A budget containing an extra £45 million support for adult social care services will be put before a full meeting of Cornwall Council later this month after being approved by cabinet at County Hall in Truro.
The proposals would see Cornwall Council’s share of Council Tax charge rise by 1.99%, plus an additional 1% for the Government’s adult social care precept. This total 2.99% rise is the equivalent of a 96p per week increase for an average band D property.
The plans also include £1.3 billion of capital investment, including support for economic growth projects that create homes and jobs for local people and reflect the priorities of residents.
The meeting also saw a vital plan to revitalise the local economy after the Covid pandemic approved. The Local Skills and Labour Market Strategy details how the council will work with partners to ensure the skills required by businesses can be met in order to get people back into work and to help grow Cornwall’s future economy.
Both the budget and business plan and the Labour Strategy are key components for meetings the council’s priorities; to make Cornwall a brilliant place to grow up and be a child, with vibrant safe and supportive communities, creating a thriving sustainable Cornwall, supported by an empowering and enterprising council.
Introducing the budget plans, Cllr David Harris, deputy leader of the council and portfolio holder for resources, said:
“Despite the difficult financial situation facing local authorities across the UK, we have managed to deliver a budget which has been designed to meet the council’s priorities.
“This includes for a brilliant place to grow up and be a child, investing for the future of children and young people in Cornwall with £93 million to provide 550 new school places and repair school buildings.
“For vibrant safe and supportive communities as well as a significant £45.5 million extra investment in adult social care services, we will also invest for the future with £38 million for projects including providing our communities with warm, dry and energy efficient homes and investment in our fire and rescue service.”
The budget was approved unanimously by the cabinet.
Introducing the Local Skills and Labour Market Strategy, Cllr Barbara Ellenbroek, portfolio holder for children and families, said:
“This is a partnership plan for Cornwall, developed in conversation with the Council, the Local Enterprise Partnership, business, education and training providers.
“It will help deliver the Council’s priority to turbo charge the economy, increase earnings and make Cornwall a great place to grow up and be a child.
“It will help us to meet our needs as an organisation and the labour market more widely, by listening to our own and our partners workforce plans and requirements.”
The Local Skills and Labour Market Strategy was approved by cabinet. Both papers will now be put before the full Council when it next meets on Wednesday, 22 February. You can watch today’s proceedings via our webcast service.