The Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Cornwall Council met on Tuesday 13 January 2026 to discuss a range of important issues including local bus services, road safety, and parking. Key decisions were made regarding the Cornwall Road Safety Strategy, which was recommended for approval, and the committee debated proposals for the Off-Street Parking Order, ultimately rejecting a recommendation to approve the initiatives.

Local Bus Services Governance and Contract Arrangements for 2028

The committee received an update on the Franchising and Bus Reform Pilot Study, with Peter Hardy, Technical Director from ITP Haskoning, in attendance to discuss the progression of workstreams informing local bus contract arrangements for 2028. This discussion was part of the ongoing efforts to review and reform the local bus network.

Cornwall Road Safety Strategy

The committee reviewed the updated Cornwall Road Safety Strategy, which aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the county's roads. The strategy adopts the internationally recognised Safe System approach, focusing on preventing fatal and serious outcomes by ensuring safe roads, users, speeds, vehicles, and effective post-crash response. Key commitments include a vision to eliminate deaths and serious injuries, supported by shared interim reduction targets. The strategy also addresses challenges such as the rural road network, behavioural issues, and demographic risks, while capitalising on increased funding and strengthened collaboration. Following discussions, the committee recommended that Cabinet approve the Cornwall Road Safety Strategy.

Off-Street Parking Order

Proposals for the Off-Street Parking Order were presented, stemming from a previous committee request to review car park utilisation. The proposals included a 3.7% tariff increase, reintroduction of free evening parking in Truro, reinstatement of the toilet levy, removal of the two-to-three-hour tariff in long-stay car parks, site-specific changes, and the introduction of motorhome charges. Despite acknowledging that the review aimed to ensure fairness rather than simply maintain historical circumstances, the committee debated the contentious changes, particularly regarding historically free car parks. Significant opposition was noted from town and parish councils, with over 85% of public respondents expressing opposition to the proposals. Concerns were raised about the impact on specific towns like Looe, Seaton Beach, and Helston Fairground, as well as the perceived fairness of the consultation process. Ultimately, the committee voted against recommending the approval of the initiatives, with the Cabinet Member for Transport acknowledging the concerns and promising further consideration by Cabinet colleagues.

Questions from Members to Cabinet Members

The committee engaged in question-and-answer sessions with various Cabinet Members.

• Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration and Investment: Questions were raised regarding the standards of septic tanks on County Farms. The Cabinet Member stated he had not personally inspected them but encouraged any specific concerns to be referred to the Farms Team.
• Cabinet Member for Tourism, Localism and Planning: Discussions covered concerns about bathing water quality impacting Cornwall's tourism reputation, with the Cabinet Member highlighting the need for a multi-agency approach and ongoing work with South West Water. The future of the Visit Cornwall website was also addressed, with confirmation that the Council continues to support it while awaiting resolution of asset ownership and legal matters. Funding for the emerging Cultural Strategy and the Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) was also discussed, with the Cabinet Member explaining that future destination management would need to be sector-led and sector-funded.
• Cabinet Member for Transport: Concerns were raised about the volume of street furniture associated with the rollout of 20mph zones and the meaningfulness of consultations. The Cabinet Member acknowledged varying public opinion and confirmed that changes had been made following local feedback. The effectiveness and inclusivity of consultation processes were also discussed, with the Cabinet Member emphasising the need for formal responses over petitions for decision-making.
• Cabinet Member for Housing: Questions focused on housing delivery on land released for local homes and the operation of local connection criteria. The Cabinet Member explained the Homes for Cornwall programme's aim to include local connection requirements and highlighted efforts to reduce households in temporary accommodation.

Public Questions

Mr Pullen raised concerns on behalf of the community of Mousehole regarding the relocation of the village bus stop from the harbour to a more distant and less accessible location. The Chairman explained that the Service 6 route is operated commercially by Go Cornwall Bus and that retaining the harbour stop would incur significant additional costs, potentially jeopardising the service as a whole. While the Council committed to improving infrastructure with a new bus shelter, the committee indicated that specific local operational issues were best raised with local divisional councillors and the Cabinet Member for Transport.

Committee Work Programme - Mid Year Review

The committee reviewed its work programme, approving an updated version with several additions. These included the Cornwall Council Road Safety Strategy Refresh to be considered on 3 March 2026, regular briefings on Visit Cornwall, a briefing on the Local Plan's viability theme, a briefing from Cornwall Housing on plans to accelerate housing stock decency, and a briefing on Visit Cornwall and future tourism policy development.