Cornwall Council - 25 November 2025

The meeting opened with a prayer led by the Reverend Mary Cruddas of All Saints Church, Highertown. The Chairman reported his participation in the Cornwall Remembrance Service and the Poppies to Paddington initiative, thanked colleagues who attended remembrance events, and congratulated five local charities—Active8, Cornwall Pride, Fathoms Free, Trevithick Day and West Cornwall Search and Rescue—for receiving The King’s Award for Voluntary Service. He also noted a reception for Commander Tom Gell, outgoing CO of HMS Tamar, during which Christmas packages from Cornish businesses and school cards were handed over for delivery to the vessel. Information displays in the Long Gallery were highlighted as promoting the Director of Public Health Report and the “16 Days of Action to Tackle Violence Against Women and Girls” campaign, featuring survivor‑created artwork.

The Leader’s report focused on recent Government funding announcements, expressing concern that the £600 million recovery grant favoured metropolitan areas and did not adequately reflect Cornwall’s remoteness and higher service‑delivery costs, except in adult social care. He urged the Government to clarify the replacement for the Shared Prosperity Fund and to consider the impact of the upcoming Budget on cost‑of‑living pressures. The Leader also welcomed the Devolution Bill but reiterated opposition to a Mayor for Cornwall or a combined authority with Devon, preferring practical devolution that respects Cornwall’s identity. Updates were given on two Cabinet‑referred motions: the hydrotherapy provision at Polkyth Leisure Centre, which will now follow a community‑led model with feasibility studies underway, and the Equality Act 2010 clarification, for which an All‑Member briefing will be rescheduled to early in the New Year.

A series of public questions were answered by senior members. The Leader explained that there is no legal mechanism to disqualify a councillor who leaves a political party, directing further queries to the Electoral Commission. The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Public Health outlined the Cornwall Faith Covenant Partnership and its work on interfaith engagement, including an Interfaith Calendar that lists dates important to Jehovah’s Witnesses and Jewish communities. The Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration and Investment clarified that the Council is not selling farms; recent tenancy expiries have led to re‑letting three farms to young dairy and sheep operators, and an inquiry into the Council Farm Service will report in spring 2026. Regarding the Newquay Airport managing‑director vacancy, the same portfolio holder detailed the recruitment process, the withdrawal of external candidates, and the decision to second the interim MD for a twelve‑month period with board support. The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Public Health described the statutory framework for noise‑nuisance enforcement, noting that prosecution is discretionary and depends on case‑by‑case considerations.

Four motions were adopted. Councillor Don nithorne’s motion, seconded by Councillor Creek, instructed the Leader to write to the Home Secretary condemning the Government’s mandatory digital‑ID plans. Councillor Alvey’s motion, seconded by Councillor Cador, requested the Leader to write to the Secretary of State for Defence and related offices to address health‑and‑wellbeing concerns of Northern‑Ireland veterans regarding the revision of the NI Legacy legislation. Councillor Frost’s motion, seconded by Councillor Ashton, approved the allocation of council seats as set out in Appendix 1. Councillor Nolan’s motion, seconded by Councillor J Thomas, approved the recruitment of two new members to the Independent Remuneration Panel and tasked the panel with reviewing the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2027