Leaders of Devon County Council and Torbay Council have re-affirmed their commitment to securing the devolved powers and funding in the Deal both authorities signed in January 2024.

Government officials have confirmed that any decision about the establishment of the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (CCA) – which is legally required to assume responsibility for new funds and powers transferred by Government from Whitehall to Devon and Torbay – has been deferred until after the General Election on 4 July 2024. 

There was insufficient time before the dissolution of Parliament to submit, for Parliamentary approval, the Statutory Instrument required to set up the Devon and Torbay CCA.  Devon and Torbay’s proposal for the CCA was submitted to Government at the beginning of May 2024.

It puts Devon and Torbay in the same position as three other areas awaiting devolution deals: Lancashire, Greater Lincolnshire, and East Yorkshire and Hull.

Leaders of Devon and Torbay Councils and the nominated District Council have already backed proposed housing and economic growth projects in Devon and Torbay, to be supported by £16 million of capital funding previously agreed by Government. 

Business cases have been submitted to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, for a range of schemes in each district area of Devon and Torbay which together will deliver affordable homes, decarbonise existing properties, support more than 1,000 learners in green and net zero skills and create new jobs and apprenticeships.

Government officials say they will seek decisions on the business cases when the new Ministerial team is in place after the election.

Both authorities however are continuing to establish a new Business Advisory Group of experienced leaders from across the business community, and are actively seeking members to join the group.

The group will provide business insight to guide business support functions that have transferred to the authorities from the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.

Devon County Council is also continuing work to establish the Team Devon Joint Committee, comprising District and Town/Parish council representatives and Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks, which will support joint working on a number of areas, including economic development, housing and the environment.