Leigh Frost Returns as Cornwall Council Leader for Another Year

What does the man at the top of Cornwall Council think the next 12 months hold? In a word, he reckons it won’t be easy.

Cllr Leigh Frost has been re-elected as leader of Cornwall Council, securing another year in the role after being the only nomination put forward at the authority’s Annual Meeting in Truro today.

Leigh used his “State of Cornwall in the National Context” speech to set out a frank assessment of the challenges ahead, pointing to severe financial pressures, rising demand for adult social care and children’s services, and a housing crisis he described as “one of the defining challenges of our time.”

A sober tone from the leader

Speaking to the chamber, Leigh told councillors: “The next year will not be easy. If the last two weeks in Westminster are anything to go by, Government is far from certain. Financial pressures remain severe. Demand for adult social care and children’s services continues to rise. The housing crisis remains one of the defining challenges of our time. Roads, transport and infrastructure still need investment.”

He didn’t shy away from the scale of what’s facing the council, but struck a more hopeful note when talking about Cornwall itself. “Cornwall has communities that look after each other, businesses and innovators with ambition, public servants who work incredibly hard, and a history, culture and identity unlike anywhere else,” he said.

Leigh told the chamber that the people of Cornwall “do not need grand promises” but rather “competence, fairness, and a council that is united and prepared to fight their corner.”

He confirmed his Cabinet would remain unchanged for the year ahead.

Other appointments

Cllr Rob Nolan was re-elected as Chairman of Cornwall Council at the same meeting, with Cllr John Thomas returning as his Vice-Chairman.

Motions debated

Four motions came before the chamber. These covered student transport, the renewal of road markings, and protecting freedom of speech within the council.

The fourth motion, focused on the mental health and wellbeing of Cornwall’s schoolchildren, drew widespread support across political lines. Councillors agreed to form a Cabinet Advisory Group to look at mental and emotional health and wellbeing in schools across Cornwall. The group will engage directly with schools, and its findings will be reported to both the Cabinet and the Secretary of State at the Department for Education in Westminster.

The meeting also heard annual reports from each of the council’s overview and scrutiny committees.