Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board - 5 September 2025

**Long‑term vision and environmental priorities** – The Chief Executive opened the meeting with a progress snapshot for Cornwall’s 2050 vision, noting that the Council of the Isles of Scilly shares similar ambitions but may pursue them differently. While the areas of prosperity and land use are on track, eight sectors – ocean health, chemical and plastic pollution, renewables, greenhouse‑gas emissions, biodiversity, housing, health and food – are significantly under‑target. The Board highlighted the need for coordinated action across strategic partnerships, especially in biodiversity, where roughly 75 % of Cornwall’s land is farmland. A Farming Working Group under the Local Nature Partnership received strong support, and a voluntary marine recovery project is close to approval. The Police and Crime Commissioner praised the Cornwall Plan’s stakeholder engagement, and the Council’s Safer Towns initiative and the Safe and Well Hub in Penzance were cited as national best‑practice examples. The Prisoners Building Homes programme, recently awarded nationally, was suggested as a model for the Isles of Scilly’s housing challenges, and ongoing work on domestic‑abuse support and community‑policing staffing was confirmed.

**Workforce and skills strategy** – Professor Emma Hunt, Chair of the Workforce and Skills Board, presented the ten‑year Workforce and Skills Strategy, built on the pillars of Inspire, Transform, Innovate and Thrive. The strategy, funded by almost £10 million from the Adult Education Budget, aims to upskill residents for emerging sectors such as AI and digital technologies, and to align training with employer needs, including future defence‑related jobs at Devonport. Governance brings together education, health and business partners, and the plan is integrated with the Cornwall Plan through robust KPIs. The Isles of Scilly were discussed as a case study; the island’s council endorsed the strategy and highlighted its focus on apprenticeships and “growing their own” workforce to mitigate housing‑related recruitment barriers. The Board agreed to extend strategic efforts to the islands, noting the “Get Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Working” component of the national “Get Britain Working” initiative.

**Housing and land‑use delivery** – The Portfolio Holder for Housing reported acute pressure on the housing market, with over 22 000 households on the register and key‑worker shortages linked to limited affordable accommodation. Priorities for the next twelve months were set, including leveraging the One Public Estate programme, the Prisoners Building Homes initiative and surplus council land through the new Homes Cornwall project. The Board noted progress in forming a dedicated Homes England team for Cornwall and the intention to secure a Memorandum of Understanding. Councillor Peter LaBroy was confirmed as chair of the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Strategic Housing Group and will lead the development of a new Housing Prospectus, explore modern construction methods such as modular housing, and review surplus public‑sector assets to increase low‑cost housing delivery.

**Fairness Commission and SEND focus** – The Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Fairness Commission gave an update on its work addressing rural inequality in education for children with SEND. The Commission, active for six months, is reviewing the upcoming government white paper on EHCP reform and has begun a community‑grant application to amplify family experiences. Collaboration with the Council’s Chief Executive, the Start Well Partnership and the Director of Public Health was welcomed. Representation from the Isles of Scilly was strengthened by the appointment of Councillor Harry Legg, and MP Jane Kirkham and MP Perran Moon offered support for coordinated input into national SEND consultations. The Board acknowledged the update and the importance of a single feedback channel to maximise impact.