By Julia Penhaligon

County Hall’s Conservative group leader Linda Taylor has tried to put a brave face on yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) government announcement about devolution, which leaves Cornwall without any significant new powers.

The Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership will be scrapped in April with its functions incorporated into County Hall.  Government funding for LEPs is to end.

Of the promised “deal” announced in a blaze of publicity by a government minister 12 months ago, only three relatively minor elements remain.

These are devolution of the adult education budget by 2025, a promise to spend £500,000 on supporting the Cornish language and rebranding Cornwall’s offshore windfarm company as a “commission.”  Government cash for the Cornish language is "subject to a business case."

All had been announced previously and only local control of the £10 million adult education budget could be described as “devolution.”  Last month Ofsted rated Cornwall’s adult education service as “good” and it is far from clear how transferring the money from Whitehall to Truro will improve it.

Councillor Taylor said yesterday’s announcement was the best that could be achieved after her Tory cabinet colleagues rejected plans which would have required a change of County Hall governance to a mayoralty.

“This level two deal is the very best we could have hoped for after the decision in April not to pursue the level three deal due to the requirement for a directly elected Mayor,” she said.

“It devolves decision making for adult education from Whitehall to Cornwall, so that working with businesses and skills providers we can make sure that Cornwall has got the skills it needs for the future.

“The deal also provides with a fantastic opportunity to shape national policy in respect of floating offshore wind power with further pledges to work together to develop our net zero commitment.

“I am also delighted by the support shown for the Cornish language.  This recognition of our distinctiveness is supported by £500,000 funding and comes now with a voice on the British-Irish Council something which we have been pushing for from Government for some time.

“However, we remain ambitious for more, and we want to set out those ambitions for dialogue with future governments through the creation of a new Cornwall White Paper.

“We want this paper to be developed as a cross-party effort, ensuring all voices are heard as we develop our proposals.

“No one knows more about what Cornwall needs to succeed than the people who live here, and I look forward to working with everyone to create a plan to ensure the best possible outcome for us; One and All.”

Michael Gove MP, Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, said: “I am delighted to agree this Level 2 devolution deal with Cornwall, to bring more funding and powers out of Whitehall and directly into the hands of Cornish communities.

“Cornwall is a beautiful area with a rich history and a vibrant culture of creativity and innovation. This deal will help Cornwall to champion its heritage, create more opportunities for its residents and unleash its economic potential.”

The government’s original “deal” offered only a tiny increase in Cornwall Council’s budget in return for scrapping executive scrutiny by elected councillors.  The devolution proposals were so thin they did not even provide enough cash for Cornwall to abolish tolls on the Tamar Bridge, similar to Wales and Scotland.

Yesterday's "deal" says:  "The Tamar crossings – the Tamar Bridge and Torpoint Ferry – provide strategic infrastructure connecting Cornwall with Plymouth. Cornwall Council and its partner Plymouth City Council will continue to work together for a sustainable future for the crossings.

"Together with the government, they will consider options for future legislation to enable a more efficient toll revision process."

County Hall officials accepted months ago that any significant devolution of powers to local government will have to wait until after the next general election.

juliapenhaligon@cornwallreports.co.uk