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Dudley's children's services chief says council taxpayers will not foot the bill for a 14 percent new school overspend.

The final cost of the new Pens Meadow School building in Pensnett is predicted to be £17.7m, an increase of £2.7m on the original budget.

Plans for a new school, to replace run down facilities for children with complex special needs, were approved against the advice of the council's then-chief finance officer.

Councillor Wayne Little, Dudley cabinet member for children and young people, said: "The project did go slightly over budget due to material costs increasing significantly industry-wide over the course of the project, although we did have contingencies for this built in.

"There will be no additional cost to the council as the additional funds will

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