Stories about Public Finance
City council holds sham Northbrook swimming pool closure consultation
£600,000 Exeter Leisure services budget cut signed off two weeks before pool consultation opened as St Sidwell’s Point drains other council leisure sites.
Devon County Council reveals perilous financial state with SEND spending having “significant impact” on cash balances
5.9% budget increase for 2025-26 conceals £22 million cuts and £66 million cost increases with “inevitable” impact on “vital” services.
Devon County Council “safety valve” deal target breach rises by 40% to £20.4m as SEND overspend reaches £51.6m
Cumulative SEND deficit now expected to peak at £227m while deal targets set to be missed every year to 2032, risking County Hall bankruptcy if government withdraws support.
Devon County Council 2025-26 budget to bring more service delivery cuts
£22 million cuts concealed by £60 million costs increases as council misrepresents financial position and fails to answer questions about where cuts will fall.
2024-25 SEND overspend rises to £45.8m as government “safety valve” deal target breach doubles to £14.7m in two months
County council breaches Local Government Act by failing to publish budget documents in time for scrutiny and cabinet meetings and councillors complain about missing financial information and being “kept in the dark” about SEND delivery.
