Cornwall Council Cabinet Backs New Four-Year Priorities Plan to Shape Duchy’s Future

The draft plan was endorsed at a cabinet meeting held at Lys Kernow on Wednesday (12 November 2025), and will now go out for public consultation.

Six Core Priorities for Cornwall

Following extensive engagement with residents, businesses and community groups, the council has identified six key areas that will define its strategic direction:

• Building strong, safe and vibrant communities, including expanding access to decent and affordable housing

• Creating a clean, green Cornwall, with a focus on protecting and improving rivers and seas

• Developing a resilient, high-performing economy that supports good growth and job creation

• Ensuring Cornwall is a caring place for families, with opportunities for children to thrive

• Supporting residents to live healthy, dignified lives

• Delivering connected, safe and reliable transport and road networks

Council Leader Cllr Leigh Frost said the priorities reflect a “common-sense, people-first” approach:

“I have always said that these priorities are more than words on a page. They’re a statement of our intent and a reflection of our common-sense approach – practical, grounded and putting people first.

These priorities are rooted in the reality of Cornish life: the challenges we face, the values we share, and the future we want to shape.”

Climate Commitment Reaffirmed

Cabinet members also backed the next phase of Cornwall Council’s climate and nature-recovery strategy. The authority confirmed:

• A commitment for 30% of Cornwall’s land, rivers and seas to be well managed for nature by 2030

• A pledge to cut the council’s own operational emissions by 70% by 2030

• A revised target date of 2045 for Cornwall to align with the UK Government’s long-term climate response goals

Cllr Loic Rich, portfolio holder for environment and climate change, emphasised that meeting these ambitions will require broad partnership:

“Cornwall Council will continue to lead, but progress depends on partnership – with government, business, landowners and our communities.

We need one and all in Cornwall to work with us and do their bit for nature and climate. That is why we will continue to work closely with the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Leadership Board, Local Nature Partnership, Climate Commission and Economic Forum to ensure our collective effort delivers a sustainable, prosperous and more resilient future.”

Additional Reports Approved

The cabinet also endorsed several other updates and strategies, including reports covering:

• The council’s latest performance assessment

• A new digital inclusion strategy

• Developments in home-based care and prevention services

• Sexual and reproductive health commissioning

The public consultation on the priorities plan will open shortly, giving residents across Cornwall the opportunity to help shape the council’s direction through to 2029.