CORNWALL Council’s taxpayer-funded company Corserv has “not delivered” on expectations, according to senior Cabinet members, following the resignation of its chief executive.

Deputy council leader Adam Paynter said Neil Edmond had failed to deliver on what he promised, while council leader Leigh Frost admitted Corserv had “not lived up to expectations”.

Their comments came amid growing concerns from opposition councillors about a wave of departures among senior figures at the local authority and its associated companies.

Mr Edmond's resignation, announced last week, came after Cornwall Council chief executive Kate Kennally, chief finance officer Annabel Scholes and service director for people commissioning Rachael Rothero also left their positions within the past month.

Corserv oversees a number of businesses, including highways engineering division Cormac, Cornwall Airport Newquay, Corserv Care, Jobline Staffing and Spaceport Cornwall.

Speaking ahead of their recent Cabinet meeting, Cllr Frost said the authority had been reviewing the future of its group of companies, with concerns about the pace of progress at Corserv.

He said: “Earlier this year we said this is the year that we’d really look at the group of companies and ultimately Corserv hasn’t lived up to our expectations. We gave them the land around the airport to develop to help support the airport. It hasn’t been developed quick enough. It’s things like that.

“They haven’t shown the grip of control we would expect. Whilst it’s not for us to get involved in the day to day – that's the whole point of the arm’s length – it has just not worked out. As we move into the future, new leadership is needed there. Neil agrees – he knew this probably wasn't right for him as well. It was mutually agreed.”

Asked whether some of Corserv’s operations could return to direct council control, Cllr Frost said the review was ongoing and changes should be expected.

“Whether it’s bringing everything in-house? Probably not. Some things, maybe – that work is still ongoing. It’s going to be a different beast, definitely,” he said.

Independent deputy leader and resources portfolio holder Cllr Paynter was more forthright in his assessment of Mr Edmond’s performance.

He said: “Neil said to Leigh and I 12 months ago, ‘don’t judge me now, judge me by how I perform over the next 12 months’ and unfortunately you look at all the metrics and look at the costs – whether that's the airport or the other companies – they've not delivered; he hasn’t delivered.

“He didn’t meet what he said he was going to do.”

The departures have prompted opposition leaders to question the stability of the council's senior management.

Reform UK group leader Cllr Paul Ashton said he was “extremely concerned” about another senior departure at a time of financial pressure, while Conservative group leader Cllr Connor Donnithorne said he was “massively” concerned, describing the “churn at the top” as ridiculous.

Labour group leader Cllr Kate Ewert said residents were entitled to answers, calling for stability, transparency and strong governance to maintain public confidence in Corserv and its subsidiaries.