A parliamentary debate that focussed on SEND provision in Hertfordshire was "too short and didn't really achieve anything", according to leading county councillor Caroline Clapper.

The focus of the debate – led by Hitchin MP Alistair Strathern and held in Westminster Hall earlier this month – had included delays in the EHC assessment process, the provision of SEND support and appropriate school places.

It had raised questions about funding allocations and workforce – and it had highlighted the impact of the system on children and their families.

But speaking at a meeting of the county council's education, libraries ad lifelong learning cabinet panel, Cllr Clapper suggested there should be a longer debate in Parliament's main chamber.

"It's a bit of a shame the debate was very short," said Cllr Clapper, who is executive member for education, libraries and lifelong learning.

"It was a 30-minute debate and, actually, I watched it expecting to get an understanding of what the members of parliament knew.

"And actually it was a very brief debate. I don't think it's long enough. I actually think there should be a full SEND debate that is held in the main chamber, where people from across the country all get to hear about the experiences happening in SEND.

"They can discuss the funding. They can discuss the issues. Because I personally think it's more important and deserves more than 30 minutes in a side-room from parliament.

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"So while I thank the many people who attended and contributed to the debate, from my perspective it was too short and it didn't really achieve anything."

Cllr Clapper made the remarks in response to a question from Liberal Democrat Cllr Lawrence Brass.

Cllr Brass had asked what could be learned from the debate and what the main message was that the county's SEND team took from it.

And he later said: "I agree with you chairman that half an hour is ludicrously small time and let's hope we have a full scale debate soon."

Meanwhile Director of Inclusion and Skills Hero Slinn – who attended the debate – said it was important for Hertfordshire "to make sure that we listened".

She said that she thought points that were made with in the debate in reference to High Needs Funding had "landed well".

She highlighted points that had been made around workforce and policy reform – as well as the recognition of the work that was ongoing in Hertfordshire, within the national context.

And she said they would take the debate "very seriously" in the context of other SEND debates that had been held.

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