Agenda item

Nicola Ponton introduced the report (Agenda Item 8), which provided information on the proposed 2025-26 High Needs Block (HNB) budget.

Nicola Ponton drew attention to page 77 of the report, which provided a detailed summary of all the costs. Section 3.10 of the report outlined the budget required in the HNB for 2026/26  which equated to about £43m. The in-year overspend was predicted to be approximately £13m and the total cumulative overspend of would be £30m. These were significant figures, and Hester Collicut would provide further detail on the Delivering Better Value Project (DBV) later on the agenda, which aimed to improve services for young people whilst looking reducing the deficit in the HNB. The Chair noted that the numbers were enormous and that the deficit was increasing exponentially each year for multiple reasons. Edwin Towill commended the report and concurred with the Chair. He acknowledged the difficulty facing the LA and stated that he would be interested to see the longer term three to five year plan, which showed the deficit decreasing and a position reached where needs were being met with available funds.

RESOLVED that the Schools’ Forum noted the report.