Residents can find out how organisations are working to tackle pollution and improve water quality in Cornwall’s rivers and beaches at a summit being held this month.
The Healthy Rivers and Seas Summit takes place at Lys Kernow in Truro on February 27 from 10am – 11.30am and will be broadcast online.
Cornwall Council passed a motion Working to End the Sewage Scandal in September 2025, calling for urgent action to tackle sewage pollution in the region’s rivers and beaches.
The motion commits the council to work with South West Water and other stakeholders, including through a summit, to address repeated pollution incidents.
Panellists from the water and environmental sector will also discuss wider issues affecting water quality including land management and development.
Cllr Leigh Frost, leader of Cornwall Council, will open the summit.
Panellists include:
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Cllr Loic Rich, cabinet member for environment and cabinet change at Cornwall Council
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Carolyn Cadman, chief sustainability and natural resources officer at South West Water
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Mark Rice, area director for Devon and Cornwall at Environment Agency
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Ashley Jones, county chair of NFU Cornwall
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Victoria Vyvyan, deputy president of Country Land and Business Association (CLA)
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Dr Claire Eatock, chair of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Marine and Coastal Partnership
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Giles Bristow, chief executive of Surfers Against Sewage (SAS)
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Laurence Couldrick, chief executive of Westcountry Rivers Trust
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Matt Walpole, chief executive of Cornwall Wildlife Trust
BBC Cornwall presenter Julie Skentelbery will host the live session.
Anyone can follow the discussion online and ask the panel questions on Facebook, X or YouTube.
Cllr Frost said:
“The health of our ocean and rivers is a complex issue that requires collective action and personal responsibility. Cornwall Council can have a far bigger impact - beyond the reactive legal powers we have - acting as a convener, bringing together all the agencies and organisations involved in understanding the problems and identifying and putting solutions into action. We can also ensure residents’ concerns are heard.
“I want to thank all our panellists for agreeing to take part in this summit.”
Cllr Rich said:
“Healthy rivers and seas are vital to everyone living in Cornwall and crucial for nature, our environment and our economy.
“This summit will set out the council’s role and that of other organisations in delivering one of our key priorities and I hope residents can take this opportunity to find out more and ask our panel questions by joining the session online.”