The FULL COUNCIL of the Isles of Scilly Council was scheduled to consider a range of planning applications, including proposals for a padel court on Tresco and kiosks on St Martins and St Agnes. The meeting agenda also included discussions on designating bathing waters, the Children and Young People's Plan, and applications for National Portfolio Organisation status for the Town Hall Museum and Cultural Centre. Additionally, the council was scheduled to review the Housing Service's annual complaints performance, audit committee requirements, and an external appointment to the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Visitor Economy Partnership.

Planning Applications

The FULL COUNCIL was scheduled to consider several planning applications. These included a proposal for the construction of a padel court at Land at Borough, Tresco, and the construction of a padel court at New Grimsby, Tresco. Applications for planning permissions and listed building consents for kiosks on St Martins and St Agnes were also scheduled for discussion.

Designating Bathing Waters

The meeting was scheduled to include a report on the designation of bathing waters. This report, authored by Rebecca Williams, Head of Environment, Katie Ash, Director of Public Health, and James Lee, Public Health Registrar, was scheduled to outline the benefits, risks, and uncertainties associated with designating bathing waters. The council was scheduled to determine whether to support an application for Porthmellon, Porthcressa, and Old Town Bay to be designated as bathing waters, with the final decision resting with Defra. The report also detailed the application process, water quality monitoring, and the practical, technical, economic, environmental, and social considerations of such designations.

Children and Young People's Plan

A report on the Children and Young People's Plan for the Isles of Scilly partnership was scheduled to be presented. Authored by Sue Butcher, Director of Children's and Adult Services, the report sought member approval for the plan's publication. The plan, developed through extensive needs assessments and stakeholder engagement, is structured around four priority outcomes: Best Start in Life, Aspiration, Independence and Adulthood, Belonging and Inclusion, and Strengthening Families. The report detailed the findings of a public consultation, highlighting key priorities and delivery actions, and outlined the monitoring and accountability arrangements overseen by the Improvement Board.

National Portfolio Organisation Application to Arts Council England

The council was scheduled to consider a report regarding an application for National Portfolio Organisation status and funding for the Town Hall Museum and Cultural Centre. Authored by Nicola Stinson, Strategic Director of Place, Economy and Environment, the report outlined plans for the operational readiness of the redeveloped Town Hall. It detailed the potential for financial support from Arts Council England through their National Portfolio Organisations funding programme, which provides multi-year investment to cultural organisations. The report highlighted the competitive nature of this funding and the need for a strong application, suggesting the Council might act as the applicant to strengthen the bid, with the Isles of Scilly Museum Association as the operator. Recommendations included supporting the application, delegating authority for submission and funding acceptance, and appointing council representatives to the Isles of Scilly Museum Association Board of Trustees and the Isles of Scilly Cultural Manifesto Delivery group.

Housing Service Annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report 2025-2026

Rachel Barrett, Head of Housing, Corporate & Commercial Facilities Management, was scheduled to present the Annual Complaints Performance and Service Improvement Report for the Housing Service. This report, in accordance with the Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code, was scheduled to provide an overview of complaint numbers, key themes, and formal Housing Ombudsman determinations received between April 2025 and March 2026. It was also scheduled to include the annual self-assessment against the Complaint Handling Code and detail service improvements made as a result of complaint learning. The report was scheduled to recommend noting the report's findings, approving minor amendments to the Feedback Policy, and approving the annual Self-Assessment for Complaint Handling.

Audit Committee Requirements

Lia Musto-Shinton, Monitoring Officer, was scheduled to present a report on Audit Committee Requirements. This report was scheduled to address the statutory requirement for the Council to have an audit committee in place following the commencement of Section 94 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. The recommendations included approving the change of the Governance Committee's name to the Audit and Governance Committee and appointing it as the Council's Audit Committee. Changes to the committee's terms of reference, including the addition of statutory audit functions, were also scheduled for approval. Preparatory steps for recruiting an independent member to the committee were also noted.

External Appointment Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Visitor Economy Partnership

Nicola Stinson, Strategic Director of Place, Economy and Environment, was scheduled to present a report on an external appointment to the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Visitor Economy Partnership. This new partnership aims to provide strategic leadership for the visitor economy across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The report was scheduled to recommend appointing the Lead Member for Economy, Tourism and Transport as the Council's representative on the partnership, which was scheduled to hold its first meeting on 1 October 2026. The Monitoring Officer was to be delegated authority to make necessary amendments to the Council's Standing Orders to reflect this appointment.

Schedule of Delegated Planning Applications

Kagiso Mompoloki, Planning Assistant, was scheduled to present the Schedule of Delegated Planning Applications for information only. This report was to list planning applications that had been registered and/or determined under delegated powers since the last schedule was published. The report detailed decisions made on various applications, including roof replacements, extensions, changes of use, and tree works, with a list of applications still pending a decision.

Town Hall Redevelopment - Project Update

Nicola Stinson, Strategic Director of Place, Economy and Environment, was scheduled to provide an update on the Town Hall redevelopment project. The report was to detail progress as of 27 August 2026, including updates on the 1970s building, the Town Hall itself, and the new extension. It was also scheduled to address potential risks to the programme delivery, such as securing additional funding and the availability of permanent power. The report was to include updates on engagement and communications, including visits from Arts Council England and opportunities for council members and trustees to view the site. A significant funding update was also anticipated, detailing a successful application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund.