Commissioners 'very anxious' over predicted £15m black hole in city council's SEND budget

'SIGNIFICANT' OVERSPEND DUE TO SOARING DEMAND

- By JOSEPH LOCKER Local Democracy Reporter

GOVERNMENT officials overseeing improvements at Nottingham City Council say they are “very anxious” over an expected £15 million black hole in its special educational needs budget.

Commissioners were appointed last year after the Labour-run authority declared itself effectively bankrupt.

While the council says its finances have since improved from “terminal to critical,” it is still facing serious problems in some areas.

The authority says its financial reserves for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are dwindling, with “significant overspending” due to soaring demand.

Council reserves could now fall into a £601,000 deficit in the financial year beginning April 2027, before worsening to £15.2 million by 2030.