Devon presses ahead with devolution deal

Devon County Council voted for devolution plans to go ahead

Devon is pressing ahead with plans for devolution.

The Conservative-led county council voted in favour to continue seeking a £16m deal for more power from central government.

Opposition parties said the deal was a "Devon fudge" that would create another unnecessary layer of bureaucracy.

Plymouth did not want to be part of the proposed Combined County Authority (CCA), but Torbay councillors will vote on the same deal on Tuesday.

John Hart, Conservative, asked for all councillors to support the plans for devolution in his last appearance as leader at a full council meeting.

Mr Hart, wearing a tie featuring the Devon flag, said establishing a CCA for Torbay's unitary authority and Devon showed the ambition of the region.

Mr Hart said the new deal would "open doors" in government to allow for Devon and Torbay to "take on more responsibilities".

Other parties were united in their opposition to the plans.

'Another layer of government'

Alan Connett, Liberal Democrat member for Exminster and Haldon, said the deal was "a right Devon fudge" that would only bring an extra layer of council democracy.

Mr Connett said it was fundamentally unfair that in the CCA Torbay and Devon councils would get three seats each - despite Torbay having a smaller population than Exeter.

Jacqi Hodgson, Green Party member for Totnes and Dartington, said: "It's not devolution - it's just another layer of government."

Carol Whitton, leader of Labour and member for St David's and Haven Banks, said the deal would mean "decision-making has got further away".

If Torbay Council also votes in favour of the deal on Tuesday the councils will submit a devolution bid to the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities.