The government has confirmed a 拢360m devolution deal for Cornwall, with the Duchy to directly elect a mayor similar to those voted for in cities such as Bristol and Manchester.

The proposed deal, previously announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt during the Autumn Statement last month, would give the county a greater say over transport budgets, building and several other areas. The agreement still requires local consent and parliamentary approval.

Levelling up minister Dehenna Davison travelled to Cornwall on Friday (December 2) to sign the deal, which the government hailed as a 鈥渓andmark鈥 settlement.

It builds on a previous 2015 devolution deal for the county, with the election for Cornwall Council鈥檚 new mayor taking place in May 2024 pending a local consultation.

Under the proposals, the council will work with central government on housing, with 拢8.7m provided for delivering more homes on brownfield land as well as co-operation with the government on local policy around second homes.

The region will also receive 拢500,000 to improve transport planning, and funding for efforts to promote the Cornish language. Also significant is the decision to fully devolve the adult education budget to Cornwall from 2025.

Ms Davison said 鈥渇or too long鈥 Cornwall had 鈥渘ot received the levers it needs to level up and address the unique challenges it faces鈥.

鈥淚 am proud to sign the devolution agreement today and empower local leaders here who know best the issues that most affect the region," she said. 鈥淚 look forward to working with Cornwall to turbo-charge levelling up, spread opportunity and unleash this great area鈥檚 full economic potential.鈥

Linda Taylor, leader of Cornwall Council, called it a 鈥渂ig deal鈥 for the county and urged the public to consider the proposals.

鈥淭he government has made it clear that the proposed deal is conditional on making our governance change. I am appealing to one and all to carefully consider this huge opportunity for Cornwall to receive more funding, powers and influence 鈥 and have your say on the deal that will help shape Cornwall鈥檚 future when the consultation begins next week.鈥

Mark Duddridge, chairman of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, said the devolution of the adult education budget would enable "more tailored support" to be provided to thousands of Cornwall鈥檚 residents every year.

Cornwall is among a number of regions the Chancellor previously told MPs were set to secure mayoral devolution deals, including Suffolk and Norfolk.

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