Council votes down talks on cross-Tamar authority

Cornwall Councillors voted against the idea of a combined authority at a meeting on Tuesday

Cornwall Councillors have backed a motion ruling out talks to join a new 'super council' with neighbouring Devon.

Councils in Devon have expressed an interest in working with Cornwall to claim extra money and powers over things like transport and housing from Westminster.

The Government said it wanted to increase devolution to the regions to boost economic growth, and urged local councils to come together to form so-called strategic authorities under a directly elected mayor.

However, councillors decided to oppose talks by a majority of 41 - arguing instead for Cornwall to have more devolution by itself.

'We don't want Devonwall'

Councillor Dick Cole, from Mebyon Kernow, proposed the motion: "It was geared specifically to bring people together.

"I wanted all the political groups to come and say 'we want devolution but we want to have it for Cornwall'", he explained.

He hoped it would send a message to the government that Cornwall would continue to pursue devolution in its own right.

"We don't want some sort of 'Devonwall' cross border authority and it is important we stand together," he added.

Independent Councillor Julian German also supported the motion: "We've seen elsewhere in terms of what's on the table from the government. It's really not worth giving up our integrity for."

Mebyon Kernow leader Dick Cole tabled the motion calling for Cornwall not to join a combined authority

Some members were concerned the motion constrained the council's ability to see what a combined authority could potentially mean for Cornwall.

Councillor Kate Ewert, leader of the Labour group argued: "We have to accept the political reality of what we are facing. We are looking to shut down any conversation entirely about a strategic mayoral authority.

"We have to know what is on offer before we can say 'no' to anything."

The Conservative leader of the council, Councillor Linda Taylor, abstained on the motion.

She said: "I absolutely believe you need to allow elected members to talk and engage and our nearest neighbours are Devon and Plymouth are talking about a combined authority.

"To be denied the opportunity to find out what those talks are about is why I couldn't support it."

Members were told the vote would not bind a future administration and the council could still decide to engage in talks about a combined authority after May's local elections.