It looks like the mystery of where Cornwall Council's chief executive has gone will continue for a while longer.
Kate Kennally, the local authority's most senior officer who earns more than the Prime Minister, went on a sudden "leave of absence" earlier this month, with the council explaining that interim leadership would have to be put in place. A new interim deputy chief executive, Andy Keeling, started in the post yesterday (Monday, September 14).
Two questions relating to Ms Kennally have been raised by members of the public at the first full meeting of Cornwall Council since her disappearance from Lys Kernow (County Hall) in Truro.
The first related to the controversial subject of the previous Conservative administration's member for the economy, Louis Gardner. Mr Gardner resigned as a councillor when he was employed by the council-run Spaceport Cornwall as its head of future air and space.
We revealed last year that he did not declare an interest when approving a £200,000 grant from the council to Spaceport Cornwall even though he had accepted the top space tech job. The grant was rescinded and Mr Gardner stood down from his new role.
To see all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol license applications and more in your area, visit the Public Notice Portal HERE
However, we reported in July that Mr Gardner had signed a "confidential settlement agreement" with council-owned Corserv/Cornwall Airport Ltd on leaving his post. There have been calls for a council investigation into the matter as a result.
During public questions at today's full council meeting, former Cornwall councillor Steve Arthur, of Perranporth, asked: "On 1st May 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
Cornwall Council Asked Where Chief Executive Kate Kennally Has Gone