A devolution deal transferring new powers and £360m to Cornwall has been signed by council leader Linda Taylor and levelling up minister Dehenna Davison.
The deal gives Cornwall Council a directly elected mayor and greater control over transport and education budgets and building, plus greater influence with the government to tackle challenges on second homes.
Part of the deal includes government funding worth £360m over the next 30 years to enable Cornwall to plan for the long-term and boost levelling up.
Davison said: “Cornwall is a beautiful area of the UK with a rich heritage, a renowned coastline and a fantastic array of businesses. But for too long it has not received the levers it needs to level up and address the unique challenges it faces.
“I am proud to sign the devolution agreement today and empower local leaders here who know best the issues that most affect the region.”
The deal focuses largely on housing. It provides Cornwall Council with £8.7m to deliver more homes on brownfield land and up to £10m to support the delivery of locally determined housing and heritage priorities in the region.
Taylor said the agreement was a “big deal” for Cornwall, and provides certainty “This gives us the opportunity to secure more decision-making powers as well as bringing in millions of pounds of extra investment, which will allow us to shape the future of Cornwall for the benefit of residents for many years to come,” she said.
The deal could introduce the first directly elected individual of a county authority. This is a unique form of governance, bringing together both devolved powers and existing service delivery.
New powers and elected mayor
The devolution deal also gives Cornwall control over the adult education budget, so it can shape provision in a way that best suits the needs of residents and the local economy. This power will also give the authority immediate support to build new affordable homes on brownfield sites.
Mark Duddridge, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership’s chair, said: “The devolution of the adult education budget from central government to Cornwall Council is welcomed as it will enable more tailored support to be provided to thousands of Cornwall’s residents every year to develop the skills they need for life and work.”
The devolution deal for Cornwall was first announced by Jeremy Hunt in his Autumn Statement on 17 November. It now sees almost 50% of England covered by a devolution deal, according to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
Cornwall joins York and North Yorkshire and the East Midlands in signing devolution deals this year, with further talks continuing with Suffolk, Norfolk and councils in the North East.
Martin Hill, the County Councils Network’s devolution spokesperson, said: “The deal, like Suffolk, could introduce the first directly elected individual of a county authority. This is a unique form of governance, bringing together both devolved powers and existing service delivery.
“It has been a positive few weeks with this deal following on from an agreement in Suffolk, bringing the total number of county devolution deals agreed this year to five.”
The devolution deal is subject to local consultation and a council resolution. The transfer of powers will also require local consent and parliamentary approval.
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