Cornwall Council - 24 February 2026

The meeting opened with a prayer led by Anne Kerridge and a declaration of a non‑registerable interest by Councillor Garrigan on the Comprehensive Spending Review agenda item. The Chairman, addressed as either Chairman or Chair, marked the fourth anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine, expressed solidarity with the Ukrainian people, and noted his upcoming attendance at the Line of Light for Ukraine event in Truro. He announced the departure of the Chief Operating Officer/Section 151 Officer, thanked her for her service, and offered condolences for the recent deaths of former Councillor Graham Coad and serving Councillor Kevin Towill, after which a minute’s silence was observed.

The Leader reported on the forthcoming Healthy Rivers and Seas Summit, a collaborative event aimed at tackling river and sea pollution, and provided updates on two motions referred to Cabinet. The Housing Revenue Account motion was approved, freeing £2.3 million in the current year for void‑property investment and allocating £24 million of General Fund capital over four years, representing a £40 million increase over the previous plan. The motion on safeguarding the Council’s Farms Estate resulted in an agreed inquiry programme, with no intention to sell the estate, and an informal briefing to the Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled for 3 March 2026. The Leader also highlighted national commendations for 23 Cornwall schools for strong outcomes for disadvantaged pupils in 2024‑25.

The Council Priorities Plan 2026‑2030 was presented, outlining six resident‑derived priorities and incorporating scrutiny recommendations. Debate focused on the need for the priorities to be treated as deliverable commitments, the importance of adult social care, renewable‑energy siting preferences, and the mechanisms for measuring progress through the new Local Outcomes Framework. The plan was subsequently approved by motion of Councillor Frost, seconded by Councillor Paynter.

The Housing Revenue Account Business Plan and the three‑year budget were introduced by the respective Portfolio Holders. The housing plan set out a £40 million investment programme over four years to improve health‑ and safety, reduce repair backlogs, bring empty homes back into use, and raise rent in line with Government guidance. The budget, which includes a 4.99 % council‑tax increase (including a 2 % adult‑social‑care precept), was described as responsible and deliverable despite significant financial pressures from rising service demand and limited Government settlement. After extensive debate on savings, rural service impacts, debt levels, and staff morale, the budget was approved with the Leader’s support.

The Miscellaneous Licensing Committee approved an 8 % increase in licensing fees for hackney carriage, private‑hire vehicles and the amended Fees Policy, as well as the