The following challenges were being managed during quarter 3, 2024 to 2025.
Budget challenges
Despite good progress being made during the quarter to reduce the potential budget overspend in the current financial year, the position on the dedicated schools grant (DSG) continues to be challenging.
The council had undertaken a range of measures to reduce expenditure, yet the continuing increase in the number of education health and care plans (EHCPs) for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has caused spending to rise by almost £4 million from the approved budget.
Forest View Academy School
There are delays on progress to build Forest View Academy School for 100 pupils with autism. This is related to the national review of the Safety Valve Programme. The project has currently been put on hold by the Department for Education. An update is expected in early 2025.
Increase in demand
Increase in demand across both Children’s and Adult’s services alongside local health system pressures.
Climate change programme
External funding to support the delivery of the climate change programme is proving hard to source. The action plan will be developed taking into account this challenge, leveraging value from existing resources.
Building Control
Building Control continues to be a risk with recruitment of suitably qualified Building Control Inspectors remaining difficult, alongside the many legislative changes that the new Building Safety Regulator is bringing into force.
Over the coming quarter, an external independent audit of the service is being undertaken along with 50 other smaller authority areas.