Cornwall wants 'broader and deeper' devolution deal

Cornwall Council leaders have requested a conversation with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner

Council leaders have vowed to secure a devolution deal for Cornwall that would help "unleash the county's potential without needing a mayor or becoming a combined authority".

During a meeting last week Cornwall Council said there was a "shared commitment" among leaders to achieve a "much broader and deeper devolution settlement" with the government.

The authority said it would contact Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who is also Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary, to request a conversation about the proposals.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the government was committed to "giving powers back to communities".

Devolution deals transfer powers, funding and decisions normally held by the government over to local authorities like Cornwall Council.

A devolution deal was approved in November 2023 to give Cornwall Council more control over areas such as green energy and adult education.

'Take back control'

The council said it wanted to secure a deal that would provide more autonomy for Cornwall based on local geography and a non-mayoral model.

Leaders at the council agreed an "empowered Cornwall" had much to offer and would be central to a "stronger and more sustainable" UK, the authority added.

The council said: "The group advocated for a 'much broader and deeper devolution settlement' that reflects Cornwall's shared status with the Welsh, Scots and Irish in 'all areas of economic, social, political and cultural life'.

"They agreed that an empowered Cornwall is 'perfectly positioned' to play a key role in driving the burgeoning green economy."

The council added that the county remained "ready, willing and able to take back control in its own right".

The government said Angela Rayner has already outlined steps to "kickstart a devolution revolution across the country"

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the government would publish a revised framework setting out powers and funding on offer to areas with devolution agreements in due course.

It added Labour would work with local stakeholders to explore what had been agreed in devolution deals with the previous Conservative government.

"This government is committed to giving powers back to communities and the Deputy Prime Minister has already outlined steps to kickstart a devolution revolution across the country," a spokesperson said.