The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board met on Friday 10 July 2026, receiving updates on strategic programmes, youth council priorities, and international strategy, and endorsing the draft International Strategy for Cabinet approval. The Board also agreed to a review of the strategic partnership landscape across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Tour of The Mennaye and Cornish Pirates Partnership

Members of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board were hosted by the Cornish Pirates rugby club at their home ground, The Mennaye, in Penzance. They were given a tour of the facilities, including the Tribute Grandstand, which was undergoing repairs following damage from Storm Goretti. The Board learned about the club's ambitions to enhance the matchday experience, broaden its appeal beyond rugby, and meet the Minimum Standards Criteria for Premiership Rugby clubs. The club's revenue has doubled in the past two seasons, supported by new commercial partnerships and a significant investment from the United States, the first of its kind in an English professional rugby club. This investment is facilitating gradual infrastructure improvements.

Following the tour, presentations detailed the new partnership between the Cornish Pirates and Global Cornish, aimed at strengthening international connections with the Cornish diaspora and promoting Cornwall globally. The club's long-term vision includes developing an academy, a women's team, and progressing to European competition. The Board also heard about the Cornish Pirates' contribution to supporting young people in Cornwall, aligning with priorities identified in the Right On Survey, such as improved access to sport, mental wellbeing support, and safe spaces. The club's Foundation uses rugby to foster health, wellbeing, confidence, leadership, and community belonging through various programmes, with future aspirations to enhance sporting facilities and community access.

Youth Council Priorities / Right On Survey / Youth Hubs

The Chair of Cornwall Youth Council, Councillor Gabriel, provided an update on the council's activities and priorities. Following elections in February 2026, which saw over 13,000 young people participate, 18 Youth Councillors were elected. The election process, which included whole-school voting in six schools, provided many young people with their first democratic election experience. The Youth Council has since organised its work into five thematic groups: accessibility, disability and inclusion; youth voice and support; transport and freedom to travel; sports, leisure and activity spaces; and mental health and wellbeing. These groups will focus on their priorities over the next two years. The Youth Council is supported by 12 Associate Members and a Communications Team of eight young people. Leadership elections within the Youth Council resulted in the appointment of a new Chair, Deputy Chair, and Members of Youth Parliament.

The Board discussed the Youth Council's efforts to strengthen links with town and parish youth councils, developing a network to improve youth representation across Cornwall. The use of anonymised campaign statements in the Youth Council elections was highlighted as a method to encourage voting based on issues rather than popularity. Members emphasised the importance of ensuring young people's voices inform strategic decision-making and welcomed the opportunity to incorporate their experiences into future discussions. The impact of previous youth engagement, such as concerns raised about community safety in Camborne, which informed investment in the area, was noted. The success of the Right On Survey, with over 13,000 responses, was acknowledged, and its data will inform future policy and service planning. Further analysis of reported alcohol and drug use findings from the survey is being undertaken by Public Health colleagues.

The Board agreed to consider key points and analysis from the 2025 Right On Survey and explore ways to contribute to the Cornwall Youth Council's campaign areas by the September 2026 meeting.

International Strategy / Global Cornish / Place Branding

The Service Director for Strategy and Partnerships introduced the emerging Cornwall and Isles of Scilly International Strategy 2026-2036. This strategy aims to provide a framework for international initiatives, strengthening and coordinating existing activities such as the Global Cornish programme and international partnerships. It seeks to raise Cornwall's international profile, build upon relationships with international regions, including developing Memoranda of Understanding with areas like the Regional Council of Brittany, and leverage opportunities like the forthcoming Interceltic Festival. The newcornwall.uk website will serve as an international gateway for investment, trade, tourism, and cultural engagement.

The strategy is built around three themes: enhancing Cornwall's international profile and reputation; strengthening cultural, economic, and trade connections to support economic growth; and promoting Cornwall as a destination for learning, living, visiting, and working, with increased opportunities for young people's international mobility. The Board discussed opportunities presented by international relationships and diaspora connections, particularly with Mexico and the potential for an economic partnership with Quebec focusing on critical minerals, skills, and best practice sharing. The importance of promoting economic, trade, and investment opportunities beyond diaspora connections was stressed. The Board endorsed the draft Cornwall International Strategy for approval by Cornwall Council's Cabinet on 29 July 2026.

Review of the Strategic Partnership Landscape

The Head of Strategy and Communications presented an update on the ongoing review of the strategic partnership landscape across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. This review, prompted by a recent Corporate Peer Challenge, aims to ensure that partnership working remains effective and aligned with future priorities, particularly as Cornwall transitions towards a strategic authority model. The review will examine existing strategic partnerships, boards, and networks, focusing on streamlining, inclusivity, and accountability, while identifying any duplication or gaps.

The Board generally supported the review, recognising the value of examining the partnership landscape and aligning it with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Plan 2050. Discussions highlighted the importance of considering the relationship between partnerships, strategies, and delivery mechanisms, as well as understanding the governance arrangements of different partnerships. The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner offered support for the review process. The diversity of partnership models and the need to understand their respective purposes, responsibilities, and resource implications were noted, as was the importance of future-proofing these arrangements.

The Board agreed the problem statement for the review, which is to ensure the partnership architecture remains strategically focused, streamlined, coherent, and aligned with Cornwall becoming a Strategic Authority. They also agreed the key questions to guide the review and provided input on the proposed membership of the Task and Finish Group.

Notes of Previous Meeting

The notes of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board meeting held on 29 May 2026 were agreed.

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Executive Group Strategic Update

The Board received an update on matters discussed at the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Executive Group meeting on 9 June 2026. Positive progress was reported across strategic programmes, with collaboration between partners welcomed. Opportunities arising from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Vanguard Programme, including economic growth and skills development, were noted. Cornwall Council's Cabinet had considered the findings and recommendations of the Devolution White Paper and Local Government Reorganisation programme, with implementation now underway. Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have been shortlisted for the UK Telecoms Innovation Network (UKTIN) Regional Innovation Programme, recognising strengths in digital innovation. Following the adoption of the Cornwall Cultural Strategy, work on the Cornish Language Strategy was completed and is expected to be considered by the Board in the future. Further work on the Strategic Investment Register is ongoing, and the agenda for the next Executive Group meeting will include discussion of the initial findings of the Fair Funding Review.