The Cornwall Council meeting scheduled for 24 February 2026 was set to address a range of significant financial and policy matters, alongside public questions. Key discussions were expected to revolve around the Council Priorities Plan for 2026-2030, the Housing and Revenue Account Business Plan and rent setting for 2026-27, and the Comprehensive Spending Review Budget Proposals for 2026-27 to 2028-29. The meeting also included a review of licensing fees and the Pay Policy Statement for 2026-27.

Questions from the Public

A portion of the meeting was allocated for members of the public to ask questions. Two specific questions were scheduled to be addressed.

The first question, submitted by Mr. Angell from Camborne, concerned the car parking budget. It highlighted a perceived disparity where councillors enjoy free parking at County Hall while charges are being implemented at Helston's Fairground car park. The question asked: If car park charges are a revenue opportunity, when will those same councillors start to pay for their parking here at County Hall? Why is their parking free? ¹

The second question, from Mrs. Groves of Hayle, focused on the financial performance of Cormac Contracting Ltd. It noted a gross loss of £650,000 in 2025, accumulating a total debt of £2.2 million underwritten by taxpayers. The question raised concerns about the company's ability to compete in a tendering process, stating: In a commercial world, how can a private company compete with a tendering process that actively exercises market dominance when bidding at a rate that results in a GM-£35k/+3%-2024. ²

Council Priorities Plan 2026-2030

The meeting was scheduled to consider recommendations from the Cabinet regarding the Council Priorities Plan for 2026-2030. This plan outlines the strategic direction and objectives for Cornwall Council over a four-year period. The report pack indicated that this discussion would involve a review of the council's overarching goals and how they are intended to be achieved.

Housing and Revenue Account Business Plan, Medium Term Financial Budget and Rent Setting for 2026-27

Recommendations from the Cabinet concerning the Housing and Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan, Medium Term Financial Budget, and Rent Setting for 2026-27 were also on the agenda. This item would have involved a review of the financial plans for the council's housing services, including budget proposals and decisions on rent levels for the upcoming financial year.

Cornwall Council Comprehensive Spending Review Budget Proposals 2026-27 to 2028-29

The council was also set to review the Comprehensive Spending Review Budget Proposals for the period 2026-27 to 2028-29. This agenda item would have covered the council's financial planning and resource allocation across various services for the next three years, following a comprehensive review of its spending.

Licensing Fees

Two items related to licensing fees were scheduled for discussion, stemming from recommendations by the Miscellaneous Licensing Committee.

Licensing of Hackney Carriages, Private Hire Vehicles and Operations Application Fees

This agenda item concerned the proposed application fees for hackney carriages, private hire vehicles, and their operators. The report pack indicated that the discussion would focus on the fee structure for these licensed transport services.

Licensing of Relevant Protected Sites Fees Policy

The meeting was also scheduled to consider the Fees Policy for the licensing of relevant protected sites. This would have involved a review of the charges associated with licensing specific types of sites deemed to be protected.

Pay Policy Statement for 2026-27

A Pay Policy Statement for 2026-27 was also scheduled for consideration. This statement outlines the council's policies regarding the pay of its senior staff and is a requirement under the Localism Act 2011.