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Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Tuesday, 29 September 2026 - 10.00 am
September 29, 2026 at 10:00 am Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee View on council websiteSummary
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The Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 29 September 2026 to discuss several key issues, including the future of bus services in Cornwall and a review of small highways schemes. The committee considered recommendations regarding bus services and a review of small highways schemes.
Franchising and Bus Reform Pilot Study
The committee considered a recommendation that the commencement of the statutory process to undertake a full Franchising Assessment for bus services be approved, subject to the comments made by the committee. This assessment will provide the evidence necessary to determine whether franchising is a viable and appropriate option for Cornwall's bus network.
Additionally, the committee considered a recommendation for the universal inclusion of all local bus services in Cornwall Council's required designation of Socially Necessary Local Services (SNLS), based on the Winter 2026 timetable. This approach aims to ensure that all communities are considered and that the network is planned and protected as a whole, avoiding disparities and promoting equity. The designation of SNLS does not commit the Council or operators to fund services indefinitely but ensures a formal process is followed before significant changes are made.
Small Highways Schemes Review
The committee considered the findings of a highways-specific Value for Money review and noted that the independent assessment and proposed improvement actions provided sufficient assurance in response to previous recommendations. They also considered a summary of Town and Parish Council engagement delivered by Cormac, and requested that the learning from these sessions be reflected in future highways communications and engagement planning. A progress update on agreed Value for Money improvement priorities and stakeholder engagement actions will be included in future highways performance reporting to the committee.
Furthermore, the committee requested that the Portfolio Holder for Transport consider the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee about introducing more regular gully/drain/rural road inspections through the budget-setting process.
Minutes of Previous Meetings
The minutes of the Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 16 June 2026, 14 July 2026, and an extraordinary meeting on 19 August 2026 were received and noted.
Public Questions and Member Questions
The committee received three public questions and noted that questions from Members to Cabinet Members on their reports had been received.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Questions from Members to Cabinet Members on their reports
Recommendations ApprovedThe Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council approved recommendations on 29/09/2026. The committee received updates from Cabinet Members for Tourism, Localism and Planning; Economic Regeneration and Investment; Housing; Environment and Climate Change; and Transport. Specific decisions included approving the Cornish Language Strategy 2026-2036, the Valuing Local Framework, and licensing Cornwall Council's Visit Cornwall assets. The committee also noted the Cornwall Council Highways Maintenance Transparency Report 2026/27.
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Public Questions
Recommendations ApprovedThe Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council approved recommendations on 29/09/2026. Three public questions were received and dealt with under the committee's procedure rules.
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Declarations of Interest
Recommendations ApprovedThe Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council decided to approve recommendations on 29/09/2026. There were no declarations of interest.
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Small Highways Schemes Review
Recommendations ApprovedThe Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee approved recommendations regarding the highways-specific Value for Money review and town and parish council engagement on 29 September 2026. The committee requested that learning from engagement sessions be reflected in future communications, that a progress update be included in future performance reporting, and that the Portfolio Holder for Transport consider views on more regular gulley/drain/rural road inspections during budget setting.
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Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 June 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee approved the minutes of their meeting held on 16 June 2026. The committee also elected Councillor Donnithorne as Chair and Councillor Gow as Vice-Chair.
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Minutes of the Extraordinary meeting held on 19 August 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee resolved to note the Independent Operational and Commercial Efficiency Review of Cornwall Airport. The committee also resolved that an updated draft Land Development Plan, incorporating changes from the review, would be provided.
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Franchising and Bus Reform Pilot Study
Recommendations ApprovedThe Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council resolved on 29 September 2026 to recommend to the Cabinet Member for Transport that the commencement of the statutory process to undertake a full Franchising Assessment be approved, subject to the committee's comments. The committee also recommended approval for the universal inclusion of all local bus services in Cornwall Council’s required designation of Socially Necessary Local Services based on the Winter 2026 timetable, subject to their comments.
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Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 July 2026
Recommendations ApprovedThe Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee approved the minutes of its meeting held on 14 July 2026. The minutes were signed by the Chair.
Attendees
No attendees have been recorded for this meeting.
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