Budget including almost 3% rise in Cornwall's council tax gets approved
The plan will also see hundreds of job losses as the council tries to make savings of over £59 million
Last updated 23rd Feb 2022
A budget which includes a council tax rise of almost 3% and over 400 Cornwall Council job cuts has been given the green light.
The plan will see Cornwall Council’s council tax charge rise by 1.99%, plus an additional 1% for the government’s adult social care precept - the equivalent of a 96p per week increase for an average Band D home.
Councillors approved the budget at a full Cornwall Council meeting at County Hall in Truro on Tuesday 22nd February, as the authority tries to make savings of over £59 million.
Its plan for 2022/23 will see an extra £45 million spent on adult social care services.
The proposals also include £1.3 billion of capital investment, including support for economic growth projects that create homes and jobs for residents and "reflect their priorities".
Councillors considered four alternative budget plans put to them at the meeting, but those were voted down.
Cllr Linda Taylor, leader of Cornwall Council, said: "I am pleased our full council has approved a budget today that is fully aligned with the priorities voiced by our residents at last year’s elections. This sets us on course for a brighter future.
"This budget will help us meet the key priorities we have already set out: 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 and to help Cornwall become carbon neutral".
Deputy Leader, Cllr David Harris, said: "This has been the most difficult budget, but it delivers on our core responsibilities as a council and is in line with our priorities for Cornwall.
"It includes a huge investment to adult social care which is required in order to ensure our budget is sustainable and reflects the annual growth on demand due to the pandemic and our demographic pressures of an aging population in Cornwall.
"There is clear support from our residents to protect our frontline services and the need for the proposed council tax increase in order to do this".
A 30% rise in tolls on the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry was also approved at Wednesday's meeting, as well as the Safer Cornwall Partnership plan for 2022-2025 and the council's Pay Policy Statement.
You can watch the full meeting, including all key decisions, on Cornwall Council's webcast.