The Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 11 February 2026 focused on two key areas: the pressures and data surrounding the Education, Health, and Care (EHC) process, and a financial review of the council's public health spending. Significant concerns were raised regarding the increasing demand for EHC plans, the timeliness of assessments, and the financial management of the public health grant, which led to a potential repayment liability.

The EHC Process: Data and Pressures

The committee received a detailed presentation on the data gathered and reported concerning the EHC process. Commissioning Director of Education, Jane Hargreaves, and Denise Watts, Head of Statutory SEND Services, highlighted a sustained and significant rise in demand for EHC needs assessments, with a 23% increase in referrals over the last four years. This surge in demand has placed considerable pressure on the service, leading to challenges in meeting statutory timescales.

Key points discussed included:

• Increased Referrals: The number of initial requests for EHC assessments has risen steadily, with a notable jump between 2024 and 2025. This increase is attributed to factors such as the impact of pandemic-related educational disruption, emerging needs in early years, and families moving into the borough.
• Timeliness of Assessments: While efforts have been made to improve the timeliness of issuing EHC plans, the council is still falling short of the national average of 45% of plans issued within the 20-week statutory timeframe. In 2025, only 27.7% of plans were issued within this period.
• Mediation and Tribunals: There has been a significant increase in both mediation requests and tribunal appeals related to EHC plans, indicating a rise in disputes between parents and the local authority.
• Placements: The number of EHC plans maintained has also increased, with a growing proportion of children and young people being educated in mainstream settings, including those with Additional Resource Provisions (ARPs). However, there has also been a substantial increase in the number of places required in special schools.
• Primary SEN Needs: The data shows a notable rise in children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN) as their primary SEN need.
• Post-16 Provision: The growing cohort of young people aged 16-25 requiring SEND support highlights a reliance on post-16 provision and a need for better pathways into employment, volunteering, and social opportunities for this age group.
• Government Reforms: An update was provided on the government's forthcoming SEND reforms, outlined in the Schools White Paper. These reforms aim to create a more inclusive system with a focus on early, local, fair, effective, and shared provision. Local areas will be required to develop Local SEND Reform Plans.

Concerns were raised about the capacity of the service to manage the increasing demand, the impact of staff turnover, and the need for greater investment to support children and young people with SEND. The council highlighted its commitment to inclusive education, with a high proportion of children educated in mainstream settings, but acknowledged the strain on resources.

Financial Review of Public Health Spends

The committee also reviewed a financial report detailing public health spending for 2022/23 and 2023/24. The review revealed potential non-compliant expenditure and a lack of transparency in the allocation of the ring-fenced Public Health Grant.

Key findings and decisions included:

• Misapplied Funds: A forensic review identified a potential £1.8 million in ineligible spend, with £675,000 of this being inappropriately allocated to support General Fund savings in 2022/23. This expenditure was in contravention of the grant conditions.
• Repayment Liability: While the council will not have to repay the £1.8 million directly to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) due to proactive reporting and the implementation of new controls, the General Fund will need to repay this amount to the public health budget for reallocation.
• Strengthened Governance: In response to these findings, the council has implemented significant measures to strengthen financial management and oversight of the Public Health Grant. This includes establishing a Public Health Grant Executive Assurance & Oversight Board, revising budget accountability to give the Director of Public Health direct oversight of all allocations, and introducing enhanced internal controls and monitoring.
• Memorandum of Understanding: A memorandum of understanding has been introduced for departments receiving public health funding, requiring them to commit to key deliverables and provide evidence of expenditure.
• Focus on Outcomes: There is a renewed focus on aligning public health expenditure with corporate priorities and council commitments, particularly in addressing health inequalities and improving healthy life expectancy. The council acknowledges that healthy life expectancy has not improved in recent history and is undertaking a strategic realignment of public health grant spending to target key age groups and interventions.

The committee expressed concern over the past financial mismanagement but acknowledged the positive steps being taken to improve governance and accountability. The discussion also touched upon the broader determinants of health, including housing, and how public health funding could be better utilised to address these wider issues.

The meeting concluded with the committee noting the work programme and thanking the officers for their presentations.