Cornwall Council Cracks Down: Sewage Pollution and Litter in the Spotlight

Cornwall Councillors have backed two major motions at a full council meeting today, Wednesday 17th September, placing sewage pollution and litter at the centre of environmental action.

The meeting also heard announcements from Council Leader Councillor Leigh Frost on devolution, parking tariffs and new transparency reforms.

Sewage Pollution Motion Backed

A motion from Councillor Ruth Gripper calling for urgent action to tackle sewage pollution in Cornwall’s rivers and beaches was overwhelmingly approved with 73 votes in favour and two abstentions.

The motion commits the Council to work with South West Water and other stakeholders, including through a summit, to address repeated pollution incidents.

Ruth said:
“Nearly two years ago, councillors came together to support a Motion for the Ocean. Today we have made a clear statement that sewage pollution must stop. We are willing to play our part, but South West Water must, must, must play theirs. The people of Cornwall expect and deserve better.”

Council Leader Leigh Frost welcomed the motion, adding:
“Residents are rightly furious that our rivers and beaches are repeatedly polluted, and South West Water’s performance has been frankly appalling. Clean water is not a luxury – it is tied to our health, our environment and our economy. This Council will continue to keep South West Water under firm and public pressure until we see real and sustained improvement.”

Keep Cornwall Clean! Campaign

Councillors also supported a motion from Councillor James Mustoe to launch a Keep Cornwall Clean! campaign. The motion was carried with 74 votes in favour and one abstention.

The campaign will refresh and relaunch support for volunteer litter picking and beach cleaning groups across Cornwall, working with partners such as Clean Cornwall and Biffa.

James said:
“Picking up litter and creating a culture around the positive benefits of doing so should be second nature for all of us. I’ve seen first-hand the environmental, social and wellbeing benefits of community clean-ups. This campaign will help support more groups across Cornwall to get started and make a difference in their communities.”

Devolution Stance

In his announcements to Full Council, Leigh confirmed he has written to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Minister for Intergovernmental Relations. He has also received an invitation to meet with the new Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities, Miatta Fahnbulleh, to set out Cornwall’s position on the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

Leigh said:
“Our position is clear: we support real devolution, but we will not accept a deal that forces Cornwall into a combined authority with a mayor. The people of Cornwall have already rejected that model, and we will keep pressing for powers that are clearly and directly for Cornwall.”

Parking Tariffs

The Council Leader also addressed public concern about CPI-linked increases to parking tariffs. He said the decision was necessary to avoid a £1 million budget shortfall and to keep parking services sustainable.

Leigh explained:
“Car parks don’t maintain themselves. Without this modest adjustment, money would have to be found from elsewhere, hitting frontline services. We will keep working with residents and town centres to ensure our approach is fair and sustainable.”

New Transparency Measures

Finally, Leigh announced that from October, Cabinet Member Decision Days will be introduced, enabling Cabinet Members to take decisions in public with published reports and livestreaming.

He said:
“This reform is about openness and accountability. It’s another step towards the transparent, member-led culture we want to define this administration.”