Cornwall Council’s “Case for Cornwall” document/plan, which is intended for Westminster and the civil service, to try and gain some devolution of powers, certainly makes interesting reading.

I fully agree that Cornwall Council should have more control in local decision making for things such as planning, public transport, renewable energy, housing etc. However, contained within the proposals, is the power for Cornwall Council to be able to increase council tax, above the current capped limit without a prior referendum. 

This I believe could have enormous adverse affects on those in society on low and fixed incomes. Not everyone on a low income is eligible for, or wants to claim council tax benefit. 

Whilst there also is included in the proposals, the ability to direct fairer council tax discounts to the most vulnerable, as opposed to the current method of distribution, there is no clear explanation as far as I can see, as to what would happen about the single person’s discount. Nor does there appear to be an explanation of whether means testing would be applied for this particular discount, and if so, how much would that means testing cost. 

It may possibly be an appropriate freedom of power, for Cornwall Council to be able to increase council tax above the current capped limit without the cost of a referendum, at any future chosen time, in order to provide or preserve services. 

However, I believe this should only be allowed to happen if full and fair consultation were to be held first, to establish public opinion as to whether Cornwall Council should or not, hold that future power, and to whether or not that particular proposal should be included in the “Case for Cornwall” plan. 

Recent devolved Cornwall Council provided services, to local town and parish councils have seen the town and parish precepts increase, we are therefore still paying extra on an uncapped council tax. 

Unless legalisation is brought in to cap town and parish precepts, we could eventually experience a great increase of council tax, combined from the demands of town and parish councils in addition to Cornwall Council’s proposed new powers. 

We elected Cornwall Councillors to make decisions on our behalf under the current legislation, we did not however elect them to rewrite the rules of freedom on council tax collection. 

I realise Cornwall Council are working hard for Cornwall, and we have some excellent local Cornwall Councillors, and it is certainly not my intention to deflect the good that some have achieved with wonderful results for local areas. I just hope they think very hard about the possible long term effects an uncapped council tax could have.

Gill Martin,
Mullion