Cornwall to be first county to gain historic new powers
Interesting development. This CLG press release tells us:
Cornwall will become the first rural county to benefit from devolution – gaining more control so it can set its own course to grow the local economy.
The move is an important part of the “government’s one nation” commitment to devolve powers to local authorities across the country and ensure hard working people can benefit from the stronger economy and decide on issues that affect them.
This includes giving areas more freedom to tailor services to local needs, support local businesses and create jobs.
The Cornwall devolution deal will:
- give Cornwall council powers for franchising and improving bus services in the area – the first rural unitary authority to gain this power
- give the Local Enterprise Partnership more say on boosting local skills levels
- give the council powers to select the projects, working with partners, it wants to see benefiting from millions of pounds of inward investment funding
- make it easier for the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership to integrate national and local business support services to help local firms grow
- enable Cornwall council and the council of the Isles of Scilly to work with local health organisations on a plan for integrating health and social care services.
I wonder how progress and impact will be monitored?