LOCAL councillors and MPs have responded to the news that only one of Cornwall's six MPs signed a letter to the Prime Minister urging the government to provide an emergency injection of funding for councils to prevent major reductions to local services. 

Scott Mann, MP for North Cornwall, was among those who did not put their signature to the letter. This has led to criticisms, with one Cornwall councillor arguing "his career comes before Cornwall."  However, Mr Mann has now defended his decision, stating that he makes "direct representations on behalf of North Cornwall" on a regular basis.

The letter comes days after cash-strapped Cornwall Council’s deputy leader, Cllr David Harris, sent his own letter to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, MP Michael Gove, also calling on the government to urgently provide more support for local authorities. 

The government is currently consulting on its final Local Government Finance Settlement, which will be published in February, this will confirm how much funding councils in England will receive in 2024/25. 

It follows November’s Autumn Statement which provided no new funding for local authorities despite the County Councils Network (CCN) highlighting its members were under extreme financial pressure and set to overspend this year by £650-million, with councils facing a total £4-billion funding deficit over three years. 

In recent months Slough, Croydon, Thurrock, Woking, Birmingham City and Nottingham City have all issued notices effectively declaring themselves bankrupt. Cornwall Council says it’s not in immediate danger of going bankrupt but if things don’t change, it will be on a financial “cliff edge” within two years. 

Now, local councillors have commented on a lack of support for the motion from regional MP’s.  

Councillor Leigh Frost, Cornwall council member for Bodmin St Petroc and deputy leader of the Cornwall Liberal Democrat group at the authority, said: “I think it’s disgraceful that five of the six Cornish MPs are former councillors and should know the importance of the vital services Cornwall Council provide.  

“Yet when it comes to the crunch very few are willing to rock the boat and upset their masters in Westminster.  

“I wrote to Scott Mann recently calling on him to sign the EDM67 to provide support for councils but unfortunately as he’s a whip, his career comes before Cornwall.  

“That said, he did write to Simon Hoare MP (minister for local government) on my behalf to which I received a letter stating what the government are doing but unfortunately, it’s just not enough.  

“The local government association itself states that Councils across the country need £3.6-billion of increased funding just to stand still let alone provide better services.  

“Something needs to change councils can’t just keep putting up council tax as a way out of this situation, people are working harder for less money in real terms. It’s time for change." 

Responding to comments regarding his lack of support for the letter, Mr Mann, MP for North Cornwall, said: "North Cornwall has received record levels of funding under the current government. This is despite the challenges of the pandemic and while delivering the most generous tax cuts in a generation.  

"I have regular in-person meetings with Ministers and make direct representations on behalf of North Cornwall, including recent discussions about the Rural Services Grant and care costs. Along with these steps, I have also put correspondence from our Cornwall Councillors directly to the Secretary of State.” 

Conservative councillor for Camelford, Barry Jordan is hopeful that the work MPs and councillors are doing will ensure Cornwall gets what it ‘deserves’.  

He said: “Cllr David Harris has written to the government asking for more money, resources for the council, adult social care and children’s and families budgets are a growing concern for us all, I was delighted to read the Steve Double MP had supported the council in their request, I am sure the other five MPs in Cornwall also support Cllr Harris and Mr Steve Double MP.  

“Councils throughout the country are struggling, some have already issued a section 114 notice, Cornwall does not want to do that so we are fighting now and not waiting for the big bang, and if you don’t ask you don’t get so let's hope all the work our deputy leader and MPs are doing get the rewards we deserve.”