The Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 16 June 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a review of the committee's work programme for the upcoming year and findings from a task and finish group regarding the council's farms strategy.

Farms Strategy Inquiry - Task and Finish Group Findings and Recommendations

A significant item on the agenda is the presentation of findings and recommendations from the Farms Strategy Inquiry Task and Finish Group. This group has been examining the purpose, vision, and relevance of the council's farms service and estate, considering its financial and non-financial performance. The report details 12 recommendations, including the continued retention of the Farms Estate and Service, with a focus on meeting financial and non-financial needs. It suggests developing clearer progression policies for tenants, exploring alternative uses for the estate such as housing and renewables, and ensuring the estate functions at a net positive revenue position. The recommendations also highlight the need to reduce the number of buildings and equipment, focus on a smaller number of well-equipped dairy holdings, and continue to harvest enhanced value from the estate through opportunistic sales. Furthermore, the report advises caution regarding nature markets, preferring to deliver them through a tenanted structure, and suggests reviewing tenancy policies to better align with investment expectations and market opportunities. The group also proposes exploring opportunities for community involvement and developing a broader approach to creating new rural entrepreneurial opportunities.

Committee Work Programme 2026/27

The committee is also scheduled to consider and potentially approve its Work Programme for 2026/27. This programme outlines the key areas of focus for the committee's scrutiny activities over the coming year, following an informal session where suggestions were gathered from members, the public, and officers. The process aims to ensure that the work programme is member-led and prioritises items that will lead to improvements for local people and deliver measurable outcomes. The report details suggestions received, including those related to Newquay Airport, water supply, pollution, sewage treatment, sustainable drainage systems, surface water flooding, road defects, infrastructure prior to new housing developments, local parking charges, provision of year-round affordable resident parking in Newquay, and the council's housing stock.

Questions from Members to Cabinet Members on their reports

The agenda also includes an opportunity for committee members to ask questions of Cabinet Members regarding their respective reports. This allows for detailed discussion and clarification on various council portfolios. The reports from the Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Investment, the Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change, the Cabinet Member for Housing, the Cabinet Member for Tourism, Localism & Planning, and the Cabinet Member for Transport are all available for review. These reports provide updates on a range of initiatives and areas of focus, including economic development funds, climate change action plans, housing delivery, cultural strategies, planning policy, transport safety, and parking orders.

Public Questions

As is standard practice, a period is allocated for members of the public to ask questions to the Committee. This provides an avenue for community members to raise concerns and seek information directly from their elected representatives.