Community Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 13 November 2025

The Community Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee formally approved the minutes of its 2 October 2025 meeting, confirming they were correctly recorded and signed by the Chairman. No declarations of interest were made and no public questions were received prior to the session.

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change presented a report that generated a series of information‑request items. Members asked for updates on the management of the car‑park and pedestrian access at the Helston Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), the use of revenue from HWRC shops, and the suitability of a blanket booking‑system across all recycling sites. Additional topics included the potential for retailer advice on environmentally safer body‑boards, a review of recycling‑bag design, the provision of larger public litter bins where needed, the removal of dog‑fouling bins from Cornwall Housing sites, and the feasibility of a formal battery‑collection scheme. The Cabinet Member for Tourism, Localism and Planning reported on an informal consultation on Local Plans, noting good attendance but highlighting concerns from rural parish councils about communication. The member also suggested stronger links with the Institute of Cornish Studies and local universities; the officer pledged to explore representation on advisory boards.

The Head of Waste and Community Protection delivered the Resources and Waste Strategy Delivery Plan, covering strategic framework, legislation, targets and financial risk. Members raised concerns about waste spillage from collection vehicles, the misuse of domestic waste services by holiday‑let operators, and public opposition to the booking system at the Launceston HWRC. The committee was reminded that the booking system is intended to manage queues and provide commercial‑waste services for small businesses, and that site‑specific reviews will be undertaken, including for the new Newquay HWRC. Queries about anaerobic digestion and the transport of plastics were answered with a commitment to explore local digestion options and to continue efforts to reduce food waste and improve material recovery.

The Chief Fire Officer presented two reports: one on the Culture and Leadership Programme and another on the Capital Replacement Programme. The culture audit highlighted a disconnect from the service’s purpose and the need for ongoing engagement, training and equitable development opportunities for both grey‑ and green‑book staff. The capital programme outlined funding for vehicle replacement, charging infrastructure and the return of stations from PFI contracts, with a long‑term budget extending to 2031. The committee resolved that it fulfills its statutory scrutiny role for the Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service’s people, culture, leadership and capital replacement programmes, and approved the updated work programme (Appendix 1) as set out in the mid‑year review.