SEND support demand puts pressure on council

LEADING councillors in Northumberland have said successive Governments have delayed vital reforms when it comes to funding for key services.

- JAMES ROBINSON

Demand for adult social care and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support has skyrocketed in recent years and funding has failed to keep pace.

It has been revealed that the council will have to make savings of £18.5m in the coming year, while council tax payers will see their bills rise from April. The Government is providing £7.2m in additional funding to the core spending power, with additional uplifts for SEND children planned.

Speaking at Tuesday's meeting of the council's corporate services and economic growth scrutiny committee, Conservative cabinet member for finance Coun Nick Oliver said: "There is great uncertainty around demand for services, particularly around adult social care and children's services.

"Demand has been rising ahead of inflation and what we have seen in the past. We've had an unprecedented level of increase.