Councillors unified on devolution deal

Cornwall councillors from all sides have voted to urge the Government to pursue a Cornwall-only devolution deal rather than a cross-border agreement with other authorities.

The council says the motion reaffirms its previous position, along with that of MPs across the Duchy, as outlined in a letter to the Deputy Prime Minister in September.

The Government’s white paper on devolution expresses a preference for deals involving combined authorities with populations exceeding 1.5 million, which would exclude Cornwall.

Despite widespread support in the council chamber, some members raised concerns that refusing to discuss potential deals might leave Cornwall behind in terms of powers and additional funding.

Council Leader Linda Taylor said: “Although there were some disagreements over wording, it is clear that the whole chamber supports securing a Cornwall-only deal for the benefit of our residents.

“Our MPs are also vocal in their support of this position, and the ball is firmly in their court to keep fighting in Westminster to secure us a deal."

Newquay MP Noah Law also supports a Cornwall-only deal but says the Government has never said that Cornwall should join with Devon:

He said: “That might be the position of some parliamentary colleagues, certainly not this side of the Tamar, but the point they’ve made – that Jim McMahon (the Minister for Local Government and Devolution) and the Deputy Prime Minister have made as well – is that the whole point of this is that it should be set up to serve local people better in our democracy. Those proposals for devolution should come from local people and local political leaders.

“In the motion you’ve seen today from Cornwall Council, that’s what you see: a proposal for a Cornwall-only footprint. I think it’s perfectly sensible and, frankly, not that surprising to those of us who live in Cornwall.”

Earlier, an online video shared by Mr Law on social media showed the MP expressing his thoughts on a Devonwall pact by destroying a "cream first" scone – in a nod to the preference of people who live the other side of the Tamar. He confirmed to Radio Newquay afterwards that he tucked into the cream tea and none went to waste.