Cornwall could bid to host UK-France forum for Celtic nations

It comes after Cornwall took part in the inaugural meeting of Celtic nations in Brittany last week.

The British Embassy in Paris is seeking bids from councils in the UK to host next year’s UK-France local government forum. The forums bring together representatives of towns, cities, villages, counties and regions in the UK and France, to discuss subjects of common interest such as climate change, the cost of living and service delivery, in order to strengthen links and share expertise.

Independent Cornish councillor and former leader of Cornwall Council Julian German suggested at a recent full meeting of the council that it should bid to host the event.

Julian German, former leader of Cornwall Council (Image: Cornwall Council)

The forum is typically a two-day event, with 150 to 200 attendees, focused on key themes, involving a combination of panel discussions, roundtables and keynote speeches. As host, the council will have the opportunity to shape the format and content of the forum.

The event is supported by the UK and French governments and delivered in partnership with the local government associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as French counterparts. The government will provide financial support to the host council.

Cllr German said: “Cornwall has always been an outward looking nation and hosting this will continue that tradition. It will provide an opportunity to show off our outstanding natural beauty, our mining world heritage, fantastic food and drink and much more, encouraging them to spread the word and come back in the future. More than this, it will be an opportunity to forge new relationships, share experiences and learn from one another.

“France is often perceived as a centralised state but their regions have much more power and resource to positively influence the lives than we do. So hopefully we can share some insights and win the argument for greater devolution to Cornwall.”

Council Chamber May 2021 - first council meeting in person since first lockdown in March 2020 (Image: Cornwall Council - free to use)

Last week the seven Celtic nations and regions – Scotland, Ireland, Galicia, Cornwall, Wales, Asturias and Brittany – met at the first ever Celtic Forum in Brittany. Leader of Cornwall Council Linda Taylor joined Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford, Deputy First Minister of Scotland Shona Robinson and the Republic of Ireland’s ambassador to France, Niall Burgess.

Organisers hoped to “lessen the consequences” of Brexit and also discussed student mobility with an aim to create a ‘Celtic Erasmus’. Maritime transport, fishing and offshore wind power along with Celtic languages and culture were also on the agenda.