A county-wide mayoralty for Devon could unlock billions of pounds in investment and boost the local economy by at least 10% over the next decade, according to Devon County Council Leader Councillor Julian Brazil.
Earlier this week, Councillor Brazil said Devon is ready to hold a mayoral election by next May, potentially making it one of the first new Mayoral Combined Authorities created under a future government committed to expanding devolution.
He said a mayoralty would give Devon greater powers to drive economic growth, improve public services and secure long-term investment. Analysis of existing mayoral combined authorities suggests that coordinated investment and productivity improvements can help regions outperform national growth trends.
Councillor Brazil said modelling indicates a Devon mayoralty could attract up to £3 billion in funding for key services and economic development over ten years.
As well as serving the needs of residents in the county’s two cities in Exeter and Plymouth, Devon would also become the largest rural mayoralty in England.
“Devon is ready to deliver a mayoralty at pace and with ambition,” he said. “We have the scale, the partnerships and the determination to unlock major economic growth for both our urban centres and rural communities. This is about bringing investment home to Devon—creating well-paid jobs, delivering homes for young people and ensuring our whole county can thrive.”
He added that Devon is ready to work with the next Prime Minister to make the proposal a reality.
Greater powers through devolution
The proposal follows plans to devolve more authority over housing, education and welfare from central government to local leaders.
While much of England already falls within mayoral combined authorities, the South West remains one of the few regions without one. Existing mayoral areas benefit from additional funding and greater control over transport, planning and economic development, allowing decisions to be tailored to local needs.
With a population of 1.25 million, Devon would rank among the larger mayoral areas in England, giving it significant influence in attracting investment and coordinating growth across urban, rural and coastal communities.
“Devolution must not stop at the big cities,” Councillor Brazil said. “Too often, rural and coastal communities are overlooked in national policy. A Devon mayoralty would ensure our voices are heard at the very centre of government.”
Billions in potential investment
A Devon mayoralty could unlock the billions of pounds over a decade through devolved funding and locally generated revenues, with additional private-sector investment potentially worth billions more.
Potential sources of funding include central government devolution settlements, retention of business rates growth, major transport and infrastructure programmes, new revenue-raising powers, public-private partnerships, inward investment, and strategic development initiatives.
Supporters say these funding streams would help deliver regeneration projects, transport improvements and wider economic development across the county.
Councillor Brazil added that a Devon mayoralty would accelerate the delivery of affordable and council housing, unlock and coordinate growth across council boundaries. It could also support the creation of Mayoral Development Corporations while balancing the needs of growing cities such as Plymouth and Exeter with those of rural communities.
For younger residents, a mayoralty would help expand apprenticeships and technical training, strengthen links between education providers and employers, create higher-skilled jobs and improve access to affordable housing.
Councillor Brazil also said that greater decision-making powers would also allow Devon to work with neighbouring counties to bring South West Water under public control, a strategy Mr Burnham has said he is keen to explore.
“We all know the state of the waters around the South West and the only way to stop the pollution, the poisoning of our water supply and to bring an end to water companies being run for the benefit shareholders and executives is to bring them back under public control,” said Councillor Brazil.
“Our water companies need to be run for the public good, not to make wealthy people even wealthier and big corporations even bigger.”
Devon councils united in drive for mayoralty
Devon County Council and Torbay Council already work together through the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority, established to secure additional funding and powers. Councillor Brazil said this partnership provides a strong platform for further devolution.
Last year, all eleven council leaders in Devon signed a joint letter supporting devolution last year, demonstrating broad political backing for greater local powers.
Councillor Brazil concluded: “With the right leadership and the right powers, we can accelerate growth while protecting what makes our county so special. This is a moment of opportunity for Devon.”