Budget that includes council tax hike and 400 job losses approved for Cornwall
Cornwall Council is having to make savings of £59million over the next financial year
Cornwall Council’s Cabinet has approved its budget which includes hiking council tax by almost 3% and axing more than 400 jobs which they say is “based on what residents told us matters most to them”.
The budget will see the council having to make savings of £59million over the next financial year which councillors say will mostly be made through contract savings and cuts to the workforce.
Council leader Linda Taylor (Con) said she was “proud” of the budget plan saying: “As we have been clear since last May’s election we have inherited a very difficult financial situation from the last administration.
“I am proud of the plan that we have before you today despite the difficult situation that we are in. We are making significant capital investment in the priority areas highlighted time and again on the doorstep last May.”
She added: “I am confident that this budget provides an affordable and sustainable platform to make a real difference to the lives of people in Cornwall.”
Deputy Leader David Harris, who is responsible for the budget, said he was happy with the budget proposals but said that there were still significant challenges ahead.
He said that the decisions on reducing the council’s workforce “have not been taken lightly” and he said he was “sorry” that workforce reductions are required.
And he said that there was still a need for Cornwall to get a better funding deal from the Government to help provide services.
“Cornwall Council has been pressing for some time for fairer funding and we continue to work with our six Cornish MPs to press Whitehall for this.”
Cllr Harris also highlighted that the savings required in 2022/23 are three times higher than in 2021/22 and said that there were still concerns about whether they can be achieved. As a result the council is setting up a financial sustainability reserve of just over £6m to cover any savings not delivered.
As part of the budget the council is looking to invest an additional £45m in adult social care – although the department will also have to make savings.
In addition the council’s share of council tax is set to increase by 2.99% including a 1% precept which will be used solely to fund adult social care. Final council tax bills will also include contributions to Devon and Cornwall Police and town and parish councils.
The council’s chief finance officer Tracie Langley warned that while the council’s budget would be balanced for the coming year the forecast increase in demand for services such as adult social care, children’s service and housing meant that there would be further challenges in the medium term financial plan.
She said: “I am comfortable that we have been able to put together a balanced budget in 22/23.
“However I do bring to your attention the amount of demand created in years three and four of the plan still mean we have an issue that we have to deal with in terms of our financial position which we are looking to manage through the demand management strategies that we are working on now. Management of that demand will help somewhat.”
The proposed budget was agreed by the Cabinet and recommended to full council which will meet on February 22nd.
It is understood that opposition councillors are preparing alternative budget proposals to bring to that meeting amid concerns about some of the planned cuts.