A councillor has called for a review of the funding formula which sees Cheshire East allocated just a third of the amount some other councils receive for children with special needs, writes Belinda Ryan.
Cllr Laura Crane, chair of Cheshire East’s children and families committee, is urging all councillors to lobby their MPs to ensure the funding formula is revisited as soon as possible.
She was responding to a question at full council from Cllr Sarah Bennett-Wake who asked whether it was fair councils like Cheshire East receive substantially lower funding for the dedicated school grant’s high needs block.
Cllr Bennett-Wake said Cheshire East gets just £1,000 per pupil, whereas Camden Council gets £3,500 per pupil.
Cllr Crane replied: “I honestly can’t understand how anyone can justify the differential.”
She said Cheshire East is a member of the lobbying group F40, which represents the council areas receiving the lowest levels of funding nationally.
“This body’s been working for years to lobby government to revisit the funding formula,” said Cllr Crane.
“Statistically it is clear that, in F40 areas, there is a greater demand for education, health and care plans, and it does seem to be linked to the funding levels received by our mainstream schools.
“We all know that while money doesn’t buy happiness, it does pay for resources, additional staff, equipment and space, allowing our children to thrive.
“I would encourage all members to lobby their MPs to ensure the funding formula is revisited as soon as possible.
“Our children are worth more.”
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