Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 1 July 2025

The Sustainable Growth & Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee elected its new leadership at the start of the meeting. Councillor Donnithorne was elected Chairman after a motion moved by Councillor Gow and seconded by Councillor Channon, and he subsequently took the Chair. A second motion, moved by the new Chairman and seconded by Councillor Channon, resulted in the unanimous election of Councillor Gow as Vice‑Chairman of the Committee. No declarations of interest were recorded.

A question from Graham Smith (St Mabyn) sought an update on the status of the Newquay spaceport and the promised launch of Kernow Sat‑1, as well as the marketing budget for the current financial year. The Chairman responded that the spaceport, operated by Cornwall Airport Limited (CAL), is the only operational orbital spaceport in Europe but that no launch provider has yet committed to a date. Kernow Sat‑1 was built for a Virgin Orbit launch that did not occur; discussions with alternative partners are ongoing but no firm plans exist. The Chairman also clarified that the spaceport does not have a separate marketing budget, as it is integrated within CAL’s overall finances.

The Committee noted the latest updates from several Cabinet Members, which had been circulated in advance. The Cabinet Member for Economic, Regeneration and Investment reported a recent visit to Langarth, while the Cabinet Member for Transport highlighted an upcoming Peninsula Transport meeting and a consultation with a Plymouth bus contract provider regarding service provision. These updates were formally acknowledged by the Committee.

The discussion on housing focused on the £17.2 million investment in temporary acquisition, equating to roughly £340,000 per household, and the associated cost of providing 490 families with nightly paid placements. The Service Director for Housing and Planning explained that families in temporary accommodation hold licences rather than leases until permanent housing is secured, and that purchasing homes on the open market is cheaper than continued bed‑and‑breakfast costs. The Cabinet Member for Economic, Regeneration and Investment indicated that the incoming administration intends to prioritize homes on Council‑owned land, aiming to increase the Council’s control of properties for both permanent and temporary use. Concerns were also raised about the geographic distribution of the Homechoice model, with the Service Director confirming that the 50 homes being purchased are spread across Cornwall but noting particular challenges in acquiring properties in West Cornwall.