Increased use of the Danesgate Community school in Fulford has been blamed for an increase in school transport costs for the York Council.

Currently around 150 children attend the school which was set up as a “referral unit” for those with behavioral problems. The reasons for the increase have not been revealed by the Council, although there is a move to get all schools to bear the pooled costs of transport to specialist units like these.

The overspend forms part of a £1 million potential end of year deficit on the Council’s Children and Young Peoples budget.

The issue will be debated at a “scrutiny” meeting which is taking place on 21st November.

Other significant budget pressures include the increasing number of children being put with foster parents.

On a more positive note, York has the lowest level of children in workless households in the region, which the Council claims is “an illustration of our comparatively strong economy creating good conditions and prospects for young people”.