A £360m devolution deal on offer to Cornwall has been unveiled today.
The deal includes funding and new powers over housing, skills and transport, but will depend on the region accepting a controversial directly elected mayor.
It is worth £360m over the next 30 years, including £8.7m for delivering homes on brownfield land and £500,000 to improve transport planning.
The adult education budget will be fully devolved from 2025 under the new deal, and the Government has also promised ‘collaboration’ on new smart ticketing systems and to ‘work more closely’ with Cornwall on second homes and short-term lets.
Council leader Linda Taylor said the deal ‘provides the certainty required to tackle the challenges we face’.
She added: ‘This gives us the opportunity to secure more decision-making powers as well as bringing in millions of pounds of extra investment which will allow us to shape the future of Cornwall for the benefit of residents for many years to come.’
However, the issue of a directly-elected mayor being part of the deal could prove a stumbling block as a number of councillors have been hostile to such a move.
Cllr Taylor said: ‘The government has made it clear that the proposed deal is conditional on making our governance change.
‘I am appealing to one and all to carefully consider this huge opportunity for Cornwall to receive more funding, powers and influence – and have your say on the deal that will help shape Cornwall’s future when the consultation begins next week.’
