Boss of council company who quit ‘hasn’t delivered’ says Cabinet

Cornwall Council’s Cabinet members haven’t pulled any punches in response to last week’s resignation by the CEO of the local authority’s taxpayer-funded company, Corserv. Deputy leader Adam Paynter said that Neil Edmond “hasn’t delivered”.

While council leader Leigh Frost said Corserv – which oversees a number of companies, including highways engineering division Cormac, Cornwall Airport Newquay, Corserv Care, Jobline Staffing and Spaceport Cornwall – “hasn’t lived up to expectations”.

Their comments came as opposition leaders raised their concerns about ‘churn’ at the top of the council and its arm’s length bodies [ALBs] recently. Within the past month, Cornwall Council’s chief executive Kate Kennally, its chief finance officer Annabel Scholes and its service director for people commissioning Rachael Rothero have also all resigned.

A spokesperson for Corserv said last week: “Following a review of the company’s long-term strategy, Neil and the board have agreed that this is the right time for a change of leadership. It was a difficult decision for Neil, who has been proud to lead Corserv since January 2025, but one he believes is right for the company as it moves into its next phase.”

Speaking at a briefing ahead of this Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Frost told us: “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 [running] – 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.”

Does that mean some or all of what Corserv oversees could come back in-house to the council?

“Part of the review is what is right for the future. What was right two years ago isn’t necessarily right going forward,” said Cllr Frost. “You’re going to have to expect changes. 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.

“It’s a transition – we will still be delivering those services as they need to be delivered. It’s how we deliver them.”

Cllr Paynter, Independent deputy leader and Cabinet member for resources, added: “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.”

Opposition leaders at the council have spoken out about their concerns following the raft of recent resignations at the top of the council and its affiliated company.

Cllr Paul Ashton, leader of the Reform UK group, told us: “I am extremely concerned to hear of the news that Neil Edmond has decided to leave the role of chief executive officer of Corserv. At this crucial time when financial challenges are at the forefront of everyone’s minds it is very unfortunate to have another senior leader leave at short notice. This places even more pressure on the council to stabilise the senior leadership across the council and its council-owned companies.

“I recognise that Corserv has its own leadership and governance structure. However, Cornwall Council is the main shareholder and must exercise its responsibilities to steady the ship.

“I have not yet received a brief on this situation, but I have written to the leader of the council for an update and to ask what he is planning to do to provide reassurance to the residents of Cornwall that the current administration has full control of the emerging challenges.”

Conservative group leader Cllr Connor Donnithorne said he is ‘massively’ concerned. “The churn at the top is ridiculous. Senior leaders at the council and their ALBs [arm’s length bodies] are being paid large salaries, paid for by Cornish taxpayers and this constant change causes instability and a lack of long-term preparedness and strategy.

“The leader was asked about this by a councillor at the extraordinary meeting who was dismissed as facilitating ‘gossip’. Elected members want to be reassured that Cabinet, and the council leadership, has got a grip on this.”

The meeting was held last week to broach the resignations and begin the process of employing a new council CEO and other senior roles.
Cllr Kate Ewert, leader of the Labour group, added: “It’s clearly a cause for concern when you see several senior figures leaving connected organisations in a relatively short period of time. While it’s important not to speculate about individual decisions, residents are entitled to ask questions and expect openness about what this means for Cornwall Council and its companies.

“Corserv and its subsidiaries deliver important services for Cornwall, so the priority now must be stability, strong governance and maintaining public confidence. The focus should be on ensuring there is proper oversight, transparency and continuity of leadership so that services and projects are not affected.

“What matters most is that lessons are learned where necessary, scrutiny is allowed to do its job and the council is honest with residents about any risks and how they are being managed. The people of Cornwall deserves organisations that are well run, accountable and focused on delivering value for local people.”