‘SIGNIFICANT’ cost pressures associated with services provided by Barnsley Council have led to a projected annual overspend of more than £14m on the current year’s budget, town hall bosses were told this week.

Cabinet members will meet on Wednesday to discuss the council’s financial plight after it was revealed that four out of five directorates went overbudget.

Children’s services spent £11.4m more than anticipated, with the council admitting that despite ‘significant and ongoing’ work to reduce costs, both demand and expense have surged.

The report said: “Due to a change in the way in which the needs of children in care have been met - compared to what was originally planned in the strategy - has meant that costs have continued to rise.

“Specifically, the national shortage of foster carers, as is widely published, combined with the fact that not all children and

young people presenting are immediately ready for family-based placements, means there are 51 less children and young people in in-house foster care than planned as of December 2025.

“There has also been a delay in the creation of an in-borough provision - Rock House - which is expected to be opened in June.

“Consequently, the council continues to be heavily reliant on high-cost external residential and placements.

“For example, the average cost of external residential placements continues to rise exponentially.

“As of December 31, the average weekly cost of residential placements was £8,300 - equivalent £500,000 per child per annum - compared with £7,400 per week in quarter one, which is a 10.8 per cent average weekly cost increase.

“Within the residential placements cohort, there were 24 children placed in high-cost placements, costing over £8,000 per week during the quarter, with the average cost being £11,561 per week.

“In contrast, as of quarter one there were 18 children in high-cost placements at an average of £11,130 per week, a 33 per cent

increase in the number of children in these types of placement.”

Approval is set to be given to allow the council to write off so-called ‘bad debt’ - such as unpaid council tax to the tune of £451,000 and £362,000 in uncollected business rates - at the meeting.

However, cost-saving measures are being discussed to bring children’s services back in line financially.

“The council’s outturn at the end of December 2025 stands at a cost pressure of £14.3m,” the report added.

“This position is mainly due to the continuing cost pressures within children’s social care - the executive director of children’s services in conjunction with the director of finance continue to develop a strategy to address the ongoing issues.”

Wendy Popplewell, executive director for core services, said the council’s position was not unique

“We keep a close eye on our budget so we can spot any problems early and take action,” she told the Chronicle.

“Most of the expected overspend is due to increasing demand and rising costs in adult and children’s social care - this is not unique to Barnsley as councils across the country are facing the same pressures.

“We have a strong history of managing finances responsibly.

“When setting the 2025/26 budget, we planned ahead by setting aside funding to help manage these pressures, ensuring the most vulnerable people in our borough continue to be supported.

“Despite these challenges, we have set a balanced budget and continue to invest in important front‑line services, while keeping the council tax increase among the lowest in the country.

“Our services are already taking steps to reduce these pressures.

“In children’s services, this includes helping children stay safely with their own families wherever possible, rather than needing to enter care.

“Where this is not possible, we are strengthening local care.”