General Fund (GF)
Councils are grappling with significant shortfalls in schools funding, primarily within the High Needs Block.
Greenwich Council and Havering Council are currently addressing significant overspends in their Dedicated Schools Grant, primarily within the High Needs Block which funds special educational needs and disabilities. Greenwich Council discussed an £18.1 million shortfall in September 2026, while Havering Council's Cabinet reviewed an estimated £45 million overspend in September 2026, attributing it to rising demand and inadequate central government funding.
Elsewhere, Haringey Council approved new charges for supported accommodation, which are General Fund properties, in March 2026, effective from April 2026. This decision by Councillor Sarah Williams, Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, formalised charging policies for schemes providing short-term placements. Islington Council's Executive also noted a forecast General Fund underspend of -£0.496 million in December 2025.
The General Fund is the main fund local authorities use for day-to-day services. No upcoming council meetings are currently scheduled to discuss the General Fund.
Key facts
- Greenwich Council faces an £18.1 million funding shortfall for its schools. Source
- Havering Council faces an estimated £45 million overspend in its Dedicated Schools Grant. Source
- Haringey Council approved new charges for General Fund supported accommodation in March 2026. Source
- Islington Council's General Fund was forecasting an underspend of -£0.496 million in December 2025. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.