Budget points to big changes for Cornwall

Cornwall is in the final stages to become a single strategic authority under government devolution plans.

Cornwall Council’s leadership, the Duchy’s MPs and its peers have welcomed the Chancellor’s Budget announcement that Cornwall will buck the trend of mayor-led authorities and become a single strategic authority in recognition of Kernow’s unique cultural status.

The single authority status secures further devolution on a Cornwall-only footprint and without the need to introduce a mayor and avoids a ‘Devonwall’ combined authority with other South West regions.

Today’s announcement comes a week after a delegation from Cornwall, including its MPs and council representatives, held talks with Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s team about further devolved powers. Among those powers will be the ability to introduce an overnight visitor levy, or ‘tourism tax’, which has already split opinion.

A statement by Liberal Democrat council leader Leigh Frost, our Labour and Lib Dem MPs and Cornwall-based peers Lord Hutton, Lord Teverson and Lord Taylor said: “Confirmation that the council will also receive a share of the £150m capacity funding to support strategic authorities, plus an allocation from £285m new Good Growth Fund to invest in our economy is good news for Cornwall taxpayers.

“We look forward to continuing the discussions with ministers over the coming months to gain an even greater level of autonomy and funding for Cornwall through the Government’s Rewiring the State Delivery Plan, to be published by the end of this year.”

Responding to Chancellor John Healey’s announcement, Cllr Frost said: “This is a significant moment for Cornwall and something we’ve been working towards for a long time. Cornwall has its own identity and ambitions, but we also have our own unique challenges to face. That’s why it’s so important that decisions about Cornwall are made here in Cornwall by people who understand the needs of our communities.

“Today’s announcement is an important step forward, but it’s not the end of our journey. We want to build on this agreement and secure the powers and resources we need to shape Cornwall’s future for the benefit of one and all.”