The Corporate Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council was scheduled to discuss several key financial and strategic documents. These included the Treasury Management Strategy for 2026/27, the Corporate Asset Management Strategy, and the Capital and Investment Strategy. The committee was also set to review the Statutory Public Sector Equality Duty Return for 2026.

Treasury Management Strategy 2026/27

The committee was scheduled to consider the proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2026/27. This strategy outlines how Cornwall Council will manage its borrowing, investments, and cash flows. It details the prudential and treasury indicators, the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) policy, borrowing levels and controls, the Annual Investment Strategy, and cash flow loans. The strategy aims to ensure the prudent management of public funds, minimise borrowing costs, and optimise investment returns to support the Council's capital programme and day-to-day revenue expenditure. The report highlighted that the Council's borrowing strategy aims for a prudent balance between long and short-term borrowing, with a preference for shorter-term loans while interest rates remain high. The strategy also detailed the Council's investment policy, prioritising security, liquidity, and then yield, and outlined the counterparty selection criteria to manage investment risk.

Corporate Asset Management Strategy

A significant item on the agenda was the Corporate Asset Management Strategy (CAMS) for 2026-2029. This strategy aims to provide a clear, corporate direction for managing the Council's land and property assets, ensuring they actively support service delivery, financial sustainability, housing, regeneration, and place-based outcomes. The CAMS framework uses three strategic lenses – Service Delivery, Value Generating, and Asset Release – and ten asset categories to assess the purpose and performance of each asset. The strategy seeks to optimise asset utilisation, support service transformation, enable housing delivery, advance environmental sustainability, promote community value, strengthen governance, and maximise financial efficiency. The report detailed the outcomes of two workshops held to develop this strategy, which involved engagement with over 70 officers and senior management.

Capital and Investment Strategy

The committee was also scheduled to review the draft Capital and Investment Strategy for 2026/27 to 2030/31. This strategy outlines how Cornwall Council will manage, maintain, and develop its assets, with a proposed investment of £2.1 billion over six years. The strategy categorises investment into Sustain (maintaining existing assets), Change (transforming services for efficiency or revenue return), and Grow (expanding capacity or stimulating economic growth). The funding for this programme is derived from prudential borrowing, grants and contributions, revenue contributions, capital receipts, and reserves. The report highlighted the financial implications, including an increase in capital financing costs, and outlined the Council's approach to managing risks associated with market conditions, contractor failure, and borrowing costs. The strategy also detailed the governance and process for capital projects, including a gateway process for approvals and risk management.

Statutory Public Sector Equality Duty Return (Annual Review) 2026

The committee was to review the Statutory Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) Return for 2026. This annual report summarises the Council's progress in meeting its legal duty under section 149 of the Equality Act 2010. It highlights actions taken to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different groups. The report detailed achievements aligned with the Council's six priority outcomes, including initiatives related to housing, environmental sustainability, economic growth, children's services, health and wellbeing, and transport. It also provided data on the Council's workforce, noting areas for improvement in diversification and pay gap reporting. The return also detailed progress on promoting Cornish distinctiveness and supporting the Cornish language, as well as initiatives to combat hate crime and support refugees and asylum seekers.

Questions from Members to Cabinet Members on their reports

Members of the committee were scheduled to have an opportunity to ask questions of Cabinet Members regarding their respective reports. This agenda item allows councillors to seek clarification and further information on the matters presented by the Cabinet.

Public Questions

An opportunity was allocated for members of the public to ask questions to the Committee. This provides a mechanism for public engagement and allows residents to raise concerns or seek information directly with the committee.