Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: November 12, 2025

Purpose:

Content: The Leader started his announcements with the positive news about Cornwall Airport Newquay and Cornwall’s wider connectivity, with the Cornwall to London Public Service Obligation route being a vital link for residents and businesses.  The Leader was pleased to confirm that an interim provider was in place to maintain flights between Newquay and Gatwick and that, following the collapse of Eastern Airways, officers had worked flat out to restore the service and ensure the essential route remained up and running with daily flights resuming from 23 November 2025, rising to twice daily from mid-February 2026.    The Leader felt that it was important to note that the decision was separate from the full Public Service Obligation tender process, which was still in progress and he thanked everyone involved for moving so quickly and helping keep Cornwall connected.   Turning to how Cornwall was helping to lead nationally on health and work, the Leader was pleased that the Council had been named as one of the employer-led Vanguards supporting Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Britain Working review and was the only non-mayoral authority that had been chosen.  The three-year partnership with the Government would help employers test practical approaches to prevent ill health, support people to stay in work and build healthier, more resilient workplaces.  The Leader stated it was an opportunity to show that business-led ideas worked in rural and coastal areas like Cornwall, not just big cities and, more importantly, that it recognised the leadership many Cornish employers already showed when it came to health and wellbeing at work.   Cornwall had also lead the way nationally in respect of its successes with Transport for Cornwall and the Leader was pleased that the Council had been selected by the Government to take part in a pilot scheme looking at how local authorities could run and support their bus services.  The findings would help the Government shape bus services for other rural local authorities in the future.   Finally, the Leader stated that three upcoming Westminster engagements underlined how active the Cabinet was in making Cornwall’s case on the national stage.  The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Public Health, the Director of Public Health and Exeter University would soon be presenting the Pretty Poverty report to the Government that highlighted hidden rural poverty and argued for fairer funding and targeted support in Cornwall.    The Portfolio Holder for Housing would soon been meeting Homes England to progress a Homes Cornwall and Homes England pilot, with the aim of unlocking affordable homes for local people and speeding up delivery through a stronger partnership and the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Reswources would soon be attending the Global Cornish launch event, hosted by Perran Moon MP that aimed to mobilise Cornwall’s diaspora and encourage investment back into Cornwall.    Taken together, those engagements showed a Cabinet that was deeply invested in protecting essential services, improving health and work outcomes and championing Cornwall at home and abroad.