The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board was scheduled to convene on Friday 16 January 2026 to discuss a range of strategic matters, including proposed changes to the Board's terms of reference, updates on the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Executive Group's activities, and reports on the Local Area Energy Plan and Cornwall's Good Food Cycle. The meeting also included an opportunity to meet with representatives from Eden Geothermal Ltd and UK Forge, and a visit to the Eden Geothermal Project.

Changes to Terms of Reference

The Board was scheduled to consider proposed changes to its terms of reference, aiming to enhance its collective leadership and its role as a united voice for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. These proposed changes included holding meetings at various relevant venues across the Duchy, working through summits and workshops on key issues, and potentially expanding the Board's membership to include representatives from the education sector and the food, farming, and fishing sector. The Board was also to consider proposals for an initial summit in February 2026 focused on the theme of healthy rivers and seas, a priority identified in the 2024/5 Cornwall Plan annual review due to concerns about ocean health and pollution.

Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Executive Group Strategic Update

An update was scheduled from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Executive Group, which acts to enable collaboration across key public, private, and voluntary sector services. This update was expected to cover actions arising from the previous Leadership Board meeting, including the consideration of the 2025 Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) and the Pretty Poverty Report, and the potential establishment of a 'data and insight' practitioners group. The update was also to include information from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) regarding bus grant allocations and a pilot programme for bus franchising powers in rural areas. Furthermore, the Executive Group was to review the declaration of climate emergency and climate targets, with a report on the Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) and its five net-zero missions: transitioning to renewable energy, decarbonising buildings, the public sector estate, industrial processes, and transport. The Executive Group had previously supported amending the Leadership Board's climate targets to 2045 from 2030.

Creating Cornwall's Good Food Cycle

The Board was scheduled to discuss Creating Cornwall's Good Food Cycle (CGFC), a strategy aimed at transforming how food is produced, distributed, consumed, and valued across Cornwall. This approach, aligned with the government's Good Food Cycle strategy, integrates health, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Key features of the CGFC approach include system-wide thinking, cross-sector collaboration, practical application, a plural leadership model, and an outcome-driven focus. The report was expected to highlight how the CGFC approach supports various Cornwall Plan aims, including 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 CGFC approach as a framework for Cornwall Plan ambitions and considering the inclusion of a representative from the food, farming, and fishing sector in the Leadership Board's membership.

Other Scheduled Business

The meeting was also to include the confirmation of the notes from the previous meeting held on 21 November 2025. Additionally, there was an opportunity to meet with Gus Grand, Chief Executive of Eden Geothermal Ltd, and Piers Guy, representing UK Forge, before a visit to the Eden Geothermal Project. The agenda also allowed for Board Member matters of urgency / Any Other Business.