BCP Council says a remaining schools grant deficit and rising care costs are adding to financial pressure across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole as it asks ministers for further support. Government funding is being sought to help ease growing financial pressure on BCP Council. The council says ministers have approved its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities reform plan, which makes it eligible for a £161.85 million grant covering 90% of the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit built up by the end of 2025/26. However, BCP Council says it will still have to cover the remaining 10%, which
Government funding is being sought to help ease growing financial pressure on BCP Council.
The council says ministers have approved its Special Educational Needs and Disabilities reform plan, which makes it eligible for a £161.85 million grant covering 90% of the Dedicated Schools Grant deficit built up by the end of 2025/26.
However, BCP Council says it will still have to cover the remaining 10%, which stands at £38 million, while it also faces wider pressure across local services in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
The authority says extra pressures have already risen above £32 million this year, with a forecast gap of about £38 million next year, driven by demand for children’s and adults’ social care.
Councillor Mike Cox, the council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, said the Government’s 90% commitment was “welcome”, but added that the remaining bill “adds significantly” to existing pressure on the authority.
The council says it is holding departmental reviews, strengthening financial controls, prioritising essential spending and developing a recovery programme, and Councillor Cox said “local measures alone cannot close a gap of this scale”.
