The Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee was scheduled to discuss updates from Cabinet Members on their portfolios, including matters relating to the environment, climate change, transport, and housing. The committee was also set to review its work programme and consider reports on Cormac's small highways schemes and the future of Newquay Airport.

Questions from Members to Cabinet Members

The committee was scheduled to receive updates and address questions for several Cabinet Members.

Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change

Councillor Loic Rich, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change and Deputy Group Leader - Independent Group, was scheduled to provide updates relevant to the committee's work programme, particularly concerning the Climate Change action plan and Net Zero targets. A key item for discussion was the adoption of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Marine Nature Recovery Framework by Cabinet on 17 December 2025. Councillor Rich also indicated ongoing work to support developing action plans aligned with Cornwall Council's Climate and Nature targets, with Cabinet approval anticipated in February 2026. Further work was planned to evaluate investment and delivery models to reduce the burden on Council finances and accelerate delivery, with support from the South West Net Zero Hub. Additionally, the Council was working on a response to the National Energy System Operator (NESO) consultation regarding the development of the methodology for the first Regional Energy System Plan, which will inform essential upgrades to the regional electricity network. Work was also continuing to support the development of the Cornwall Climate Change Adaptation Strategy and to engage key local stakeholders in its development.

Cabinet Member for Transport

Councillor Dan Rogerson, Portfolio Holder for Transport, was scheduled to provide updates on his portfolio. This included feedback on committee recommendations to Cabinet, specifically regarding the Mid Cornwall Metro (MCM) - Newquay Phase 2, where the continuation of the Newquay Phase 2 Active Travel Scheme and proceeding to construction was approved, subject to the outcome of the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) statutory consultation and a Value for Money assessment. The committee was also to be made aware of potential items for its work programme, with the Road Safety Strategy scheduled to be brought to scrutiny on 3 March 2026. Areas of focus for Councillor Rogerson included proposals for free and motorhome car parks, which would be subject to public consultation and an individual decision. He was also to make an individual decision on the Mid Cornwall Metro Par Lift Bridge Delivery and attend an All Member Briefing on Local Bus Network Change. An update on the Franchising and Bus Reform Pilot Study was also to be presented, with Peter Hardy, Technical Director from ITP Haskoning, in attendance to inform local bus contract arrangements for 2028. Cornwall's Local Transport Consolidated Funding settlement for 2026/27 to 2029/30, totalling over £284m when combined with highway maintenance funding, was also noted.

Cabinet Member for Tourism, Localism and Planning

Councillor Sarah Preece, Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Localism and Planning, was scheduled to provide updates on her portfolio. This included feedback on the 'CornwALL Connected Digital Inclusion Strategy 2025-2030', which was approved by Cabinet on 12 November 2025, along with a decision to schedule a summit focusing on connectivity, infrastructure, and inclusivity. Individual decisions were made regarding the Redruth Neighbourhood Development Plan 2020-2030 and the Torpoint Neighbourhood Development Plan 2010-2030, both of which were made and would be used as part of the development plan for Cornwall. Upcoming areas of focus included a report recommending consultation on a draft Local Development Order (LDO) for replacement septic tanks within the River Camel Catchment Area, which would grant planning permission for replacement tanks and ensure their appropriate maintenance over an 80-year period. The Cornwall Council Plan 2026-2030 was also scheduled for Cabinet approval in February 2026. The Pentewan Valley Neighbourhood Development Plan 2025-2030 was to be taken forward to examination, and a review of the Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was underway to align with current national policy and best practice. The committee was also to be informed about the preparation for the formal stages of the Local Plan, with the Council aiming to progress early in 2026, dependent on regulations yet to be published. A new Culture Strategy for Cornwall 2030, including a 4-year culture investment programme, was also to be presented for approval. In other issues, regular meetings were continuing regarding the liquidation of Visit Cornwall CIC, with a Visitor Economy summit planned for 27 January 2026. The committee was also to be briefed on national planning changes, including a draft new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published on 16 December 2025, and the anticipated outcome of a consultation on planning committee reform.

Cabinet Member for Housing

Councillor Peter La Broy, Portfolio Holder for Housing, was scheduled to provide updates on his portfolio. This included feedback on the disposal of 37 SoloHaus units owned by the Council via an Expressions of Interest exercise, with bids prioritising proposals supporting affordable housing delivery, homelessness prevention, or wider community benefit. The closing date for bids was 30 January 2026. A draft of the Council Homes – HRA Business Plan was approved at Cabinet in November, with officers working to finalise the plan. The Council's Medium Term Financial Plan 2026-30 proposed to commit £24m of capital over the next four years to support the acceleration of stock decency measures to four years, representing a substantial improvement with £40M in additional investment provided to Cornwall Housing Limited (CHL) over the next four years. Areas of focus included the Cornwall Housing Growth Prospectus and the Private Sector Leasing Project Expansion and market testing of Private Rented Opportunities. In other issues, the Housing Prospectus was launched in Westminster on 17 November, with a meeting held with Matthew Pennycook, Minister for Housing, to discuss entering into a Partnership with Homes England to support the delivery of more homes. The 'Homes Cornwall' ambition was also set out, aiming to utilise surplus Council land to deliver additional homes for local people. A review of the financial viability of building homes in Cornwall was underway, with the Council committed to reducing the number of households in emergency and temporary accommodation. The Government's National Plan to End Homelessness was published on 11 December 2025, and Cornwall Council's Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy was reviewed for alignment. The Housing Options Team achieved the goal of having no families with children in unsuitable B&B accommodation in December. The redevelopment of Stoke House for housing was completed in November 2025, providing 10 bed spaces for single homeless persons or those at risk of rough sleeping. The Renters' Rights Act, now law in England, overhauls private renting by banning 'no-fault' Section 21 evictions and introducing other reforms.

Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Investment

Councillor Tim Dwelly, Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration and Investment, was scheduled to provide updates. He noted that the hard work and dedicated efforts to engage with Government had resulted in specific mentions of Cornwall in the November budget, including the £30m Kernow Industrial Growth fund. Cornwall was also to be worked with as a Strategic Foundational Authority area. The Cornwall Council budget paper included up to £70m investment into a Cornwall Evergreen Fund.

Committee Work Programme - Mid Year Review

The committee was scheduled to review its work programme, with updated versions to be approved. Additions to the work programme included the Cornwall Council Road Safety Strategy Refresh to be considered on 3 March 2026, regular briefings on Visit Cornwall to provide assurance on progress, a briefing on the Local Plan (theme viability) scheduled for 15 December 2025, a briefing from Cornwall Housing on plans to reduce the timeline to make its housing stock decent from 8 years to 4 years, and a briefing on Visit Cornwall and future policy development of tourism support by the Council.

Cormac Small Highways Scheme Review

A presentation on the Cormac Small Highway Scheme Review was scheduled. This would outline the structure and purpose of Cormac, a division of Corserv Solutions, wholly owned by Cornwall Council. The presentation was to cover contractual arrangements, performance monitoring, stakeholder satisfaction, and social value. The Community Network Panel (CHIP) schemes and Minor Highway Improvement Programme (MHIP) were to be explained, with examples of delivered schemes provided. Key points for discussion included clarification on engagement sessions, safety issues at the Tolgas Roundabout, how Cormac handles utility works, the timeframe for scheme delivery, the rationale behind fixed pricing for schemes, compliance with Teckal regulations when expanding into Devon, the reasons for the review, whether schemes were overpriced or over-engineered, how councillors could propose schemes for the Minor Highways Improvement Programme, how councillors could scrutinise project costs and improve communication, whether the CHIP expression of interest deadline could be extended, and the timeframe and cost for a value-for-money review. The committee was to be recommended to commission a highways specific Value for Money (Vamp) review of the Council's Highway Service, including delivery by Cormac, and to request Cormac to arrange a series of engagement sessions with Parish and Town Councils, alongside a Member Briefing.

Newquay Airport

A report was scheduled to outline a strategic shift in the Council's approach to Cornwall Airport, moving from maintaining operations under financial constraints to unlocking the commercial and strategic potential of the 650-acre estate. The strategy was to be delivered by Cornwall Airport Limited within the Corserv Group, aiming to reduce the airport's financial burden on the Council while generating long-term economic value. The report was to highlight programme mobilisation, commercial engagement, community engagement, strategic risks, and the financial context, including ongoing operational costs and a potential future funding requirement to support the delivery of the land development plan. Discussions were expected to cover the request for funding for a development plan, the mix of aviation-related and other commercial uses, the potential impact on aviation growth, the involvement of property agents, member involvement, the status of the Enterprise Zone fund, transport links, management of Enterprise Zone designation risks, job creation, and retail and hospitality expansion within the terminal. The committee was to acknowledge the progress achieved in implementing the Newquay Airport Development Strategy and provide recommendations and overview and scrutiny of the CAN Development Options Appraisal and the production of the Land Development Plan for the full Airport Estate. The Draft Land Development Plan and draft Business Case were to be presented to a future meeting of the Committee in Spring/Summer 2026.

Local Bus Services - Governance and Contract Arrangements for 2028 (including the Franchising & Bus Reform Pilot)

This item was scheduled to be discussed, with an update on the Franchising and Bus Reform Pilot Study to be presented by Peter Hardy, Technical Director from ITP Haskoning. This would provide an opportunity to update on the progression of workstreams to inform the local bus contract arrangements for 2028.

Any Other Business that the Chairman Considers to be of Urgency

This item was listed on the agenda for any other urgent business to be raised.