Draft Cornwall Council Budget for 2025/26 Proposes Tax Increase and Service Cuts

Cornwall Council’s Cabinet has approved a draft budget for 2025/26, now set to go out for public consultation, allowing residents and key stakeholders to share their views on the proposals. The decision follows Cabinet’s approval this morning, with the Council facing financial challenges despite a modest funding boost from Westminster’s Autumn Statement last month.

Facing the Funding Gap

Cornwall Council is in a relatively stable position compared to other local authorities, due to its careful financial planning. However, the Council must address a significant shortfall, which will be met through measures such as:

• Raising fees and charges
• Reducing workforce costs
• Adjusting service levels

If adopted, the proposed budget would include a 4.99% increase in Council Tax, with 2% allocated to an adult social care precept.

Call for Government Support

David Harris, Cornwall Council’s Deputy Leader and portfolio holder for resources, highlighted the ongoing uncertainty around the government’s funding commitments. Speaking at the meeting, David said, “The ball is still very much in the Government’s court, and when we as Cabinet meet the Cornish MPs on Friday, we will be encouraging them to speak up for us, and I’m sure they will.”

David also noted that the Council has been preparing to make savings despite the funding shortfall: “Consequently, we are in the invidious position of having to bring forward savings proposals to that value… Like the vast majority of councils up and down the country, we are faced with having to make some deeply unpalatable choices.”

Public Consultation

The consultation period on the proposed budget opens Friday, November 15, running through to January 2025, inviting residents to voice their opinions on the measures.

Continued Efforts for Financial Stability

Cornwall Council’s Cabinet also discussed updates on the Langarth Business Plan, the council’s homes update, and the Housing Decarbonisation Strategy. Speaking after the meeting, Linda Taylor, leader of Cornwall Council, acknowledged the difficulties involved in drafting the budget, stating: “While we still hope for more funding from central government, we have to plan for the worst case scenario, rather than create bigger issues for ourselves further down the road.”

Linda expressed confidence in the work of her team and officers, adding that they had worked to “minimise the impact on our residents of some of the choices we are having to make.”

Residents can revisit the Cabinet meeting on the Council’s webcast archive service.