The Budget Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council was scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, to discuss the draft council financial plans for 2026-2030 and the budget for 2026/27. The meeting's agenda also included an opportunity for public questions and a review of previous minutes.

Draft Council Financial Plans 2026-2030 and Budget 2026/27 – Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the draft Council Financial Plans for 2026-2030 and the budget for 2026/27. This discussion was informed by a report that followed the Cabinet's meeting on 12 November 2025, where the draft Council Priorities Plan was launched. This plan aims to set out the administration's priorities for Cornwall up to 2030, complementing the Gyllyn Warbarth Together We Can Cornwall Plan 2050.

The six priorities outlined in the draft plan were:

• Strong, safe, vibrant communities with more decent and affordable housing: Focusing on delivering affordable homes and creating jobs to enable residents to live and work in their home communities.
• A clean, green Cornwall with healthy rivers and seas: Emphasising environmental protection, sustainable living, and the council leading by example in clean energy.
• A resilient economy creating good growth and jobs: Aiming to leverage Cornwall's existing assets, such as coastlines, minerals, skills, and culture, to foster prosperity.
• A caring place for families where children can build a bright future: Focusing on improved schools, stronger support services, and mental health and wellbeing for children and young people.
• Supporting people to live healthy and dignified lives: Ensuring all individuals, regardless of age or background, have the opportunity for a good life and community involvement.
• Connected, safe and reliable roads and transport: Improving transport links to support residents and businesses.

The report indicated that for each priority, there would be a description of the desired outcome, proposed delivery measures, and metrics to track progress over four years. Performance was intended to be reported quarterly.

The draft plan was undergoing public consultation via the council's digital platform, Let's Talk Cornwall, and social media channels. The committee's feedback was considered critical in helping the Cabinet confirm the draft budget before its meeting on 17 December 2025. The consultation period for both the Priorities Plan and the draft budget was set to run until mid-January 2026, with final proposals to be considered by Full Council in February 2026.

The discussion also touched upon the government's Local Government Finance Policy Statement published on 20 November 2025. This statement was noted to have significant implications for Cornwall's funding, particularly with the removal of remoteness as a factor in funding formulae, which was estimated to reduce Cornwall's share of funds by approximately £74 million. The continuation of the Recovery grant, previously supporting metropolitan and inner London authorities, was also mentioned as impacting the distribution of funds to councils like Cornwall.

During the discussion, concerns were raised about the government's removal of rurality and remoteness from funding formulae, the potential introduction of a tourism tax, and the limited timeframe for the committee to scrutinise the draft budget proposals. The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources acknowledged these concerns, highlighting the significant financial pressures and the challenges posed by delays in government information.

The committee was also presented with additional information regarding rejected savings proposals and a RAG rating assessment of draft budget proposals' deliverability. These were considered urgent and could not be deferred, as recommendations were needed ahead of the Cabinet meeting on 11 February 2026.

The report pack also detailed the committee's previous recommendations from its meeting on 22 October 2025, concerning Corporate Parenting and SEND provision, which were welcomed. Specific points of discussion included the strength of commitments for the Clean Green Cornwall priority, the potential benefits of devolving services to town and parish councils, and the application of Financial Principle Number 4, which relates to maximising commercial opportunities and ensuring services reflect their true cost.

The committee was scheduled to make recommendations to the Cabinet, including:

• Receiving briefing notes on the in-house provision of children's homes, the BEPS 2 contract, and the Mears Contract.
• Ensuring continued communication with SEN families throughout the SEN journey.
• Reviewing the approach to Financial Principle Number 4.
• Strengthening the introduction of the draft plan with specific reference to Cornwall's National Minority Status.
• Reviewing points raised during the committee's discussion on the Priorities.

Questions to the Committee Chairman from members of the public

The agenda allocated fifteen minutes for members of the public to ask questions of the Committee Chairman. Questions were required to be submitted to the Monitoring Officer by 12 noon on Friday, 16 January 2026.

Minutes from the Meeting held on 26 November 2025

The committee was scheduled to review and confirm the minutes from its previous meeting held on 26 November 2025.