Lee Trewhela

Cornwall Council has been told that annual taxpayer support for Newquay Airport is expected to reach nearly £10m, compared with an earlier £5m subsidy. Rising employment costs, increased air traffic control staffing, firefighter pay issues, problems with the airport estate and Eastern Airways' administration have contributed to the increase, while ending the subsidised London Gatwick route has worsened the current year's projected £9.7m deficit. Councillors agreed to scrutinise the rise, and Corserv will present a transformation plan in December. An independent Steer report recommends clearer governance, tighter financial controls, organisational changes and new commercial revenue opportunities to reduce the burden on taxpayers.

Porthtowan Surf Life Saving Club has applied to Cornwall Council to demolish its deteriorating clubhouse and lifeguard station on West Beach Road and replace it with a raised modular building. The proposed facility would include lifeguard and training rooms, toilets, changing and storage areas, and elevated decking to maintain sightlines over planned dunes. The application has received 36 supportive public comments and backing from St Agnes Parish Council and Natural England. The Environment Agency objects because it says there is insufficient information to assess flood risk, while the project engineer says requests for tidal flood data went unanswered.

Cornwall councillors are urging an urgent safety review of the A30 between Loggans Moor roundabout and the Treswithian interchange following the deaths of two young brothers in a May crash. Councillors argued the three‑lane layout is dangerous and called for CCTV monitoring, enforcement signage, concrete barriers, and long‑term dualling plans by 2036. A motion was passed to request National Highways complete a safety review and make the findings public. National Highways said safety is its top priority and that it will consider interventions based on collision data.

Three newly installed parking meters at Helston’s Fairground Car Park were rendered unusable after vandals filled their payment slots with foam on the first day charges were introduced. The incident followed significant public opposition to Cornwall Council’s decision to end 40 years of free parking, including a petition with more than 4,000 signatures. The council said repair costs would fall on taxpayers and advised drivers to use the JustPark app while the machines are fixed. Police have launched an investigation and are appealing for information.