Lib Dem success as County Council backs more SEND places in Surrey
Liberal Democrat county councillors celebrated today after Surrey County Council unanimously backed their call to increase the level of places for pupils with Special Educational Needs within Surrey. A motion, tabled by Liberal Democrat county councillors, was accepted unanimously by all council members at a meeting today at County Hall. The County Council spends a total of £237 million on SEND services for children and young people, educates 822 SEND students outside of the county, and spends nearly £27 million on travel costs for SEND students.
Cllr Chris Botten, who proposed the motion, said:
"I am delighted that the County Council have backed our call for an increase in provision for SEND places within Surrey. This cannot come soon enough as currently far too many Surrey pupils are sent out of county which is both expensive and inefficient in terms of travel times and the effect on family life. Surrey County Council has the opportunity to become an exemplar in providing SEND services and we must work to make that a reality, for the benefit of our pupils and their families.
Cllr Angela Goodwin, who seconded the motion, added:
"Parents and carers in Surrey will welcome this news. They already struggle with a complicated and tough system of forms, assessments and a mountain of paperwork - providing more help closer to home would be a huge benefit. Parents and carers want to know that the County Council is on their side in doing everything it can to be provide opportunities for SEND pupils. Hopefully today is the first step towards a new positive relationship that will benefit pupils, parents and carers in the years to come".
NOTES
The full text of the motion can be found here: