A Fairer Deal for Rural and Coastal Communities

The Government completed its Fair Funding Review on the money Local Councils receive from central government. For the first time, local council funding will be based on need, finally recognising the unique pressures faced by rural and coastal areas like Cornwall.

The new system accounts for seasonal visitor demand, acknowledging the extra costs that popular destinations face. A remoteness adjustment will also be introduced to reflect the higher expense of delivering services in sparsely populated regions. These changes aim to ensure councils get a fair share to support essential services like schools, roads, and social care.

Smaller grants will be merged into larger, more flexible pots, cutting unnecessary bureaucracy and giving councils greater control. At the same time, outdated council tax rules will be reformed, including a new standard option to spread payments evenly over 12 months.

For too long, rural and coastal communities were overlooked, often underfunded despite facing higher costs. This Government is changing that. These long-overdue reforms are a welcome step toward fairer funding and better services for places like Cornwall.

Read Minister McMahon’s Written Statement here.