Cornwall Councils Encouraged to Endorse Exclusive Devolution

Town and parish councils are being asked to support devolution for Cornwall, but strictly on its own conditions. Mayors and clerks from some of Cornwall’s larger towns released a statement after convening to discuss Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner’s call for a “devolution revolution” across the UK. They agreed that any potential deal should not compel Cornwall to adopt London-style mayors or to share powers with Devon or the South West, and they are now seeking formal endorsement from all town and parish councils. The group asserted that Cornwall possesses “a huge affinity with the history, culture and identity of the place we call home” in addition to protected national minority status, indicating that sharing powers with other areas “would risk undermining local democracy.” The statement declared: “The economic landscape of Cornwall is unique to us – and not shared with our neighbours in Plymouth, Devon or the ‘Greater South West’. “While we do face some serious challenges, we also have many opportunities, such as our mineral wealth and potential for green energy – as well as our resilient and resourceful people.”The people of Cornwall are keen to embrace devolution, and to take on extra powers to help us shape our land for future generations.”Devolution to Cornwall alone, or – subject to the consent of our neighbours on Scilly – to a Cornwall/Isles of Scilly combined authority, would enjoy massive local support.” This appeal for Cornwall-only devolved powers mirrors initiatives by Cornwall Council to operate independently rather than in conjunction with Plymouth City Council or any other combined authority. Political leaders at Cornwall Council and Members of Parliament have written to Rayner, emphasizing that any devolution settlement must be exclusively for Cornwall and cannot be conditional on transitioning to a mayoral model, an approach previously rejected by Cornwall Council following negative public feedback. Their letter stated that despite not being “formally invited” to apply for devolution, unlike Plymouth, Cornwall was “ready, willing and able” to participate in “the Government’s ‘new wave of devolution’ in its own right.” Cornwall Council currently holds a Level 2 devolution deal with the government, which grants the local authority specific additional powers. These include control over its adult education budget, the establishment of a Cornwall Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) Commission, and an additional £500,000 to support Cornish distinctiveness and the Cornish language.