West Berkshire Council has doubled down on its decision to clawback more than £2m from schools in the district. A meeting of the council’s executive committee tonight (Thursday), heard the schools High Needs Block deficit is estimated to rise to £16.3m by March 2025 – which could send the council under. “We need the money now,” said council leader Jeff Brooks (Lib Dem, Thatcham). But the council heard that four schools are now threatening legal action. “We would be technically insolvent if we were in a commercial organisation if this was shown on our balance sheet,” said Iain Cottingham (Lib D…
