More powers and money will be given to councils in Devon with the possibility of more to come in Cornwall under devolution deals announced by the new government.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has given the green light to a joint bid to create a combined authority by Devon County Council and Torbay Council but without Plymouth City Council.
The government is also pushing ahead with negotiations for a devolution deal for Cornwall.
A devolution deal for all of Devon and Cornwall together could be a possibility as the government also made it clear it wanted to see local authorities work together towards strong regions with an elected mayor.
PA MediaThe new Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (CCA) – first put forward in May – will get £16m of capital funding to invest in new green jobs, homes, skills, and business growth.
The councils signed up to the scheme said it would “enable important decisions to be made locally on local priorities such as jobs and skills, housing, and the environment”.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said Devon and Torbay had “a wealth of untapped potential” and wanted devolution to ensure “those with skin in the game have their voices heard”.
James McInnes, Conservative leader of Devon County Council, said the devolution would “make a real difference to people’s lives in ways that matter”.
Mr McInnes said the announcement was a “starting point” with an ambition “to deepen the deal as we go forward”.
He said: “The door, of course, is still very much open for Plymouth City Council to be in the partnership, and we will continue to work closely with them as we move forward.”
David Thomas, Conservative leader of Torbay Council, said: “It really does give us the opportunity to influence those policies that affect the lives of those that live in Torbay and Devon.”
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, said ministers were “encouraging local leaders to deepen these devolution deals and take strides towards mayoral devolution as a gold standard”.
Tudor Evans, Labour leader of Plymouth City Council, said he was pleased for his neighbouring authorities and wished them well.
However, he also said he still believed a deal for Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay would be the best option.
He said: “We still feel that a bigger deal with a larger footprint in the region would bring the greatest benefits and put us on the same footing as some of the large devolved authorities that have already been created elsewhere in the country.”
Cornwall had already signed two devolution deals with the previous Conservative Government.
Responding to the latest government announcement, Linda Taylor, Conservative leader of Cornwall Council, said she was “open to talks” but felt Cornwall “deserves further devolution in its own right”.
She said: “We just want to have the opportunity to have that discussion with the deputy prime minister and to understand what devolution means for her when talking about Cornwall.”
