Key Takeaways
- •The Leader reported on a SEND inspection by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission, which praised the quality of leadership and early identification of children’s needs but called for better accessibility and communication with families.
- •Adult social care services received a 'Good' rating from the Care Quality Commission, reflecting strong leadership and partnership working, though the Leader acknowledged ongoing pressures from rising demand and complexity of needs.
- •A public question regarding the Transport for Cornwall website was answered, clarifying that no contract exists with Citybus/Go Cornwall Bus for its maintenance, and that the site’s design intentionally delays timetable publication until services are live.
- •In response to a public question, the Council confirmed it will apply for Social and Affordable Homes Programme funding at the appropriate time through its Housing Revenue Account development programme, noting that 228 social rented homes were completed in 2025/26.
- •The Cabinet acknowledged the Council’s Q4 2025/26 performance report, endorsed the provisional revenue and capital outturn, approved write-offs totalling £267,616.13, and noted movements in reserves and the Treasury Management update.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain errors. Read the full minutes for the official record.
The meeting opened with the approval of the previous minutes and a reflection from the Leader on recent inspection outcomes. The Leader highlighted the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission inspection of SEND services, which recognised leadership quality and early identification of needs but noted improvements needed in accessibility and communication. The Council’s adult social care services received a “Good” rating from the CQC, and the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service was noted for significant progress. The Leader thanked staff and partners for their contributions while acknowledging continued pressures in these areas.
Two public questions were addressed. The first concerned a contract to Citybus for maintaining the Transport for Cornwall website; the Deputy Leader clarified that no such contract existed and that the website was funded and maintained by Go Cornwall Bus, adding that the Transport for Cornwall app has a 4.7 rating. The second question asked whether the Council applied for the Social and Affordable Homes Programme funding requiring 60% social rent; the Housing Portfolio Holder confirmed the Council will apply via the Continuous Market Engagement route and noted that 228 social rented homes were completed in Cornwall in 2025/26.
Cabinet reviewed and noted the Council Performance Report for Quarter 4 of 2025/26, endorsing the provisional revenue and capital outturn. The final overspend was £7.494m, reduced from a forecast £9.107m through one-off interventions, and offset using the Financial Sustainability Reserve. Storm Goretti costs accounted for £3.780m. The capital outturn was £327.195m against a £377.282m budget. Cabinet approved write-offs totalling £267,616.13 and recommended to Full Council an increase of £40.263m to the capital programme for schemes including construction skills funding, SEN high needs grant, and Department for Transport grant.
The Council Priorities Delivery Plan 2026-27 was approved, described as a single delivery plan with success measures and milestones tied to priorities such as housing, care for the elderly, children and families, jobs, and transport. Cabinet also approved the Cornwall Cultural Strategy 2026-2036, which sets out five ambitions to strengthen the creative sector, and the “Belonging in Cornwall” equality strategy for 2026-2030, revised following public consultation. Both strategies include action plans and annual reporting.
Cabinet approved the submission of the Draft Cornwall Local SEND Reform Plan to the Department for Education, with delegation for final technical amendments. The plan focuses on earlier intervention and inclusive mainstream support, and is required to access Government financial support for the high needs deficit. The Local Transport Delivery Plan was endorsed for submission to the Department for Transport, and Cabinet delegated authority to accept Bus Franchising Support Funding if the Council’s application succeeds. Finally, the Tamar Valley National Landscape Management Plan was adopted for the next five years, with delegation to accept future revisions.
Attendance
22 of 23 members present
Decisions
The Cabinet approved the notes from its meeting on 6 May 2026.
The council looked at how well it performed and how it spent its money in the final quarter of the 2025/26 financial year.
Cornwall Council has agreed to cancel £267,616.13 of debt it could not recover, as set out in its year-end financial report.
The Cabinet recommends that the Full Council approves an extra £40.263 million for construction training, road improvements, special educational needs, and transport grants.
The council approved its plan for 2026-27, which explains what it aims to do, how it will do it, and how it will know if it succeeds.
The Cabinet approved changes to how the Council measures progress on its
Cornwall Council approved a 10-year cultural plan that declares Cornwall a "Creation Nation," but only if it includes a specific condition about heritage protections.
The Strategic Director for Community Wellbeing can now approve grants under the Culture and Creative Investment Programme.
The Council approved the 'Belonging in Cornwall' plan to make the county fairer and more inclusive for everyone.
The Cabinet agreed to send the draft local plan for improving special educational needs support to the government.
The council's top official can now make final small wording or technical tweaks to the SEND improvement plan before it's sent to the government.
The Cabinet has approved the Local Transport Delivery Plan and will submit it to the Department for Transport by 18 September 2026.
The council has given permission to accept bus funding and sign an agreement with the government if the application is successful.
The council approved a five-year plan to manage the Tamar Valley National Landscape.
The council's top environment official is now allowed to approve updates to the Tamar Valley Management Plan after government planning rules change.
Related meetings
Adjacent Cabinet meetings:
Other meetings within a week
- Strategic Planning Committee — Strategic Planning Committee - 11 June 2026 (11 Jun 2026)
- Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority — Cornwall Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority - 12 June 2026 (12 Jun 2026)
- Cornwall Pension Fund Local Pension Board — Cornwall Pension Fund Local Pension Board - 12 June 2026 (12 Jun 2026)
- Appeals Committee — Appeals Committee - 15 June 2026 (15 Jun 2026)
- Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee — Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 16 June 2026 (16 Jun 2026)
- Licensing Act Sub Committee — Licensing Act Sub Committee - 17 June 2026 (17 Jun 2026)