Plymouth City Council pushes for a new authority to strengthen local governance and secure funding for the region
Plymouth: The city is making some bold moves lately. The council is all about creating a new local authority that would be led by an elected mayor, covering all of Devon and Cornwall. They believe that by joining forces, they can be much stronger.
Council leader Tudor Evans is really pushing this idea. He thinks it’s a golden opportunity to grab more power and funding from the government. The plan includes expanding Plymouth’s boundaries, which could mean taking over parts of the South Hams. They haven’t nailed down the exact areas yet, though.
The government is looking to shake things up by getting rid of district councils, which could lead to larger authorities that cover around 500,000 people. Plymouth has been a unitary authority since 1998, but with its population of about 274,300, it’s still a bit small for the government’s new plans.
There’s also a new town called Sherford in the South Hams that’s expected to grow to 12,000 residents. Plus, there are more big developments on the way near Plymouth. The government wants feedback on these proposals, and the deadline is today.
Cllr Evans is adamant that Plymouth needs to make a strong case for its future. He doesn’t want the city to be swallowed up by a more rural authority. He believes that if they can unite the South West Peninsula, Plymouth will finally have a say in the bigger picture and won’t be left fighting for scraps.
He’s excited about the potential of a large authority that could represent 1.8 million people, putting them on par with places like the East Midlands and Manchester. It’s a once-in-a-generation chance for real change.
Evans insists that they can’t just sit back and let things happen. They need to take control and make their own rules. Meanwhile, Conservative group leader Cllr Andy Lugger supports the idea but is worried about the tight timeline and lack of public consultation.
Other councillors are also weighing in. Cllr Patrick Nicholson wants to bring power from London to the rest of the country, while Green councillor Lauren McLay is all for genuine devolution but has her doubts about Labour’s commitment.
Some councillors are concerned about having an elected mayor, fearing it could lead to more issues. But Cllr Sarah Allen believes this is a chance to work together instead of competing for limited resources.
In the end, the council voted overwhelmingly in favor of creating a new authority for Devon and Cornwall, with just one vote against and a few abstentions. It looks like Plymouth is ready to take some big steps forward!
