COUNCILLORS from all parties have reacted with shock to the news that Cornwall Council chief executive has taken “leave of absence”. All those who spoke to our reporter had received official confirmation by telephone last night (Thursday) or this morning, and were in the dark as to the circumstances for Kate Kennally’s departure.

Cllr Martyn Alvey (Conservative, Feock and Kea) confirmed a meeting had been called by the cross-party chief executive employment committee, chaired by Cornwall Council leader Leigh Frost, for Wednesday morning to discuss the appointment of an interim chief executive.

The committee sets the objectives of the chief executive and carries out appraisals, as well as appointing other senior council officers including the chief fire officer. The meeting will be opened in public but will retire immediately into a closed session and will not be live-streamed.

“I found out last night during a phone call with the deputy leader to check my availability for that meeting, as a member of that committee,” said Cllr Alvey. “I know no more than what has been put out in the brief statement from Cornwall Council, which is the same as what has gone out to the membership: that Kate Kennally is on leave of absence.”

Cllr Alvey dismissed speculation regarding the reasons for that leave of absence as “kite-flying,” adding: “There are many kites being flown, but I haven’t heard anything through any official sources.”

Cllr Paul Ashton, Reform group chairman and a councillor for St Austell Poltair and Mount Charles, said he learned of Kate Kennally’s departure last night (Thursday) by phone call. “Even though I am opposition leader, I have not been made aware of the details or circumstances around the situation. All I know is that she’s on extended leave. As a member of the chief executive employment committee, I will be attending the meeting on Wednesday, but I can’t say any more than that, which is disappointing.”

Kate Ewert (Labour, Rame Peninsula and St Germans) said: “As a group, we hope Kate Kennally is well and that nothing serious has caused her to take leave of absence. We agree with the leader: the council needs someone to be running the show, which is what she normally does, and if she’s not there, who is running it? Hopefully, we will know more after Wednesday’s meeting.”

Cllr Steven Webb (LibDem, Truro Moresk and Trehaverne), said whatever the reasons for the leave of absence, “this is a private matter between Kate Kennally and her employer, that is to say Cornwall Council. I do not know any more than that.”

A Cornwall Council spokesperson said: “The chief executive is currently on a leave of absence. This is an important period for the council, with the upcoming budget and other key priorities to deliver, and so interim leadership arrangements are being put in place. These arrangements will be discussed at a meeting of the Chief Officers’ Employment Committee next week.”

Ms Kennally has been the CEO at Cornwall Council since January 11, 2016. She is the highest earner at Cornwall Council, receiving a base salary of £201,661, rising to £239,479 including pension and expenses, according to data from the TaxPayers’ Alliance Town Hall Rich List 2026.