Shropshire Star

Telford children's services to get an extra £5 million

Almost £5 million extra will be invested in children's services in Telford after figures showed a rising number of youngsters going into care.

Published

The additional £4.9 million spend by Telford & Wrekin Council was discussed at the council's cabinet at a meeting on Thursday.

The funding will be on top of what the authority had already budgeted for the service, after seeing a rising number of children in care, reflecting the nationwide trend.

The authority will use contingency funds and savings from treasury management to meet the additional costs.

During the meeting, Councillor Lee Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council's finance chief, said: "We are starting to see the signs and impacts of the government's welfare reforms, and more kids are going into care I'm afraid, something not just Telford is encountering.

"We have always said that protecting the most vulnerable in the borough is our top priority.

"We have always said that we will spend what we have to to ensure that children are kept as safe as possible and this report shows that we are good to that commitment.

"This is on top of us making no cuts in children's safeguarding's budget this year, at a time when every other service is being cut back."

Councillor Carter said despite the pressures the authority faces, it expects to be within budget by the end of the year.

However, the council's financial situation remains uncertain as it faces another set of planned changes to government grants.

Councillor Bill Tomlinson, Lib Dem group leader, said he hopes the government "see sense" on the proposed changes.

The report also highlighted that Telford & Wrekin continues to face overspends in the other key area of adult social care, however it has already earmarked additional funding in this area.

Members also heard children's safeguarding continues to be a main pressure with an overspend of £2.8 million being reported, the majority relating to the cost of children in care placements.

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