Cornwall Council responds to Reform UK’s plea for ‘transparency’ meeting

Cornwall Council has responded after Reform UK councillors formally requested a public all-member briefing on Cornwall Council’s finances, senior leadership arrangements and financial resilience.

The move comes after a troubling few weeks for the local authority when three senior officers resigned, including CEO Kate Kennally.
It also reported going over budget by £11 million in the first quarter of this financial year, with borrowing debts of around £1.57 billion, which could rise to £2.3 billion if savings aren’t made.

The Reform group has written to the chairman of Cornwall Council, Cllr Rob Nolan, requesting a public briefing at which councillors can question statutory officers and cabinet members on interim and permanent leadership arrangements, the latest financial position, recovery plans, borrowing commitments and an assessment of future financial risks, including any factors that could lead to consideration of a Section 114 notice, effectively a form of local authority bankruptcy.

Cllr Paul Ashton, leader of the Reform UK group on Cornwall Council, said: “Residents are entitled to know that Cornwall Council is in capable hands. We have seen significant changes among some of the council’s most senior officers, at the same time as a reported £11 million overspend and wider financial challenges.

“What we are asking for is straightforward. Councillors and residents deserve a clear explanation of what is happening, how the council intends to restore its financial position and what reassurance its leadership can give about the road ahead. Transparency builds confidence. Uncertainty does the opposite.”

Cllr Jack Yelland, Reform member for the St Austell Central & Gover division, added: “My primary concern is ensuring Cornwall Council remains financially resilient and well clear of any circumstances that could lead to a Section 114 notice. This request does not claim that outcome is inevitable. It is the opposite. If risks exist, councillors should understand them early. If work is under way to reduce those risks, residents should be able to see it.”

The group has requested that the briefing is held as soon as practicable, streamed publicly and supported by written information provided to councillors in advance. While a public briefing is the preferred approach, the group has made clear that if councillors are not given a meaningful opportunity to receive information and ask questions, it will pursue an extraordinary meeting of the full council through the constitutional process.

A council spokesperson told us: “The chairman has forwarded the correspondence to the relevant officers for consideration. In the meantime, councillors are already being kept updated on the council’s financial position through established member and democratic processes. Members will be informed if any additional briefing arrangements are made.”

The council will hold an extraordinary meeting next Tuesday (November 3) to discuss recommendations from its chief officers employment committee following the resignation of Kate Kennally, as well as details about recruiting her replacement, and interim chief financial officer arrangements following the resignation of Annabel Scholes.