£9.6m drop in city council's annual overspend prediction

But £4.1m rise in children’s service costs

- Phil Corrigan Local Democracy Reporter

COUNCIL leaders have praised efforts to slash their authority's overspend this year.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council predicts that it will overspend its revenue budget by £4.1 million in 2025/26 - down from the £13.7 million variance projected three months ago.

The overall reduction has come despite a worsening position within the children and families directorate - the area with the largest deficit.

Children and families is now projecting a £13.6 million overspend, up from £9.5 million, due to increased spending on care placements.

But all other directorates have seen an improved position.

Adult social care and all-commissioning, for example, saw its forecast deficit fall from £2.5 million to £812,000.