General Election announcement creates Devon devolution limbo

Confusion about how Devon's devolution deal with Torbay will progress

Devon’s planned devolution deal with Torbay has been thrown into limbo because of the surprise  announcement of the general election.

Devon and Torbay’s councils had both agreed to create a combined county authority (CCA), a so-called devolution deal that proponents believe would provide a better chance of securing government cash for projects linked to adult education, housing, transport, and green initiatives.

But prime minister Rishi Sunak’s plans for a poll on Thursday 4 July mean parliament will be dissolved next week, putting many planned pieces of legislation on ice.

Before the election was announced, it was hoped the parliamentary process would take place in or around October, but with uncertainty about who will be running the country then, it’s now unclear what will happen.

“We are seeking clarity from government officials on how the legislative process for setting up the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority will be affected following the announcement of the general election,” Cllr James McInnes (Conservative, Hatherleigh & Chagford), the new leader of Devon County Council said.

“We met….with Torbay Council and both organisations remain committed to bringing forward our agreed devolution arrangement as soon as possible, and we collectively await clarity from government officials.”

Cllr McInnes added that he had already contacted the Department for Levelling Up, Communities and Housing, which oversees the devolution process, to secure the previously announced £16 million agreed as part of the deal.

He and Torbay’s leader, Cllr David Thomas (Conservative, Preston), have selected 16 “excellent projects” to receive the money, a decision that now needs to be confirmed by a formal vote.

“These schemes span housing, skills, business support and green infrastructure and can have an immediate impact on our local economy,” Cllr McInnes added.

“There would be schemes in each district area with the potential to bring forward affordable homes, decarbonise existing properties, support more than 1,000 learners in green and net zero skills, and the creation of jobs and apprenticeships.”

Cllr McInnes added that as soon as he had any more information about the devolution process, he would update the council.