A public consultation into Cornwall Council’s draft budget for 2022/23 has begun after the plans were endorsed by the Cabinet committee at County Hall in Truro this morning.

The proposals, which would see council tax rise by 2.99%, the equivalent of 96p per week for a Band D property, protect crucial frontline services for residents.

They include £1.3 billion of capital investment, including support for economic growth projects that create homes and jobs for local people and reflect the priorities of residents.

Plans include:

• For a brilliant place to grow up and be a child - investing for the future of children and young people in Cornwall with £93 million to provide 550 new school places and repair school buildings
• For vibrant safe and supportive communities - significant £45.5 million extra investment in adult social care services. We will invest for the future with £29 million for projects including providing our communities with warm, dry and energy efficient homes and investment in our fire and rescue service through a targeted appliance replacement programme.
• For a thriving sustainable Cornwall - investing for the future of communities with just over £1.1 billion to support economic growth projects that create homes and jobs for local people, allowing the Council to lever in additional funding from external investors and also roll out a new waste service; and
• For an empowering and enterprising organisation, investing for the future with £54 million for projects to put the Council at the forefront of modern, flexible, low carbon ways of working, maintaining and transforming our office estate.

The majority of savings will come from reducing the amount the Council spends on contracts and through proposed workforce reductions.

The plans will now be available for comment for the next six weeks.

They will then come back to Cabinet before a final budget is considered by the full council in February.

If you wish to take part in the public consultation, please visit our Let’s Talk Cornwall page, where you can complete a short survey setting out your views on the plans.

The survey will close on 23 January, 2022. Anyone who can’t access the online survey can call 0300 1234 100 and request for a hard copy to be sent out to them.

I am concerned regarding the closure of local healthcare facilities which is causing residents inconvenience and in some cases distress, where there is a difficulty in arranging suitable transport, in having to travel further for treatments and appointments.

With Altarnun Parish Council’s support I want to promote the hospital car services that are provided via Age UK and Volunteer Cornwall. By contacting either of these bodies, with as much prior notice as possible, at least 48 hours, a door to door car service should be bookable. I must stress these services are currently for pre booked appointments only and no other purpose.

Please make note of these numbers and use when required. Costs will apply and will be discussed in detail at the time of booking. Drivers will normally be a member of our local community, which makes things a little more comfortable and personal.

Age UK 01872 223388

Volunteer Cornwall 01872 265300

In our area both bodies are looking to recruit volunteer drivers. Again contact for application is through these telephone numbers. Milage is paid at 42p per mile and full induction training is given free of charge.

Cornwall Councillor Adrian Parsons