North Cornwall MP Scott Mann has welcomed the news that Cornwall will benefit from an extra £16 million for key local public services and infrastructure projects.
Figures published by the Government show that Cornwall Council will get an extra £8m in core local government spending in 2018/19, including an additional £1.7m for social care and £1.5m for delivering rural services.
Cornwall has also been designated as a 100% Business Rates Retention pilot area, which means the council will keep all the money it collects in non-domestic rates. Previously, 50% would be sent to central government where it would then be redistributed nationally.
Welcoming the news, Scott Mann said:
“I welcome this boost in funding for Cornwall’s key public services. The Government recognises the pressure on our adult social care sector, and that’s why they have committed an extra £1.7m.
“The county will also receive millions in funding from the Rural Services Delivery Grant to help with delivering services around Cornwall, and this itself has increased by £1.5m. Providing services in rural areas costs more than in urban areas and I am pleased that the Government recognises this.
“It is now down to Cornwall Council to distribute this money around the county, and I hope they will do this wisely by investing in vital public services without little wastage.”
Total core spending power will equal £435.5m, including £1.7m within a new Adult Social Care Support Grant and £3.9m as part of the Rural Services Delivery Grant, which itself has increased by £1.5m. A further £8m has been committed under the Housing Infrastructure Fund for the North Quay Redevelopment in Hayle and the West Carclaze Garden Village.
Announcing the figures, Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said:
"Local government delivers vital services at the heart of the communities they serve. This settlement strikes a balance between relieving growing pressure on local government whilst ensuring that hard-pressed taxpayers do not face excessive bills.
"We have listened to representations made and delivered on these requests: two years of real terms increases in resources, more freedom and fairness, and greater certainty to plan and secure value for money.
"I recognise the need to prioritise spending on social care services that councils provide to our elderly and vulnerable citizens. This is why we announced an additional £2 billion at Spring Budget 2017 for adult social care over the 3 years from 2017 to 2018. This year we have seen how this money has enabled councils to increase provider fees, provide for more care packages and reduce delayed transfer of care.
"And, having listening to representations since the provisional settlement, I am today announcing a further £150 million in 2018 to 2019 for an Adult Social Care Support Grant. This will be allocated according to relative needs and we will expect to see councils use it to build on their progress so far in supporting sustainable local care markets.
"With this, and other measures, the government has given councils access to £9.4 billion dedicated funding for adult social care over 3 years."