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Individual Decision Day - Wednesday, 14th October, 2026 10.00 am
October 14, 2026 at 10:00 am Individual Decision Day View on council websiteSummary
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The Individual Decision Day of Cornwall Council, held on Wednesday 14 October 2026, saw a number of key decisions made regarding council tax, public spaces, economic regeneration, transport, and adult social care. Notably, the council agreed to commence public consultation on potential revisions to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme, which could see maximum award levels reduced, and approved a joint bid with Devon for the National Jobs Guarantee programme, subject to a positive funding decision from the DWP.
Council Tax Reduction Scheme Consultation Approved
The Cabinet Member agreed to commence public consultation on potential revisions to the Council Tax Support Scheme for working-age claimants. The consultation will seek views on amending the maximum award level from the current 75% to options ranging from 70% down to 55%. This decision comes as the council faces significant financial pressures, with the Medium-Term Financial Plan assuming £5 million in savings from a review of Council Tax Support and Discretionary Rate Relief. While the Corporate Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee had recommended no reductions, the worsening financial outlook has left the council with no option but to pursue savings plans. The consultation results, along with an equality impact assessment and updated financial modelling, will be reported to Cabinet before any final recommendations are made to Full Council for the 2027/28 scheme.
National Jobs Guarantee Bid Approved
Cornwall Council has agreed to accept the National Jobs Guarantee grant and act as the Lead Authority for a joint bid with Devon, subject to a positive funding decision from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The programme aims to secure up to £2.65 million in funding to support approximately 1,000 residents across Cornwall and Devon into employment. Authority has been delegated to the Service Director for Economy, Regeneration and Assets, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration and Investment, the Section 151 Officer and the Monitoring Officer, to finalise and enter into the DWP grant funding agreement and any associated partnership, commissioning, and delivery agreements. This initiative aligns with the council's Workforce & Skills Strategy and Good Growth Plan, aiming to integrate the local employment and skills system and support residents into employment.
Public Spaces Protection Orders Renewed with Amendments
The council has approved the renewal of its Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) relating to dog fouling, dog exclusions, and dogs on leads for a further three years, commencing 15 October 2026. Several amendments have been made to the schedules following consultation. Numerous children's play areas, recreation fields, and community facilities have been added to the Dog Exclusion Order, reflecting health and safety concerns. Some locations have been removed from the order where they are no longer considered public spaces or required inclusion. Additionally, new areas have been added to the Dogs on Leads Order where greater control is deemed appropriate. However, a request to add Tehidy Park – Ponds and Beech Wood (area west of the café)
was removed due to unclear boundaries and insufficient supporting evidence, with a commitment to review this separately after further consultation. Assistance dogs remain exempt from all orders.
Direct Contract Award for Extra Care Services Approved
A direct contract award to Provider A for the extra care contract at Miners Court has been approved, with a contract start date of 1 November 2026. This decision was made as Provider A owns the existing extra care scheme and has delivered care into it since 2010 under direct award arrangements. As Provider A indicated they would not allow another provider to deliver services from the property, a direct award was deemed the most appropriate route to ensure continuity of care and avoid higher costs associated with a home care service. The council has been assured of the quality of care delivery and value for money through Provider A's recent appointment to the Extra Care Services Framework.
Local Transport Delivery Plan Endorsed for Submission
Cornwall's refined Local Transport Delivery Plan has been endorsed to enable its submission to the Department for Transport (DfT) by the required deadline of 30 October 2026. The plan has been updated to provide additional detail on scheme outputs, delivery activities, programme composition, and funding allocations, responding to feedback from the DfT. It also incorporates additional transport funding secured since June 2026, including £1.064 million for Bus Franchising Support and a £0.435 million uplift to Bus Services revenue funding. These refinements do not fundamentally alter Cornwall's overall transport programme or strategic priorities.
Tamar Crossings Contract Awarded for Ferry Main Chains
Following an open competitive tender procedure, the award of the contract for the Supply of Replacement Ferry Main Chains for the Torpoint Ferries has been awarded to the highest scoring bidder. This decision secures the long-term supply of a critical safety component essential for the continued safe and reliable operation of the ferry service, which provides a vital transport link between Cornwall and Plymouth. The contract is for an initial five-year term with an option to extend for a further five years, and the tendered price represents a saving against historic contract expenditure and the approved business case budget assumptions. Funding for this contract will be met entirely from existing Tamar Crossings revenue budgets.
Franchising Assessment and Socially Necessary Local Services Designation Approved
The council has approved the commencement of the statutory process to undertake a full Franchising Assessment for bus services. This assessment will provide the evidence needed to determine whether franchising is a viable and appropriate option for Cornwall. Additionally, the inclusion of all local bus services in Cornwall in the designation of Socially Necessary Local Services (SNLS) based on the Winter 2026 timetable has been approved. This designation ensures that any proposed permanent service reductions or withdrawals will undergo a formal process of considering alternatives and consulting affected communities, providing greater consistency and equity across the network.
Minutes of Previous Meetings Approved
The minutes of the extraordinary meetings held on 29 June 2026, 8 July 2026, 15 July 2026, and 2 September 2026 were approved.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 July 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cornwall Council Individual Decision Day approved the minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2026. The decision was made on 14/10/2026.
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Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 15 July 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Individual Decision Day approved the RISE Outline Business Case. Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director for Safe and Caring Communities to approve the final sourcing option and proceed with procurement, and to award the contract(s) following the tender process. The decision was made on 15 July 2026.
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Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 2 September 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Individual Decision Day of Cornwall Council approved the minutes of the meeting held on 2 September 2026. The decision was made on 14/10/2026.
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Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 29 June 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Individual Decision Day approved the recommissioning of the Family Domestic Abuse Support Advisor service. This decision was made on 29 June 2026. The approval includes £2.443m in revenue expenditure and delegates authority to the Service Director for Children and Families to procure, award, and implement the contract.
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Individual Decision - Public Spaces Protection Order – Dog restrictions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Public Health decided to approve the renewal of Public Spaces Protection Orders for dog fouling, dogs on leads by direction, dog exclusions, and dogs on leads on 14 October 2026. The decision included adding specific areas to the Dog Exclusion Order and the Dogs on Leads Order, and removing certain areas from the Dog Exclusion Order.
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Individual Decision - Local Transport Consolidated Funding
Recommendations ApprovedThe Portfolio Holder for Transport decided on 14 October 2026 to approve Cornwall's refined Local Transport Delivery Plan for submission to the Department for Transport. This plan incorporates additional funding and responds to feedback from the Department for Transport. The decision includes the endorsement of the plan to enable its submission by the required deadline.
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Individual Decision - National Jobs Guarantee – Cornwall and Devon
Recommendations ApprovedThe Individual Decision Day, Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration and Investment decided to approve recommendations on 14/10/2026. Cornwall Council will act as Lead Authority for the National Jobs Guarantee programme for Cornwall and Devon, subject to a positive funding decision from the Department for Work and Pensions. Authority is delegated to the Service Director Economy, Regeneration and Assets to finalise funding and partnership agreements.
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Individual Decision - Direct Contract Award to Provider A
Recommendations ApprovedThe Individual Decision Day, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health Partnerships decided to approve the direct contract award to Provider A on 14 October 2026. This decision allows Provider A to continue delivering care and support into the extra care scheme. The decision includes a contract start date of 1 November 2026.
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Individual Decision - Approval to consult on proposed revised Council Tax Reduction Scheme
Recommendations ApprovedThe Individual Decision Day, Deputy Leader of the Council & Portfolio Holder for Resources decided on 14 October 2026 to commence public consultation on potential revisions to the Council Tax Support Scheme for working-age claimants. The consultation will seek views on amending the maximum award level to 70%, 65%, 60%, or 55%. No changes to the Discretionary Rate Relief policy will be included in the consultation.
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Individual Decision - Tamar Crossings - Supply of Replacement Ferry Main Chains for the Torpoint Ferries
Recommendations ApprovedThe Individual Decision Day, Portfolio Holder for Transport decided on 14 October 2026 to approve the award of the Supply of Replacement Ferry Main Chains for the Torpoint Ferries Contract to the highest scoring bidder. This decision secures long-term operational resilience and value for money for the Torpoint Ferries. The contract award will be managed by Tamar Crossings.
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Individual Decision - Franchising and Bus Reform Pilot Study
Recommendations ApprovedThe Portfolio Holder for Transport decided on 14/10/2026 to approve the commencement of the statutory process for a full Franchising Assessment. The decision also approved the inclusion of all local bus services in Cornwall Council's designation of Socially Necessary Local Services based on the Winter 2026 timetable.
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