Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, visited Cornwall last week where he met representatives of local councils, business leaders, health, housing and education providers and voluntary and community organisations to discuss progress in delivering the Devolution Deal awarded to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly last year and to hear about the area’s post Brexit plans for the future.  

John Pollard, Leader of Cornwall Council, said: ’As trailblazers for rural devolution we are keen to move onto the next stages of devolved powers and especially our ‘double devolution’ so that more freedoms and responsibilities can be shared with Parish and Town councils.’

Mr Javid said: ’From the Enterprise Zone at Newquay to the devolution deal for the Duchy, I’ve been impressed by the energy across Cornwall and the drive to make sure these locally-led efforts succeed.’