Cornwall combining with Plymouth is a no-go say mayors

A growing number of town and parish councils have got behind the call for Cornwall-only devolution of autonomous power from Westminster. Major local councils across the Duchy have supported a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, the leader and chief executive of Cornwall Council and the six Cornish MPs saying that a combined authority with Plymouth or the wider South West is a no-go.

The letter arose out of a series of meetings between mayors and clerks representing Cornwall’s larger towns. There was overwhelming support for making a co-ordinated response to the government on the issue, backing the Cornwall-only solution already supported by Cornwall Council and the Cornish MPs.

Mayor of Penzance Stephen Reynolds, who has instigated the parish and town council move, said: "The strong feeling was that a larger combined authority - 'Plymwall' or the 'Greater South West' - would make no sense economically, culturally or democratically, and that there is a strong positive case for Cornwall-only devolution.

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"This initiative is apolitical, and is being supported by the mayors of many of Cornwall’s larger towns, who have already pledged their support and agreed to take it to their next council meeting for approval."

Among those who have approved the statement are the councils for Wadebridge, Camborne, Penzance, Truro, Lostwithiel, Looe, Bude-Stratton and Marazion. Others, such as Saltash, have "noted" it.

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Mayor of Camborne James Ball said: "We at Camborne Town Council fully support the road to devolution. This is a must so that the decisions are made in Cornwall for the benefit of all residents here. It is great to see that the mayors and chairs of Cornwall have come together to seek greater devolution where others have struggled for many years. Cornwall has a historic right to devolution and must never be combined with any other authority or lumped into a greater South West."

Cllr Reynolds added: "Cornwall’s town and parish councils are the cornerstone of local democracy, with deep roots in our communities and a strong rapport with local people. Between us we deliver over £40 million worth of public services in the Duchy. So it’s only right that we should speak up and make our voices heard on an issue that goes to the heart of our Cornish identity."

The full letter reads:

"We support the principle of devolution of wide powers from Whitehall to Cornwall. But we are convinced that the one and only devolution option for the Duchy is to devolve powers to Cornwall, and not to a broader combined region alongside other large authorities in the South West.

"The economic landscape of Cornwall is unique to us - and not shared with our neighbours in Plymouth, Devon or the 'Greater South West'. While we do face some serious challenges, we also have many opportunities, such as our mineral wealth and potential for green energy, as well as our resilient and resourceful people.

"The government favours devolution to 'sensible economic geographies'. Cornwall fits the bill. And while 'sensible economic geographies' are important, we also need to think about devolution in terms of areas and regions that local people truly identify with.

"We in Cornwall have a huge affinity with the history, culture and identity of the place we call home - an identity recognised in our status as a protected National Minority, and in the burgeoning interest in our language and heritage. Devolving powers to Cornwall would lock in support for the 'devolution revolution'. By contrast, devolving powers to a hybrid authority with which local people feel no affinity would risk undermining local democracy.

"The people of Cornwall are keen to embrace devolution, and to take on extra powers to help us shape our land for future generations. Devolution to Cornwall alone, or - subject to the consent of our neighbours on Scilly - to a Cornwall/Isles of Scilly combined authority, would enjoy massive local support.

"The seat of devolved powers has to be on our own territory, where local people know their voices can be heard. So we urge the government to grant a sensible devolution settlement that respects the uniqueness of the economy, geography, culture and identity of Cornwall."