Agenda item

Cllr Linda Taylor, Leader of Cornwall Council, provided an update to the Board in relation to the recent work of Britain’s Leading Edge. She presented a series of slides and invited Members to have a wider discussion about collaboration opportunities.

Members made the following comments and asked a number of questions:

• Members raised concerns in relation to rural inequalities and emphasised the importance of ensuring that all areas were treated fairly and equally with appropriate access to services for all.
• A question was asked which related to investment in rural and coastal areas ahead of the upcoming general election.
• The importance of sharing information and partnership working was emphasised.
• A question was asked which related to the partnership working arrangements between Leading Edge, Coastal Special Interest Groups (SIGs) and the SPARSE network.
• A question was asked about lobbying back to central government to reinvigorate fishing industries.
• The importance of representing the needs of remote and regional communities and councils well in all aspects of work was emphasised.

Cllr Taylor responded to Members comments and questions, setting out the following points:

• There was a significant amount of potential to solve recurring issues within many areas, specifically around food, critical minerals, and alternative sources of energy, through Britain’s Leading Edge.
• Inequality continued to be evident, specifically within rural areas, Britain’s Leading Edge would help to ensure that the levelling-up profile was raised and present across the whole of the country and to provide fairer funding and investment into such areas.
• Work with Coastal communities and the sharing of good practice continued.
• Regarding the Fishing industry, food security had recently become a serious issue as a result of the war in Ukraine, and funding was needed to tackle food-related issues.

Decision:

Members noted the report.