Budget was not consistent with this objective.” Minutes, 5 March 2026 ↗
31. During the February 2026 budget debate, opposition members recorded that the Reform UK proposals would cut youth services and reduce children's centre maintenance, and that the administration had not reinstated youth grant funding or children's centre resources.
“he stated that the Reform UK proposals would cut youth services and reduce children’s centre maintenance, negatively affecting vulnerable families.” Minutes, 5 February 2026 ↗
“She expressed concern that the administration had not reinstated youth grant funding or children’s centre resources and noted that cumulative funding reductions since 2010 had significantly impacted service capacity.” Minutes, 17 February 2026 ↗
32. Alongside the funding reduction, Cabinet on 27 January 2026 authorised Hatters Space in Nuneaton as the location of Warwickshire's first Best Start Family Hub, under the Department for Education's Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life strategy published in July 2025.
“authorises Hatters Space in Nuneaton as the preferred location for Warwickshire’s first Best Start Family Hub (BSFH)” Minutes, 27 January 2026 ↗
“He referred to the Department for Education’s (DfE) ‘Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life’ strategy which was published in July 2025” Minutes, 27 January 2026 ↗
33. On 16 October 2025 Warwickshire's Cabinet agreed to a public consultation on proposals to change the Children's and Young People's Travel Assistance policy, formerly the Home to School Transport Policy; the Leader cited costs that had risen to nearly £50m.
“The Leader reminded the meeting of the large increase in costs which had risen to nearly £50m” Minutes, 16 October 2025 ↗
“sought approval to undertake a public consultation on proposals to change the Council’s Children’s and Young People’s Travel Assistance policy, formerly known as the Home to School Transport Policy” Minutes, 16 October 2025 ↗
34. Consultation feedback reported to scrutiny on 22 April 2026 (623 responses) showed the strongest opposition to proposed changes affecting non-statutory provision such as SEND transport; final recommendations were to go to Cabinet in June 2026 ahead of any proposed implementation from September 2026, subject to approval.
“He highlighted areas of strongest opposition, particularly proposed changes affecting non-statutory provision such as SEND transport, catchment schools, respite settings, managed moves and the use of street lighting in route safety assessments” Minutes, 22 April 2026 ↗
“ahead of any proposed implementation from September 2026, subject to approval” Minutes, 22 April 2026 ↗
35. On 25 February 2026, the Director of Highways reported to the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee a rise in pothole repair jobs since 1 January 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, and a resulting backlog of permanent repair jobs.
“resulting in a backlog of 1,624 permanent repair jobs” Minutes, 25 February 2026 ↗
“Since 1 January 2026, 4,962 repair jobs had been issued compared with 1,678 in the same period in 2025.” Minutes, 25 February 2026 ↗
36. In the 5 February 2026 debate on the 2026/27 Budget and 2026-31 Medium Term Financial Strategy, a Reform councillor described continued commitment to resurfacing and pothole repairs rather than a quantified budget increase; no document found in Warwickshire's published minutes states a specific increase to the pothole or carriageway resurfacing budget for 2026/27.
“emphasised continued commitment to road safety, resurfacing and pothole repairs” Minutes, 5 February 2026 ↗
37. On 22 July 2025, Reform leader Cllr George Finch told County Council that the highways maintenance contract was out to tender, with a dialogue and bid-optimisation phase due to start in September 2025, and that officers had kept open the option of bringing pothole repairs in-house alongside external bids.
“The options included bringing the repair of potholes in-house.” Minutes, 23 September 2025 ↗
“the Council was out to tender for the replacement to the highways maintenance contract” Minutes, 23 September 2025 ↗
38. By the 25 February 2026 Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the retendered contract had been awarded to Balfour Beatty (the Director of Highways reported mobilisation was progressing ahead of the contract's start in May 2026), replacing the Council's previous highways term-maintenance arrangement; officers said the new contract's price-per-defect model was intended to raise the share of permanent (rather than temporary) pothole repairs.
“Richard Fenwick, Director of Highways, reported that mobilisation for the new highways maintenance contract was progressing ahead of its start in May 2026.” Minutes, 25 February 2026 ↗
“the new Balfour Beatty contract” Minutes, 25 February 2026 ↗
“The new term maintenance contract aims to increase permanent repairs to 80–90%.” Minutes, 25 February 2026 ↗
39. On 14 October 2025 Warwickshire County Council resolved to submit a single unitary council for Warwickshire as its preferred model of local government reorganisation, moved by the Leader, Councillor George Finch, and seconded by Councillor Mike Bannister. The substantive motion carried 30 votes to 14 with 3 abstentions, after the Council rejected a Liberal Democrat amendment (14 for, 31 against) that would instead have backed two unitary authorities, a Green amendment (4 for, 41 against) and a single-member amendment (3 for, 30 against).
“That the Council supports the proposal of a single unitary council for Warwickshire as the optimum model of local governance.” Decisions, 14 October 2025 ↗
“Liberal Democrat Amendment to Reform UK Motion 3 For: Councillor Steve Albon, Councillor Sarah Boad, Councillor Cliff Brown, Councillor George Cowcher, Councillor Richard Dickson, Councillor Ben Edwards, Councillor Judy Falp, Councillor Lorraine Grocott, Councillor Keith Kondakor, Councillor Max Langer, Councillor Jennifer McAllister, Councillor James Norris, Councillor Kate Rolfe, and Councillor Mark Stevens (14)” Minutes, 14 October 2025 ↗
“Councillor George Finch, Leader, seconded by Councillor Mike Bannister, moved the following motions:” Minutes, 14 October 2025 ↗
“Councillor Adrian Warwick (30) Against: Councillor Steve Albon, Councillor Sarah Boad, Councillor Cliff Brown, Councillor George Cowcher, Councillor Richard Dickson, Councillor Ben Edwards, Councillor Judy Falp, Councillor Lorraine Grocott, Councillor Keith Kondakor, Councillor Max Langer, Councillor Jennifer McAllister, Councillor James Norris, Councillor Kate Rolfe, and Councillor Mark Stevens (14) Abstentions: Councillor Nigel Golby, Councillor Luke Shingler, and Councillor John Waine (3) Resolved” Minutes, 14 October 2025 ↗
40. At the same 14 October 2025 meeting Warwickshire County Council also resolved, by 26 votes to 14, that full constituent membership of the West Midlands Combined Authority (an existing mayoral combined authority covering Coventry, Birmingham, and the Black Country) would be the best arrangement for any new unitary authority in Warwickshire to meet the government's devolution requirement, rather than a Devolution Priority Programme fast-track (no evidence in the corpus that Warwickshire was named in the Devolution Priority Programme).
“That the Council accepts that full constituent membership of the West Midlands Combined Authority would be the best arrangement for any new unitary authority or authorities in Warwickshire to meet the Government’s requirement of full devolution.” Decisions, 14 October 2025 ↗
“Reform UK Motion 2 (Substantive) For: Councillor Michael Bannister, Councillor Jo Barker, Councillor Dale Bridgewater, Councillor Wayne Briggs, Councillor Scott Cameron, Councillor Darren Cheshire, Councillor Luke Cooper, Councillor James Crocker, Councillor Andy Crump, Councillor Yousef Dahmash, Councillor Judy Falp, Councillor George Finch, Councillor Neil Garland, Councillor Robert Gisbourne, Councillor Dan Glover, Councillor Stuart Green, Councillor Edward Harris (Chair), Councillor Sam Jones, Councillor Dale Keeling (Vice-Chair), Councillor Christopher Kettle, Councillor Keith Kondakor, Councillor Jan Matecki, Councillor Stephen Shaw, Councillor Anne-Marie Sonko, Councillor Jennifer Warren, and Councillor Adrian Warwick (26) Against: Councillor Steve Albon, Councillor Sarah Boad, Councillor Cliff Brown, Councillor Stan Carvell, Councillor George Cowcher, Councillor Richard Dickson, Councillor Ben Edwards, Councillor Nigel Golby, Councillor Lorraine Grocott, Councillor Max Langer, Councillor Jennifer McAllister, Councillor James Norris, Councillor Stephen Pimm, and Councillor Kate Rolfe (14)” Minutes, 14 October 2025 ↗
41. Warwickshire County Council, as Waste Disposal Authority, approved an increase to its chargeable HWRC "Green Waste" disposal rate for 2026/27 (a charge on commercial/excess garden waste brought to household waste recycling centres, distinct from district kerbside garden-waste collection subscriptions): a 6.95% rise on the weighbridge-based charge and a 12.35% rise on the volume-based charge, approved by the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Heritage and Culture on 30 January 2026.
“For 2026/27 it is proposed to increase the charge for Green Waste by 6.95% to reflect contract price increases” Decisions, 30 January 2026 ↗
“Green Waste prices will increase by 12.35% to reflect new contract prices for the collection and treatment of green waste” Minutes, 30 January 2026 ↗
42. The decision report frames this as a Waste Disposal Authority HWRC charge, not a household kerbside collection charge: free access is for household waste, while commercial or excess quantities (including green waste) brought to HWRCs are chargeable.
“Warwickshire County Council, as a Waste Disposal Authority, has the duty to provide free to access Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) for the deposit of household waste by householders. The deposit of commercial waste and certain types of waste which are not classed as household (for example where a householder has a large quantity of rubble or wants to bring waste in a commercial vehicle such as a van) is chargeable.” Decisions, 30 January 2026 ↗
43. The Warwickshire Waste Partnership's own minutes record that kerbside garden-waste collection charging in the county is set by the district and borough councils, not by Warwickshire County Council: Stratford District Council introduced its garden-waste charge in April 2021, and by September 2025 subscription volumes were reported as falling at Stratford (down 1.79%) and Warwick (down 3.47%) but rising at Rugby (25,000 sold).
“Stratford District Council introduced garden waste charging from April 2021 and had previously seen growth year on year. However, compared to the same time last year, garden waste subscriptions were down 1.79%. Warwick District Council were down by 3.47%, noting that sales were on a downwards trend. Rugby Borough Council saw an increase in garden waste subscriptions with 25,000 sold.” Minutes, 3 September 2025 ↗
44. Warwickshire's Cabinet resolved on 10 July 2025 to authorise a competitive tender process to recommission the Domestic Abuse Specialist Counselling and Therapy (DASCAT) Service, a countywide community-based counselling and therapy service for child and adult domestic abuse victim-survivors, at a lower contract value than the previous round.
“Authorises the Executive Director for Social Care and Health to commence the procurement process for the Domestic Abuse Specialist Counselling and Therapy (DASCAT) Service” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
“Councillor Sonko explained that the Council currently commissioned a countywide counselling and therapy service for children and adult victim survivors of domestic abuse under a contract which would expire on 31 May 2026 and the service needed to be re-procured.” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
“Councillor Jonathan Chilvers noted that the service would be recommissioned at a lower value than the last round” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
“Recommissioning of the Domestic Abuse Specialist Counselling and Therapy Service (DASCAT)” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
45. Warwickshire's Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health told Cabinet on 10 July 2025 that the Council's statutory duties under Part 4 of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 had, to that date, been funded through a Section 31 Safe Accommodation Grant, but that from April 2025 this funding had become part of the Council's core budget, in the same report that recommissioned the associated DASCAT counselling and therapy service at a reduced contract value.
“Councillor Sonko explained the Council’s statutory duties under part four of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 and noted that to date funding of the Council’s duties had been through a Section 31 Safe Accommodation Grant but, from April 2025, this had become part of the Council's core funding.” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
46. Warwickshire's Cabinet resolved on 10 July 2025 to agree the recommendations of a report titled 'Warwickshire Domestic Abuse Supported Accommodation', introduced by the Portfolio Holder for Fire and Rescue and Community Safety; the substance of the decision was withheld from the public minutes as exempt information.
“11. Warwickshire Domestic Abuse Supported Accommodation Councillor Dale Bridgewater, Portfolio Holder for Fire and Rescue and Community Safety, introduced this item and summarised the exempt report. Resolved That the recommendations be agreed as per the exempt report.” Minutes, 10 July 2025 ↗
47. Warwickshire County Council's Cabinet, as recorded in the attendance list for its 11 May 2026 meeting (the last meeting before the 2026/27 municipal-year Cabinet appointments), comprised nine members: seven men (Councillors George Finch as Chair, Michael Bannister, Dale Bridgewater, Wayne Briggs, Darren Cheshire, Rob Howard and Stephen Shaw) and two women (Councillors Anne-Marie Sonko and Jennifer Warren), a majority-male Cabinet.
“Committee Members Councillor George Finch (Chair) Councillor Michael Bannister Councillor Dale Bridgewater Councillor Wayne Briggs Councillor Darren Cheshire Councillor Rob Howard Councillor Stephen Shaw Councillor Anne-Marie Sonko Councillor Jennifer Warren” Minutes, 11 May 2026 ↗
48. Renaming #1 (this administration): Warwickshire's Cabinet (16 October 2025) resolved to consult on the Home to School Transport Policy under its new name, the 'Children's and Young People's Travel Assistance policy', with the change linked to updated statutory guidance and rising costs.
“sought approval to undertake a public consultation on proposals to change the Council’s Children’s and Young People’s Travel Assistance policy, formerly known as the Home to School Transport Policy.” Minutes, 16 October 2025 ↗
“That Cabinet agrees to the undertaking of a public consultation on proposals to change the Warwickshire County Council Children's and Young People's Travel Assistance policy (formerly known as the Home to School transport policy).” Document, 16 October 2025 ↗
49. Warwickshire's Corporate Parenting Panel (22 January 2026) was told that Hero's Garden, one of the council's children's homes, had been renamed Willow House, with planning papers for the renamed home due by the end of the month — the only looked-after-children service Warwickshire renamed found in the corpus; there is no evidence of a renamed corporate-parenting panel/strategy or a 'family'-branded identity, as seen at other Reform-led councils.
“Hero’s Garden has been renamed as Willow House and that planning papers are expected to be submitted by the end of the month.” Minutes, 22 January 2026 ↗
50. Renaming #3 (this administration): the same Council Plan 2026-30 refresh (Cabinet, 11 May 2026) replaced the objective 'being a great employer' with 'delivering excellence', which a councillor argued was a less clear description of the council's aspirations as an employer.
“He expressed disappointment that the objective of “being a great employer” had been replaced with “delivering excellence”, stating that the original wording offered a clearer definition of the Council’s aspirations as an employer.” Minutes, 11 May 2026 ↗