Key Takeaways
- •Cornwall Council approved a 3-year security services contract worth £3.7 million to provide safety and safeguarding at homeless accommodation sites across Cornwall.
- •The Council established a new Crisis and Resilience Fund worth £8.25 million plus additional heating oil support funding to replace the Household Support Fund from April 2026.
- •A new equality strategy 'Belonging in Cornwall' was presented outlining the Council's 2026-2030 equality objectives to create a fair and inclusive Cornwall where everyone feels welcome.
- •Two urgent decisions were made using General Exception Urgency Procedures due to timing constraints with contract renewals and funding implementation deadlines.
- •The security contract requires SIA-approved contractors with trauma-informed training and Naloxone administration capabilities to support vulnerable residents with complex needs.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain errors. Read the full minutes for the official record.
**Security Services Contract for Supported Accommodation**
The Leader reported that a three‑year security services contract, with an optional three‑year extension, would be awarded to an SIA‑approved provider to protect designated housing schemes for vulnerable homeless and rough‑sleeping residents. The contract, valued at £3,695,959, follows a competitive tender that attracted 22 bidders and requires the contractor to maintain a local office in Cornwall and staff trained in trauma‑informed care, safeguarding and emergency interventions such as Naloxone administration. The award is intended to prevent service disruption, reduce antisocial behaviour and safeguard both residents and the wider community; it will be approved under the General Exception Urgency Procedure and the decision notice has been published on the Council’s website.
**Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF) Launch**
The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources introduced the new Crisis and Resilience Fund, which will replace the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments from 1 April 2026. The Fund provides £8.252 million in its first year, plus a top‑up of £1.586 million to support low‑income households affected by rising oil prices. An Enhanced Hub Model will deliver cash‑first assistance and link residents to longer‑term resilience services, overseen by a multi‑agency working group with monthly monitoring. The decision to adopt the CRF was also taken using the General Exception Urgency Procedure, and the relevant Decision Notice has been posted online.
**Equality and Inclusion Strategy – “Belonging in Cornwall”**
The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Public Health presented the draft strategy “Belonging in Cornwall: Our strategy for a fair and inclusive Cornwall where everyone feels welcome.” The document sets out the Council’s 2026‑30 equality objectives in line with the Equality Act 2010 and outlines three thematic pillars: partnership working, service provision, and employment. A one‑year action plan, incorporated as an appendix, will be reviewed annually and progress reported to the Corporate Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The draft was approved for public consultation from 26 March 2026 to 6 May 2026, with a final version to be taken to Cabinet for approval in June 2026.
Attendance
4 of 4 members present
Decisions
Award of 3‑year security services contract approved
The council decided to give a three‑year security services contract (with a possible three‑year extension) to the chosen provider for certain supported housing sites in Cornwall.
Receipt of Crisis and Resilience Fund monies and top‑up allocation
The council will accept £8.252 million from the Crisis and Resilience Fund and an additional £1.586 million to support low‑income households and related resilience services.
Approval of draft “Belonging in Cornwall” strategy
The council approved the draft “Belonging in Cornwall” strategy, pending any feedback from the Corporate Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Consultation and Cabinet consideration of Belonging in Cornwall strategy
The council will seek public feedback on the draft Belonging in Cornwall strategy from March 26 to May 6, 2026, and then present the revised version to the Cabinet for approval in June 2026.
Related meetings
Adjacent Individual Decision Day meetings:
Other meetings within a week
- Pensions Committee — Pensions Committee - 12 March 2026 (12 Mar 2026)
- Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee — Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry Joint Committee - 13 March 2026 (13 Mar 2026)
- East Sub-Area Planning Committee — East Sub-Area Planning Committee - 16 March 2026 (16 Mar 2026)
- Corporate Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee — Corporate Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 17 March 2026 (17 Mar 2026)
- Cabinet — Cabinet - 18 March 2026 (18 Mar 2026)
- Licensing Act Sub Committee — Licensing Act Sub Committee - 18 March 2026 (18 Mar 2026)