Cornwall's voice on Brexit needs to be heard locally, nationally and globally, according to 50 community and business leaders who attended a summit on the issue on Thursday.

The Right Reverend Chris Goldsmith, the Bishop of St Germans, who co-chaired the summit, said it was vital that everyone worked together to focus on the common good for people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and that this meant listening to what the public and local communities had to say.

He said: “We need to show that we are listening to the voices and opinions of others and then make sure that their priorities and their concerns are included in our discussions.

“This is about partnership and listening – if we do this properly then we will discover what 'one and all' means for our community”.

Cornwall Council leader John Pollard said: “It is the next steps which are the most important now.

“We need to make sure that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly take full advantage of the opportunities which leaving the EU will provide at the same time as dealing with any risks in a positive way.

“We know that Cornwall is leading the country in preparing for a post-Brexit future and our task now is to ensure that we work together to agree clear actions to deliver what Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly need as we go forward”.

The summit included an update on the work of the Futures Group to develop a proposal to the government for a post-Brexit economic investment programme for the region, and the launch of the group's Catalyst for Change report.

Cornwall Council’s chief executive Kate Kennally said: “We know we are facing a period of ambiguity and uncertainty and that we do not have all the answers at this point. However, if we carry on working together with the same energy and enthusiasm as we have shown over the past seven months, then we will create the catalyst for change and develop the future we all want to see.”

The report includes evidence from discussions with figures from the business, voluntary and public sector on potential risks and opportunities for sectors such as tourism, fishing, employment, energy, farming, innovation and higher education.

A copy of the Catalyst for Change report, together with more information about the Futures Group, is available on the Council’s website cornwall.gov.uk/brexit