Councils are set to submit devolution bid to Government

DEVON’S devolution bid with Torbay has moved a step closer after a vote in favour of submitting the formal application to the Government.

Devon County Council’s cabinet has voted to submit its bid to become a Combined County Authority (CCA) with Torbay to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The move comes on the back of a wide-ranging six-week consultation that sought to gauge views on the prospects of the two councils creating a combined authority.

Proponents say it will mean greater control over various aspects of local government, including the adult education and skills budget, improved coordination for local transport, and a better chance of securing funding for the green agenda and housing.

But sceptics worry that it will create an unnecessary additional level of local government, that the creation of a CCA could dilute the voices of Devon’s districts, and that the finances secured by Devon and Torbay as part of the CCA agreement are too insignificant to make a real difference.

The decision now has to go before Devon’s full council meeting on Monday, April 29, with Torbay’s full council set to discuss the matter the following day.

During this week’s meeting, Devon’s outgoing leader Cllr John Hart (Conservative, Bickleigh & Wembury) stressed the importance of considering the wide range of views in the consultation. It showed most respondents believe the prospective devolution deal could boost the county’s housing and transport sectors.

More than half (52 per cent) of those surveyed believe a CCA would improve local transport.

The two councils hope a CCA structure could lead to more efficient and coordinated public transport across the Devon and Torbay area, including a potential single ticketing system.

Slightly more people in the consultation believe the new authority would address housing pressures, with 46 per cent agreeing against 43 per cent who disagreed.

Supporters argue that the CCA will have a more direct line to Homes England, the non-departmental body that funds affordable housing, meaning it could be able to secure more money for schemes in the area.

But there was less optimism in terms of the CCA improving the local economy, with 44 per cent disagreeing it could maximise economic potential compared to 43 per cent who thought it could, while the majority also disagreed that it could help the area meet its net zero ambitions.

If both Devon and Torbay agree to submit the CCA proposal to Government, it is expected a final decision by ministers will be made next month.

Based on current predictions, the CCA could be formed in the autumn.