A balanced budget, protecting essential services and maintaining Cornwall Council’s strong financial position, has been approved at full council today.
The ratified plans will see Cornwall Council’s part of the Council Tax bill increase by 2.99%, with an additional 2% levy which will be ring-fenced for Adult Social Care services.
The budget has protected the support available for those struggling to pay, and remains one of the lowest Council Tax bills across the South-West region, with an average Band D property’s rate increasing by £1.65 per week, lower than the national average increase.
Among the key points of the budget are:
- A net increase of around £26 million on Adult and Children care services
- Sufficient funding to continue to invest in new technology to improve customer services
- £98 million to invest for the future on new school places and school repairs
Cllr David Harris, deputy leader of Cornwall Council, told the chamber: “The recommendation, as previously addressed in the December budget update report, is that Cornwall Council’s share of the Council Tax charge is increased by 4.99%.
"This recommendation is not made lightly given the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, but is being made in order to ensure that vital services to residents are protected. To not increase Council Tax by the maximum amount allowed by Government would reduce our spending power in next and future years.
"We will of course continue to heavily promote and signpost those residents worried about money to the support and financial assistance offered by the Council and other organisations."
The budget was approved by the full council without any alternative budgets being proposed by councillors.
It was also revealed at today’s meeting that Cornwall Council is one of six shortlisted in the national Local Government Chronicle Awards for the prestigious ‘Council of the Year’ category.
Cllr Linda Taylor, leader of the council, told the meeting: “This is a fantastic achievement, especially in a year which saw a record number of entries from across the country. We will now be visited by a judging panel who will scrutinise the work we do, before the winner is announced in June.
“I would like to thank all of those whose continued hard work makes Cornwall Council an organisation we can be proud of.”
Also agreed at today’s meeting were the council’s Housing Revenue Account Business Plan, the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry financial plans, and the adoption of the Climate Change Emergency Development Plan.
You can watch a recording of today’s meeting via the council’s webcast archive service.
Posted 21 February, 2023