The Devolution Deal for Devon & Torbay has today (Thursday 19th September) been given the Green Light by the Government.
Following the General Election there had been some speculation about whether the new Labour Government would seek to amend or cancel it. This was partly due to Plymouth City Council, a Labour controlled council, deciding not to take part and withdrawing from the Devon-wide process earlier this year. Yet today the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Raynor, confirmed their backing for the needed piece of legislation to set up the combined authority.
The Devon Devolution Deal includes powers on transport, housing, skills and training, supported by an immediate £16m package of additional funding to deliver the first projects under it. This step marks not only the devolution of power from Whitehall to Devon, bringing with it the chance to make more decisions locally, it also creates a framework for working together with the Government in future to deliver for our county.
Former Torbay MP Kevin Foster: “It is great to see this deal, which was signed in Paignton back in January, moving forward and marks a significant moment for our county and bay. I am delighted the new Government has put politics aside and backed this plan, which is the first step in creating a wider partnership across our county.”
On the subject of Plymouth City Council choosing not to take part he added:
“It is sad Plymouth will now be the only part of Devon & Cornwall not benefitting from a devolution deal. I do hope the Leadership of Plymouth City Council there will think again, especially now the deal has been endorsed by Labour Ministers.”
“Whilst I note their wish for a devolution deal covering Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, this is not a realistic prospect at the moment. Working together with Devon and Torbay would be a good start to whatever hopes they have for a future set up covering a wider area.”
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