Devolved decision making powers to support skills, training and employmentThe measures in the Government’s “English Devolution White Paper”, to give places and communities more control over shaping their area, have been broadly welcomed by local council leaders.
The White Paper published on Monday (16 December), outlines policies to deliver on the Government’s aims to drive growth and raise living standards across the country.
And in Devon and Torbay, the journey towards local decision-making powers, devolved from Whitehall, continues. Draft regulations to create the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority are progressing through Parliament and are due to come into force early next year.
The Government intends to change the law so that the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority would become a “strategic authority” with the future potential to make more decisions about local priorities, such as housing, learning and skills, employment and the environment.
Government will also facilitate a programme of local government reorganisation for two-tier areas, where there are District and County Councils. Councils will be invited to make proposals for new unitary councils.
Last week, the Government also announced that £4,166,670 of UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) is being allocated for Devon and Torbay for 2025-26. The UKSPF will be invested in a range of projects across Devon and Torbay to support local economic growth and to promote opportunities for employment and skills.
Councillor David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council said:
“We are pleased that our draft Statutory Instrument is still progressing through Parliament and is due to come into force in early 2025.
“We have always said that this is the start of our devolution journey and will seek to make the most of the broader and more comprehensive framework being promised by the Government.
“We will now take the time to read the White Paper and to see what needs to be in place for the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority to be established. What we do know is that the Combined Authority will be a “strategic authority” and will have access to the new devolution framework.
“Here in Torbay, we also welcome the news of the funds being allocated to us and Devon from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Our local businesses and residents have really benefited from previous allocations from this fund, which covered commissioning a wide range of activities that made a big impact to local people and the local area.’’
Councillor James McInnes, Leader of Devon County Council said:
“I am pleased that the Government has committed to providing multi-year financial settlements, updating the way it provides funding and having a meaningful partnership between central and local government.
“I welcome the Government’s intention to transfer even more powers for housing, transport, skills and other critical responsibilities from Whitehall to the Devon and Torbay area.
“I will be recommending to the members of the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority at its first meeting that it works in close partnership with the county council and each district council on the UK Shared Prosperity funding for 2025/26.
“Devon’s district councils, national park authorities, county council and Devon Association of Local Councils are working together as a Team Devon partnership. From next March our Team Devon Joint Committee will tackle the things that matter most such as housing and homelessness; water pollution; climate change; and the cost of living.”
