No mayor for Cornwall in devolution as Linda Taylor looks for new deal

Linda Taylor said it was “with the greatest regret” that she would no longer be putting forward a devolution deal that included a mayor, ahead of an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet tomorrow (Wednesday).

Instead she would be recommending a ‘Level 2’ deal, which would not include the £360 million investment fund - which would have been paid over 30 years - but that she hoped would remain as many elements of the Level 3 deal as possible.

Cornwall Council had negotiated the deal with the Government that it said would provide more powers and funding to the Duchy. However, in order to secure the deal, the Government had insisted that there would have to be a change in how the council is run, with overall control placed with a directly elected mayor.

However, a public survey on whether there should be a Mayor for Cornwall resulted in a resounding “no”, with more than two-thirds of people opposed to the idea.

The public consultation questionnaire received 6,105 responses, with 69% of respondents saying they did not think that Cornwall should accept the devolution deal and change its governance to have a directly elected mayor.

In a statement issued this morning (Tuesday) she said: “As a Cabinet we have always believed that devolution of powers and investment from government is vital for the future prosperity of Cornwall. This is why we are so proud to have been asked last year to negotiate a further devolution deal with government.

“During the ten-week consultation we have heard from thousands of residents, businesses and stakeholders from across Cornwall and have listened carefully to their views. It is clear that support has especially come from our young people, businesses and strategic partners who have all seen the benefit for the future of Cornwall.

“However, whilst there is considerable support for the proposed Cornwall Devolution Deal, there is also significant concern about the requirement to move to a directly elected mayor.

“In order to deliver on our commitment to the people of Cornwall that we will always listen and, where needed, take difficult decisions, it is with the greatest regret that I am unable to recommend to my Cabinet accepting a deal that includes the requirement for a directly elected mayor during the remainder of this administration.”

The original Cornwall Devolution Deal that was signed at Spaceport Cornwall

She said she hoped a Level 2 would still be able to include many of the elements that “were overwhelmingly supported through the consultation”, such as a £10m per year devolved adult education budget to ensure training and skills met the needs of the local economy.

Ms Taylor added: “This cannot be the end for devolution in Cornwall, indeed as a Cabinet, we remain committed to our goal of having more decisions about Cornwall being made locally.

“While a Level 2 deal does not include the £360m investment fund, or the £8.7m promised for brownfield housing development, there are a number of areas where we can work with government to secure the best possible outcome for Cornwall and our residents, while recognising that devolution is a continuous process and not the result of a single negotiated event.”

The issue has divided people across Cornwall and the council revealed this week that whilst a questionnaire carried out online and by post found that 69% of people were against the deal, a separate survey undertaken on telephone and face-to-face found 65% in favour of the deal and a mayor.

One key area highlighted in a report on the survey was how much a lack of trust of Cornwall Council and the Government has influenced the thoughts of those who are against the proposals.

As well as comments about decisions made by leaders at New County Hall, respondents also raised the example of Brexit and the decision to create a unitary authority for Cornwall in 2009.

It is stated that 900 people who completed the questionnaire issued as part of the consultation said they disagreed with the deal due to “lack of trust in Cornwall Council/reservations about track record”.