Devonians have now only 3 days left to have their say on the county’s bid to become a Mayoralty.
Chris Collman www.devonairradio.com/
A six-week public consultation, launched on September 16, lasts until Wednesday October 28 giving residents, businesses and organisations the chance to share their views on the proposal and what it could mean for the region.
The consultation outlines plans for the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (DTCCA) to seek mayoral status from the Government, and expand to incorporate the area covered by Plymouth City Council.
If approved, and Plymouth joins, a directly elected mayor would represent the wider Devon, Torbay and Plymouth area and oversee an economy worth £33.1 billion per year.
A mayor would oversee policy in key areas such as transport and have spending powers devolved from central government.
However, a mayor would not run local councils and services such as bin collections, schools, social care, housing and planning would remain the responsibility of councils and elected councillors.
Councillor David Thomas, Chair of the DTCCA, which is preparing the mayoral bid, said: “This is a conversation for everyone across Devon, Torbay and Plymouth. Working together gives us a stronger voice with Government and a greater opportunity to secure investment for our communities.”
Councillor Julian Brazil, Vice-Chair of the DTCCA and Devon County Council Leader, added: “Having a mayor is about bringing more power, funding and decision-making closer to the people and places affected by it.
“This consultation is about shaping the future of our region and ensuring local people have a voice in the decisions that affect them.
“This is an opportunity that we must not miss. The benefits that come with mayoralty are benefits that will be felt in very real and practical ways by residents and businesses alike.”
The consultation asks whether people support Plymouth joining a mayoral strategic authority, their views on a directly elected mayor, and the priorities a mayor should focus on.
The proposal would not merge councils, change council boundaries, transfer services or affect council staff.
The consultation findings will be reported in November. Plymouth City Council and the DTCCA, alongside Devon County Council and Torbay Council, will then decide whether to proceed with a formal proposal to Government.
You can find the consultation at Have Your Say Today – Devolution In Devon – Commonplace
In Owl’s view the key section worth looking at is the one describing how the proposed mayoral authority would work and be scrutinised. This can be found here.
We still await a ministerial decision on the reorganisation review “paused” in the light of judicial challenge (in Devon’s case, also paused).
