BCP Council says rising demand for children’s and adult care has left it with a £4.6 million gap at the end of the 2025/26 financial year.
The council says the shortfall will be covered using reserves.
Children’s Services spent £9.1 million more than budgeted, after the number of children in council care rose by 87 to 643.
Adult Services also overspent by £5.6 million, driven by more people needing support.
Council leaders say savings and reduced spending elsewhere helped limit the overall gap, including cuts in resources, corporate budgets and a freeze on non-essential spending.
Deputy leader Councillor Mike Cox said care demand is rising faster than funding and warned the issue is a national crisis.
Council leader Millie Earl has written to the Government calling for urgent attention and extra support.
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