Devolution offers major opportunities for Plymouth and South West Peninsula according to the leader of city council.
Tudor Evans, Leader Plymouth City Council said:
“It is right that powers move away from Westminster and decisions sit locally – with those that have the knowledge of their own areas to make change that will really make a difference to people’s lives.”
Plymouth and other South West authorities must be ambitious in their plans to secure the widest range of powers and funding from devolution, Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans told a full council in January.
Councillor Evans told the special meeting to discuss Plymouth’s initial response to the Government’s English Devolution White Paper that it presented Plymouth and its regional neighbours with a huge opportunity to help improve the lives of local residents.
Councillor Evans said:
“This is a major milestone and the long-awaited shake up that local government has needed over the past decade.
“It is right that powers move away from Westminster and decisions sit locally – with those that have the knowledge of their own areas to make change that will really make a difference to people’s lives.
“The devolution of powers and funding to local decision makers will enhance our ability to focus on our priorities such as increasing investment in our roads and public transport, providing better access to education and skills, tackling health inequalities and building new homes.
“We must seize this opportunity to bring more powers and funding to the Peninsula.”
As the Government has set out an expectation that deeper devolution can only be accessed by establishing strategic authorities with a democratically elected mayor that represent a combined population of at least 1.5 million, councillors agreed that the only sensible ambition is to create of a large, strategic authority covering the geography of Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.
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In addition, the Government makes clear that all smaller unitary councils, need to look at how they can sustainably survive and have the scope to grow and thrive.
Councillors therefore also agreed to consider options for expanding the city footprint.
As Plymouth has a population of 268,000, members also agreed that the council should develop options to look at how the council can be sufficient in scale to more efficiently deliver services, without losing its unique character.
Benefits
Councillor Evans added:
“The benefits of a combined authority across the South West Peninsula are obvious. Whilst Plymouth, Devon, Torbay and Cornwall are different places with our own cultures and identities, we also share distinct geographic characteristics, have clearly established economic connections, share existing public service boundaries, and of course already work together closely across a number of major programmes.
“We want to make the peninsula a thriving region whose unique interests are heard and understood by central government.
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“By coming together to form a strategic authority we would have a combined population of 1.8 million residents, giving us a seat at the grown-up’s table where we make sure the voice of all of our communities is heard. We will be able to access additional powers from central government, streamline local decision-making, and unlock significant opportunities for our residents and businesses.
“In short, a Peninsula Strategic Authority covering the geographies of Cornwall, Devon, Torbay and Plymouth represents a once in a generation opportunity for regeneration and renewal.
Options
“At the same time, we need to look at strengthening Plymouth City Council’s own position – making us of a sufficient size and scale to be able to sustainably delivery local services for local people in the future.
“Over the next couple of months, it is right that we will have to look at all the options that will enable us to increase our geographical footprint to be able to meet the expected government criteria.”
Meanwhile, the leader of Cornwall Council says the county must not be tied in with Devon in any future devolution arrangement.
Councillor Linda Taylor was commenting on the government’s English Devolution white paper, external which some have labelled ‘a grim day for Cornwall.’
All political groups on the council and the county’s MPs want the government to treat Cornwall as a standalone authority because of its national minority status and unique economic and social situation.
The government has previously made it clear it would prefer to see Cornwall in a devolved authority with Devon or as part of a greater South West region.
