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Councils welcome new Parliamentary step in the journey towards devolved powers


A young apprentice working as a mechanic in a garage. Picture shows the apprentice working under a carEmployment, education and skills, will be key priorities for the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority

The ‘Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority Regulations 2024“, a ‘statutory instrument’ (SI), has been laid in Parliament, paving the way towards the creation of the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority.

The Regulations will be debated in in the House of Commons and the House of Lords. When they are signed by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner MP, under powers delegated by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (CCA) will come into being.

The CCA will make decisions about the powers and funding devolved from Whitehall to Devon and Torbay through the deal that was agreed in January this year.

The Leader of Devon County Council, Councillor James McInnes, said:

“We welcome this important milestone on the journey towards creating the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority.

“Devolved power means that significantly important decisions, about key priorities such as housing, employment, education and skills, and the environment – priorities that make a real difference to all of our lives – can be made locally by people who live and work in Devon and Torbay.

“We look forward to its progress through Parliament, and to the formation of the Devon and Torbay CCA early in the new year.”

Councillor David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council, said:

“This is another important step forward towards devolved powers for Devon and Torbay, which will give local people more of a say in what happens in their area.

“The Devolution Deal will give us and our residents and businesses a stronger voice with Government. It really does give us the opportunity to influence those policies that affect the lives of those that live in Torbay and Devon. We will continue to work closely with partners at Devon County Council and with the Government and our stakeholders in the development of the Devon and Torbay CCA.”

Councillor Paul Arnott, Leader of East Devon District Council and Chair of Devon Districts’ Forum, said:

“This legislation is an important precursor to the establishment of the Combined County Authority for Devon and Torbay.  All the District Councils in Devon will continue to work together and with our partners to ensure that the benefits for local communities arising from the transfer of powers and resources are maximised, including in relation to the forthcoming Devolution White Paper for England.”

Devon and Torbay recently received £16 million in capital funding as part of the authorities’ devolution deal.

The funding, which is just the start, will enable 16 projects to progress, to provide more affordable homes, green jobs and business growth across Devon and Torbay.


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