Devolution deal dropped by Cornwall Council

The Cornish local authority have abandoned plans to pursue a devolution deal with an elected mayor due to public hostility.

Cornwall Council had originally backed government plans to devolve powers and give more money to Cornwall, however having an elected mayor was a key condition that authorities failed to meet. After a public consultation the party will now support a smaller deal with less cash but no mayor.

Council leader, Linda Taylor, issued a statement this week, saying she would not be recommending to her Cabinet a proposal to see a level three deal – which is the highest level of devolution that would include a mayor. Instead, she said she would be recommending a Level two deal, which would result in more powers for the local authority, but not as much money invested.  

The announcement comes a week after results of a public consultation on the issue was published – 6,105 responded and 69% of people who answered were opposed to the deal and a Mayor for Cornwall. The consultation found older residents were mainly against the idea and younger people in favour of it.

Under the original plans, Cornwall Council were looking to secure a deal that provided £390m of additional funding. However, Cllr Taylor will now instead be asking her Cabinet to pursue a Level two deal and secure as many responsibilities as possible from the government.

In her statement, Cllr Taylor said: ‘As a Cabinet we have always believed that devolution of powers and investment from government is vital for the future prosperity of Cornwall.

‘This is why we are so proud to have been asked last year to negotiate a further devolution deal with the government.

‘During the ten-week consultation we have heard from thousands of residents, businesses and stakeholders from across Cornwall and have listened carefully to their views.

‘It is clear that support has especially come from our young people, businesses and strategic partners who have all seen the benefit for the future of Cornwall.

‘However, whilst there is considerable support for the proposed Cornwall Devolution Deal, there is also significant concern about the requirement to move to a directly elected mayor.

‘In order to deliver on our commitment to the people of Cornwall that we will always listen and, where needed, take difficult decisions, it is with the greatest regret that I am unable to recommend to my cabinet accepting a deal that includes the requirement for a directly elected mayor during the remainder of this administration. 

‘I will instead be recommending that the council pursue a Level 2 deal that seeks to retain as many of the elements of the Level 3 deal as possible, including those that were overwhelmingly supported through the consultation, such as a £10m per year devolved adult education budget so that training and skills provision meets the needs of the local economy.

‘This cannot be the end for devolution in Cornwall, indeed as a cabinet, we remain committed to our goal of having more decisions about Cornwall being made locally.

‘While a Level two deal does not include the £360m investment fund, or the £8.7m promised for brownfield housing development, there are a number of areas where we can work with government to secure the best possible outcome for Cornwall and our residents, while recognising that devolution is a continuous process and not the result of a single negotiated event.’

Image: Darren Welsh