Cornwall Council’s Cabinet has agreed to the Government’s plan to make Cornwall a single Foundation Strategic Authority.
This would keep strategic decision-making within Cornwall and create opportunities to secure more powers and funding in future.
Cornwall Council would take on the strategic authority role itself, so there would be no new organisation or elected mayor, and more decisions about Cornwall could be taken in Cornwall.
Cllr Leigh Frost, Leader of Cornwall Council, said this was a “pragmatic but important next step.”
He added: “This decision locks in a Cornwall-only footprint for devolution and strengthens our case for decisions about Cornwall to be made in Cornwall.”
“We have shown that Cornwall can deliver. Over the past four years, our Good Growth Programme has invested £186 million, supported more than 10,000 people into training or employment, created over 1,000 jobs and backed more than 5,000 businesses.
“Agreeing the geography is only half the story. Cornwall now needs the powers and fair funding already available to mayoral authorities so that we can improve transport, support housing for local families, strengthen rural services and tackle inequality with solutions designed for Cornwall.”
Cabinet also considered the Council’s developing budget for 2027/28, amid increasing costs and demand in services including homelessness, children’s services, adult social care and home-to-school transport.
Members approved plans covering housing delivery through Treveth and Langarth Garden Village, Corserv’s four-year business plan, the Valuing Local Framework, Cornwall’s International Strategy and a new ten-year Cornish Language Strategy.
Funding was accepted to support SEND reforms and improve opportunities for young people facing barriers to education, employment or training. Cabinet also extended support for Forest for Cornwall.
Cllr Frost congratulated recipients of the relaunched Cornwall Civic Awards and welcomed a record 1,200 nominations for the Proud to Care awards.
He also thanked Kate Evan-Hughes at her final Cabinet meeting as Strategic Director for Together for Families, recognising her leadership and service to Cornwall’s children and families.
Published on July 29, 2026