Cornwall Council’s Cabinet committee is meeting this morning to discuss the authority’s proposed budget for 2023/24.
The plan addresses the challenging financial climate while protecting essential public services in Cornwall, after unprecedented inflationary pressures and an increased demand for our services have left a large budget gap in the next financial year of £62 million.
The report going before cabinet outlines a proposed budget including a 2.99% increase to council tax bills, well below current rates of inflation. Within this budget the council’s essential services are being protected.
The meeting is taking place at County Hall in Truro, and you can watch proceedings live via our webcast service.
The meeting will start at 10am, and there will be live updates below as it progresses:
LIVE BLOG:
10am: Today’s meeting is now underway, and will begin with apologies, declarations of minutes and the agreement of the minutes from September’s meeting.
10.05am: We have now moved onto Leader’s announcements, with Cllr Linda Taylor addressing the cabinet and those attending the meeting.
Cllr Taylor has said: “The process of putting together the budget proposals we will discuss today has been incredibly tough, with some extremely difficult decisions to make.
“Unless we can secure extra funding, we are facing a situation will see a reduction to the discretionary services we provide for our residents.
“I can promise that we will continue to work to source funding wherever we can to minimise the impact of the global economic uncertainty we are all facing.
“This includes continuing our work to secure the best possible county deal for Cornwall, and I hope that with a more stable atmosphere within Westminster now, we can progress those talks quickly.
“Only once we have certainty over the funding we will receive will we fully know the exact challenges we face, and we will do all we can to support one and all through these difficult times.”
10.10am: We have now moved onto the main agenda item of the day, the discussion on the Council Business and Financial Plans 2023-2027 and Budget 2023/24.
The paper is being introduced by Cllr David Harris, deputy leader of Cornwall Council. He has told his cabinet colleagues: "This budget focuses on ensuring we spend the money we have on those things that matter most to our residents and are absolutely linked to delivering the Council’s Mission and four priority outcomes.”
10.25am: Councillors in attendance at the meeting are now able to quiz the cabinet on the proposals. You can watch the meeting live on our webcast service
10.30am: After a wide-ranging discussion, the cabinet has approved the draft budget plan, which will now go out for a public consultation before a final budget plan is bought back before the cabinet in the new year.
The budget will then be put before the full council in February for final approval.
