Cornwall Council has revealed the results of a 10-week public consultation for the proposal of a new devolution deal and Cornwall mayor.
The results, which were due to be released by mid-March, were delayed until Tuesday (March 28). Thousands of people took part in the consultation, including joint responses from key businesses, public sector organisations and other partners, with the entire process quality assured by the independent Consultation Institute.
It was shown that there were more younger people in favour of the deal with a mayor, compared to older residents. The council's open consultation survey had 6,105 responses, with 69% of those against the deal with a mayor.
The survey questionnaire, which was available online and as a hard copy to all Cornwall residents, found 25% were in favour.
While a second representative survey saw 65% of responses in favour of the deal and mayor, with just 16% against.
The proposed new devolution deal for Cornwall would bring in additional funding and give new decision-making powers to Cornwall Council, with a key condition that the governance model for Cornwall Council is changed from being led by a ‘council leader’ ,appointed by 87 elected Cornwall councillors, to a new role of a ‘council mayor’, directly elected by the people of Cornwall.
Those in support of the deal pointed to the benefits the new powers and funding would bring Cornwall, both for current and future generations. Whereas those against the proposed deal were clear in the fact that their opposition came down to the change to an elected mayor for Cornwall.
The feedback from key stakeholders and partners was also mixed. Town and Parish Councils across Cornwall who responded were mainly negative regarding the deal, with 40 of 211 Councils asking for a referendum to be held on the deal, and 14 stating their opposition to a mayor.
Feedback from key stakeholders including the University of Exeter, Falmouth University, the Cornwall Place Board, the Cornwall Chamber of Commerce, Visit Cornwall, six housing providers, the Council of the Isles of Scilly, the National Trust and the Police Commissioner was positive, acknowledging the value of specific powers and funding to support Cornwall's ambitions.
Cllr Linda Taylor, leader of Cornwall Council, said: “It is clear from these results that those who are opposed to the deal and the introduction of a mayor feel very strongly on the issue. However, we know that most people want more decisions about Cornwall to be made in Cornwall, and the 'silent majority' seems, on balance, to favour the deal, including an elected mayor.
“It has also been interesting to see such a positive response from the younger generation and such strong support from businesses and our strategic partners.
“These findings will shape a very interesting discussion at next week’s cabinet meeting and at the subsequent full council on April 18.”
It was in November when the government confirmed the £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.
The findings from the recent consultation will inform the debate at an extraordinary meeting of the Council’s Cabinet committee next Wednesday (5 April), which will take place in the Trelawny Room at County Hall in Truro, starting at 10am.
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