The Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for 03 March 2026 was set to discuss the Cornwall Road Safety Strategy and proposed changes to the Off-Street Parking Order. The committee was also scheduled to receive updates from Cabinet Members on their respective portfolios.

Cornwall Road Safety Strategy

The committee was scheduled to consider the Cornwall Road Safety Strategy, which aims to eliminate fatal and serious injuries on the roads by 2040, with interim targets of a 50% reduction by 2030. The strategy is built around the Safe System approach, acknowledging that human error is inevitable and that road networks should be designed to minimise the severity of collisions. Six key objectives were outlined, including embedding Safe System principles, targeting resources effectively, improving safety for all road users, reducing wider transport-related harm, delivering focused education, and strengthening partnership working. An Action Plan details delivery across five components: Safe Roads and Roadsides, Safe Road Users, Safe Speeds, Safe Vehicles, and Post-Crash Response. The strategy also includes a Road Safety Communications Plan to ensure targeted messaging and promote shared responsibility. The report highlighted that while total casualties have declined, the proportion of collisions resulting in death or serious injury remains a concern, with young drivers, motorcyclists, older people, and rural road users identified as the highest-risk groups. The strategy is supported by a commitment of £3 million in targeted investment into road safety by 2029/30, funded through the Local Transport Funding Settlement.

Off-Street Parking Order 2026

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the proposed Off-Street Parking Order 2026. This included a review of responses from a public consultation held between 14 January and 4 February 2026. The proposals aimed to address several key objectives, including increasing parking charges to reflect rising operational costs and inflation, removing the 2-3 hour tariff in long-stay car parks, converting certain car parks to long-stay or short-stay, increasing the price of 'Reserved' Parking Permits, and introducing motorhome parking charges in specific locations. The report detailed the rationale behind each proposal, such as supporting town centres, generating income for service upkeep, and managing demand. The consultation received over 9,000 responses, with a majority objecting to the introduction of charges in previously free car parks. The report outlined recommended amendments following the consultation, including the implementation of varied parking charges, removal of the 2-3 hour tariff, conversion of Tolcarne Road in Newquay and Trengrouse Way in Helston to long-stay car parks, and the conversion of Cattle Market in Liskeard to short-stay. Several proposals were recommended for removal or modification based on public feedback, including the renaming of Tintagel Visitors Centre and the introduction of charges at specific car parks like Kit Hill and Fairground, Helston. The financial implications indicated potential savings of £1.189 million from approved budget proposals and further opportunities of £1.630 million in the 2026/27 Medium Term Financial Plan.

Questions to Cabinet Members

Members were scheduled to ask questions to Cabinet Members on their reports. Updates were expected from the Cabinet Members for Environment and Climate Change, and Tourism, Localism and Planning. Specific questions were noted regarding overnight camping in Cornwall Council car parks, long-term van dwelling sites, and the commencement of public consultation on the Off Street Parking Order. Questions were also raised about the funding and cost of the Global Cornish launch event, the status of Visit Cornwall and tourism marketing, the outlook for Cornwall's minerals strategy and lithium jobs, and council support for businesses facing business rate hikes. The adequacy of a £24 million investment over four years for housing improvements was questioned, with the Cabinet Member stating an additional £10 million per year was planned. Concerns about maintaining affordable housing targets despite viability challenges and the consideration of a stagnating housing market in future strategy were also to be addressed. Finally, specific car park or street lighting issues were to be reviewed, with the Cabinet Member for Environment & Climate Change stating that councillors could submit issues on a case-by-case basis.

Public Questions

An opportunity was allocated for members of the public to ask questions to the committee. One question was received from Mr. Timothy Pullen regarding the withdrawal of a bus stop in Mousehole and the possibility of retaining it.

Other Business

The agenda also included an item on the Off Street Parking Order which was to follow, and any other business that the Chairman considered to be of urgency.