Cornwall Council - 21 July 2026

Based on the meeting minutes, here is a summary of the key decisions, notable debates, and outcomes of the Cornwall Council meeting.

**Key Decisions and Approvals**

The Council approved several recommendations put forward by its committees. This included amendments to the constitution and planning delegation scheme to comply with the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, with a resolution to write to the government and the Local Government Association expressing concern over the loss of democratic oversight. The Council also approved revised governance arrangements for approving senior appointments and exit payments of £100,000 and over, and endorsed the Audit Committee's Annual Report for 2025/26.

**Notable Debates and Motions Passed**

A significant debate took place on a motion concerning the A30 between Loggans Moor Roundabout and the Treswithian Interchange. The Council resolved to write to National Highways requesting an urgent route safety review, consideration of CCTV for mobile phone/seatbelt use and U-turns, concrete barriers, and a long-term plan for dualling the section by 2036.

The Council approved a motion declaring a Vote of No Confidence in South West Water (SWW) due to systemic failures in managing the sewage system. The Leader is to write to the government and Ofwat, requesting that SWW be removed from managing Cornwall's water systems in favour of public ownership. An amendment was also accepted, instructing the Leader to request that SWW establish a public performance dashboard for Cornwall within three months.

A motion on fairer education funding for Cornwall was also passed. The Council will write to the Secretary of State for Education, call for a review of the National Funding Formula, and convene a Cornwall Education Funding Roundtable to develop a shared case for reform based on a local evidence base.

**Motions and Outcomes**

The Council passed a motion supporting equal access to low-interest housing finance for local authorities to increase affordable housing delivery. The Leader will write to the government, and officers will prepare a report on barriers to council housebuilding. An amendment was accepted to specifically review the Housing Revenue Account debt settlement and the potential role of Perran Housing LLP in accessing finance for social rent homes.

However, a motion regarding the PATHWAYS trial for puberty blockers was lost following a debate. The motion aimed to introduce additional safeguarding requirements for children in the Council's care, but opposing views argued it could treat them differently from other children and restrict clinical decision-making, leading to the motion’s defeat.

**Public Questions and Leader's Updates**

The Council addressed ten public questions, covering local highway repairs, a Coastguard service petition, planning delegation schemes, and potential revisions to the children’s survey following a Supreme Court judgment. The Leader provided updates, including the success of lobbying to prevent changes to the Coastguard Rescue Service model, the establishment of a dentistry summit action plan, and a formal apology for remarks made towards another member. The Council also observed a minute’s silence for a former councillor.