Devon County Council is forecasting a £9.3 million overspend on its 2023-24 budget, partly in relation to adult social care and children’s services, with an overspend of £4.8 million forecast in relation to capital financing charges and other non-service expenditure.
It is also carrying a £36.6 million deficit related to Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND) dedicated schools provision which it will continue to carry forwards to future financial years in line with Department for Education guidance.
In order to finance its anticipated contribution to the government “safety valve” programme, which is intended to rescue local authorities with the highest SEND dedicated schools deficits, the county council is imposing additional budget cuts across all its services.
County Hall
Adult social care expenditure will now be reduced by nearly £5 million more than the net £32.2 million reduction in its 2023-24 budget that was agreed at the county council’s annual budget meeting in February.
Children’s services (excluding the SEND dedicated schools deficit) will now be reduced by over £2 million more than the net £10 million 2023-24 budget reduction passed at the same time, and the county climate change, environment and transport budget will also be cut by an additional £1.3 million over the net £4.5 million reduction already agreed.
These and other additional service cuts totalling £10 million will be used to create a reserve for the government “safety valve” programme, to which the county council must shortly submit its application for financial support.
