Cornwall Council scheduled a meeting for 22 July 2025, to discuss a range of topics from public questions to motions regarding devolution, health priorities, and environmental concerns. Also on the agenda was the Audit Committee Annual Report, re-appointment of a Harbours Board member, and the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle Licensing Policy.

The following topics were included in the agenda for discussion:

Questions from the public

The council was scheduled to address questions from the public on topics including:

• Motorhome tourism facilities in Cornwall.
• The economic impact of not having a mayor for Cornwall.
• Highway repairs at Church Square, Bodmin.
• The council's policies regarding women and protected characteristics, following a Supreme Court judgement.
• Housing allocation priorities between recently rehoused and long-term homeless individuals.
• The policy of flying the Ukraine national flag from County Hall.
• Public transport connectivity and access to jobs and education.
• The council's use of private bailiff companies for council tax debts.
• Steps to improve openness and transparency in the council's dealings with residents.
• Ensuring that transphobia isn't incited as a result of motion 9.2 and trans people are treated with dignity and respect in Cornwall.
• Involving LGBTQ+ employees and residents in the review and update of policies and training regarding the management of single sex spaces and services.
• The timescale for the adoption of Kerrier Way in Camborne and surrounding roads.

Motions

Several motions were put forward for consideration, including:

Abandoned Boats

Councillor Martyn Alvey proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Kate Ewert, to address the issue of abandoned boats around the Cornish coastline. The motion asks that Cornwall Council commits to:

1. work with all Stakeholders to consider a means by which boat abandonment is disincentivised and:

   a. Clean up the hundreds of abandoned end-of life boats around the coastline and estuaries of Cornwall and beyond.

   b. Support and promote a viable means of recycling GRP and encourage manufacturers to use more sustainable materials for new boats.

2. lobby Government to consider introducing tougher legislation to combat the increasing threat of abandoned vessels to our marine environment.

The context for the motion notes that boats are often left to rot in creeks, leaking toxic materials into the ocean, and that disposing of a boat responsibly can be expensive. The motion highlights that Cornwall Harbours has safely salvaged and scrapped 74 abandoned vessels since 2015, but that it would be cheaper to deal with end-of-life boats before they are abandoned. The motion also notes that France is tackling the issue with free-to-use scrappage yards, funded by a producer levy on new boats and an annual boat tax.

Responding to the Supreme Court's Recent Clarification of the Equality Act

Councillor Line proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Clemens, in response to the Supreme Court's recent clarification of the Equality Act¹. The motion asks that the council resolves to:

• Ensure that single sex spaces, services and facilities are preserved and maintained in line with provisions in the Equality Act.
• Review and update staff training with regard to the management of single sex spaces, services and facilities.
• Review and update equality monitoring forms and surveys to capture data on sex, sexual orientation and gender reassignment as separate and distinct characteristics.
• Ensure that contractors and external agencies working in partnership with Cornwall Council are committed to upholding equality law.
• Ensure that no association based around the protected characteristics of sex or sexual orientation suffers detriment for their exclusion of the opposite sex.
• Ask officers to bring a report to all members outlining the changes being made in light of the Supreme Court ruling, and the legal guidance and sources on which those changes are based.

The context for the motion notes that Cornwall Council has a positive legal duty to eliminate discrimination and advance equality within service delivery and employment with regard to the nine protected characteristics , and that the recent Supreme Court ruling recognised the importance of sex, sexual orientation and gender reassignment, and concluded that each is protected separately under the Equality Act.

Devolution for Cornwall

Councillor Dick Cole proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Rory Gow, to reaffirm the council's position on devolution for Cornwall. The motion asks that the council:

• Notes that, in January, the Members of this authority overwhelmingly backed a motion seeking meaningful devolution for Cornwall.
• Notes that an English Devolution Bill will be published in the near future.
• Reaffirms its call for a meaningful devolution settlement for Cornwall.
• Calls for this devolution settlement to properly reflect Cornwall's national identity and the national minority status of the Cornish.
• Calls for central government to formally recognise Cornwall as one of the five nations of the United Kingdom.
• Mandates the Leader of Cornwall Council to write to the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and other relevant ministers to seek a meeting with a cross-party delegation from this authority.

The context for the motion notes that it is considered important that the Members of this unitary authority reaffirm their position on devolution and Cornwall, as an English Devolution Bill is expected in the near future.

Safeguarding Cornwall's Health Priorities

Councillor Nicky Chopak proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Drew Creek, to safeguard Cornwall's health priorities. The motion asks that the council resolves to:

1. Engage constructively with NHS England, the new ICB leadership, and the Secretary of State for Health to seek:

*   Clear assurances and seek guarantees that Cornwall will retain **dedicated leadership representation** within the cluster.
*   Transparent funding arrangements, ensuring Cornwall's budget is protected and used to address local health inequalities.
*   A strong voice for Cornwall in strategic planning, with meaningful involvement of local authorities and communities and this remains central to the delivery of health and care services for residents in Cornwall.
*   Ensure the residents of Cornwall continue to be heard through a revised and strengthened 'Healthwatch ' provision

1. Request a joint discussion with Devon County Council to explore collaborative governance arrangements that respect both systems' needs.
2. Task the Health & Adult Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee with monitoring the transition, reporting on:

*   Impacts on Cornwall's health services and outcomes.
*   Community and stakeholder engagement in decision-making.
*   Financial and staffing stability during the merger process.

1. Work with Cornish MPs and health leaders to ensure local concerns are heard at a national level, while seeking opportunities to strengthen, not diminish, health outcomes for all residents.

The context for the motion notes that on 1 July 2025, NHS England approved the merger of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly ICB and Devon ICB into a single cluster, as part of national plans to streamline Integrated Care Boards. The motion also notes that Cornwall faces unique health challenges, including rural deprivation, health inequalities, geographic barriers to accessing care, and an ageing population.

Public Consultation on the Provision of Hydrotherapy for Cornwall Wide Benefit at Polkyth Leisure Centre

Councillor German proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Ball, to carry out a public consultation on the provision of hydrotherapy at Polkyth Leisure Centre, St Austell. The motion asks that Cornwall Council:

(i) carries out a public consultation to understand the potential number of users from across Cornwall for Polkyth hydrotherapy pool and the associated health benefits thereof.

(ii) notes that prior to the pandemic that people from all over Cornwall used this facility as the only one able to meet their needs.

(iii) further notes that the only comparable hydrotherapy pool in Cornwall (due to ambient and water temperature, cross hoists, hospital beds in the changing rooms, accessibility, etc) is at RCHT and can only be accessed by medical referral.

(iv) takes evidence led decisions to benefit the residents of Cornwall.

The context for the motion notes that following the COVID-19 pandemic, Polkyth hydrotherapy pool has not reopened, and that the motion is being submitted so that Cornwall Council properly understands the potential numbers of users and benefits of the hydrotherapy provision at Polkyth Leisure Centre for the whole of Cornwall.

Banning of Plastic 'Flying Ring' Toys

Councillor Rosie Moore proposed a motion, seconded by Councillor Chris Batters, to ban plastic 'flying ring' toys. The motion asks that Cornwall Council:

1. Promotes a Voluntary Ban on the sale of 'Flying Rings', encouraging shops to sell alternatives instead.
2. Produces and circulates publicity highlighting to the public the danger these toys present to marine mammals.
3. Bans or discourages the use of 'Flying Ring' toys on Cornwall Council beaches.

The context for the motion notes that plastic toy 'Flying Rings' sold for recreational use mainly on beaches are causing unnecessary harm to marine mammals, specifically seals, when lost or discarded.

Audit Committee Annual Report

The council was scheduled to consider a recommendation from the Audit Committee to approve the Audit Committee Annual Report 2024/25². The report details the committee's activities during the past year and the proposed work programme for the following year.

Cornwall Harbours Board

The council was scheduled to consider a recommendation from the Cornwall Harbours Board to re-appoint Captain Charles Gurd as an Independent voting member of the board for a second full term of three years.

Miscellaneous Licensing Committee

The council was scheduled to consider a recommendation from the Miscellaneous Licensing Committee to approve the revised Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Vehicle, Operator and Driver Licensing Policy³.

The policy sets out the council's practices and procedures for vehicles, operators and drivers, and takes into account the Department for Transport's statutory standards and best practice guidance. The policy is due to be reviewed at least every 5 years.