Southend Council has spent £1.175 million on private transport for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The figure, reported by the Southend Echo, highlights the cost of transporting pupils to schools outside their local area.
In Basildon, the council’s leader has backed proposals for a new special needs school, aimed at increasing the number of places in the area.
Education provision in the area is the responsibility of Essex County Council.
But despite that, pressure on capacity remains.
At Lancaster School in Westcliff, which has recently opened a new hall, it has been reported that some children are still unable to secure places.
Councils can be left trying to create more local provision while continuing to fund transport for pupils who cannot yet be placed nearby.
Demand for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) has been rising in recent years, adding further pressure to both budgets and school capacity.