Calls to recognise Cornwall's economic potential

The event was hosted in Penzance

Business leaders have called for the economic potential of Cornwall to be recognised by the government.

An event in Penzance, organised by Cornwall Council and the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE), brought business leaders, policy makers and politicians to the county.

The event focused on how rural communities can help deliver the UK industrial strategy.

Prof Emma Hunt, vice chancellor of Falmouth University, and vice chairman of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Forum, said she wanted the county to be "recognised as somewhere that delivers".

The event was co-organised by Cornwall Council and the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise

The event was attended by representatives from the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Ms Hunt said: "I couldn't be more certain about Cornwall's opportunities for the national economy.

"We have resources that relate to renewable energy, critical minerals, marine, the creative and cultural sectors, the agri-food sectors, and all of these are not only aligned with the national industrial strategy but are in some cases at the very forefront.

"We want to play our part, and we want Cornwall to be recognised as somewhere that delivers, not just for ourselves but for the whole of the UK economy."

Prof Janet Dwyer, co-director at NICRE, said Westminster needed to change its focus from urban areas and realise the potential of places like Cornwall.

She said: "Too much policy to date really focuses on growth and innovation in an urban context so we really need to get those policy makers to understand these differences and in that sense Cornwall is a fantastic place to come to as it has some of the best examples of why rural is different and why rural is positive for the future."

'Ready to go'

Crossbench peer Lord Ewen Cameron, former chairman of the Countryside Agency, also attended the event.

He said: "Cornwall has a lot going for it, it has got energy potential in terms of wind power, it's got sunshine for solar panels, it's got mineral potential for mining including tin and lithium which has a huge world market currently dominated by the Chinese businesses, and it's got small enterprising communities who, given the opportunity, could thrive - but they have to be given the opportunity and that means the delivery of power, the delivery of planning permissions.

"It is sitting there ready to go."