Motion approved calling for Cornwall to have 'greater autonomy and devolution'

Councillors have voted in favour of a motion to call on the government for 'greater autonomy and devolution for Cornwall'.

It comes as businesses are calling for more 'urgency', 'clarity' and an 'independent' devolution deal, rather than joining a 'Devonwall' combined authority.

Liberal Democrat MP Andrew George for West Cornwall, said:

"People across all parties worked together for a bit of Cornwall. We stand together, we have cross party support."

MP Andrew George added that it will make a message in Westminster: "Our voice will be clearly heard there and that will drive us forward together.

"Cornwall isn't like other parts of the country"

"All six Cornwall MPs are asking this council to hold its nerve. In the meeting we had with the Deputy Prime Minister just before Christmas, we explained to her the reasons why Cornwall isn't like other parts of the country and needs to be treated in a different way.

"We understand that this will be a tough campaign and that's what we intend to do."

Linda Taylor, leader at Cornwall Council, said in the meeting:

"I want to say I put every confidence in our six MPs, that they will hold our government to account, and we'll hear in the next six to ten months, because I don't think we can afford to wait any longer. We can't afford to dilly dally with time, it's really important.

In an interview with us, Cllr Taylor, who abstained from voting, added:

"I think it would be totally unreasonable as us as a local authority to be here in six months time wondering where our funding is going to come from. We were very lucky in having £47 million on shared prosperity funding for year four but when that runs out what have we got?"

Louis Gardner, MP for Newquay Central and Pentire and portfolio holder for the economy, said:

"At some point we'll be back in in the chamber, and we'll have to decide if no deal is better. Whether nothing is better than something. At some point we're going to have to decide if that deal exists.

"I'm apprehensive about what's coming for Cornwall"

The motion passed with 56 votes for, 4 against and 11 abstaining from voting.

Councillors voted on:

• Confirming full support of the content of the letter seeking greater autonomy and devolution for Cornwall, sent to the Deputy Prime Minister in September, which was signed by representatives of all political groups on the unitary authority and all six of Cornwall's MPs.

• Welcomes the efforts of Cornwall's six MPs in continuing to make the case for devolution to Cornwall as a stand-alone political unit.

• Notes that the UK Government has published its 'English Devolution White Paper' which does not include prospects for Cornwall.

• Confirms that elected Members will not countenance any cross-border combined authority deals

• Further calls for a meaningful devolution settlement for Cornwall, which properly reflects Cornwall's national identity and the national minority status of the Cornish.

• Writes again to the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and other relevant ministers seeking a meeting with a cross-party delegation from Cornwall Council.

• Yet to see timetable, strong message to Westminster about what we want for Cornwall.

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