Devon County Council and Torbay Council are set to enter a level 2 devolution deal with the Government.
If the deal is ratified, the new Devon and Torbay County Combined Authority will receive £16m of new capital funding within the current spending review period for local housing priorities, net zero ambitions and green skills.
The deal also includes devolution of the adult education budget and new powers to improve and better integrate local transport, including the potential to introduce bus franchising.
Devon CC leader John Hart said: ‘If agreed, the devolvement of funding and powers will enable us as a partnership to make a real difference to people’s lives in ways that matter to most of them.’
Torbay Council leader David Thomas added: ‘With pockets of deprivation across both local authority areas, being able to tackle our priorities like improving skills, supporting our residents to gain the right employment and providing the right joined up transport links will really benefit everyone.’
The devolution spokesperson for the County Councils Network, Phillippa Williamson, said: ‘Today’s announcement of a level 2 devolution deal for Devon and Torbay is an important milestone in the development of combined county authorities in areas where an elected mayor or leader is unsuitable.’
