The Cornwall Growth Board met to discuss and approve recommendations for the Workforce and Skills Strategy and the progress of the Local Plan, both aimed at fostering economic growth and addressing key challenges in Cornwall. The board approved the Workforce and Skills Strategy, designed to support inclusive economic growth and improve productivity, as well as endorsing the Baseline report for the Local Plan, which will be used as the foundation for further direction. They also agreed to undertake further iterations of the call for sites and to establish a cross-party informal working group to advise on the Local Plan.

Local Plan Progress

The Cornwall Growth Board endorsed the baseline report for the Local Plan, including key issues and a restatement of principles, to serve as the foundation for the plan's future direction. They also agreed to undertake further iterations of the call for sites, especially for potential new communities, and to develop an associated framework, including partnerships with government and relevant agencies. The board resolved to progress work on scoping activity, in accordance with the current Sustainability Appraisal framework, including identifying initial reasonable alternatives for distribution of growth for future assessment by the Cornwall Growth Board, prior to consultation and that appropriate software solutions be piloted and used to support this work to integrate with other methodologies including the Cornwall Development and Decision Wheel or similar tools.

The board agreed to incorporate initial findings from work responding to the council motion from April 2024 regarding solar farms and the role of grade 3b land into the Local Plan's evidence base, and to progress further work on a Land Use Strategy for Cornwall as part of the Local Plan. The Local Plan Update - Appendix 2 - Cornwall Land Use Study Initial findings found that solar farms occupy a very small proportion of Cornwall's land use (around 0.3%), and that their growth has not significantly reduced arable land.

The board adopted the Communication and Engagement Plan and agreed to establish a cross-party informal working group to advise the Cabinet Member for Tourism, Localism and Planning on the Local Plan.

The Local Plan Update - Report noted that a new mandatory standard housing methodology for England, published in December 2024, has increased Cornwall's annual housing requirement from 2,707 to 4,421, and that the council is no longer able to demonstrate a five-year supply of housing land.

Workforce and Skills Strategy

The Cornwall Growth Board approved the Workforce and Skills Strategy, which aims to address workforce challenges and support economic growth in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The strategy outlines a comprehensive, place-based approach to improve productivity and provide residents with meaningful employment opportunities.

The Workforce and Skills Strategy - Report noted that the strategy builds on the 2021 iteration and aligns with the Cornwall Good Growth Plan and national policy frameworks such as The Industrial Strategy, Skills England and the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP).

The strategy sets out a ten-year vision structured around four strategic pillars: Inspire, Transform, Innovate, and Thrive. It identifies the critical role of skills in enabling sector growth, tackling economic inactivity, and supporting Cornwall's transition to a low-carbon, high-tech economy.

The strategy is structured around the following principles:

• A sector-led approach
• Inclusive and sustainable growth
• Infrastructure for skills
• Strategic alignment and governance

The Workforce and Skills Strategy - Appendix 1 stated that the Workforce and Skills Board, as a sub-group of the Economic Forum, will provide leadership and ensure coordination across sectors and systems.

The Workforce and Skills Strategy - Appendix 2 summarised the Let's Talk consultation feedback.

The Workforce and Skills Strategy - Appendix 3 detailed the Cornwall Development and Decision Wheel.

The Workforce and Skills Strategy - Background Papers included a review of progress against the previous strategy, a labour market assessment, consultation and engagement information, a policy review, and outcomes.

Confirmation of Minutes

The board approved the minutes of the meeting held on 27 March 2025.