An elected mayor could be in Plymouth’s future as officials consider plans to join with the rest of Devon and Cornwall to form a regional “super council” – but some Plymouth Live readers in our comments section think that the city has big differences from its neighbours that would make life in a large new authority difficult.
Plymouth City Council is recommending that a South West Peninsula Mayoral Strategic Authority is set up for an area with a population of 1.82 million people. The plans come after a drive from the central government to revamp regional authorities, including a big preference for elected mayors.
A document sent to councillors said: “The Government has clearly stated that large strategic authorities led by directly elected mayors represent their preferred path for devolution, viewing this model as the most effective way to transfer power and resources from Westminster to local regions.
“In response to this clear policy direction, Plymouth City Council strongly advocates for the establishment of a South West Peninsula Mayoral Strategic Authority. This proposed authority would encompass the combined geography of Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay.”
Some think that this wouldn’t be a good deal for the city. Reader WTFHTTC says: “Why lump Cornwall in with Devon, we have our own identity and most I feel would like it to remain like that. Mind you, North Devon probably feels the same about Plymouth.”
RickOshay agrees: “The idea that people in such a diverse area as the SW peninsula can be effectively governed by a single authority is a non-starter, and the vast majority of residents will oppose it.”
Barnacle Bill writes: “More layers of expensive, politically biased bureaucracy. I cannot see this being good, given the diversity across the counties here in the South West. Look how ineffective and expensive the Crime Commisioners post has been for Devon and Cornwall. I still cannot understand why this post is political.”
Gdaddy63 says: “This MUST be the decision of the people, local referendums MUST be provided to the people that live in affected areas!” Liberalted agrees: “No, no, no. As the tax-paying public, we should get to vote on this.”
Others can see some upsides to joining a new regional authority. Plymhi says: “This is a good idea that would benefit the whole of the South West. There are lots of people who live in Torbay, Exeter or Cornwall who work in Plymouth and vice versa, who would support the plan.”
Ppsr writes: “It might force Plymouth to bring its transport policy out of the 1960s and in to the modern day. Other parts of Devon and Cornwall realise that we can’t just keep on building more roads yet Plymouth is still doing just that.”
Plymouth City Council has rejected other possibilities such as remaining unchanged, joining with just Devon and Torbay, or with them and Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset. It will, however, have to look at “a number of strategic and operational risks” to the council arising from the devolution and local government reorganisation proposals, that will need to be mitigated.
Have your say! What do you think about having a mayor? Comment below, and join in on the conversation.