The Cornwall Council meeting on Tuesday 24 February 2026 addressed a wide range of public questions and considered several significant policy and budget proposals. Key decisions included the approval of the lodging of a Transport Works Act Order application for the Lighterage Quay Bridge, the adoption of revised financial governance and member-officer relations protocols, and a request for Cabinet to pause the commencement of chemical weed treatment using glyphosate pending further public consultation.

Questions from the Public

The council received and responded to numerous questions from the public on various issues.

Council Owned Renewable Energy Projects A question was raised regarding the council's investment in council-owned onshore wind projects. The Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Tim Dwelly, stated that Cornwall Council already owns and operates a 15-megawatt portfolio of renewable technologies, including wind and solar, with a target to increase this to 25 megawatts by 2030. This existing portfolio has generated £17 million in income since 2019 and contributed £2.4 million in savings in the previous year. An £8 million Renewable Energy and Low Carbon Technology Investment Fund is available to finance viable renewable energy schemes. Work is underway to identify further investment opportunities.

Companion on Disabled Person Bus Pass A question was posed about the absence of a companion on disabled person bus pass. The Portfolio Holder for Transport, Councillor Dan Rogerson, explained that Cornwall Council already provides 24/7 free bus travel for eligible cardholders, exceeding the national statutory requirements. However, he noted that introducing a companion pass would require additional, ringfenced funding for fares and concessions, which is not currently available.

Camel Special Area of Conservation Concerns were raised about evidence from Natural England regarding development in the Camel Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Localism and Planning, Councillor Sarah Preece, confirmed that Natural England's updated advice indicates that planned wastewater treatment works upgrades will provide sufficient certainty of restoring sustainable phosphorus levels in the River Camel. However, the detailed analysis supporting this advice has not yet been provided, despite requests from the council.

Use of Newquay Airport by Military Aircraft A question was asked about the use of Newquay Airport by a US Navy C130 aircraft. The Leader of the Council, Councillor Leigh Frost, stated that Cornwall Airport Newquay is routinely used by both civilian and military aircraft for training, transit, and short-duration stops. Individual aircraft visits are managed by the airport on a case-by-case basis, and the council is not involved in these operational decisions.

Landlord Fees The destination of fees collected from private landlords for House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licensing was clarified. The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor Peter La Broy, explained that all fees collected under the Housing Act 2004 are used solely to fund the administration and operation of the HMO licensing scheme, including enforcement activities, with the majority allocated to staffing costs. In the last financial year, the scheme generated approximately £80,000 in income.

Treveth A question was raised about the financial risk associated with loans made to the council's group company, Treveth, noting its technical insolvency at March 2025. The Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Adam Paynter, explained that Treveth was established to deliver long-term private rented homes and commercial developments. The council has provided guarantees to support its operation, recognising the long-term nature of the work. A revised business plan will be brought forward to Cabinet by the end of the third quarter of the year, reflecting the council's budgetary position and commercial strategy. Treveth has to date delivered over 500 new homes, with a pipeline of over 1500 units.

Code of Conduct Regarding a complaint about alleged transphobic comments made by Councillor Dulcie Tudor, the Leader of the Council, Councillor Leigh Frost, stated that no changes have been made to the council's procedures as the complaint was handled in accordance with them. External advice was sought to ensure the complaint was handled lawfully, balancing freedom of expression with statutory duties under the Equality Act. The Standards Committee will review complaint procedures later in the year.

Council Social Housing Disposals The policy of selling social housing where repairs exceed £50,000 was discussed. The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor Peter La Broy, clarified that this threshold triggers a review, but decisions now also take into account social and economic factors, homelessness needs, and grant funding. He stated that the council cannot publish full specifications and quotes for individual properties due to managing repairs and maintenance through Cornwall Housing Limited and its contractors, who work with local supply chains.

Newquay Airport Questions were raised about the cessation of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) service to Gatwick and landing charges at Newquay Airport. The Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration and Investment, Councillor Tim Dwelly, stated that financial and charging arrangements are governed by the contract and commercial agreements. Discussions with the operator regarding the early cessation of the service are ongoing and commercially sensitive.

School Transport to Mevagissey Three questions were submitted concerning school transport for children in Mevagissey, advocating for Penrice and Poltair Schools to be designated as shared areas for home-to-school transport assistance. The Portfolio Holder for Transport, Councillor Dan Rogerson, acknowledged the concerns and noted that the matter was linked to a motion later in the agenda. He explained that while the council funds travel to the nearest designated or suitable school, and has amended the timetable for Service 29 to serve Poltair School directly, dual designation for the St Austell area would mean funding transport from all villages in the new catchment.

Lighterage Quay Multiple questions were raised regarding the proposed Lighterage Quay Bridge, focusing on safety, financial implications, and navigation rights. The Portfolio Holder for Transport, Councillor Dan Rogerson, clarified that the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application relates to securing powers to interfere with navigation rights and is not an approval of finalised designs or operational arrangements. These aspects will be detailed through subsequent planning and consenting processes. The costs of lodging and progressing the TWAO application are already accounted for within the secured budget.

Public Realm Weed Treatment Programme A significant number of questions were submitted regarding the proposed reintroduction of glyphosate for public realm weed treatment. The Portfolio Holder for Transport, Councillor Dan Rogerson, stated that the decision is part of a time-limited, three-year recovery programme alongside increased investment in biodiversity management and manual clearance. Glyphosate will be used only on hard urban highway surfaces with modern controlled droplet application to minimise drift and public exposure. He noted that national regulators currently allow glyphosate use, and evidence indicates low public risk when applied carefully. Town and parish councils may opt out if they wish to manage areas without chemicals, provided standards are maintained.

Recommendations from the Cabinet

Council Priorities Plan 2026-2030 This item was on the agenda, but no specific decision or discussion details are available in the provided documents.

Housing and Revenue Account Business Plan, Medium Term Financial Budget and Rent Setting for 2026-27 This item was on the agenda, but no specific decision or discussion details are available in the provided documents.

Cornwall Council Comprehensive Spending Review Budget Proposals 2026-27 to 2028-29 This item was on the agenda, but no specific decision or discussion details are available in the provided documents.

Recommendations from the Miscellaneous Licensing Committee

Licensing of Hackney Carriages, Private Hire Vehicles and Operations Application Fees This item was on the agenda, but no specific decision or discussion details are available in the provided documents.

Licensing of Relevant Protected Sites Fees Policy This item was on the agenda, but no specific decision or discussion details are available in the provided documents.

Pay Policy Statement for 2026-27

This item was on the agenda, but no specific decision or discussion details are available in the provided documents.

Recommendations from the Constitution and Governance Committee

Review of Financial Regulatory Framework The council approved proposed changes to the Financial Governance Framework and the Financial Approvals Process.

Operation of Provisions Relating to Special Urgency and Call-In The council noted the number of occasions that urgency and call-in provisions had been used in the municipal year 2025-2026 and took assurance that no changes to these provisions were currently required.

Review of the Protocol for Member-Officer Relations The council approved a revised Protocol for Member/Officer Relations, with amendments to specific paragraphs concerning those holding special responsibility, senior officers, and the requirement for members and officers to declare personal relationships. Concerns were raised about the use of non-disclosure agreements, and the Constitution and Governance Committee agreed to consider their use as part of future work.

Motions

Review of Admissions Policy: Fair Access for Mevagissey Families to Secondary School Transport The council resolved that Cabinet be requested to update Cornwall Council's admissions policy to make Penrice and Poltair Schools joint designated schools for the current Penrice School and Poltair designated areas, allowing pupils from Mevagissey fair access to school transport. Cabinet was also asked to review the wider policy to ensure other rural communities are not adversely affected.

Cornwall Dentistry The council resolved that Cornwall Council calls on its Director of Public Health to identify schools not engaged in oral health preventative programmes and set out actions to increase uptake, work with partners to expand the dental van and establish dental nurse-led check-up and referral pathways, investigate initiatives to encourage local students into dentistry, and ensure all Looked After Children are registered with an NHS dentist and receive a check-up within six months of entering care.

Cornwall Council Says Deprivation in Cornwall's Communities Must Not Be Overlooked The council resolved to note that no areas in Cornwall were allocated funding from the government's 'Pride in Place' programme, despite recognised issues of deprivation. The council condemned this failure and mandated the Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to highlight deprivation issues in Cornwall and request the government to publish rural proofing assessments, review its approach to regeneration funding, establish a bespoke funding scheme for Cornwall, and reform resource-allocation formulas to better reflect rural deprivation. It was also agreed that Cornwall Council would engage with the Local Government Association (LGA) to advise the government on pride of place and neighbourhood investment.

Public Realm Weed Treatment Programme: Requirement for Public Consultation The council resolved that Cabinet be requested to recognise the reintroduction of chemical weed treatment using glyphosate as a significant policy reversal, pause the commencement of this treatment until a meaningful public consultation process has been completed, and undertake tidy-ups and tackle structural defects within existing policy, explicitly stating that glyphosate shall not be used except for the control of Schedule 9 invasive plants. Cabinet was also asked to recognise the inadequate opt-out window for parish and town councils and extend it, give town/parish councils more clarity on minimum urban network standards, and urgently review the financial terms of the opt-out scheme. Furthermore, Cabinet was requested to ensure no significant additional expenditure related to glyphosate use be entered into pending consultation outcomes, and that officers design and carry out limited trials of non-glyphosate weed control methods.

Questions from Members to Members of the Cabinet

The Leader confirmed that he would review Non-Disclosure Agreements entered into during the previous Council term. He also expressed support for Royal Fleet Auxiliary seafarers and advised that the approach to chemical weed treatment would be reviewed, particularly regarding engagement with town and parish councils. The Portfolio Holder for Resources confirmed the council's operation of renewable energy assets and exploration of viable renewable investment options. The Portfolio Holder for Housing addressed concerns about correspondence with the Government on planning and housing targets and confirmed the council's compliance with statutory duties under the Armed Forces Covenant. The Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Localism and Planning outlined statutory planning processes. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change acknowledged concerns regarding pollution affecting the Caradon Trail. The Portfolio Holder for Children, Families and Schools welcomed the government's announcement on restricting smartphone use in schools.

The meeting concluded at 3:30 pm.