Cabinet meets to discuss key decisions

Cornwall Council’s cabinet met recently to discuss key decisions about the budget, investment plans and new proposals.

As well as the four year budget and business plan, the cabinet discussed a multi million pound investment programme in new homes, jobs and infrastructure in local communities, the new waste contract and proposals to transform adult social care and services for children, young people and families.

Members of the cabinet voted unanimously to support the Council Business Plan and Budget 2018/2019 which will prioritise spending on services that ensure children and young people get the best start in life, that communities feel the benefit of economic growth and that support vulnerable residents to live independently.

The council has already saved almost £300 million since 2010, but will need to find a further £75 million in savings over the next four years to balance the budget and continue to provide essential services.

Key measures in the budget include proposals for an increase in council tax by 4.99 per cent including a three per cent increase in adult social care, an increase in charges for some services and a reduction in some services or to stop providing them altogether.

Julian German, the cabinet member for resources, said: “The challenges we face, while difficult, are something we can address with community support. Over the past few years local people have told us what they thought about our proposals for savings. This feedback, thoughts and suggestions have informed the decisions about the budget we have set each year.”