Agenda

To receive any apologies for absence.

Members are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 29 September 2025, as a correct record.

The 2025-26 quarter two budget monitoring position for the DSG being reported to the council’s Cabinet on 26 November is a projected increase in the high needs annual funding gap from the budgeted gap of £57.5m to a year end projection of almost £72m. This reflects higher than expected growth in demand in the later months of the last financial year, with this unabated and with a significant increase in average costs of provision.

Other DSG budgets for 2025-26 are forecast to be balanced. 

The cumulative deficit on 31 March 2026 is projected to be £183m

This report provides an overview of the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Sufficiency Strategy 2024-2026. The SEND Sufficiency Strategy is a key part of the Council’s work to deliver a sustainable and stable system, working in partnership to ensure that the needs of children and young people are met, without escalating costs, and supporting delivery of the High Needs Block of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Recovery Plan.   The strategy is based on updated SEND projections presented in this year’s annual school capacity return.

Given the scale of our immediate challenge, the SEND Sufficiency Strategy describes the actions we have been taking to respond to pressures in the system over a 2-year period. Details of our progress are contained in this report together with a summary of the key themes and strands of work that will be incorporated in an updated SEND and Alternative Provision Sufficiency Strategy that is being developed for publication in May 2026.

To consider any other business, which, in the opinion of the Chairman, is of sufficient urgency to warrant consideration.

To consider and note the Forward Plan

To note the future meeting dates as follows:

·       19 January 2026

·       22 June 2026

·       21 September 2026

·       16 November 2026