The council has warned the deficit in its ring-fenced schools' budget will reach £183m by next year.

The authority administers what is known as the Dedicated Schools Grant on behalf of the government to support youngsters with high needs - but the money the council spends outstrips what it gets from Whitehall.

The overspend comes as the number of children with education and health care plans - which outline the extra support they need to support conditions such as autism and learning difficulties - increases.

Norfolk County Council last year saw a 17pc increase in referrals to special schools, while leaders have accused some unscrupulous private care providers and independent special schools of "profiteering" from Norfolk's vulnerable children.

Senior officers at the Conservative-controlled council are........

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