Social Value Ideas for Wyre Forest District Council

Budget underspend and reserves

Quarter 4 budget monitoring reported an overall revenue underspend of £674,000 and improved income across investment, planning, depot services, car parks, and regulatory services. The council also pla…

“The overall draught revenue position is an underspend against the medium term financial strategy assumptions and the budget approved in February 2026 …”

Budget underspend and reserves growth

The quarter 4 budget monitoring report showed a £674,000 better-than-forecast year-end position and record income, with savings and improved income across depot, planning and fleet services. Cabinet a…

“The projected year -end out -term position is £674 ,000 better than the forecast in the 2026 medium -term financial strategy. The total income, includ…”

Q1 underspend and capital slippage

Quarter 1 finance monitoring shows the council in an underspend position overall, with positive income and staffing underspends partly offset by rent and service charge shortfalls. The capital program…

“The overall revenue position is a projected net services under spend against the approved budget of 341 ,000. The reported position, including the cap…”

Clarify bridging finance for grant

Members asked for an explanation of how the council is funding £2.45 million of bridging finance while waiting for RIP/LEP grant funding held by Birmingham City Council, and when repayment will be rec…

“The Council is meeting the cost of the bridging finance pending receipt of RIP, formerly LEP, grant funding currently held by Birmingham City Council …”

Green belt brownfield housing approved

The committee approved the redevelopment of two vacant, derelict dwellings on previously developed land at Woodrow Lane into four homes. Officers and members relied on green belt exceptions for brownf…

“Members will note from the officer report that the application follows a withdrawn application that included the adjoining field and was up to ten dwe…”

Kidderminster shopfront works approved

Members supported delegated approval for retrospective external alterations to Unit 2 Riverside, including shopfront changes, planters, screening, and a takeaway access hatch. The discussion shows the…

“Application 2509624 is an application relating to Unit 2, Riverside on Exchange Street. The application comprises alterations to the shopfront, includ…”

Kidderminster Eastern Extension reserved matters approved

Members approved reserved matters for a large housing-led development at Cumberton Road, Kidderminster, subject to a unilateral undertaking and conditions. The scheme includes layout, scale, appearanc…

“The application also benefits from outline permission that was granted under a hybrid application in November 2025. This means that planning permissio…”

Food waste service deferred

The council decided not to implement the statutory food waste collection service at this time because it lacks the revenue funding needed to cover ongoing operating costs, despite receiving £1.1 milli…

“For the first time in my 24 years on Wireforest District Council, we are in the unprecedented but rational position of not being able to implement imp…”

Food waste collections deferred

The council confirmed it would not proceed with mandatory food waste collections because the revenue funding gap is too large and there has been no meaningful government response. This is a procuremen…

“The short answer is no. We haven't had any in -depth response. We've had a formal response from DEFRA, which is a very brief acknowledgement to the Ch…”