The Community Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council met on Thursday 4 June 2026 to discuss the council's work programme for the upcoming year, a new strategy for the Cornish language, and to consider updates from Cabinet Members. The meeting's agenda also included a review of the draft Cornwall Cultural Strategy.

Committee Work Programme 2026-27

The committee was scheduled to consider its draft work programme for the 2026-27 period. This programme is designed to identify, prioritise, and review the committee's work, ensuring effective use of resources. The process is intended to be member-led, with opportunities for public and stakeholder suggestions. The draft programme outlined a focus on substantive items, aiming for in-depth scrutiny that leads to improvements for local residents. The committee was also scheduled to consider establishing an informal task and finish group to review waste collection service options.

Cornish Language Strategy 2026-2036

A significant item on the agenda was the draft Cornish Language Strategy 2026-2036. This strategy aims to support the revival of the Cornish language, Kernewek, with a vision for it to be a thriving, forever language widely spoken, seen, and heard in everyday life in Cornwall. The strategy is structured around four key work areas: learning, public use, community and culture, and corpus (dictionary, translation, resources). The report highlighted the language's international recognition and its importance to Cornwall's distinct identity. The strategy aims to increase opportunities for learning, promote wider use in public life, and ensure the language's continued development through resources and translation services. The committee was invited to provide feedback on the draft strategy before it was recommended to the Cabinet for approval.

Questions from Members to Cabinet Members

Members of the committee were scheduled to ask questions to the Cabinet Members regarding their respective portfolios. This included updates from the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Public Health, Councillor Thalia Marrington, who was expected to provide information on areas such as emergency management, fire and rescue services, and public health initiatives. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change, Councillor Loic Rich, was to update on environmental matters, including waste management and the council's commitment to recycling. The Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Localism and Planning, Councillor Sarah Preece, was to provide an update on planning matters, including the Local Plan and the council's Valuing Local framework.

Draft Cornwall Cultural Strategy 2026-2035

The committee was also scheduled to consider the draft Cornwall Cultural Strategy 2026-2035. This strategy outlines a ten-year direction for culture and creativity in Cornwall, supported by a forthcoming four-year investment programme. The strategy was developed through extensive engagement with the cultural sector and aims to highlight the economic contribution of Cornwall's creative industries, as well as the importance of culture for identity, community cohesion, education, and place-making. The report detailed proposed priorities relating to people, place, partnership, and prosperity, and provided examples of existing projects and investment. The committee was to review the draft strategy and consider its endorsement for public consultation.

Hackney Carriage Taxi Zone Consultation

The committee was also scheduled to discuss the consultation on Cornwall's Hackney Carriage licensing zones. The report outlined the background to the six historic zones and the statutory framework that allows for either their retention or amalgamation into a single licensing area. The discussion was expected to cover operational differences, current vehicle and driver numbers, and a summary of the public consultation responses, including representative comments from various stakeholders. The committee was to consider the implications of any potential changes to the existing zone structure.