Cornwall Growth Board - 11 December 2025

**Key Funding and Context**

The Chairman opened the meeting by noting that the recent UK Budget had specifically referenced Cornwall, a result of coordinated advocacy by the Council, local MPs, universities, colleges and private‑sector partners. The Budget announced a £30 million ow Industrial Growth Fund, which aligns with the Cornwall Good Growth Plan and is intended to support investment in areas where Cornwall has a competitive advantage. The Fund was presented as a recognition of Cornwall’s distinct identity and its role as a Strategic Foundational Authority area, giving the region stability for future attraction of investment.

**Strategic International Initiatives**

The Board was asked to endorse two new initiatives: the Cornwall International Strategy and the Global Cornish Diaspora Project. The International Strategy is designed to complement the Good Growth Plan by positioning Cornwall as an internationally connected Celtic nation, while the Global Cornish project aims to mobilise the worldwide Cornish community to generate economic, cultural and partnership opportunities. The Chairman highlighted support from a range of stakeholders—including MPs, universities, local businesses and cultural organisations—and noted that the launch would be presented in Westminster the following week.

**Defence‑Sector Addendum to the Good Growth Plan**

The Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration and Investment introduced the Good Growth Plan Addendum, which integrates defence‑related sectors (space, marine, critical minerals, renewable energy, drone and satellite infrastructure) into Cornwall’s economic agenda. The Addendum stresses Cornwall’s strategic assets—Culdrose, Newquay Airport, Goonhilly, GCHQ Bude and subsea cables—and aligns with national defence priorities and the UK Industrial Strategy. Discussion highlighted the need to address housing for workers in expanding defence‑related industries and to ensure that smaller local firms can benefit from the Kernow Fund’s supply‑chain opportunities.

**Decisions and Outcomes**

The Board resolved, by motion of Councillor Frost and seconded by Councillor La Broy, that the minutes of the 9 October 2025 Growth Board meeting were correctly recorded and approved. The Board also formally endorsed the Cornwall International Strategy and the Global Cornish Diaspora Project, authorising their launch and subsequent development. While no final policy changes were adopted during the session, the discussions identified housing provision for defence workers and the inclusion of smaller businesses in the Kernow Fund as priority actions for future work. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of Cornwall’s cultural identity and its ambition to act as a “Fifth Nation” within the United Kingdom.