Community Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 26 June 2025

The meeting began with the election of the Committee’s leadership. Councillor A Mitchell was elected Chairman of the Community Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, a motion moved by Councillor Mustoe and seconded by Councillor Jenkin. Following his election, Chairman Mitchell thanked the members. A subsequent motion, moved by Councillor Clemens and seconded by Chairman Mitchell, appointed Councillor Mustoe as Vice‑Chairman. No questions were received from the public, and the required declarations of interest were made.

The Chief Fire Officer delivered a briefing on the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, outlining the statutory duties, the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP), and the external influences shaping the service, such as government reforms, financial pressures, climate change and upcoming His Majesty’s Inspectorate (HMI) inspections. Committee members discussed the service’s dual reactive and preventative roles, its community‑embedded workforce, and the value of firefighters’ observations for safeguarding issues. Members raised ideas for the 2026‑2030 CRMP, including greater flexibility to recruit volunteers, a reduction in false call‑outs, and planning for increased demand linked to new housing developments. The Committee confirmed that the final CRMP will be published on 1 April 2026 and will incorporate consultation feedback; the next HMI inspection is slated for December 2025.

Updates were provided on the Annual Safer Cornwall Plan and the new Waste Service rollout. The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Public Health noted that improvements to prevention services could be achieved through stronger performance benchmarking, a matter the Committee will monitor when the plan is later presented. A Member highlighted difficulties arising from a change in refuse collection practice in areas with narrow access lanes, describing the shift from communal wheelie‑bin points to curb‑side collection as inconvenient, potentially unsafe, and increasing workload for collection crews. The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change acknowledged the concern and committed to reviewing the issue.

The Chairman concluded the session by thanking Ms Sophie Hosking, Strategic Director of Neighbourhoods, for her many years of service to Cornwall and for her support to the Committee. The meeting was adjourned after these items were addressed.