Fight for fair devolution deal for Cornwall is on
The fight has begun for Cornwall to secure additional powers which reflect the Duchy’s unique culture, history and identity
The fight has begun for Cornwall to secure additional powers which reflect the Duchy’s unique culture, history and identity now that the Government’s English Devolution Bill has been published. At least one of our Labour MPs is not happy with the bill, saying it “discriminates against the people of Cornwall”, which could see him vote against his own Government.
The Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill – to give the proposal its full title – was published last week. It reaffirms the position that, by virtue of agreeing a Level 2 Devolution Deal, Cornwall Council is classed as a Foundation Strategic Authority and is unable to acquire any further devolved powers than those already secured e.g. taking back control of adult education functions from central government.
The council nixed a Level 3 deal with more powers in 2022 when a requirement to change the council’s governance to a Mayor-run authority proved unpopular with residents and many councillors.
A motion, Devolution for Cornwall, will come before a full meeting of Cornwall Council on Tuesday, July 22, which calls for new and returning members of the council, which was elected on May 1, to “reaffirm their position on devolution and Cornwall”.
Proposed by Mebyon Kernow leader Cllr Dick Cole and seconded by Lib Dem councillor Rory Gow, the motion is a move to “give public backing to the leader of Cornwall Council and the new council administration in their ongoing efforts to protect the integrity of Cornwall as a political unit and secure additional powers for Cornwall”.
The council will continue to fight against any threat of a Devonwall-style merger with neighbouring authorities.
Earlier this week members of the council’s corporate finance scrutiny committee were told that there will be an all-member briefing on the devolution bill and how it affects Cornwall. Cllr Cole said: “This is important – we’ve got to be on the front foot.”
Council leader Cllr Leigh Frost agreed there should be an all-member briefing as soon as possible because “it’s a really important subject and it actually determines the future of Cornwall for generations”.
A number of Cornwall’s MPs have spoken about the bill since its publication. Perran Moon, the Labour MP for Camborne, Redruth and Hayle, said: “I have had enough of talk about Cornwall joining a Mayoral Combined Authority with Devon or anywhere else to the east of the Tamar, for that matter. The currently proposed English Devolution Bill discriminates against the people of Cornwall, as a change in our governance structure directly conflicts with our National Minority Status.
“A Cornwall-only devolution deal is the right deal for Cornwall and I will be significantly increasing the profile of this issue in national media over the summer until we get the devolution deal that respects our unique status. If changes aren’t made to the English Devolution Bill or we cannot agree a Cornwall-only deal before we are asked to vote on the Bill, I WILL vote against it.”
Ben Maguire, the Lib Dem MP for North Cornwall, commented: “The Government have brought their English Devolution Bill to the House, which means that the fight for a fair deal for Cornwall in Parliament has officially begun. I really hope that all six of Cornwall’s MPs can come together moving forwards, cross-party, to get proper funding for our Duchy and a devolution agreement that reflects our unique culture, history and identity – not one that lumps us in with Devon.”
The first Cornwall Devolution Deal agreed in 2015 represented a significant step forward but did not provide all the powers and funding needed to transform Cornwall’s prospects socially, economically and environmentally. To that end, Cornwall Council has continued to work with the Government of the day to secure even greater powers and funding, starting in 2017 when the council became the first (and only) local authority to retain 100% Business Rates, which remains one of few examples of fiscal devolution from central government.
Since it was agreed in November 2023, the council has focused on implementing every aspect of the Level 2 deal and is the first local authority to receive devolved powers and funding to deliver the adult skills functions in its area. It also resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government and the council to strengthen Cornwall’s involvement in the British-Irish Council – a body which brings together eight member administrations that comprise the British Isles.
In September 2024 the six Cornwall MPs and then council group leaders wrote to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner requesting a meeting to discuss acquiring an ambitious devolution deal based on two red-lines: a Cornwall-only footprint and non-mayoral.
Three months later the MPs met Rayner to discuss devolution to Cornwall on those two principles. The Cornish MPs stated: “It was a clear and open exchange of views. She was aware of the Cornish situation, engaged and listened intently. She laid out the Government’s position exactly as per the English Devolution Bill White Paper. She explained that there were two possible paths broadly open to us. One was to engage early in the process for a combined authority and a mayor. The other was to remain on the foundation level. We could then continue to campaign for a Cornwall-only footprint, however no guarantees were given.”
In January this year, the council approved the first ‘Devolution for Cornwall’ motion and a letter was sent to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and other relevant ministers seeking a meeting with a cross-party delegation from Cornwall Council. To date, no meeting has been offered by the Government to discuss the agreed motion. The new motion is expected to be unanimously approved at next week’s meeting.