Councillors from across the borough's political divide have called special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) funding to improve.

It comes after Cheshire East Council approved a "dedicated school grant (DSG) management plan" to manage the authority's deficit in this area.

The council is forecast to have a DSG deficit of £7.8 million by the end of March — equivalent to one-fifth of the borough's high needs funding.

At the cabinet meeting on March 9 where the management plan was passed, Cllr Kathryn Flavell, portfolio holder for children and families, said: "The DSG deficit could rise to £100 million in a worst-case scenario. This is a national issue and we are by no means the worst affected.

"This plan will not be enough to eradicate the funding gap and a significant increase in funding will be needed from the government to ensure we meet the needs of our children and young people."

Cllr Flavell, Labour, also praised Conservative MP Edward Timpson, who had worked with the council on lobbying for that funding increase.

This prompted deputy Consverative leader Cllr Stewart Gardiner to call for a "non-partisan" approach in securing the money.

He said: "I would urge your cabinet colleagues and senior officers to work with all MPs in the borough to lobby the government [and take] a non-partisan position to ensure this important aspect of local government service provision is dealt with.

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"It has clearly for many years had insufficient funding."