countycouncilsnetwork

New devolution timetable and spending powers for mayors announced: CCN responds

Today the government has announced a fresh timetable for devolution in England, alongside the ability for mayors to retain a share of income tax. The government has committed to introducing strategic ...
countycouncilsnetwork

Cabinet appointed as Andy Burnham becomes Prime Minister: CCN responds

The new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced his cabinet - and CCN responds to the appointments that impact on local government. Angela Rayner returns as Secretary of State for Housing, ...
County Councils Network

Rural counties now receive just a third of funding for vulnerable children compared to the major cities

Ahead of the Autumn Budget, read CCN's new analysis on per-child funding for children's services, which shows a disparity across England.
countycouncilsnetwork

CCN Conference

Our flagship Annual Conference takes place every November. View informatioon for this year's event and recap on past CCN conferences below. Our Annual Conference is our flagship in-person gathering, ...
countycouncilsnetwork

Councils warn SEND system faces total collapse without major reform to services

Councils say the government 'cannot keep ducking’ reforms to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system as new research reveals a system on course for total collapse with local ...
countycouncilsnetwork

Spiralling SEND transport budgets threaten financial sustainability of England’s largest councils, report reveals

England’s largest councils today warn that spiralling school transport budgets for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) are threatening their financial sustainability, as new ...
countycouncilsnetwork

Councils warn of financial catastrophe in 12 months time, with ‘unmanageable’ SEND deficits risking bankruptcy

Councils today warn that there is just 12 months to avert a financial catastrophe for local authorities, with £6bn in special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) deficits set to be placed on ...
countycouncilsnetwork

SEND deficits: government avoids ‘financial cliff edge’ for councils but a comprehensive solution is now critical

Today the government has confirmed that the mechanism to keep special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) services deficits off councils’ budgets will be extended alongside a commitment to ...
countycouncilsnetwork

Local authorities warn 'difficult but necessary’ council tax rises are needed to help prevent insolvency, as new analysis reveals 95% plan maximum increase

Virtually every local authority with responsibility for social care in England plans on raising its council tax by the maximum this April, with council leaders saying such rises are necessary to ...
countycouncilsnetwork

Educational outcomes for SEND pupils have failed to improve over the last decade despite costs of these services trebling, new independent report reveals

Educational attainment amongst children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) has not improved since the introduction of landmark reforms in 2014, despite councils projected to be ...
countycouncilsnetwork

Autumn Budget must back England's counties to deliver growth, amidst warnings that county and unitary councils are set to spend £7bn more a year by 2029

County and rural unitary councils are on course to be spending £7bn more a year on services by 2028, unless the government acts in next month’s Autumn Budget. The warning comes in the County Councils ...
countycouncilsnetwork

SEND deficits risk bankrupting almost three quarters of England’s largest councils by 2027, with government urged to take action

Twenty-six of England’s largest councils could have to declare bankruptcy by 2027 if the multi-billion special educational needs and disabilities services (SEND) deficits they are grappling with are ...