The Full Council meeting on Thursday 30 July 2026 discussed several key issues, including the replacement of a roof at the Porthmellon Waste Site and the installation of renewable energy systems for telephone kiosks. The council also reviewed its Q1 2026/27 financial performance, noting a projected overspend, and considered proposals for the upcoming electoral review.

Replacement of Roof Covering at Porthmellon Waste Site

The council granted planning permission for the replacement of the roof covering and rainwater goods at the Processing Hall on the Porthmellon Waste Management Site on St Mary's. Councillor Lynn Blackwell proposed the approval, stating that members were familiar with the project from previous discussions and that there were no public objections. Councillor John Peacock seconded the recommendation. The decision was carried with all in favour.

Telephone Kiosks on St Agnes and St Martin's

The council considered planning applications and listed building consent for the installation of micro-wind turbines and solar panels at K6 telephone kiosks on St Agnes and St Martin's. The applications were called to full council due to concerns about visual impact, effects on the setting of the listed kiosks, and the character of the Isles of Scilly Conservation Area.

Officers acknowledged potential public benefits from retaining telecommunications infrastructure and policy support for renewable energy. However, the Conservation Officer advised that the proposals would result in less than substantial harm to the significance of the listed kiosks and the conservation area.

The applicant's case was that without an alternative power source, the kiosks would cease to operate following the migration away from the copper network and might be removed. BT confirmed that the kiosks did not historically have a separate electricity supply and relied on the telecommunications network. BT also advised that the kiosks are intended to migrate to a mobile-IP-based solution, requiring a new power source.

However, BT had not undertaken a formal appraisal of alternative kiosk locations or power supply solutions. The principal issue for members was whether sufficient information had been provided to demonstrate that the proposed wind turbine and solar arrangement represented the least harmful and most appropriate means of securing public benefits.

Ultimately, the recommendation was to refuse both planning permissions and listed building consents. The reason cited was that the proposed development, due to the siting, scale, and visual prominence of the equipment, would result in less than substantial harm to designated heritage assets. The council was not satisfied that sufficient information had been provided to demonstrate that the proposal represented the least harmful means of maintaining the operation of the asset or that reasonable alternatives had been adequately explored. This was deemed contrary to Policy OE7 of the Isles of Scilly Local Plan, relevant sections of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990, and Chapter 16 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

Q1 2026/27 Financial Performance Summary

The council reviewed its financial performance for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year. Overall, the council was forecasting an overspend of £234,114. Key variances included an overspend of £180,964 in Adult Social Care, primarily due to transition costs for the new care home and increased agency worker costs. There was an underspend of £97,090 in Children's Services due to vacancies. The Fire and Rescue Service reported an overspend of £70,125 due to increased staff and training costs. The Airport also showed an overspend of £55,439 due to lower-than-budgeted passenger numbers for Skybus, although expenditure underspends partially mitigated this. The council noted that it held a contingency budget of £489,585, which exceeded the projected overspend.

Electoral Review by Local Government Boundary Commission for England

The council considered its submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) regarding an electoral review. The LGBCE is reviewing the council's size and warding arrangements. The council's submission proposed no change to the current council size of 16 members, arguing that the existing streamlined committee system is efficient and effective, and that a decrease could leave the organisation too small to discharge its functions. The submission also proposed no change to the warding arrangements, maintaining four single-member wards for the off-islands and one 12-member ward for St Mary's. This decision was based on the need to reflect community identity and interests, despite some electoral inequality, particularly on St Agnes and Bryher. The council acknowledged that it cannot veto the LGBCE's final recommendations.

Trustee Appointment to the Isles of Scilly Charitable Trust

The council was invited to appoint one nominative trustee for a four-year term to the Isles of Scilly Charitable Trust. The vacancy arose due to the expiry of the current trustee's term. The trust, which comprises the Edward McDonald Fund and the Pilots Widows Fund, has broad charitable purposes. The council has a responsibility to appoint four nominative trustees in total.

Isles of Scilly Fire & Rescue Service - Proposal to Adopt a 5-Year Community Risk Management Plan

The council considered a proposal to adopt a 5-year Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) for the Isles of Scilly Fire and Rescue Service, replacing the current 3-year cycle. The move to a 5-year plan was presented as offering benefits such as improved strategic planning, stability, efficiency gains, and better alignment with external partners. The service would continue to undertake annual reviews of risk and performance. The CRMP would be produced in-house to ensure local knowledge and expertise were utilised, avoiding external consultancy costs.

Green Maritime Corridor Feasibility Study

The council noted the findings of a feasibility study into deploying an Artemis 100% electric, hydrofoiling ferry between Newlyn in Cornwall and St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly. The study concluded that the Artemis EF-24 Passenger vessel is a viable solution, capable of operating in challenging conditions with appropriate configurations and service planning. The study identified harbour and charging infrastructure requirements, assessed commercial viability, and highlighted environmental benefits such as zero emissions and reduced noise. The council was asked to approve working with Artemis Technologies, Innovate UK, and the Department for Transport to submit a bid for funding to the Zero Emission Vessel and Infrastructure Round 2 competition.

Annual Carbon Report 2026

The council reviewed its Annual Carbon Report for 2026, which detailed progress towards its net-zero carbon ambition. The report showed an overall reduction in emissions of 85.12% compared to the baseline year (2019/20), largely due to the installation of solar PV at Normandy Pool, which significantly reduced reliance on heating oil. Scope 1 emissions saw a further reduction, and market-based emissions fell to 54.74 tCO²e. Scope 3 emissions increased due to the inclusion of staff travel data for Skybus and Scillonian III. The report acknowledged that achieving the 2030 net-zero target remained challenging due to ongoing fossil fuel usage and the difficulty in reducing Scope 3 emissions without significant shifts in maritime and aviation technology. The council was recommended to note the activities undertaken and approve the report for publication.

Council Performance Summary and Corporate Risk Register: Quarter 1 2026/27

The council reviewed its performance summary and corporate risk register for the first quarter of the financial year 2026/27. The performance summary indicated that most statutory targets were being met, with improvements noted in areas such as planning decision timeliness and staff sickness absence rates. However, challenges remained in Children's Services, with Ofsted rating the service as inadequate and subsequent monitoring visits highlighting insufficient progress. The council also noted ongoing difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff, particularly in social care roles, exacerbated by a lack of affordable housing. The corporate risk register highlighted key risks including the ongoing issues with Children's Services, the sustainability of housing provision, the delivery of capital projects, and the potential impact of cyber-attacks.

Schedule of Delegated Planning Applications

The council received a schedule of delegated planning applications that had been registered or determined since the last meeting. Several applications had been granted, including roof replacements and extensions, while others were pending. Notably, planning permission was granted for the replacement of roof covering and rainwater goods at the Porthmellon Waste Site, which was also discussed as a separate agenda item requiring a full council decision.

Project Managers Town Hall Project Update July 2026

The council received an update on the Town Hall redevelopment project. The report indicated that progress on site was generally in accordance with the accepted programme, with construction works continuing. The project team was managing risks related to programme recovery, cost control, and contractor challenge. An application for National Lottery Funding had been submitted, with a decision expected in September. The report was for information only.