How spending on SEND will be poll campaign issue

HERE'S one issue that virtually all of Devon's prospective councillors will bring up as they door-knock residents as part of their election campaigns.

- BRADLEY GERRARD Local Democracy Reporter

Almost without fail, the issue of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) will arise because it's emotive, controversial and, crucially, amid the living crisis, expensive.

At its crux lies a massive overspend, long waits for families whose children need assessments so they can get the extra support in school, and a level of demand that only seems to rise. And Devon is just one of many councils nationally racking up huge SEND deficits.

The Conservatives have been in power at Devon County Council (DCC) since 2009, and so may be blamed by opposition parties for failing to tackle the problems and for financial mismanagement around the issue.

But Conservative candidates vying to be elected in next month’s county council elections may claim they have been dealt an impossible hand because of a combination of increasing demand following years of Government funding cuts.

They are also likely to add that councillors approved a 5.5% increase in the children’s services budget (which includes SEND) for this financial year, equivalent to more than £12 million, to take it above £237 million.

So, what should voters make of the issue?

It’s true DCC continues to overspend on SEND. The cumulative overspend, built up over years, has surpassed £131m. It budgeted for a £31m overspend in the 2024-25 financial year, but this total is more likely to be £52m.