Devolution deal for Devon and Torbay: CCN responds

Today the government has announced a devolution deal for Devon and Torbay, which will devolve powers over adult education and infrastructure to the area.

The deal, pending local approval, will create a combined county authority for the area covering Devon County Council and Torbay Council. This ‘level 2′ deal includes the creation of a leaders’ group, led by a chair, which will make decisions on the new authority.

It is the latest county devolution deal agreed with a County Councils Network member council, following on from several agreed in the last 20 months.

Below, the CCN responds to today’s announcement.

Cllr Phillippa Williamson, Devolution Spokesperson for the County Councils Network, 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. Given Cornwall already has a prospective deal in place, today’s agreement allows leaders in the South West access to make decisions locally on important issues such as adult education and infrastructure.

 “Having announced an expansion to devolution in the Autumn Statement, we would now like to see the government maintain this momentum, and conclude as many new ‘level 2’ and ‘level 3’ deals as quickly as possible this year.”