Latest news with #SpaceportCornwall
BBC News
20-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Spaceport Cornwall to help develop hypersonic defences
Spaceport Cornwall has been selected by the government to help develop hypersonic defence technology for the site based at Cornwall Newquay Airport is one of 90 organisations chosen to be part of the Ministry of Defence's £1bn Hypersonic Technologies and Capability Development seven-year programme aims to research and develop hypersonic technology - such as guidance systems, warheads and liquid propellants - as part of the government's Strategic Defence bosses said the site's horizontal launch capabilities and location opposite RAF St Mawgan were beneficial for the scheme. Ross Hulbert, head of engagement at Spaceport Cornwall, said the site was ready to support the testing, development and deployment of the UK's future defences."This is a defining moment for Spaceport Cornwall and demonstrates our commitment to supporting Britain's defence capabilities," he said."Our unique position as the UK's first licensed spaceport, combined with our world-class facilities and proximity to both civilian and military aviation infrastructure, makes us ideally suited to contribute to this vital national capability," he said.
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
No police action against ex-Cornwall Councillor Louis Gardner
Police have confirmed no further action will be taken against a former Cornwall Council member who breached the authority's code of Gardner, former cabinet member for the economy, did not declare an interest when approving a £200,000 grant from the council to Spaceport Cornwall despite accepting a new job at the Spaceport days before.A complaint against Mr Gardner's actions was made to police, but the Devon and Cornwall force has confirmed officers had now concluded an investigation. Mr Gardner, who stood down from the council and resigned from the Spaceport post, has been approached for a comment, but previously apologised for breaching the code. Administration replaced Spaceport Cornwall is based at Newquay Airport and is owned by one of the council's arms-length and Cornwall Police said in early April they were investigating following a report of misconduct in public office by an individual in the Newquay Gardner, from Newquay, stepped down as the council's head of the economy on taking the Spaceport job and retired as a councillor on 1 Council withdrew the £200,000 funding in April and Mr Gardner resigned from Spaceport Cornwall in of the matter were heard at the final meeting of Cornwall Council before the election on 1 then ruling Conservative group was voted out at the election and there is now a Liberal Democrat/Independent administration new administration has started a review of the relationship between the authority and its arms-length companies in light of what council said it would not be commenting on the police decision as it was a police matter.
BBC News
04-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Former Cornwall councillor Louis Gardner breached conduct code
A former Cornwall councillor has apologised for breaching the authority's code of conduct by supporting £200,000 for Spaceport Cornwall after he was offered a top job at the Gardner, former Conservative portfolio holder for the economy, accepted the role of head of future air and space at the firm's headquarters at Newquay Airport while still a member of cabinet, an assessment report said. He did not declare an interest during a meeting in which £200,000 of government funding was approved for Spaceport, it said. In the report, Mr Gardner said: "I had no idea that supporting an existing and longstanding Cornwall Council project, which I had already supported previously on multiple occasions would bring anybody into disrepute. However, I am very sorry for the harm which this has caused." 'Contrary to the code' Devon and Cornwall Police said in early April they were investigating following a report of misconduct in public office by an individual in the Newquay area. A spokesperson said enquiries were of the matter were heard at the final meeting of Cornwall Council before the election on 1 ruling Conservative group was voted out at the election and there was now a Liberal Democrat / Independent administration leading the Gardner, from Newquay, stepped down as the council's head of the economy on taking the Spaceport job and retired as a councillor on 1 Council withdrew the £200,000 funding in April and Mr Gardner resigned from Spaceport Cornwall in assessment of Mr Gardner's behaviour was conducted by Cornwall Council assurance officer Simon Mansell following complaints from Matthew Stokes, the council's head of legal and democratic services, and Independent councillor Julian Mansell concluded Mr Gardner failed to properly register his disclosable pecuniary interest, with part of the complaint also forwarded to the police to consider if an offence had been Mansell said: "Even if he believed at the time of the meeting that Spaceport would not benefit, it does not alter the fact that he voted for and seconded the grant knowing that he would be working for that company and there might be at least an indirect benefit to himself. "It may be therefore that Councillor Gardner had used his position improperly to the advantage of himself or anyone else contrary to the code of conduct." 'Personal decision' In his complaint, Mr Stokes said Councillor Gardner had failed to declare an interest at a meeting of the Isles of Scilly Economic Prosperity Board (EPB) two days after he was offered the job with Cornwall Airport Ltd and one day after accepting said the decision around funding "might reasonably be regarded" as affecting the financial position of Spaceport and Mr Gardner's own five paragraphs of the Cornwall Council code of conduct for councillors, he said a "reasonable person with knowledge of all the relevant facts" would consider his interest so significant it was likely to "prejudice his judgement of the public interest".Mr Gardner said he had made the "personal decision" he did not have an interest based on a number of included the fact he was not yet an employee at Cornwall Airport and it was not certain the process would "run to completion".He said the project was "existing and longstanding" with the council and "fully endorsed by Cabinet"."In hindsight, I would have sought legal advice from Cornwall Council legal team before the meeting."He said he was "wary" of informing anybody about his appointment, following an agreement with the airport's managing director and felt he "could not trust" officers or councillors not to "leak news" to the media or said the £200,000 would not have affected him or his "ability to succeed in his role".Mr Gardner added: "I did not have interests in my mind about bringing my office into disrepute."As well as part of the complaint decision being forwarded to the police, the decision notice has been sent to the complainants, Mr Gardner and a copy placed on Cornwall Council's website.
