Devon County Council ended the 2024/25 financial year without going over budget, but only by relying on temporary savings and one-off government funding.
A report that went to the Cabinet today shows that the Council managed to stay within its £637.5 million budget and ‘balance the books’ despite growing demand for services like social care and support for children with Special Educational Need and Disabilities.
They had been expecting to overspend by nearly £4 million in November but managed to avoid this through a mix of short-term measures, including delaying some projects, not filling vacant jobs, and using a one-off grant from government.
The report also shows that £40 million in planned savings were delivered across council services, though this fell short of the £50 million target
Councillor James Buczkowski, Cabinet Member for Finance, said:
“This isn’t a moment to celebrate, but it is a moment to be honest. Officers have worked incredibly hard to help balance the books, and that deserves recognition.
“But let’s be clear: this balanced position was only achieved by using temporary fixes. It’s not a sign that everything is fine. We’ve inherited a fragile financial position, with reserves slashed from £300 million to £70 million in just a few years, and a special needs education deficit now over £169 million.
“The public deserves honesty. We are facing some of the most difficult financial conditions in decades, and we cannot keep doing things the old way. Our new administration is committed to rebuilding trust and making services more sustainable, by working differently, being open about the challenges, and focusing on what really matters to people.”
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