Corporate Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 2 December 2025

The meeting opened with the election of a Vice‑Chairman. Councillor Alvey moved, and Councillor Thomas seconded, that Councillor Parsonage be elected to the position; the motion was carried on a show of hands. A second motion, moved by Councillor Thomas and seconded by Councillor Barker, approved the minutes of the Corporate Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 14 October 2025 and authorised the Chairman to sign them. No public questions were received.

Updates from senior officers covered a range of strategic topics. The Leader confirmed that the defence‑sector addendum to the approved growth plan applies to the whole of Cornwall, not only Devonport, and agreed to review with officers how the core and non‑core components will be captured. He also clarified that the recent agreement with Homes England is an MOU rather than a funded package. In response to queries, the Leader outlined the Global Cornish initiative – a Shared Prosperity‑funded programme aimed at engaging the estimated six‑million‑strong Cornish diaspora, with events planned for Parliament in December, British embassies, the Interceltic Festival and a 2028 homecoming. The Deputy Leader reported that the space sector remains active, with Goonhilly’s satellite tracking work continuing and collaboration through the Global Spaceport Alliance, while also noting the benefits of the Living Wage policy for staff retention and supplier relations. He highlighted positive aspects of the recent budget, including four mentions of Cornwall, retention of business rates under the devolution deal, a £30 million investment fund, and a new health hub in Truro, but warned of potential pressures from upcoming business‑rate reforms on hospitality.

The Capital Programme and Sustainable Growth report (CFP29) was presented by Phil Mason and Leah Plummer. Officers explained that the programme is under detailed review, with spending lines and risks being scrutinised and a distinction being made between essential maintenance and discretionary upgrades. Place‑holders for items such as Together for Families and property maintenance were described as financial‑planning tools, and the link between capital investment and long‑term revenue savings was noted. Questions on borrowing terms for mixed‑lifespan assets, the specificity of property placeholders, and the potential benefits of delivering children’s homes in‑house were answered, with the Chair confirming that a paper on lessons learned from two in‑house children’s homes would be forwarded to the Budget Development Oversight Committee.

The Housing report (CFP30) was delivered by Councillor Peter La Broy and Service Director Louise Wood. The discussion focused on the challenges of meeting decent‑homes standards within current financial constraints, the proposed 4.8 % rent increase, and the limited ability of Cornwall Housing Limited to acquire properties from registered providers or to access Disabled Facilities Grants for adaptations. Councillors raised concerns about rent convergence, the impact on affordable‑rent and shared‑ownership units, and the need for clearer mapping of housing locations; officers committed to providing further detail in upcoming papers.

Finally, the Committee’s performance report (CFP31) and work‑programme approval (CFP32) were considered. The performance report showed an overspend forecast of £7.9 million, driven mainly by children’s social‑care costs, with mitigation plans including cost reductions, workforce efficiencies and grant maximisation. Risks related to the Heartlands transfer, staff turnover at Corserv Facilities and the A30 St Austell Link Road were noted, and written updates were promised. The work‑programme amendment for the remainder of the year was moved by Councillor Ashton, seconded by Councillor Barker, and resolved, with the Chairman given authority to make future amendments in consultation with the Vice‑Chairman, Senior Responsible Officer and Democratic Services Lead.