Decision details
High needs budget 2026/27
PDF 125 KBDecision Maker: Cabinet member children and young people
Decision status: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: Yes
Purpose:
To propose the High Needs Budget for 2026/27
to the Cabinet Member Children and Young People.
Dedicated Schools Grant funding for the High Needs Block (HNB) in
2026/27 is £25.14 million. At this stage, the funding for HNB
is provisional and is subject to final adjustments based on actual
termly take up. The funding values and formula calculations are in
accordance with the National Funding Formula (NFF) as set by the
Government.
Decision:
That:
Herefordshire’s High Needs Budget of £50.9 million for 2026/27 for approval by the CabinetMember forChildren and Young People asset outin the report, noting thefunding gapin 2026/27of £25.7million.
Alternative options considered:
1. Herefordshire Council has fully implemented the National Funding Formula (NFF) methodology, so alternative options are limited. Given the growing national issue of High Needs Block (HNB) deficits, the NFF allows for the top slice of the funding blocks to redirect to the HNB. The High Needs Block budget proposed for 2026/27 includes a transfer from the Early Years Block for the SEN inclusion fund of £0.1 million and £0.3 million from the Central Block.
2. In considering the proposals set out in the report, the Council has consulted with Budget Working Group (BWG), which includes representatives from schools and the Schools Forum.
Reason Key: Expenditure and strategic nature / impact on communities;
Wards Affected: (All Wards);
Contact: Stacey Carter, Head of Strategic Finance (Deputy S151) Email: stacey.carter@herefordshire.gov.uk Tel: 01432 383095.
Publication date: 30/03/2026
Date of decision: 30/03/2026
Date comes into force if not called in: 08/04/2026
Call-in deadline date: 07/04/2026
Current call-in Count: 0
Accompanying Documents: