Title

Hillingdon LBC has launched a High Court battle for fairer funding to cover care proceedings' court costs. The London borough is one of four councils seeking a judicial review, backed by children's charity, the NSPCC, and the Law Society, over the Government's decision to increase the cost of judicial care proceedings. Hillingdon's leader, Cllr Ray Puddifoot, said: ‘This issue could put funding for other children's services at risk, and we are not prepared to let that happen. ‘By increasing the cost of court proceedings and not putting into place a fairer allocation system for local authorities to meet these costs, some local authorities will be out of pocket, and the extra costs will, ultimately, be met by local taxpayers.' Since May 2008, councils have had to pay the full cost of judicial care court proceedings, an increase from £150 to £4,850 per case. Hillingdon claims this will leave it with a £100,000 shortfall in its children's services budget. Although the Government has allocated an annual £40m budget for councils to cover care proceedings, local authorities say this does not take into account the number of cases they may bring to court. Hillingdon is joined by Norfolk CC, Leeds and Liverpool city councils in seeking a judicial review. NSPCC director and chief executive, Dame Mary Marsh, warned: ‘There is a real and serious risk that vulnerable children and their families will be prevented from having full access to justice, if these proposals are implemented, because some decisions about taking proceedings in relation to vulnerable children could be finance-led.' The case will be heard at the High Court on 23 and 24 October.

Title

WHITEHALL

Legal battle launched over care court costs

SUBSCRIBE TO CONTINUE READING