Sustainable Growth and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee - 7 October 2025

The Sustainable Growth & Development Overview and Scrutiny Committee confirmed that the minutes of its 29 July 2025 meeting were a correct record, with no declarations of interest recorded.

The Committee addressed two climate‑related queries. In response to a question on climate‑change misinformation, the Chairman outlined the Council’s evidence‑based Climate Change Risk Assessment, its use of the website and social‑media channels, and outreach to schools, businesses and community groups to promote factual messaging. A second question on climate‑literacy training was answered with the statement that, as of 29 September 2025, 26 councillors had completed the mandatory training, and reminders would be sent to group leaders to improve completion rates.

The Committee discussed the research commissioned on 16 April 2024 into the economic role of grade 3 land, particularly grade 3b, for balancing food security with renewable‑energy development. The Chief Planning Officer’s study examined the commercial value of the and flower production, soil‑carbon impacts and the potential for solar‑farm installations, informing the forthcoming Local Plan. No further decision was recorded, but the findings were noted for policy development.

Transport and tourism matters were raised with Cabinet Members. The Transport Member acknowledged a 100 % increase in weekly bus fares for Falmouth students, explained that the previous low‑cost pass was a university‑First Bus arrangement and that the end of Government subsidies under the Bus Fares Pilot had driven the change, and agreed to continue discussions with the university and First Bus to seek a more affordable solution. The same Member confirmed that the hourly Metro service to Newquay would not stop at every station, with a reduced two‑hourly service at some locations, and that future service frequency would be reviewed based on usage. Regarding tourism, the Cabinet Member for Tourism, Localism and Planning confirmed ongoing engagement with Visit Cornwall during its voluntary liquidation, the protection of assets such as the website and mailing lists, and pledged to keep the Committee updated and to include the issue in the Committee’s work programme.

The Head of Strategic Environment and Climate Change presented the Council’s climate‑ and ecological‑emergency work, highlighting three core strategy documents (the Local Area Energy Plan, the Local Nature Recovery Strategy and a draft Climate Adaptation Strategy) and reaffirming targets of a 70 % emissions reduction for council operations by 2030, net‑zero by 2040, and Cornwall‑wide net‑zero by 2045. The presentation noted legislative drivers such as the Climate Change Act (net‑zero 2050) and the Environment Act 2021, and outlined guiding principles centred on alignment with national policy, leveraging local assets, unlocking inclusive investment and prioritising emissions reductions over offsets. The Committee also received a report on the Vision Zero road‑safety programme, which detailed the rollout of 20 mph speed limits across the county, the use of sign‑only zones, enforcement arrangements with Devon & Cornwall Police, and early data indicating speed reductions and a downward trend in collisions. Questions about funding, emissions impacts, and evaluation were answered, with the Committee noting that enforcement is self‑financing, that further analysis of area‑specific outcomes is planned, and that the programme remains on schedule and within budget.