Writing in the MJ this week, London Councils Executive Member for Schools and Children’s Services Cllr Damian White, has warned that services for children with special educational needs (SEN) have reached a "pivotal point" as they face huge demand and cost pressures.

The introduction of the Children and Families Act in 2014, which made a number of crucial changes, including extending the age range of eligibility, led to many more children being identified with SEND and requiring vital support. These pressures are being felt critically in SEN transport services, which provide free travel for children with SEN who require assistance to get to school.

A London Councils survey of member boroughs at the end of last year revealed the cost of delivering SEN transport services across 28 local authorities has risen sharply (37%) since before the pandemic.

"We are calling on government to provide urgent funding to match the increase in demand and costs in SEN transport services", says Cllr White. "We are also keen to work with the government and boroughs to support the development of specialist provision at a local level, which would help to reduce journey times."

"With the publication of the government’s SEN review on the horizon, we now have a real opportunity to change the lives of huge numbers of children with SEN who require specialist provision."

Later today, the winner's of this year's Small Business Friendly Borough awards will be announced at a special event at the Guildhall, City of London.

Today's ceremony marks the sixth Small Business Friendly Borough awards, which have been running since 2013, delivered jointly by London Councils and the London region of the FSB.

The awards, which recognise boroughs that have gone above and beyond in supporting their local small businesses, will be presented by London Councils Executive Member for Business, Economy and Culture Cllr Elizabeth Campbell, LEAP board member and small business owner Nita P. Wood, and FSB North London Area Lead David Clare.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for updates on the winners today.

Barking and Dagenham Acting Chief Executive Claire Symonds has been appointed the new Chief Executive at London Borough of Redbridge, subject to council ratification.

She will be joining Redbridge at the end of May - replacing current Interim Chief Executive Lesley Seary who joined the council in April last year.

Director of Law, Governance and HR, Fiona Taylor will step up as Acting Chief Executive at Barking and Dagenham Council.

London Councils' Leaders' Committee met last week (8 February). Items on the agenda included: The London HIV Prevention Programme; Afghan Evacuation, Asylum Support and Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children;  Newly enhanced sub regional working on tackling rough sleeping and London Councils' annual audit report.

The full agenda and related reports are available on our website here.

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