Residents in Truro & Falmouth welcome Cornwall Council’s decision to transition to a Level 2 Devolution Deal rather than the Level 3 deal the Council was initially pursuing. Whilst this means that additional funding measures such as £360 million through an Investment Fund, and £8.7 million promised for brownfield housing development will not be available for our communities in Cornwall at this stage. There is the added benefit of reduced bureaucracy with power resting with the Council and our six Cornish Members of Parliament, rather than a directly elected Mayor.
Cherilyn Mackrory MP, said:
“This is welcome news for my constituents in Truro & Falmouth. Not only will we still be able to enjoy the benefit of an additional £10 million devolved adult education budget so that training and skills decisions are made locally and linked to local jobs. But the additional confusion of an extra layer of governance with an elected Mayor has been put on hold. I think it is incredibly important that decisions are made by people close to their communities and now my constituents can enjoy the benefits of devolution whilst also knowing that their Member of Parliament is grounded in the community. I continue to work closely with Cornwall Council, Ministers and my other MP colleagues and will always fight for the best deal for Cornwall.”
“I look forward to seeing the final outline of the Level 2 deal the Council negotiates with the Government. Whatever the final shape of the deal it absolutely must devolve powers which make it easier for Cornwall Council to grapple with our local housing problems and deliver improvements to skills provision so that more of our talented local young people decide to stay in Truro and Falmouth.”