Cornwall Council has warned that it may be forced to cut spending on discretionary services as it seeks to fill a budget gap of £62m.

The council’s cabinet is set to discuss a report next week which addresses what it describes as a ‘challenging financial climate’ caused by rising inflation and increasing demand for services.

The report warns that in the next financial year the council will have a budget gap of £62m and will have to reduce discretionary services unless more support is made available.

The report going before cabinet outlines a proposed budget including a 2.99% increase to council tax bills.

Cllr David Harris, deputy leader of Cornwall Council, said: ‘This has been a very difficult budget process with some very difficult decisions still to be made before we are able to finally close the budget gap.

‘Good financial management and planning last year left us in a sound position, but the effects of the global economic uncertainty have created inflationary pressures that have hit us hard, and left us needing to find further savings to plug the financial gap.’

Cllr Harris continued: ‘This budget focuses on ensuring we spend the money we have on those things that matter most to our residents, those essential statutory services like care, housing and waste collection, while critically reviewing those services which we have a choice to, rather than are obliged to, provide.

‘While this budget is based on the funding plans currently in place, we will continue through all avenues available to work hard with Government to secure extra funding for Cornwall.’

If approved by the cabinet, the plans will go out for public consultation and for review by the council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committees before going to full council for approval.