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Cornwall Council - Tuesday, 25th November, 2025 10.30 am
November 25, 2025 Cornwall Council View on council websiteSummary
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The Cornwall Council met on Tuesday 25 November 2025, discussing a range of important issues including the council's stance on mandatory digital IDs and the allocation of seats on various committees. Key decisions included mandating the Leader to write to the Home Secretary condemning mandatory digital ID plans and approving the allocation of seats across committees based on group representation.
Cornwall Council Says No to Mandatory Digital ID
Cornwall Council has resolved to oppose the government's plans for mandatory digital identification. The motion, proposed by Councillor Connor Donnithorne and seconded by Councillor Drew Creek, mandates the Leader of the Council to write to the Home Secretary expressing the council's condemnation of these proposals. The decision reflects concerns that such a system could be used for control rather than solely for managing illegal immigration, as suggested by the Prime Minister.
Allocation of Seats
The council approved the allocation of seats across various committees. This decision, moved by Councillor Leigh Frost and seconded by Councillor Paul Ashton, ensures that representation on committees reflects the political balance of the council. The detailed breakdown of seat allocation, as outlined in Appendix 1 of the supplementary agenda pack1, shows how seats are distributed among the different political groups, including the Liberal Democrats, Labour and Co-operative Group, Conservative Group, Reform UK, Mebyon Kernow Group, Green Party Group, and the Cornish Independent Nonaligned Group.
Northern Ireland Veterans
A motion was passed requesting the Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Defence, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Veterans and People). Proposed by Councillor Martyn Alvey and seconded by Councillor Paul Cador, the motion calls for an address to the health and wellbeing concerns of veterans regarding the revision of Northern Ireland Legacy legislation. The aim is to ensure that no Northern Ireland veterans are prosecuted for actions taken during 'Operation Banner' (1969-2007) while combating terrorism.
Cornwall Harbours Board and Maritime Service Budgets and Charges
The council approved the budgets for the Cornwall Harbours Board and Maritime Service for the financial year 2026 to 2027. Councillor Luke Rogers proposed, and Councillor Martyn Alvey seconded, the resolution to approve the budgets for the respective ports and harbours as detailed in the report. Additionally, the council approved the dues, fees, and charges for the Cornwall Harbours Board and Maritime Service for the same financial year.
Review of Governance Arrangements for Council-Owned Entities
The council resolved to implement proposed changes to Article 21, concerning the governance arrangements of council-owned entities, with immediate effect. This decision, moved by Councillor Dick Cole and seconded by Councillor Jordan Rowse, includes several amendments to the protocol. These amendments cover the purpose of the entities, the eligibility of officers and members to serve on Boards with associated training requirements, the inclusion of a glossary of key terms, clarification of the role of scrutiny, and a review of governance arrangements by the Corporate Finance and Performance Overview and Scrutiny Committee within 12 to 18 months. Authority has also been delegated to the Head of Commercial Assurance to make minor amendments to the protocol.
Council Procedure Rule 4.2.2 - Allocation of Substitutes
An amendment to Council Procedure Rule 4.2.2 regarding the allocation of substitutes was approved. Proposed by Councillor Dick Cole and seconded by Councillor Jordan Rowse, the amended rule outlines the options for a member unable to attend a committee meeting, including arranging for a validated substitute from their group or joining remotely in a non-voting capacity. The rule clarifies that if a substitute is appointed, the substantive member may not attend the meeting. The Constitution will be updated to reflect this change.
Independent Remuneration Panel: Review of Members' Allowances
The council approved a recruitment and selection process for at least two new members of an Independent Remuneration Panel. Councillor Rob Nolan moved, and Councillor John Thomas MBE seconded, the resolution. Once convened, the panel will be tasked with reviewing and making recommendations to the Council on the Members’ Allowances Scheme for the 2027-28 financial year onwards.
Questions from the Public
Six questions were received from members of the public. The council resolved that copies of the replies to these questions would be sent to the questioners. The questions covered a range of topics including councillor defections, the protection of religious groups, farming policy, recruitment at Newquay Airport, noise abatement notices, and digital IDs.
Questions from Members to Members of the Cabinet
Several questions were raised by members to members of the Cabinet. Councillor Dan Rogerson will write to Callywith College regarding safety concerns with its bus contract. The Leader will discuss the use of rubber crumb in the Football Foundation Truro Sports Hub development with Councillor Karen La Borde. Councillor Peter La Broy will investigate with Cornwall Housing Limited whether they recognise tenants who maintain their properties well and report back to Councillor Steven Webb. Councillor La Broy will also share a letter and response concerning the current house building target for Cornwall Council. Councillor Hilary Frank confirmed she would raise the matter of puberty blocker trials at the next meeting of the Corporate Parenting Board.
Support the Housing Revenue Account
A motion to support the Housing Revenue Account, proposed by Councillor Kate Ewert and seconded by Councillor Julian German, was referred to the Cabinet in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12.4.
Cornwall Council to Discontinue Mandatory EDI/DEI Policy
A motion to discontinue the mandatory EDI/DEI policy, proposed by Councillor Roger Tarrant and seconded by Councillor Jamie Hanlon, was referred to the Cabinet.
Appointment of Employee Representative
Emma Causer was appointed to the Pensions Committee as an Employee Representative. This decision was moved by Councillor Mike Thomas and seconded by Councillor Mark Burnett.
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Supplementary Agenda Pack 2 - Allocation of Seats - Appendix 1 25th-Nov-2025 10.30 Cornwall Counci.pdf ↩
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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Northern Ireland Veterans: Proposer: Cllr Alvey: Seconder: Cllr Cador
Recommendations Approved...to request the Leader to write to relevant Secretaries of State and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Veterans and People) to address the health and wellbeing concerns of Northern Ireland veterans regarding potential prosecution under revised NI Legacy legislation for actions during 'Operation Banner' (1969-2007).
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Declarations of Interest
Recommendations Approved...to approve the recommendations, noting that no declarations of interest were made.
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Minutes of the Meeting Held on 16 September 2025
Recommendations Approved...the minutes of the Cornwall Council meeting held on 16 September 2025 were approved as a correct record and would be signed by the Chairman.
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Cornwall Council to Discontinue Mandatory EDI/DEI Policy: Proposer: Councillor Tarrant; Seconder: Councillor Hanlon
Recommendations Approved...to discontinue its mandatory Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI/DEI) policy in preference for adhering solely to the Equality Act 2010.
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Support the Housing Revenue Account: Proposer: Councillor Ewert; Seconder: Councillor German
Recommendations Approved...the motion to consider transferring approximately £1 million from Second Homes Council Tax income to the Housing Revenue Account to expedite remedial work on stubborn voids and reduce temporary accommodation costs was referred to the Cabinet because the subject matter fell within its functions.
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Allocation of Seats
Recommendations Approved...to comply with legal requirements and reflect recent changes in group numbers, the council approved the allocation of seats to political groups on its committees as outlined in Appendix 1.
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Independent Remuneration Panel: Review of Members' Allowances
Recommendations Approved...to approve a recruitment process for new members of the Independent Remuneration Panel and task the panel with reviewing and recommending changes to the Members' Allowances Scheme for the 2027-28 financial year onwards.
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Cornwall Council Says No to Mandatory Digital ID: Proposer: Councillor Donnithorne; Seconder: Councillor Creek
Recommendations Approved...to express its strong opposition to the government's plans for mandatory digital ID, the Council mandated the Leader to write to the Home Secretary condemning the proposal.
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Cornwall Harbours Board and Maritime Service Budget for Financial Year 2026 to 2027
Recommendations Approved...to approve the 2026/2027 budgets for the Cornwall Harbours Board and Maritime Service, encompassing various municipal ports and harbours including Bude, Newquay, Portreath, St. Ives, Penzance, Penryn, Prince of Wales Pier (Falmouth), Truro, Portscatho, Saltash, Downderry and Portwrinkle, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the original report.
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Appointment of Employee Representative
Recommendations Approved...to appoint Emma Causer as an Employee Representative to the Pensions Committee.
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Questions from the Public
Recommendations Approved...to address questions from the public, the council received six questions, approved recommendations to send written replies to the questioners, and allocated thirty minutes for questions and supplementary questions from members and the public.
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Questions from Members to Members of the Cabinet
Recommendations Approved...to address concerns and investigate various issues including Callywith College's bus contract safety, the use of rubber crumb in the Truro Sports Hub, recognition of Cornwall Housing tenants who maintain their properties well, sharing information about the house building target, and raising the matter of puberty blocker trials at the Corporate Parenting Board.
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Council Procedure Rule 4.2.2 - Allocation of Substitutes
Recommendations Approved...to clarify the rules regarding substitute members attending committee meetings, Procedure Rule 4.2.2 was amended to specify that a member unable to attend can either arrange for a validated substitute or join remotely in a non-voting capacity, but not both, with the first to join the meeting being considered the formal participant.
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Review of Article 21 - Governance Arrangements of Council Owned Entities and the Protocol for Governance Arrangements of Council Owned Entities
Recommendations Approved...the Cornwall Council of Cornwall decided to implement proposed changes to Article 21 regarding governance arrangements of council-owned entities, including revisions to the protocol, officer and member board service confirmation, a glossary of terms, scrutiny role clarification, and a governance review, while delegating authority to the Head of Commercial Assurance for minor protocol amendments.
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Cornwall Harbours Board and Maritime Service Dues, Fees and Charges for Financial Year 2026 to 27
Recommendations Approved...to approve the 2026/2027 budgets for the respective ports and harbours as outlined in Appendix 1 of the Cornwall Harbours Board and Maritime Service Dues, Fees and Charges report.
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