DEVON and Torbay's proposal to create a Combined County Authority has been given the green light by the new Government, the two councils have confirmed today (Thursday, September 19).

A decision by the previous Government, to establish the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (CCA), was deferred in June pending the summer General Election.

Establishing the CCA is legally required to assume responsibility for new funds and powers transferred by Government from Whitehall to Devon and Torbay.

Devon and Torbay’s final proposal for the CCA followed a widespread consultation that drew responses from a cross-section of organisations including Devon’s District councils, Town and Parish councils, and representatives from the business, education and skills, housing, transportation, health service providers and voluntary sectors.

Last month, the two Leaders of Devon County Council and Torbay Council initially wrote to the new Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State (SoS) for Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP, asking the Government for a meeting to discuss the proposal.

And now, the Government has confirmed that the Devon and Torbay proposal, first submitted in May 2024, is officially back on track.

‘After a short pause for the General Election, I'm delighted that the new Government has now considered our joint proposal for the CCA and has confirmed its intention to progress with it, said Cllr James McInnes, Leader of Devon County Council.

‘Devolving powers and funding will enable the partnership to make a real difference to people's lives in ways that matter.

‘The CCA will deliver the devolution deal - a whole raft of powers, responsibilities, and funding, devolved to Devon and Torbay from Whitehall – and will enable important decisions to be made locally on local priorities such as jobs and skills, housing, and the environment.’

Current proposals would see the new body having direct control of adult education to create up to 50,000 new training and retraining opportunities by 2030 and through Local Skills Improvement Plans, the proposed CCA will work with business and education leaders to create a strong relationship between employers and schools, colleges and universities to provide the skilled workforce the local economy needs for the future.

The Government has re-confirmed the transfer of £16 million capital funding to invest in new green jobs, homes, skills, and business growth and accelerate Devon and Torbay’s transition to a net-zero economy, and also is offering a stronger partnership with Homes England, capitalising on the Affordable Housing Programme and Brownfield Infrastructure and Land Fund to create a joint action plan for affordable housing schemes for local people and reduce homelessness.

The proposal includes additional land assembly and compulsory purchase powers and would facilitate greater Community Land Trust-led delivery.

On transport, the proposed deal will see Devon and Torbay working as equal partners on a CCA and improving the efficiency and co-ordination of public transport with an ambition to introduce a single ticketing system for travellers and investment in services to provide greater access to public transport.

The CCA would be responsible for working with Devon County Council, Torbay Council, District Councils and the business and education sectors to support high growth sectors such as advanced manufacturing, marine engineering, defence, photonics and digital. One of the first tasks of the CCA would be to agree a Local Growth Plan working with the private sector which set out clear priorities and an investment plan.

There will also be close collaboration and productive joint working between the CCA and Police and Crime Commissioner.

Cllr David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council, added: ‘It’s fantastic news that we can now move forward with the creation of the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority.

‘This Devolution Deal will give us and our residents and businesses a stronger voice with Government. It really does give us the opportunity to influence those policies that affect the lives of those that live in Torbay and Devon. Working together, as councils and with the Government and our stakeholders, is key to us meeting our ambitions.’

It is hoped that with draft regulations to create the CCA to be made this Autumn, the Devon and Torbay CCA could hold its first meeting early in the New Year.