The Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Panel met on Monday 2 February 2026 to discuss the annual update on education sufficiency. The panel considered recommendations that would be presented to the Cabinet on 5 February 2026.

Education Sufficiency Annual Update

The Panel reviewed the annual update on school organisation and education sufficiency, which was due to be considered by the Cabinet on 5 February 2026. The meeting was informed that the Council has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places for children and young people aged 0-25, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This duty extends to providing free early years provision for eligible children and securing 30 hours of free childcare for qualifying children.

The strategic School Organisation Plan, which guides the Council's approach to education place planning, is reviewed annually. This review ensures the Council continues to meet its legal obligations and strategic aims. The update presented to the Panel included three key sufficiency reports: the Childcare Sufficiency report, the Mainstream school-age Education Sufficiency report, and the SEND Sufficiency report. These reports are compiled using data from various sources, including school censuses, early years census, and NHS data, and are updated each autumn term.

The purpose of the Panel's discussion was to consider and comment on the recommendations within the report intended for the Cabinet. The Panel was asked to provide its feedback to the Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education and Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities, Councillor Stephen Foster¹, for consideration by the Cabinet. Additionally, the Panel was to determine if any further information or scrutiny was required on the topics discussed.

The meeting agenda indicated that part of the discussion would be held in private, excluding the press and public. This was due to the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of individuals or the local authority, as defined under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.