Education chiefs say that they expect to spend more than £25 million over budget on schools in Lincolnshire due to the demand of special educational needs.
This is an increase from the county council’s previous forecast in October of a £22.3 million overspend.
Coun Natalie Oliver portfolio holder for children’s services said: “The pressures and the demands that we are seeing in children’s services are significant and also national.
“As officers have explained, we continue to do all we can to mitigate those costs, such as the ambitious Better Belonging strategy and also bringing in placements in terms of our short-stay children’s homes.
“It is important to recognise that we do deliver high-quality services at some of the lowest costs in the country.
“However, as Lincolnshire County Council is one of the lower funded councils, we do recognise that our pressures create a challenge for the council, and as I say, we will continue to do all we can to mitigate those costs.”
* The Conservatives on Lincolnshire County Council have accused the administration of making £14m worth of cuts to the proposed budget, though Reform councillors say it will still be spent, but later than expected.
The controversy centres over nearly £13m for special needs children with Education, Health and Care plans, which will be spent later than expected.
Around £1m for school places and other funds for school projects and a secure unit have also been moved.
Coun Richard Davis accused Reform politicians of ‘not being open’.
“They are creeping out in obscure finance tables under scrutiny,” he said. “Residents deserve honesty, not a financial shell game.
“Delaying over £12 million of SEND (special education needs and disabilities) capital does absolutely nothing for the children who need places now.
“These decisions hit statutory services and create real pressures for families and schools.
“We have a pattern of hidden reductions, reactive decisions and growing risk.”
Executive member for children’s services Coun Natalie Oliver said they were ‘not cuts’.
“On all major projects, we’ll forecast when spending is likely to occur as part of our budgeting process,” she said.
“It’s not unusual for these forecasts to be revised and the timing of spending changed as things move forward.
“This can happen for a number of reasons, such as works starting sooner or later than anticipated or projects coming in under budget.”
