The mystery surrounding the whereabouts of Cornwall Council's chief executive is likely to continue for some time.
Kate Kennally, the council's most senior officer who earns more than the Prime Minister, suddenly went on leave of absence earlier this month. The council said interim leadership would be put in place, and Andy Keeling started as interim deputy chief executive on Monday, September 14.
At the first full council meeting since Ms Kennally disappeared from Lys Kernow (County Hall) in Truro, two public questions were raised about her.
The first question concerned Louis Gardner, the previous Conservative administration's member for the economy. Mr Gardner resigned as a councillor when he took a job at council-run Spaceport Cornwall as head of future air and space.
Last year we reported that he failed to declare an interest when approving a £200,000 council grant to Spaceport Cornwall, despite having accepted the top space tech job. The grant was later rescinded and Mr Gardner stepped down from his role.
In July, we reported that Mr Gardner had signed a confidential settlement agreement with council-owned Corserv/Cornwall Airport Ltd when he left. This led to calls for a council investigation.
During public questions at the meeting, former Cornwall councillor Steve Arthur of Perranporth asked: “On May 1, 2025 the chief executive learned that Louis Gardener had negotiated an exit settlement to leave his role as head of future air and space at Corserv. On what date did the leader of the council first learn of this negotiated settlement?”
Council leader Cllr Leigh Frost replied: “I didn’t receive a formal update on the matter, so I don’t have an exact date. I would have learned of that settlement at the same time as all the other members, which I believe was in the press.” Some members responded with a low rumbling of “ooh.”
Mr Rickard of St Dennis then asked: “Can someone please tell me the reason for Kate Kennally’s absence?”
Cllr Frost, who sat alongside new deputy CEO Mr Keeling, said: “Obviously I understand the public interest in this matter. However, I cannot provide any further details. Personnel matters are treated with the same degree of confidentiality for all members of staff regardless of their seniority.”
It appears the mystery of what happened to the CEO will continue for some time.
Cornwall Council CEO Absence Mystery to Persist