Public urged to have say on Cornwall's budget

Cornwall Council has to find £49m to balance its books for the next financial year

People in Cornwall have been invited to share their views on a plan for the council to save £49m.

Cornwall Council needs to find the savings to balance its budget for the 2025/26 financial year.

Proposals include making efficiency savings, a 4.99% increase in council tax bills, and cuts to some public services.

Members of the authority's cabinet approved a first draft of the budget at a meeting on Wednesday - ahead of a seven week public consultation.

The authority acknowledged its financial position had been boosted by last month's budget by the Government.

However, it said the rising expense of providing statutory services was putting an increased strain on its budget - and its increase in revenue was not keeping pace.

Statutory services include adult social care, children's services, and emergency housing.

Measures being considered include charging for use of more council-run car parks and reducing opening hours at some household waste recycling centres.

The council also hopes it would also raise extra money by attracting commercial sponsorship of roundabouts and car parks.

David Harris says the council's latest budget has been the toughest it's had to balance

Councillor David Harris, cabinet portfolio holder for resources, stressed that while the proposed savings were "lawful and achievable" they were not "desirable."

He admitted people would be paying more in tax while seeing a reduction in services.

He said: "Our biggest spending services are the ones people don't see - adult social and children with special needs.

"Thankfully that doesn't touch the majority of people in Cornwall. People don't see the breadth of what we do," he explained.

He urged people to join in the public consultation: "I welcome any comments. If people engage hopefully they'll understand the issues of what's going on."

People are able to have their say between 15 November and 5 January.

A final decision on next year's budget is due to be made by the council in February.