Cornwall to get directly elected Mayor
The Chancellor made the announcement during his Autumn Statement
Last updated 18th Nov 2022
The Chancellor has announced a deal to bring a directly elected Mayor to Cornwall.
Jeremy Hunt broke the news during his Autumn Statement today (Thursday 17 November). Suffolk, Norfolk and an area in the North East will also get Mayors.
Mr Hunt said: "To unlock growth right across the country, we need to make it easier for local leaders to make things happen without banging on a Whitehall door."
"We need more inspirational leadership, so today I can announce a new devolution deal that will bring an elective mayor to Suffolk and deals to bring mayors to Cornwall, Norfolk and an area in the North East to follow shortly."
Kim Conchie - CEO of Cornwall Chamber of Commerce - tells us that he's "positive" about the news: "We've been after Tier 3 devolution deal for some time in Cornwall and we have been told before today that in order to get that, we're probably going to need a directly elected Mayor.
"I think if we've got a directly elected person, it might not necessarily be just a political party apparatchik, it could be somebody who really holds a passion and some ability to get things moving for Cornwall.
"The perception is in the UK now that, whereas politicians and particularly civil servants slow things down, a Mayor can speed things up.
"So, I think some of the things that we're trying to achieve in Cornwall: like a growth of the renewable energy industry here; in terms of digital connectivity across the whole county; in terms of addressing the problems we've got with the health service - which only has one General Hospital for the population - a Mayor could breakthrough those things.
"I have a slow, gentle nod that this is a good thing at the moment, but a Mayor for Cornwall sounds like a good move."
What is devolution?
Devolution happens when;
- powers
- funding
- and decisions
which would usually be held, and determined by central government, are transferred to local authorities, such as Cornwall Council.
Cornwall was the first rural area of the country to negotiate one of the first devolution deals with Government in 2015.
Three levels of devolution are available.
These depend on a specific type of governance model. The powers and investment available range from the highest Level 3, to the lowest Level 1.
- Level 3 – A single institution or Unitary/County Council with a directly elected leader across a whole county area
- Level 2 – A single institution or Unitary/County Council without a directly elected leader, across a whole county area
- Level 1 – Local authorities working together across a whole county area e.g., through a joint committee
Cornwall Council already holds the majority of powers and investment available at Level 2.
They had previously asked the Government for a Level 3 deal for Cornwall without a directly elected leader.
In response, the Government made it clear that the principles of the devolution framework set out in the White Paper stand.
What difference could a Level 3 devolution deal make?
The aims of a new Cornwall Devolution Deal are:
- Transforming the economy, by creating new jobs, improving skills and attracting inward investment
- Raising living standards and reducing inequalities and poverty
- Providing better local services and quality affordable housing
- Preserving and protecting the natural environment and supporting the move to net zero