Suffolk County Council leaders looking for Government funding help for new special school in Saxmundham

County leaders are looking for Government funding for a new special school in Suffolk.

Members of Suffolk County Council’s executive met on Tuesday to discuss the state of the council’s finances.

During the meeting, opposition councillor, Sandy Martin, prompted members for more emphasis on school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to curb the costs associated with growing demand.

Addressing this, Cllr Richard Smith, the council’s lead for finance, revealed the authority was looking to get extra Government money to build a special school in Saxmundham.

Cllr Smith said: “I hope that we can find some extra additional places for special educational needs and part of that answer might lie in a new special school in Saxmundham.

“We have plans to apply to the [Department for Education] for funding to help us turn this into a special school — we need one in that area and we are doing all we can to try to achieve that aim.”

This follows the closure of SET Saxmundham School due to the dwindling number of pupils.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Smith, who also represents Saxmundham, stressed the council was committed to a new special school, particularly in the face of the costs of holding on to such sites, now setting the council back over £1 million.

He added: “We’re in the hands, I’m afraid, of the Department for Education, they know the site is available.

“I’m, particularly anxious that another use for that site is found — I represent the town and I’m very keen, knowing that we do need another special school in that area of East Suffolk.”