Cornwall Council met to discuss health and wellbeing board alignment, and the operation of special urgency provisions. Councillors also addressed questions from the public regarding 20mph zones, transport pricing in Truro, appointments, and investments related to the conflict in Gaza. The council approved recommendations regarding the Health and Wellbeing Board and Integrated Care Partnership alignment, and noted the report on special urgency and call-in provisions.

Health and Wellbeing Board and Integrated Care Partnership Alignment

The council approved recommendations to replace Article 18 of the constitution, concerning the Joint Health and Wellbeing Board Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, with new terms of reference effective from 20 May 2025. The Monitoring Officer was delegated authority to make necessary changes to the 'Responsibility for Functions' section of the constitution to enact this decision.

The council also delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Care and Wellbeing to make minor amendments to Article 18, including accommodating changes from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Integrated Care Board and the Council of the Isles of Scilly resulting from their own governance approval processes.

The aim is to ensure that each fulfils its statutory duties and roles, but they are complimentary and interconnected. The 5-year joint forward plan (produced by the ICB and NHS trusts and foundation trusts) should be used as a mechanism for delivering the Integrated Care Strategy, along with the Councils’ own plans across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Operation of Special Urgency and Call-in Provisions

The council noted the number of occasions that urgency and call-in provisions have been used in the municipal year 2024-2025 to date. They took assurance from the Constitution and Governance Committee’s assessment that no changes to the provisions are currently required.

Questions from the Public

The council addressed nine questions from the public, and agreed to send written replies to the questioners. The questions covered a range of topics:

• 20mph Zones: Mr Lightfoot from Carnon Downs asked for the publication of consultation results justifying 20mph zones.
• Truro Transport Pricing: Mr Egerton from Grampound questioned the logic behind increasing Truro park and ride prices while freezing city centre car park prices.
• Appointment of Head of Air and Space: Mr Smith from St Mabyn asked if the Corserv shareholder agreed with North Cornwall MP Ben Maguire's concerns about transparency, integrity, and public trust regarding the appointment of Councillor Louis Gardner to Head of Air and Space.
• Chairman of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum: Mr Osmond from Constantine, Ms Cuff from Delabole, and Ms Fleet from Bodmin asked if the council would demand that Lord Hutton resign his directorship of the Israel-owned military supplier Pearson Engineering, as a precondition for his continued leadership of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum, given the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the ICC’s recognition of its criminality.
• Council Investments: Mrs and Mr Bennett from Truro questioned how the council morally justifies its investments in arms to Israel, given the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
• Council Pension Fund Investments: Mr Hilley from Truro asked if the council would ensure that all councillors involved in making investment decisions avoid providing financial assistance to any state guilty of serially contravening international law.
• Pension Fund Investments: Mr Baines from Truro asked if the council would review its policies on pensions investment and official representation to ensure it is not complicit in genocide, given local MPs' grave concern at actions by the Israeli Government and defence forces.
• Council Tax: Mr Newham from Redruth asked if councillors agreed that it is ok to use public funds in this way, given that the council is currently investing some council tax in companies enabling illegal acts of genocide in Gaza.
• Nolan Principles: Mr Elliot from Truro asked if the Leader of Cornwall Council believes that the Nolan Principles¹ must apply to all Members of Cornwall Council Cabinet at all times.

Questions from Members to Members of the Cabinet

Councillor Michael Bunney asked the Leader of the Council to provide a written response on whether all investments are ethical and do not support military action which harm children.

Councillor John Fitter asked Councillor Connor Donnithorne, Portfolio Holder for Transport, to provide a written response in respect of the position for Members being liable for costs when responding to a consultation under the Highways Act 1980.²