Issue - meetings

To receive a report of the Chief Executive.

That Cabinet note:

1. The monitoring update provided to the Department for Education (DfE) in April, and the feedback received following that update.

2. The statement from the DfE in response to the Council’s request for an extension to the Safety Valve agreement, submitted in December 2024.

3. The continued risk related to the Statutory Override, which is due to expire in April 2026.

Reason for Proposals

This ensures that Cabinet are fully apprised of the progress and risks around the High Needs Block and Safety Valve, and that this report is taken in public so that the council continues its commitment to transparency around Safety Valve.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education, and Skills, presented the update report on Safety Valve. He noted the serious and ongoing challenge to deliver sustainable SEND services, and that the council would look to build on existing improvements in operational performance and positive relationships with bodies such as the Wiltshire Carer Council. He noted the council was not on track to reach the original 5-year statutory override to address the £61.2m deficit, which was the biggest financial risk to the council. The council had requested an extension to 7 years to the government, and whilst this did not extend, they would accept extensions on sustainability plans, shifting focus from rigid annual targets to a more outcome focused approach. He also highlighted uncertainty around the special free schools programme in Wiltshire, as no formal confirmation of their status had been received from government, and clarity was needed before the council could develop plans.

Cllr Hubbard stated that the new administration would seek to expand the successful transformation and increase ambitious system change in order to tackle the financial challenge, without compromising on outcomes for Children.

Other Cabinet Members noted the serious financial position for the council, which affected many other local authorities, and that the administration had appointed a Portfolio Holder for Safety Valve to lead on the issue. There was also commitment to work closely with partners including where possible Multi-Academy Trusts to deliver necessary change.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Ian Thorn, emphasised the matter was not political but a challenge facing many authorities, and the Cabinet would look to ensure long term viability whilst ensuring it responded to the needs of children.

Cllr Graham Wright, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, explained during the previous council term scrutiny had recommended further work relating to Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs), to be led by the Children’s Select Committee.

Cllr Dominic Muns, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group, stated he was relieved at the understanding of the new administration of the seriousness of the issue, and noted the experience of several Cabinet Members in discussing it. He noted the level of council reserves left by the outgoing administration, and that the High Needs Bloc remained a critical issue, with EHCPs also still trending upwards. He agreed the issue was not a political one created in Wiltshire, but the result of funding shortfall from central government, which the council needed to solve.

At the conclusion of discussion, it was then,

Resolved:

That Cabinet note:

1)    The monitoring update provided to the Department for Education (DfE) in April, and the feedback received following that update.

2)    The statement from the DfE in response to the Council’s request for an extension to the Safety Valve agreement, submitted in December 2024.

3)    The continued risk related to the Statutory Override, which is due to expire in April 2026.

Reason for Proposals

This ensures that Cabinet are fully apprised of the progress and risks around the High Needs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57