Plymouth must be ambitious in plans to secure powers and funding from devolution, according to the city’s council leader. Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans says it gives the city and its neighbours in the South West a huge opportunity to help improve the lives of residents.
Cllr Evans said it was “right that powers move away from Westminster” in the huge shake-up of councils demanded by the Government. He was addressing councillors at a special meeting to discuss Plymouth’s initial response to Government’s English Devolution White Paper.
It saw members agree that the best way forward would be to create a large, strategic authority covering the geography of Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.
Councillor Evans said: “This is a major milestone and the long-awaited shake up that local government has needed over the past decade. It is right that powers move away from Westminster and decisions sit locally – with those that have the knowledge of their own areas to make change that will really make a difference to people’s lives.
“The devolution of powers and funding to local decision makers will enhance our ability to focus on our priorities such as increasing investment in our roads and public transport, providing better access to education and skills, tackling health inequalities and building new homes.
“We must seize this opportunity to bring more powers and funding to the Peninsula.”
The Government has set out an expectation that deeper devolution can only be accessed by establishing strategic authorities with a democratically elected mayor that represent a combined population of at least 1.5 million. It has also made clear that all smaller unitary councils need to look at how they can sustainably survive and have the scope to grow and thrive.
Plymouth’s population is 268,000 and councillors also agreed to consider options for expanding the city footprint – while looking at how the council can be “sufficient in scale” to deliver services more efficiently without losing its unique character.
Councillor Evans added: “The benefits of a combined authority across the South West Peninsula are obvious. Whilst Plymouth, Devon, Torbay and Cornwall are different places with our own cultures and identities, we also share distinct geographic characteristics, have clearly established economic connections, share existing public service boundaries, and of course already work together closely across a number of major programmes.
“We want to make the peninsula a thriving region whose unique interests are heard and understood by central government.
“By coming together to form a strategic authority we would have a combined population of 1.8 million residents, giving us a seat at the grown-up’s table where we make sure the voice of all of our communities is heard. We will be able to access additional powers from central government, streamline local decision-making, and unlock significant opportunities for our residents and businesses.
“In short, a Peninsula Strategic Authority covering the geographies of Cornwall, Devon, Torbay and Plymouth represents a once in a generation opportunity for regeneration and renewal.
“At the same time, we need to look at strengthening Plymouth City Council’s own position – making us of a sufficient size and scale to be able to sustainably deliver local services for local people in the future. Over the next couple of months, it is right that we will have to look at all the options that will enable us to increase our geographical footprint to be able to meet the expected government criteria.”
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