Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly need to develop a clear story about the future they want to see post Brexit.

And that can be achieved by listening to all parts of the community and ensuring the Cornish voice is heard locally, nationally and globally.

This was the clear message from 50 leaders of key organisations from across Cornwall who attended the second Brexit Summit, led by Cornwall Council leader John Pollard and the Bishop of St Germans, the Right Reverend Chris Goldsmith, with support from members of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Futures Group.

The conference was held at the Royal Cornwall Showground at Wadebridge last week.

Bishop Chris said it was vital that everyone worked together to focus on the common good for people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and believed this meant listening to what the public and local communities had to say.

Cllr Pollard said they needed to make sure actions proposed were relevant to the lives of local people.  

‘We need to make sure Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly take full advantage of the opportunities which leaving the EU will provide at the same time as dealing with any risks in a positive way.’

The programme for the Summit included an update on the work of the Futures Group, which was set up after the first Brexit Summit held last July to develop a proposal to the Government for a post-Brexit economic investment programme for Cornwall.

A Catalyst for Change report was produced by the Futures Group.  

Cornwall Council’s chief executive Kate Kennally said: ‘We know we are facing a period of ambiguity and uncertainty and that we do not have all the answers at this point. 

‘However, if we carry on working together with the same energy and enthusiasm as we have shown over the past seven months, then we will create the catalyst for change and develop the future we all want to see.’

The implications, risks and opportunities of Brexit for key sectors such as tourism, fishing, employment, energy, farming, innovation and higher education have been probed over the past few months. 

The Summit also included a series of workshops looking at proposals to mitigate the risks and grasp the opportunities relating to the specific themes of ‘People – Community Cohesion’; ‘People – Skills and Migration’; ‘Place’ and ‘Prosperity’.