Cabinet agenda highlights work towards council's priorities

The huge efforts to control spending and secure a financially viable Council working for the residents and businesses of Cornwall will lead the agenda when Cornwall Council’s Cabinet committee meets in Truro next week.

Although the financial situation remains difficult, the Provisional Outturn Report 2023/24 suggests a much improved position compared to six months ago.

The report details the financial position for the council at the end of the last financial year, and reports an overspend of £3.145 million, down from a predicted £14.9 million at the end of quarter two. A further report proposes adjustments to the 2024/25 Budget to mitigate the risk of overspends continuing in high demand, high-cost services.

The Cabinet will also review the Council’s Annual Report for the past 12 months, which highlights the achievements of the previous year, and looks forward to 2024/25.

One of the achievements highlighted is the new level two devolution deal negotiated with the Government last year, which included new powers to devolve the adult education budget to Cornwall.

The meeting will see the subsequent Adult Education Budget Strategic Skills Plan put before Cabinet, which details how the council intends to use the new powers.

The report states: “Our mission is to realise the potential of our residents, communities, and businesses, through high-quality learning that will inspire and create opportunities for all. We will achieve this by commissioning learning that contributes to the inclusive growth of our economy, responds to employer’s needs, builds on our assets and aims to improve health and wellbeing. This will provide the opportunity to access or progress in good quality jobs.”

Also on the agenda is the future commissioning approach for Extra Care Housing and Care Homes. The recommendation will help people with health and social care needs access good quality accommodation with the right types of care and support, in the right place, at the right time in accordance with the Council’s Supported and Specialist Housing Strategy.

It recommends a new commissioning and contracting approach to enable the development of modern, fit for purpose extra care housing and care homes that enable older people to live well, ensuring individuals are supported to maximise their independence and to achieve their personalised outcomes.

Completing the agenda is a proposal for the Council to agree a Local Authority declaration on Tobacco Control, including the ambition to create a smokefree generation by 2030.

Cllr Linda Taylor, leader of Cornwall Council, said: “This is hugely important agenda.  It has been a Herculean effort to bring our finances under control given the pressure on us from the national picture.

“That effort has been rewarded by being able to produce a robust plan for savings making every penny count to create a financially sustainable Council, which is reflected in our Annual Report, which highlights not just the achievements of the past year but outlines our continuing ambitions as well.

“I am also delighted to see the Adult Education plans coming before Cabinet.  We worked so hard to get the best possible level two deal for our residents, and to see it coming to fruition with a plan that will make a real difference to people’s lives is wonderful.

“We are determined to do all we can to create a carbon-neutral Cornwall where everyone can start well, live well and age well, and this agenda represents another huge step towards that goal.”

Next week’s meeting takes place in the Trelawny Room at County Hall (Lys Kernow) in Truro on Wednesday, May 8, starting at 10am.  Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting, or you can watch proceedings online via our webcast service.