The Cornwall Council Cabinet is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, 6 May 2026, to discuss a range of important topics. The meeting's agenda includes a review of the Cornwall Council Annual Report 2025-2026, an update on the Cornwall Road Safety Strategy, and a discussion regarding taxi zones within Cornwall.

Cornwall Council Annual Report 2025-2026

The Cabinet will consider the Cornwall Council Annual Report 2025-2026, which summarises the council's achievements in delivering its Priorities for Cornwall over the past year. The report outlines the council's purpose, guiding principles, and six priority areas, all of which are informed by manifesto commitments and resident feedback. It also details how the council has adhered to its values of fairness, ambition, inclusion, and respect, and how it is working towards its Council Priorities Plan 2026-2030. The report acknowledges the significant socio-economic pressures faced by Cornwall Council, alongside an ageing population, which have led to increased demand for services and rising costs. Despite these challenges, the council has remained focused on delivery. The report is intended to provide residents with a clear and concise summary of the council's progress and achievements.

Cornwall Road Safety Strategy

A key item on the agenda is the Cornwall Road Safety Strategy. This updated strategy aims to accelerate progress in reducing deaths and serious injuries on Cornwall's roads, aligning with the Vision Zero principle that no death or serious injury on the roads is acceptable. The strategy reflects national and regional developments since 2019 and sets ambitious interim targets of a 50% reduction in both deaths and serious injuries by 2030. It is built around the internationally recognised Safe System approach, which acknowledges that human error is inevitable and that the road system should be designed to protect everyone. The strategy outlines six objectives, including embedding Safe System principles, targeting resources effectively, improving safety for all road users, reducing wider transport-related harm, delivering focused education, and strengthening partnerships. The accompanying Road Safety Communications Plan aims to ensure messaging is targeted, consistent, and accessible, promoting shared responsibility and public understanding of the Safe System approach.

Taxi Zones in Cornwall

The Cabinet will also discuss the future of taxi zones in Cornwall. Currently, Cornwall is divided into six separate taxi zones, a legacy of former district council boundaries. This contrasts with private hire vehicles, which operate under a single licensing area. The Department for Transport recommends the abolition of taxi zones to simplify the system for passengers, increase taxi availability and customer choice, and create a fairer and more efficient system. The report details the outcome of a public consultation on this matter, which revealed that a significant majority of respondents, including those in the taxi trade, disagreed with the proposal to abolish the zones. Concerns raised include potential negative impacts on rural areas, increased competition, and the loss of local knowledge. The report presents the arguments for and against the proposal, including feedback from other local authorities that have de-zoned. The Cabinet will be asked to decide whether to retain the existing taxi zones or abolish them to create a single licensing area for taxis across Cornwall, with a proposed implementation date of 1 February 2027 if the latter option is chosen.

Proposed Cornwall Foundation Strategic Authority, Spatial Development Strategies, Local Government Reorganisation and Other Public Sector Reforms

The Cabinet will consider a report regarding the proposed designation of Cornwall Council as a Single Foundation Strategic Authority (FSA). This designation is presented as a significant step towards Cornwall having greater control over its future, with decisions about its economy, infrastructure, and public services being made within Cornwall. The report outlines the government's offer to explore this designation on an exceptional basis, recognising Cornwall's strong identity and history of delivering devolved programmes. The designation is seen as supporting the council's devolution goals, potentially leading to more powers in the future, and strengthening Cornwall's position for wider public sector reforms. The report also touches upon reforms in policing, the NHS, the Arts Council, and local government changes in Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay.

Local Plan Update - Final Interim Report on Local Plan Progress, Including Baseline Report, Recommended Timetable, Process and Next Steps

An update on the Local Plan process will be presented, detailing the timetable, recommended process, and next steps. This report is linked to the council's devolution journey, highlighting the need for strategic spatial planning at a Cornwall-wide scale. The report discusses the government's concept of Spatial Development Strategies (SDS) and the consultation on whether to prepare such a document jointly with Devon authorities. Cornwall's clear answer, as set out in the report, is to prepare its own SDS, aligning with its devolution geography. The report also reflects on community engagement events, summarising resident feedback on priorities such as affordable housing, infrastructure, revitalised town centres, and environmental protection.

Council Owned Companies Business Plans 2026-2030 - Cornwall Housing and Celtic Sea Power

The Cabinet will review the Business Plans for Cornwall Housing Limited and Celtic Sea Power Limited for the period 2026-2030. These plans have undergone a comprehensive assurance process and have been endorsed by their respective Owners Boards and commissioner oversight. The Cornwall Housing Business Plan focuses on delivering social housing, ensuring solid working practices, safe and well-maintained homes, embedding the right organisational culture, understanding residents and communities, and working smarter. The Celtic Sea Power Business Plan outlines proposed activities for the next four years, focusing on enabling the sustainable development of Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW), sustaining operations through the Green Growth Reserve, and developing future income streams for long-term viability.

Investment Plan for Kernow Industrial Growth Fund

The Cabinet will consider a proposal for the £30 million Kernow Industrial Growth Fund. This fund, dedicated to Cornwall, is seen as a direct outcome of Cornwall asserting its position as a strategic authority. The fund aims to invest in Cornwall's nationally significant roles in key sectors, including critical minerals like lithium and tungsten, and geothermal energy. The proposed management of the fund includes a Cornwall Catalyst Fund (£10–15 million) to support Cornwall-based businesses, particularly within the critical minerals and geothermal sectors, and an Asset Partnership Fund focused on utilising council land, especially around the airport, to host businesses within key sectors and support economic growth.

Corporate Asset Management Strategy

A comprehensive Corporate Asset Management Strategy (CAMS) will be presented for adoption. The strategy acknowledges the substantial cost of the council's estate (approximately £22 million per year) and the need to reduce this burden, particularly in light of changed working practices post-COVID-19. The strategy aims to transform how the council's buildings are used, potentially involving alternative uses or occupiers for parts of buildings such as New County Hall in Truro and St John's Hall in Penzance. It also focuses on increased co-location with partners, reducing the use of central buildings, and overhauling income generation from the council's estate.

Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Community Risk Management Plan 2026-2030 Draft Document

The draft Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) for 2026-2030 will be presented for approval. The plan sets out how the service understands, assesses, and reduces fire and rescue-related risks across Cornwall, providing a framework for prevention, protection, and emergency response. It details how the service will target resources to mitigate risk and work with partners, incorporating consultation on local response standards and a change in how response times will be measured. The plan's five core areas of focus are: communities understanding and supporting residents; people investing in and enabling the workforce; sustainability; resources; and improvement.

Proposed Off-Street Parking Places Order 2026

The Cabinet will consider proposals for the Off-Street Parking Places Order 2026. These proposals respond to public demand, including the expansion of motorhome parking and adjustments to car parking in Newquay. The report also includes proposals for introducing charging in certain currently free car parks and extending winter charging in others, originating from a review by the Sustainable Growth and Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The proposals have been informed by public consultation, with considerations for first-hour-free periods and free parking after 4pm in certain locations. The report also addresses concerns raised by local members regarding specific car parks and tariffs, with a commitment to a more flexible approach reflecting local circumstances.