The Cabinet of Hertfordshire Council met on Wednesday 16 September 2026, approving a significant investment in post-16 education for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) and endorsing a new plan to transform SEND provision across the county. Key decisions included the allocation of over £21 million to four further education colleges to create new specialist places and improve facilities, and the adoption of the SEND Provision Plan 2026-2029, which outlines a major redesign of the SEND system.

SEND Provision Plan 2026-2029 Adopted

Cabinet approved the adoption of the SEND Provision Plan 2026-2029, a comprehensive strategy designed to create a more responsive and inclusive SEND system across Hertfordshire. The plan, developed through extensive collaboration with young people, parents, schools, and other stakeholders, is built on five key pillars: strengthening capacity in mainstream schools, expanding specialist capacity within mainstream settings, creating more special school places, updating special school designations, and ensuring child-centred placements.

The plan responds to increasing levels of need and complexity among children and young people with SEND, as well as workforce pressures and financial constraints. Consultation feedback indicated broad support for the plan's priorities, with particular emphasis on creating more special school places and expanding specialist provision in mainstream schools. Concerns raised during consultation, such as workforce capacity, funding pressures, and confidence in mainstream inclusion, have informed refinements to the final plan, including strengthened commitments to outreach, transition support, and phased implementation.

Key recommendations agreed upon include:

• The adoption and publication of the SEND Provision Plan 2026-2029 for implementation.
• Authorisation for the Executive Director for Children's Services & Education, in consultation with the Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, to initiate statutory consultation on including Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) within the designation of existing Learning Difficulties (LD) schools, creating Complex Cognition and Learning schools.
• Agreement to update the Local Offer in line with the SEND Provision Plan.
• Agreement that progress will be measured through the SEND Reform Plan performance framework.

The plan is underpinned by a substantial capital programme, with £140 million approved for SEND provision, aiming to deliver 1,150 new specialist places by 2029. This programme will fund new SEND units, expand existing special schools, develop satellite sites, refurbish mainstream schools, and invest in the further education estate. The aim is to reduce independent placements, shorten travel distances for children with complex needs, and ensure sufficiency across all educational phases.

Councillor Mark Watkin, Executive Member for Education, SEND and Inclusion, presented the plan, highlighting that it responds to continuing growth in demand and complexity and addresses the long-standing insufficiency in specialist places and variability in mainstream inclusion. He added that the plan's purpose is to grow our needs-led provision that strengthens mainstream inclusion capacity, expands specialist options, changes special school designations and aligns funding more closely with the complexity of need.

Hillary Skoczylas, Executive Member for Children & Families, welcomed the plan, noting the significant progress made since the SEND Summit. She inquired about any specific tweaks made in response to consultation feedback. Councillor Watkin explained that while the core principles remained, refinements had been made, particularly concerning transition support and phased implementation, addressing concerns about speed and workforce capacity.

The plan's development involved extensive engagement, including 44 events and contributions from over 400 children and young people. Stakeholders broadly supported the plan's priorities, with strong backing for expanding specialist provision and improving mainstream inclusion.

£21 Million Investment in Post-16 SEND Provision Approved

Cabinet approved a significant investment of £21.045 million to expand post-16 SEND provision across Hertfordshire's four further education colleges. This funding, drawn from an increased capital funding envelope of £147.34 million for Enabling SEND Provision, will support four key projects aimed at creating approximately 150 new specialist places and enhancing existing provision.

The approved projects include:

• Hertford Regional College: £3.25 million to fund an extension and reconfiguration of the Inclusive Learning Department at Ware, creating 35 specialist places for learners with learning difficulties and autism.
• North Herts College: £6.5 million to support a two-phase expansion of Supported Studies in Stevenage, delivering 50 additional places through new specialist teaching facilities, vocational learning spaces, and sensory support areas.
• Oaklands College: £9 million to create a new Springfield High Needs Centre in St Albans, providing 45 new places and enhancing 35 existing places for young people with the most profound and complex needs.
• West Herts College: £1.2 million to improve inclusive learning environments in Watford and Hemel Hempstead, creating support for an additional 20 learners and improving facilities for around 200 existing students, particularly those with social, emotional, and mental health needs.

Councillor Chris Lucas, Executive Member for Resources and Performance, expressed delight in bringing the paper forward, stating, This forms a key part of our SEND strategy and responds to rising demand, increasing complexity of need, and the clear message from families that they want more high-quality provision closer to home for their children when they reach the age of 16. He highlighted that this investment is financially responsible, as independent specialist placements can cost over £100,000 per learner annually, whereas local college provision is significantly less expensive.

Councillor Sally Symington, Deputy Leader of the Council, welcomed the investment, noting that it was the first time the authority had invested capital money into further education colleges for better SEND outcomes. She praised the work with West Herts College and the potential for job creation through training in areas like adult care and construction.

The decision was carried with all members voting in favour.

Council Commits to Joining City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network

Cabinet agreed to commit Hertfordshire County Council to joining the City of Sanctuary Local Authority Network and requested that officers work towards recognition as a Council of Sanctuary. This decision acknowledges the Council's existing statutory duties that support people seeking sanctuary, including responsibilities for safeguarding, social care, education, and public health. The Council also plays a wider role in supporting community cohesion and early intervention. Cabinet noted that Council of Sanctuary status does not confer immigration powers or create new legal obligations, and that accreditation fees are covered by government funding for support services.

Updated HCC Guides for Town Planning Process Endorsed

Cabinet endorsed revised guides related to the town planning process: the Local Plans Engagement Document, the Service Provision and Place-making Guide, and the Guide to Developer Infrastructure Contributions. These documents provide guidance to Hertfordshire's ten district and borough councils on County Council service-related matters within the plan-making process, setting out the Council's approach to supporting county services through development management processes.

Street Lighting Policy Review Noted, with Member Flexibility Added

Cabinet noted the findings of the street lighting policy review, which concluded that current arrangements meet the existing policy and deliver intended outcomes. Two changes to the policy were agreed:

• Members can now fund additional lighting via their Highway Locality Budget, subject to a cap on overall growth in street lighting stock.
• Members can, on an exceptional basis, request officers to move or remove specific lighting columns, subject to policy and technical appraisal, funded by their Highway Locality Budget.

These changes aim to provide additional flexibility while maintaining the policy's focus on providing overnight lighting where needed and reducing carbon emissions and costs.

Quarter 1 Finance Budget Monitor 2026/27 Noted

Cabinet noted the Quarter 1 Finance Budget Monitor for 2026/27, which highlighted a forecast revenue overspend of £23.4 million. This is primarily driven by increased demand and complexity within Children's Services and Adult Care Services, alongside pressures from the agreed pay award and delayed corporate savings targets. The Council's approved budget includes a £10 million contingency provision. Cabinet approved the capital re-programming of £13.8 million and endorsed the allocation of cross-cutting workforce and third-party expenditure savings to departments.

Hertfordshire County Council Performance Monitor - Quarter 1 2026/27 Approved

Cabinet approved the metrics and approach outlined in the Hertfordshire County Council Performance Monitor for Quarter 1 of 2026/27. The report indicated continued strong corporate performance, with most key performance indicators meeting targets or remaining within acceptable tolerance levels. Good progress was noted against Corporate Plan priorities, including improvements in customer satisfaction and service responsiveness, despite ongoing demand pressures in several service areas.