Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services and Corporate Director of Resources which provided an update on the latest forecast financial position for the High Needs Block (HNB) budget, overview of the HNB sustainability programme and an update on the Delivering Better Value (DBV) in SEND Programme (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

Councillor T Henderson, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People’s Services spoke of previous reports relating to the High Needs Block funding, the quarterly financial problems and the significant financial pressures which had seen demand and complexity continue to increase since COVID.

At end of the last financial year and for the first time since 2015 there had been a small underspend in the high needs block. As welcome as this was, the Council must recognise the challenges faced with increased demand and sustained high levels of inflation reflected in the report. The DfE have recognised some of those cost pressures to a degree through the annual grant and extra funding to deliver a new programme over next 18 months.

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.