UPDATE: Labour MPs in Cornwall have announced a significant funding boost for the region, securing a 27% increase to £932 million by 2028/29 in a long-term Local Government Funding Settlement. This announcement follows extensive lobbying efforts and is being touted as a major victory for Cornwall.
However, the move has sparked controversy. Cllr Leigh Frost, the Liberal Democrat leader of Cornwall Council, has accused Labour of “dressing up” the funding figure as a “big win,” stating that the settlement is “roughly where we expected to be if not slightly worse.” Frost indicated that the true increase might be closer to 4.5% after accounting for various factors.
The Labour MPs—Noah Law, Jayne Kirkham, Anna Gelderd, and Perran Moon—released a joint statement celebrating the funding as part of a broader initiative by the Labour Government to unlock Cornwall’s potential. They highlighted recent support through the Kernow Industrial Growth Fund and the largest increase to Cornwall’s Local Government Finance Settlement announced last year.
“This funding comes as the latest wave of support from the Labour Government to unleash Cornwall’s immense potential,” the MPs stated.
Frost responded critically, emphasizing that the funding includes an already agreed maximum 4.99% council tax increase and a 100% council tax premium on second homes, which the local authority is already implementing. “It’s concerning that this is being dressed up as a big win when in fact they’ve changed the base year to inflate the numbers,” Frost told CornwallLive.
Meanwhile, Andrew George, the Lib Dem MP for West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, urged caution, noting that both Cornwall Council and the Council of the Isles of Scilly need to analyze the settlements further. He expressed relief that budgets appear to be protected, but warned that the actual increase is significantly less than what is being promoted by Labour supporters.
“The devil, as ever, is in the detail,” George remarked, emphasizing the need for thorough evaluation.
George pointed out that the projected increase is inflated, suggesting the real figure is about 4.5% when factoring in the current baseline year and anticipated council tax rises. “It’s clear that nothing is clear,” he added, highlighting the complexity of the funding situation.
In a contrasting view, Labour’s Jayne Kirkham, MP for Truro and Falmouth, expressed optimism, stating, “This is really positive news for Cornwall and it’s long overdue.” She argued that the funding is crucial for addressing long-standing underfunding of essential services in the region.
Law echoed these sentiments, stating that the new funding formula will consider Cornwall’s unique needs, particularly the impact of the visitor economy. “This will dramatically improve the state of local public services, which have suffered at the hands of Conservative austerity,” he said.
The debates surrounding this funding settlement underscore the ongoing tensions in Cornwall’s political landscape. As local officials and MPs assess the implications of these financial changes, residents are left waiting to see how this will affect public services and council tax rates in the coming years.
As this story develops, further analysis and reactions from various stakeholders are anticipated. Residents are encouraged to stay informed about these critical funding updates that will shape Cornwall’s future.
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