The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board met on Friday 16 January 2026 to discuss a range of strategic issues, including the Local Area Energy Plan, the creation of Cornwall's Good Food Cycle, and the refresh of the Safer Cornwall Plan. The Board was also scheduled to consider changes to its own terms of reference and receive an update on the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Executive Group's strategic activities.

The Local Area Energy Plan

A report was scheduled to be presented on the Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP), which serves as an evidence base for climate targets. The LAEP is structured around five key net-zero missions: transitioning to renewable energy and alternative fuel supplies; decarbonising buildings, heat, and cooling demand; decarbonising the public sector estate; decarbonising industrial, waste, and agricultural processes; and decarbonising transport. The report was expected to highlight that achieving net-zero transition opportunities requires coordinated, collaborative action from all members of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board and Executive Group. The discussion was also anticipated to cover adaptation to climate change, in addition to mitigation efforts. Early results from Cornwall Council's consultation on its priorities for the next four years indicated that climate change ranked 25th out of 40 initiatives. The Executive Group had previously supported amending the Leadership Board's climate targets to 2045, moving away from the initial 2030 goal.

Creating Cornwall's Good Food Cycle

The meeting was scheduled to include a discussion on Creating Cornwall's Good Food Cycle, a strategy aimed at transforming how food is produced, distributed, consumed, and valued in Cornwall. This approach is designed to integrate health, economic growth, and environmental sustainability across the entire food system. Key features of the Good Food Cycle approach include system-wide thinking, cross-sector collaboration, practical application, a plural leadership model, and an outcome-driven focus. The report was expected to position Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly as a national leader in sustainable food systems, aligning with the government's own Good Food Cycle strategy. The strategy is underpinned by the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Food Charter and the Agri-food Strategy, with Sustainable Food Cornwall playing a key role in its development and implementation. The report was also to highlight how the Good Food Cycle approach contributes to other Cornwall Plan aims, such as a creative, net-zero economy; thriving places with decent homes; education, equality, and entrepreneurship; healthy, safe, resilient communities; and a digital revolution for sustainable living. The recommendations included endorsing the Cornwall's Good Food Cycle approach as a framework for delivering Cornwall Plan ambitions and a strategic focus on food security through food system resilience.

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Recovery Strategy

A report was scheduled to be presented on the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Nature Recovery Strategy, developed under the Environment Act 2021. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are among the first areas to have their strategies approved by DEFRA. The strategy identifies priority habitats, species, and areas for recovery, with a focus on creating connected nature corridors. Delivery is expected to involve collaboration across sectors, utilising tools such as Environmental Land Management schemes, local planning, and private investment. The report was anticipated to mention that biodiversity net gain funding is under consultation, with an emphasis on including smaller developments to maximise contributions. The strategy covers terrestrial areas, with a complementary marine nature recovery framework progressing through Council approval. The Board was expected to endorse the adoption of the CIoS Nature Recovery Strategy and commit to its delivery alongside the Marine Nature Recovery Framework.

Safer Cornwall Plan Refresh

The meeting was scheduled to address the refresh of the Safer Cornwall Plan. The report was expected to emphasise that safety underpins confidence, wellbeing, and quality of life, and that delivering safer communities requires collaboration across all partners. The refresh was planned to focus on prevention, inclusion, and supporting people to thrive, aligning with Council priorities for caring, safe, and vibrant communities. It was intended to respond to emerging risks such as rising antisocial behaviour, domestic abuse, drug-related deaths, hate crime, and online harms, promoting early intervention and a systems-based approach. The discussion was anticipated to include comments on the effectiveness of the Safer Cornwall Partnership and suggestions for strengthening community cohesion and addressing hate crime. The Board was expected to review and endorse the approach for the 2026/27 refresh of the Safer Cornwall Partnership Plan 2022-2025.

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board - Changes to Terms of Reference

The Board was scheduled to discuss proposed changes to its own terms of reference. These changes were intended to reflect new ways of working, including holding meetings at various venues across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly relevant to the Board's work, and working through summits or workshops on key issues. The proposals also included expanding the Board's membership to ensure the inclusion of representatives from sectors such as transport and culture. The report was expected to detail proposed updated terms of reference and recommendations for an initial summit in February 2026 on the theme of healthy rivers and seas. The summit aims to bring together Cornwall Council, South West Water, the Environment Agency, environmental charities, and community campaigners to improve water quality.

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Executive Group Strategic Update

An update was scheduled to be provided on the activities of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Executive Group. This update was expected to include information on actions arising from the previous Leadership Board meeting, such as the consideration of the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and the Pretty Poverty Report. The update was also anticipated to cover recent announcements from the Department for Transport regarding bus funding and a pilot programme for bus franchising powers in rural areas. Furthermore, the Executive Group's meeting on 9 December 2025 had reviewed the declaration of climate emergency and climate targets, supporting the amendment of the Leadership Board's climate targets to 2045. The Executive Group had also agreed Cornwall's Good Food Cycle approach as a framework for delivering Cornwall Plan ambitions and committed to collaborating on the development of a dynamic food systems map. Updates on digital inclusion as a strategic priority, the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill, and the Autumn Budget were also expected. The discussion was also scheduled to cover organisational responses to a Supreme Court judgement and the potential for a Team Cornwall approach.