Cornwall Council faces leadership upheaval and senior resignations

Cornwall Council is experiencing significant leadership instability following a series of high-profile resignations. Chief Executive Kate Kennally resigned in October after a month-long leave of absence. Her departure followed the resignation of Rachael Rothero, the service director for people commissioning, and Annabel Scholes, the chief financial officer, who had held the position for six months. This marks the third departure of a chief financial officer for the council since 2024.

During an extraordinary full council meeting in Truro, interim appointments were confirmed, with Andy Keeling stepping in as interim CEO and Lisa Kitto as interim chief financial officer. The meeting also saw tension regarding the status of the chief executive of Corserv, a group of companies overseeing highways, transport, aviation, and care services. Councillor Andrew Mitchell raised questions about the absence of the Corserv chief executive, to which Council Leader Leigh Frost responded that such appointments are handled independently by the Corserv board.