The past month has been a combination of working with colleagues and other local organisations to ensure that members are supported on all manner of things that they might need assistance with; reflecting back on the summer shows and events to consider what we want to retain and improve for next year; and working with our County Officeholder team to draft the County Plan for 26/27, which scopes out our activity plan for the year ahead.
Bluetongue was a prominent feature in the last monthly update, and that continues in this one. I attended the first South Regional Bluetongue meeting at Holsworthy Market; we have since held two additional meetings in Cornwall, supported by Kenwyn Vets and Penbode Vets, along with other vet practices that joined us on the day, with support from AHDB and FCN too. Click Here for more Bluetongue Guidance – NFUonline
I've been meeting with both individual members and Natural England to discuss Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier options, and how the local Natural England team can support members either looking into Higher Tier across the whole farm in a designated area, or those looking at single focus options on farm, to ensure that they receive the advice and support they need to access these schemes. Click Here for further details about Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier – NFUonline
Climate Adaptation in Cornwall has been another topic for the month; attending one of Cornwall Council's Climate Adaptation Strategy Workshops along with a mix of other organisations, discussing everything from on farm resilience to rural community infrastructure, along with changing weather patterns and an increase in extreme events such as drought, flooding, and storms, all of which we have experienced across the county in recent months. I also dialled into our NFU South Region webinar on Wildfires, hosted for members and delivered by the Met Office. A reminder of some of the future challenges we might face as we continue to experience 'hotter drier summers' and 'warmer wetter winters', with some of the examples resonating with the local experience and increased frequency of wildfires in recent years.
The main highlight of this month was our Back British Farming Day event in Cornwall. A mix of members of the public and professionals joined us for the day, including legal firms, land agents, accountants, the WI and more. We had a range of discussions covering topics such as farm profitability, business resilience, tenancy challenges, mental health and wellbeing, the impacts of weather on farm businesses, and Bluetongue and other diseases. A huge thank you to Laura and Sam Awdry for being fantastic hosts, a brilliant farm walk, and for sharing such an open insight into their farm business. It was great to hear about how much working with the local farming community means to them, and how important that is to how they run their business and work with others.
Surveys and questionnaires
NFU Tenant Farming Survey - Share Your Views!
The NFU has launched a new survey for tenant farmers on the causes and consequences of recent cash flow pressures.
Defra’s Farm Tenancy Forum is looking into the state of the tenant farming sector and, in particular, how cash flow pressures are influencing tenant farming decisions compared with a typical year.
The NFU is keen to feed into Defra on what is causing these pressures and what impacts they are having on tenant farmers.
You can stay up-to-date with the progress of this survey and the NFU’s correspondence with Defra via the link.
The survey will remain open for 3 weeks and aims to highlight the main challenges facing the sector after a difficult year and provide real-life examples to influence policy.
NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt said: “We know it’s been an incredibly challenging year for many farmers, with a combination of flooding, drought, disease pressures and ongoing uncertainty around government schemes creating significant strain on farming businesses.
“I would encourage all tenant members to share your views and experiences. This will not only inform our work but will also help shape Defra policy as we continue to represent your interests at the highest levels of government.”
Start date
05 November 2026 at 9:00am
End date
24 November 2026 at 11:59pm
Surveys and questionnaires
Mount Edgcumbe Country Park: A new conservation management plan
Cornwall Council and Plymouth City Council have jointly commissioned a new study of Mount Edgcumbe Country Park's heritage. You can help shape how the site is protected and celebrated.
Mount Edgcumbe Country Park (MECP) is the former home of the Earls of Mount Edgcumbe and has stunning views across Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. Surrounding the house is one of the earliest landscaped parks in Cornwall and the many chapters of historical changes are still clear to see. The park is Grade I listed and contains more than 50 individually listed statues and buildings, alongside scheduled monuments, the National Camellia Collection and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Further details available via the survey link. The public survey is open until 14 December 2026.
Start date
05 November 2026 at 9:00am
End date
13 December 2026 at 11:59pm
Surveys and questionnaires
Lostwithiel Draft Neighbourhood Priorities Statement - Final Consultation
Lostwithiel Town Council is now at the final consultation stage for their Draft Neighbourhood Priority Statement, before it is submitted to Cornwall Council. It will set out the community priorities for the parish and will help guide future planning and development considerations.
The consultation would like to receive representations from residents, local businesses, community groups and other organisations. All comments received during this consultation period will be reviewed by the Council and will inform the final version of the Neighbourhood Priority Statement.
The Draft Neighbourhood Plan and supporting documents are available to view on the Council’s website and in hard copy at Lostwithiel Library, Lostwithiel Community Centre, Lostwithiel Medical Practice, Lostwithiel Dental Practice & Penhaligons.
Comments may be submitted online, by email or in writing to the Town Council. Please ensure that your response is received by the stated consultation deadline. The consultation period runs from Monday 12 October - Monday 23 November 2026.
On Tuesday 24 November we will start to collate all the feedback and responses and make any necessary changes to our Neighbourhood Priority Statement before the final submission to Cornwall Council.
Start date
19 October 2026 at 2:00pm
End date
23 November 2026 at 9:00am
Surveys and questionnaires
Helston Neighbourhood Priorities Statement – Pre-submission Consultation
Helston Town Council is currently consulting on its Draft Neighbourhood Priorities Statement (NPS) and is inviting responses as part of the formal pre-submission consultation.
The public consultation closes at 12 noon on Monday 23 November 2026. You can submit a response using the online consultation form up to that time.
The Draft NPS sets out the priorities identified for Helston, including matters relating to housing and development, infrastructure and community facilities, the economy, transport, heritage and local character, and the environment.
The consultation documents are available here:
A public consultation event will also take place at the Guildhall on Thursday 29 October 2026, from 11am to 8pm.
Following the consultation, all responses will be reviewed and the Council will consider whether any changes are required to the NPS before the final document and consultation statement are reported to Full Council for approval and subsequently submitted to Cornwall Council.
Start date
19 October 2026 at 2:00pm
End date
23 November 2026 at 12:00pm