CORNWALL’S new leader has urged Michael Gove to make sure the county is prioritised when it comes to Levelling Up funding in the country – and the Council has reaffirmed the previous administration’s commitment to achieving net zero by 2030.
Cllr Linda Taylor said that she had written to the new Secretary of State for Housing and Communities to underline the importance for Cornwall of a new County Deal to boost wages and productivity.
At a full Council meeting yesterday, members approved a £62.8m capital programme to address major economic challenges faced by Cornwall Council.
The funding increase will help pay for modernising and decarbonising council buildings, providing more temporary accommodation for people in priority need of housing, and to respond to the council’s budgetary challenges.
“As we move into the autumn, it is no secret that we are facing the most challenging budget-setting in the history of Cornwall Council,” said Cllr Taylor.
“The effects of the pandemic, combined with the increasing pressure on Adult Social Care services means we will have to make some tough decisions in the months ahead, even as we implement our plans to create a stronger Cornwall.”
Also on the agenda of yesterday’s meeting were plans to ensure new developments contribute to Cornwall’s goal to become carbon neutral by 2030.
Councillors backed proposals for the Climate Emergency Development Plan Document which covers?policies?to?support green energy, enhance?the environment,?provide?more efficient housing, greener travel and?resilience to issues such as coastal change and flooding.??
In response to questions from members of the public, Councillor Martyn Alvey, Cornwall’s cabinet member for the environment and climate change, reiterated the unitary authority’s commitment to help Cornwall strive towards net-zero carbon emissions.
Cllr Alvey said: “We are driving change across Cornwall through a wide range of projects including our Forest for Cornwall, Climate Emergency Development Planning Document, and Making Space for Nature project which has been recognised with a national award for Building with Nature ‘Excellence’.
“This strategic framework puts Cornwall Council in a very strong position to be a national leader on the journey towards net zero, nature recovery and environmental resilience.”
You can watch a recording of today’s meeting online here.