Cornwall Council approves 4.99% tax rise
The local authority have passed their 'balanced budget' for the 2023/4 tax year
Last updated 9th Jun 2024
Cornwall Council have today approved the motion to increase council tax by 4.99% - the maximum they can do so.
It's all part of their 'balanced budget' for the next financial year, protecting essential services whilst maintaining Cornwall Council’s strong financial position.
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.
Cllr David Harris, deputy leader of Cornwall Council, spoke to us after the vote had been made. He said: "The main point that people will care about is that we're having to put council tax up by 4.99 per cent.
"We've faced unprecedented demand on our services over the last couple of years - and in the last year, prices have gone up by vast amounts, which we've covered.
"We have a balanced profit and loss account for 2022/3 - and we have had sadly had to increase council tax so we can do the same for the next financial year.
"One of the problems we have in Cornwall, on a relative basis, is that the age of the population is greater than the rest of the UK - and we should be getting fairer funding from London.
"75% of UK councils are putting their tax up by the maximum. Over to Wales, there are no limits - so I think we've done well to set it at this level. As a Conservative money man, I would have loved not to have set this increase - but we have no choice."
Among the key points of the budget:
• 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 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.
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, according to the authority, with an average Band D property’s rate increasing by £1.65 per week, lower than the national average increase.
It was also revealed 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.