Devolution deal bridging political divide

Politicians in Devon appear to be putting aside their conventional rivalry as the county’s forthcoming devolution deal undergoes public scrutiny.

Devon County Council has applied to become a Combined County Authority (CCA) in collaboration with Torbay, a move which it hopes will allow it to access more government cash and have a greater say on how to spend it.

While the CCA combines Devon and Torbay, there will be some representation of Devon’s eight districts on the new authority’s board.

Two seats will be offered to represent these districts.

Consultation events are now taking place across the county. At one in Exeter yesterday (Friday March 8), city council leader Phil Bialyk (Labour) spoke about the potential benefits a devolution deal could bring.

He stressed it would allow the districts to be heard, and that he, as ever, would be a vocal campaigner on the behalf of districts.

“This is a very important moment for Devon and we need to make sure that whatever shade of government, they understand that Devon is an important part of the south west economy, not just a quaint area where people come on holiday,” Cllr Bialyk said.

“Exeter has seven of the world’s top climate scientists at the university, so the government must understand that we are an important part of the region and this deal will bring powers down rather than suck them upwards; we want government to let go and let the power come down to local people here in Devon.”

Education, housing and transport are all areas where proponents of the CCA hope to have greater influence.

The new body would have direct control of adult education to create up to 50,000 new training and retraining opportunities by 2030.

It’s believed that £16 million of new funding would come from central govermnent to invest in new green jobs, homes, skills, and business growth to accelerate Devon and Torbay’s transition to a net-zero economy, capitalising on the area’s world-leading expertise in green science and technology.

The six-week consultation period on the proposed CCA ends on March 24.

The results of the consultation will be considered by both councils in April. Devon County Council and Torbay Council will consider whether they want to submit the proposal to Government, either with or without amendments, or not at all.

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities would examine any submission and make regulations setting up the CCA.