County Councils Network

Our new research reveals that councils are on course to be transporting 100,000 extra SEND pupils to school by 2030 - a small city's worth. As costs rise rapidly, the government's Schools White Paper must set out measures to address the challenge. ⤵️ countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/schools-white-…

"It is important the government now listens to the councils' views, and works in collaboration to ensure the ‘local' remains in planning." @CEO_CCN outlines our councils' concerns over the revised National Planning Policy Framework in the @themjcouk ⤵️ themj.co.uk/ccn-councils-p…

"Rural areas could face a developer free-for-all at a time when their infrastructure is already buckling." Our housing spokesperson @ReformDurham raises concerns over the government's 'one size fits all' planning proposals in @insidehousing ⤵️ insidehousing.co.uk/home/county-an…

There is now clear momentum for fiscal devolution – with the Chancellor yesterday committing to a ‘road map’. Our research with @GrantThorntonUK modelled several scenarios to retain money locally - without raising national taxation. Read its findings ⤵️ countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/new-report-cal…

Councils in county areas want to improve housing affordability, but they warn that proposed planning reforms shift decisions away from local areas. @ReformDurham says that the changes could leave rural areas vulnerable to speculative development. ⤵️ countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/councils-warn-…

Councils welcome the government's Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care workers, but we remain concerned they have, at best, 'observer status' as negotiations begin. We highlight these concerns in our consultation response to the Agreement process ⤵️ countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/councils-call-…

Last month we released a report looking at the challenge councils face in delivering home to school transport. Whilst the government's proposed SEND reforms are encouraging, a greater emphasis on school transport is needed. Recap on the research: countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/schools-white-…

Last week, the @CommonsPAC warned that the government's SEND reforms leave unanswered questions over growing home to school transport costs. @BillRevans calls on government to 'look again' at what support it can provide to counties in @Independent ⬇️ independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-n…

With the government's SEND proposals now published, our spokesperson @BillRevans was a panellist on @BBCNews this afternoon: giving his initial reaction to the plans and outlining the challenge in delivering school transport. Read our initial response: countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/government-unv…

“The big prize on offer here is the chance to improve educational outcomes and experiences for young people with SEND." @BillRevans voices our response to the government's SEND proposals, including more emphasis on inclusion in mainstream schools. ⤵️ countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/government-unv…

📈 "It is vital that government does not ignore the alarming rise in SEND school transport costs." ⤵️Coverage of our research in today's @Telegraph as @BillRevans calls for the Schools White Paper to confront the rapidly rising costs of SEND transport. telegraph.co.uk/business/2026/…

"If schools are more inclusive then we would get better outcomes for children and councils would save money on transport." ⬇️ @BillRevans talks to @TimesRadio about our research on SEND school transport and looks ahead to the Schools White Paper. ➡️ countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/schools-white-…

Last week's announcement that 90% of councils' SEND deficits will be wiped is a real relief, but major financial challenges for county and unitary councils remain. @HicksCllr reflects on the significance of last week and looks ahead in @themjcouk ⬇️ themj.co.uk/centre-tackle-…

Watch our chair @HicksCllr talk @SamCoatesSky through the SEND crisis from a local government perspective ⬇️ With the Schools White paper imminent, we argue that root and branch reform to the system is vital. ➡️ Read more: countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/councils-warn-…

The government has announced it will pay 90% of councils' historic SEND deficits, which are set to reach £6.6bn in March. This crucial step is a direct result of CCN advocacy, and we will now assess the impact of these proposals on our members. ⤵️ countycouncilsnetwork.org.uk/government-com…

Any decision to increase the Recovery Grant in today's Local Government Finance Settlement, as suggested, would be based on little evidence. @BroadbentSb raises concerns over this 'patently unfair' move in today's @thetimes ⬇️ thetimes.com/uk/politics/ar…