Cornwall Council’s Annual Report and the preparations for Armed Forces Day in Falmouth this summer are on the agenda when the Cabinet meets at County Hall in Truro today.
Also up for discussion are the development of the space sector in Cornwall, a proposed increase in the Post 16 subsidised travel scheme contribution and a report on the provisional financial performance of the council for 2022/23.
The meeting will take place in the Trelawny Room at County Hall in Truro, and will begin at 10am.
Members of the public are able to attend the meeting in person, or you can watch proceedings live on our webcast service.
You can also keep up with proceedings via the live blog below:
10am: Good morning, today's meeting of the Cabinet is now underway
10.01am: Apologies from Cllr Alvey, who is away on council business
10.03am: Cllr Linda Taylor is now giving her leader announcements, starting with her reflections on the Coronation. Looking ahead at today's agenda, she tells the meeting: "The annual report, which we will discuss in detail later, highlights the huge variety of work we are doing as an authority, and is a document we can be proud of.
"We have already done so much to make Cornwall a better place for its residents, and will continue to work just as hard to continue that progress."
10.06am: There are no public questions today, so the agenda moves onto a discussion on the Annual Report.
10.07am: Cllr Taylor welcomes the 'great strides' Cornwall has taken towards its goals of creating a carbon-neutral economy where people can start well, live well and age well.
10.10am: The leader has invited her Cabinet colleagues to comment on the report.
10.12am: Cllr Barbara Ellenbroek, portfolio holder for Children and Families, highlights the work the council has undertaken with the Cornwall Youth Council, and the provision of free travel for care leavers.
10.16am: Cllr Connor Donnithorne, portfolio holder for transport has welcomed some of the successes in his portfolio this year, including work ongoing on the St Austell to the A30 link road, the proposed Mid-Cornwall Metro plans and the roll-out of 20mph zones in residential areas.
10.20am: Cllr Louis Gardner, portfolio holder for the economy, highlights the work undertaken to ensure the Shared Prosperity Funding is being distributed quickly and efficiently, as well as a nod towards Spaceport Cornwall and Cornwall Newquay Airport for their progress in the past year.
10.24am: Cllr Olly Monk, portfolio holder for housing, welcomes the roll-out of the Solohaus schemes, the building of more affordable homes, and the work undertaken with housing providers to help increase the number of properties available for local people at affordable prices.
10.29am: Cllr Richard Pears, portfolio holder for customers, notes the number of benefits the council has gained from the negotiations over a potential devolution deal from Westminster, as well as a huge growth in the number of Digital Champions in our communities, helping improve IT skills.
10.42am: Councillors are now being given the opportunity to ask questions on the report.
10.57am: We now move onto a look at the current financial position for the council, with an underspend of £800,000 being provisionally reported for the year 2022-23.
Cllr David Harris, deputy leader of the council and portfolio holder for resources, said: "Although we have achieved an underspend position the pressures we are facing do not go away just because it’s the end of the financial year.
"We have been able to top up our Financial Sustainability Reserve which will help us manage these pressures in 2023/24 but we need to continue driving forward reducing costs and managing our demand in order to continue to be a financially stable, resilient Council which drives value for money in all we do."
11.22am: The Cabinet is now considering a report on the development strategy for the space sector in Cornwall.
Cllr Louis Gardner, portfolio holder for the economy, said: "The Space Sector Strategy will continue to support Cornwall in realising some of the global space marketplace, in areas that we already have a competitive advantage, as well as unlocking new opportunities in future space technologies.
"We are already seeing job growth in the sector locally, and we expect that the 150 jobs at Spaceport Cornwall will be realised by 2025.
"This Strategy will also accelerate growth for the local space sector assets including Spaceport Cornwall and Goonhilly Earth Station, whilst attracting investment, promoting global trade and changing perceptions of Cornwall."
11.27am: We are now discussing the preparations being undertaken ahead of the Armed Forces Day celebrations, which will take place in Falmouth and the wider area in June.
Although the event is normally a single-day of celebrations, Falmouth will host four days of spectacular military parades, demonstrations and displays.
11.44am: The report looks at the huge variety of entertainment on offer, including:
- A full military parade through the streets of Falmouth involving armed forces bands, regular and reserve personnel from all three services, cadets and veterans culminating in a salute with fly-past.
- A Military Village showcasing Army, Navy and RAF vehicles, equipment, interactive demonstrations and displays.
- An armed forces charity zone to showcase the work of the many organisations who support our armed forces.
- An afternoon of air displays over Falmouth Bay.
- Opportunities to take a tour of a Royal Naval Frigate
- Inter services Cadets field gun competition
- Music, entertainment, activities and displays throughout the town
- A Proms-style music concert at Pendennis Castle to celebrate and thank our armed forces
11.48am: The Cabinet is now considering a proposed increase in charges under the Post 16 subsidised travel scheme for students, which has been required to help meet rising costs.
Although the council is not obliged to provide transport for students aged 16 and over, the plans will see the authority continue to provide subsidised travel, but with an increased contribution from individuals.
11.55am: All items on today's agenda have been approved, and that concludes today's meeting.
