Single elected mayor to cover all Devon in 2028

Devon will get an elected mayor in 2028, it has been announced in the Budget.

The position will be a figurehead for the county, which is split into three administrative areas: Devon County Council, and the Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council unitary authorities.

Devon leaders previously said they were keen to work with Cornwall on a joint mayoral authority, but Cornwall resisted that approach, with its unitary authority saying it was now "by exception" a "single strategic authority".

The government had been trying to manage a reorganisation of local government with the abolition of all councils in Devon to be replaced by unitary councils but that plan has been put on hold.

The leader of Devon County Council said it was "fantastic" news that would give Devon "a seat at the top table" to bid for millions of pounds of funding for departments such as transport and housing, and potentially raise income from areas such as a tourism tax.

Leader and Liberal Democrat Julian Brazil said it would make a huge difference for people in Devon to be able to decide where money would be spent instead of those decisions being made by central government.

He said: "We're actually pulling a whole layer of central government down to Devon so that we'll be deciding how best to take decisions that are going to affect the people down here."

Dave Thomas, Conservative and leader of Torbay Council, said: "It's fantastic news, to be honest, because the thing is the new mayor will bring new powers, new money to the area.

"These are powers that normally sit in London, and are decided at a London level, will actually be decided down here in Devon."

Tudor Evans, leader of Labour-run Plymouth City Council, said he was "absolutely delighted".

He said: "It means that we can start now the real preparatory work to get an agenda, to get a wish list of important things that we need to do to accelerate growth in the region.

"Having a mayor to advocate for the region in a room full of mayors is so important. It means that we won't get left behind."

Elections for the directly-elected mayor for Devon are due to be held in May 2028.

While Devon was listed among places to become Mayoral Strategic Authorities, Cornwall was included with Budget documents as the only area on a pathway to become a Foundation Strategic Authority.

Cornwall Council leader Leigh Frost, county MPs and peers welcomed the Chancellor's announcement, saying the decision reflected "recognition of our unique cultural status".

They added: "This secures further devolution for Cornwall on a Cornwall-only footprint and without the need to introduce a mayor, which the council, MPs and peers representing Cornwall have long campaigned for... Government has listened to Cornwall."

Frost said it was a "significant moment for Cornwall".

He said: "Cornwall has its own identity and ambitions, but we also have our own unique challenges to face.

"That's why it's so important that decisions about Cornwall are made here in Cornwall by people who understand the needs of our communities."

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