"An elected Council Mayor is about giving Cornwall a stronger voice"
Cornwall Council's Leader has released an open letter, regarding Devolution to the Duchy
Cornwall Council's Leader has written an open letter to residents, welcoming the Government's announcement of a directly elected Mayor for the county.
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced devolution deals for Cornwall, Suffolk, Norfolk and an area in the North East in his Autumn Statement yesterday (Thursday 17 November), which would bring mayors to the area.
Councillor Linda Taylor says the authority has been working hard to negotiate a second devolution deal for the Duchy:
"This isn’t the first time Cornwall has been at the forefront of devolution. We were the first rural authority to agree a deal with Government in 2015. That deal allowed us to deliver better public transport. It allowed us to retain and reinvest business rates in Cornwall. It allowed us to press ahead with deep geothermal exploration, which could prove so vital for our energy security in the future. The 2015 devolution deal has delivered real benefits to our residents, our communities and our economy.
"Cornwall made a success of the first deal and we know that we are well placed to go even further with a new deal, laying a future path to deeper and broader devolution.
"We know that the key to securing the most ambitious, bespoke deal possible from Government requires a change in how the political leadership of the Council is determined; from a Council Leader appointed by the 87 members of the Council, to a Council Mayor directly elected by the people of Cornwall.
"The Government has made it clear that the proposed deal is conditional on making this governance change. The deal falls if we don’t have an elected Mayor of Cornwall Council directly accountable to the people of Cornwall."
Ms Taylor adds that a Mayor will give Cornwall "a stronger and more influential voice" to Government, to "understand the unique challenges that Cornwall faces":
"It’s about levelling up with similar powers, freedoms and investment secured by metropolitan areas like Greater Manchester and West Midlands. It is about making sure Cornwall is not the poor relation and left behind. It is about a stronger and more sustainable Cornwall for current and future generations – a devolution deal to deliver the 2050 Cornwall Plan shaped by thousands of residents in 2020.
"In the next few weeks, as the Chancellor outlined, we hope that details of the proposed deal we are seeking to secure for Cornwall will be announced by Government. You will soon be able to see the shape of the deal and the wealth of benefits on offer to your communities."
Ms Taylor is asking people to keep "an open mind", adding that a devolution package could make a "huge difference" to lives and livelihoods here:
"It is evident that devolution deals aren’t idle words, with research suggesting that devolution to Greater Manchester has had a positive impact on health and increased life expectancy across the region.
"Securing a devolution deal for Cornwall now would go a significant way towards benefitting one and all, not only during this hugely challenging time but delivering on our mission of working with communities for a carbon neutral Cornwall, where everyone can start well, live well and age well.
"Once the proposed deal has been agreed in principle with Government, Cornwall Council will be conducting a robust consultation on the deal and the required change of governance. We will be working alongside the Consultation Institute to ensure that best practice is followed.
"The results of the consultation will be considered before any final decisions are made to proceed with and to finalise the Deal, including making the required change to the Council’s governance to that of a directly elected Mayor. The results will also be shared with Government.
"I want to thank you all for your patience so far and that once the proposed devolution deal is published, you’re able to consider the direct and indirect benefits of the deal alongside the required governance change."
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
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