Leaders at Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council have cautiously welcomed government measures announced on 9 February 2026 that offer bespoke support for the national SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) funding crisis and allow targeted council tax flexibility. The package is intended to help the local authority manage its large SEND deficit and could help avoid further damaging cuts to vital front-line services.
BCP Council says the cumulative high-needs (DSG) deficit is projected to be about £183.1 million by 31 March 2026. The council had applied for an additional 2.43 percentage points of council tax flexibility for 2026/27 to help meet interest costs on borrowing linked to that deficit; the government’s response on 9 February granted BCP a bespoke increase below that level (the government granted BCP 1.75% additional flexibility).
Council leader Cllr Millie Earl said the announcement was a helpful step and “would prevent us from making further damaging cuts to our vital front-line services.” The council has made clear it would use the additional flexibility primarily to service the interest on borrowing taken to cover rising costs of supporting children with additional needs, while continuing to press for clarity about any longer-term settlement for the principal debt.
While local leaders welcomed the additional flexibility, they warned it does not yet resolve the underlying deficit and said they await further detail from ministers about whether and how the principal will be addressed. The council’s budget proposals and the position on any tax change were due to be considered in council business in February 2026 (BCP published meeting and budget papers for early February).
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