The Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly Economic Prosperity Board met on 16 October 2025, and approved recommendations regarding the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Shared Prosperity Fund Good Growth Programme, including funding decisions on projects and commissioning arrangements. The board also noted the programme performance report and requested additional data for the next quarterly report.

Shared Prosperity Fund Good Growth Programme Funding Decisions

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Economic Prosperity Board approved funding decisions on projects detailed in Part 2 of the report, which was exempt from public viewing.

Good Growth SPF Programme Performance and Commissioning Report

The board approved recommendations outlined in the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth SPF Programme Performance and Commissioning Report. The recommendations included:

• Noting the programme performance report and requesting additional data or information for the next quarterly performance report.
• Approving the Initiation Form (BUS009) for economic activities, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

The report provided key updates on the delivery of Year 4 (1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026) of the Good Growth Shared Prosperity Fund programme. It also sought approval for the continuation of economic activities and the allocation of funding as outlined in the Year 4 Good Growth Economic Activity Programme Initiation Form.

The Good Growth Shared Prosperity Fund programme has a total value of £187 million for Years 1-4, allocated to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly by the government. The funding supports projects across the themes of Community & Place, Supporting Local Business, and People & Skills.

The report noted that the UK Government's Budget announcement on 30 October 2024 confirmed an additional year of Shared Prosperity Funding (Year 4), with CIoS receiving a reduced proportionate level of £49 million compared to previous years.

The report also included performance data, such as the geographical coverage of funding, and the number of participants engaged in training via the People Hub.

The Good Growth Economic Programme Activities (BUS009) section of the report sought a decision to commission the Good Growth Team to deliver ongoing economic activity aligned to the objectives of the Cornwall Good Growth Plan. This was in light of the changing funding landscape within CIoS, where access to funding from the government currently appears less likely. The work would scope economic activities needed going forwards from closing down the SPF programme through to considering options to maintain and build economic activity beyond SPF.

The report detailed the Good Growth Principles and Action Plans, which are embedded into the commissioning approach. These principles include:

• Clean and Green
• Business/Economy
• Equality/Inclusive Growth

The report also highlighted news and promotional activity, including the Good Growth website, which lists funded projects.

Exclusion of Press and Public

Prior to the discussion of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Shared Prosperity Fund Good Growth Programme Funding Decisions (Part 2), Councillor Leigh Frost, Leader of the Council & Group Leader - Liberal Democrat Group, seconded by Councillor John Peacock, moved that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the item was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of particular individuals or organisations.