To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet (Minute 623) as an amendment to the following Notice of Motion submitted previously to the Council by Councillor Leaver and referred thereto in accordance with Standing Order 8(2), namely;
The commitment of the new Labour Government to Devolution is welcomed by Devon County Council.
Council now believes it is possible to negotiate a much better devolution deal for Devon than the spartan arrangements approved by the last Government which disregarded and marginalised the value and importance of the City, Borough and District Councils in the County.
Council seeks a genuine partnership with local councils across the county council area and partner councils in establishing a new devolution deal that will help deliver and secure jobs, skills and economic development, along with much needed socially affordable housing, and help develop our education and healthcare sectors among others.
This Council therefore calls for no further action to be taken on the old Devon/Torbay devolution deal and for the Council to open new discussions with the Government on a revised deal for Devon, including Torbay and Plymouth and to also invite other councils neighbouring Devon to participate.
Having had regard to the aforementioned, any factual briefing/position statement on the matter set out in Report (LDS/24/38)and other suggestions or alternatives considered at that meeting the Cabinet subsequently resolved:
that it is recommended that the Council;
(a) notes the new Labour Government’s decision to finalise the regulations to establish the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority which will give effect to the agreed devolution deal;
(b) acknowledge that on 24 April 2024 full Council agreed the final proposal for a Devon and Torbay Council devolution deal to be submitted to the Secretary of State. The proposal has been fully consulted upon. The proposal was reviewed by two separate governments, and the Council is delighted that it is progressing;
(c) note that the deal represents the start of a positive and productive relationship with Government which can lead to wider and deeper opportunities. Complementing Torbay and its coastal position, Devon County Council and Torbay Council would encourage the Devon District Forum to consider nominating an urban and a rural District Council representative to sit on the CCA Board once established. Once the Devon and Torbay CCA is established, the Council welcome the prospects of widening the remit of the CCA, to take on additional devolved funding and powers from national government; and
(d) note that the opportunity for Plymouth to join the Devon and Torbay CCA remains open, should Plymouth wish to pursue this.
Decision:
The motion in the name of Councillor McInnes was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED, outlined below.
that Council;
(a) notes the new Labour Government’s decision to finalise the regulations to establish the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority which will give effect to the agreed devolution deal;
(b) acknowledges that on 24 April 2024 full Council agreed the final proposal for a Devon and Torbay Council devolution deal to be submitted to the Secretary of State. The proposal has been fully consulted upon. The proposal was reviewed by two separate governments, and the Council is delighted that it is progressing;
(c) note that the deal represents the start of a positive and productive relationship with Government which can lead to wider and deeper opportunities. Complementing Torbay and its coastal position, Devon County Council and Torbay Council would encourage the Devon District Forum to consider nominating an urban and a rural District Council representative to sit on the CCA Board once established. Once the Devon and Torbay CCA is established, the Council welcome the prospects of widening the remit of the CCA, to take on additional devolved funding and powers from national government; and
(d) note that the opportunity for Plymouth to join the Devon and Torbay CCA remains open, should Plymouth wish to pursue this.
Minutes:
Pursuant to County Council Minute 315 of 5 September 2024 relating to the Notice of Motion set out below as previously submitted and formally moved and seconded by Councillor Leaver that:
The commitment of the new Labour Government to Devolution is welcomed by Devon County Council.
Council now believes it is possible to negotiate a much better devolution deal for Devon than the spartan arrangements approved by the last Government which disregarded and marginalised the value and importance of the City, Borough and District Councils in the County.
Council seeks a genuine partnership with local councils across the county council area and partner councils in establishing a new devolution deal that will help deliver and secure jobs, skills and economic development, along with much needed socially affordable housing, and help develop our education and healthcare sectors among others.
This Council therefore calls for no further action to be taken on the old Devon/Torbay devolution deal and for the Council to open new discussions with the Government on a revised deal for Devon, including Torbay and Plymouth and to also invite other councils neighbouring Devon to participate.
and having had regard to the advice of the Cabinet set out in Minute 623 of 9 October 2024:
Councillor McInnes MOVED and Councillor Davis SECONDED that the Cabinet’s advice be accepted and that Council;
(a) notes the new Labour Government’s decision to finalise the regulations to establish the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority which will give effect to the agreed devolution deal;
(b) acknowledges that on 24 April 2024 full Council agreed the final proposal for a Devon and Torbay Council devolution deal to be submitted to the Secretary of State. The proposal has been fully consulted upon. The proposal was reviewed by two separate governments, and the Council is delighted that it is progressing;
(c) note that the deal represents the start of a positive and productive relationship with Government which can lead to wider and deeper opportunities. Complementing Torbay and its coastal position, Devon County Council and Torbay Council would encourage the Devon District Forum to consider nominating an urban and a rural District Council representative to sit on the CCA Board once established. Once the Devon and Torbay CCA is established, the Council welcome the prospects of widening the remit of the CCA, to take on additional devolved funding and powers from national government; and
(d) note that the opportunity for Plymouth to join the Devon and Torbay CCA remains open, should Plymouth wish to pursue this.
The amendment in the name of Councillor McInnes was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.
Cllr Leaver then MOVED and Councillor Connett SECONDED that the motion be amended as follows, additional wording outlined in red text.
(a) notes the new Labour Government’s decision to finalise the regulations to establish the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority which will give effect to the agreed devolution deal;
(b) acknowledge that on 24 April 2024 full Council agreed the final proposal for a Devon and Torbay Council devolution deal to be submitted to the Secretary of State. The proposal has been fully consulted upon. The proposal was reviewed by two separate governments, and the Council is delighted that it is progressing;
(c) note that the deal represents the start of a positive and productive relationship with Government which can lead to wider and deeper opportunities. Complementing Torbay and its coastal position, Devon County Council and Torbay Council would encourage the Devon District Forum to consider nominating an urban and a rural District Council representative to sit on the CCA Board once established. Once the Devon and Torbay CCA is established, the Council welcome the prospects of widening the remit of the CCA, to take on additional devolved funding and powers from national government; and
(d) note that the opportunity for Plymouth to join the Devon and Torbay CCA remains open, should Plymouth wish to pursue this and that the Council keeps keep an open mind about possible opportunities for working with councils both to the east and west of Devon on future Combined Authority arrangements, to ensure the greatest benefits are achieved for the people of Devon, depending on the detail laid out in the English Devolution White Paper about what may be possible.
(e) note that publication later this month by the Government of the English Devolution White Paper will provide greater clarity about potential opportunities to deepen and widen devolution.
The amendment in the name of Councillor Leaver was then put to the vote and declared LOST.
The motion in the name of Councillor McInnes was then put to the vote and declared CARRIED.