Plymouth Fights for Its Existence and Supports South West Peninsula Authority

Plymouth: The city is making some big moves to secure its future. The City Council is all in on creating a new local authority led by an elected mayor that would cover all of Devon and Cornwall. They believe that by joining forces, they can be much stronger together.

Council leader Tudor Evans is really pushing for this. He thinks it’s a golden opportunity to grab more power and funding from the government. The idea is to expand Plymouth’s boundaries so it can stay a unitary authority while being part of a larger regional body. This could mean taking over some areas in the South Hams, although they haven’t nailed down the specifics yet.

The government is looking to shake things up by getting rid of district councils, which could lead to authorities that serve around 500,000 people. Plymouth has been a unitary authority since 1998, but with its population of about 274,300, it doesn’t quite meet that mark.

There’s also a new town called Sherford in the South Hams that’s expected to have around 12,000 residents when it’s finished. Plus, there are other big developments planned near Plymouth. The government wants feedback on these proposals for devolution, and the deadline is today.

Cllr Evans stressed that Plymouth needs to make a strong case for its survival. 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 decisions and won’t be left fighting for scraps.

He sees this as a chance for the region to really step up and be on par with places like the East Midlands and Manchester. It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity for growth and renewal.

Evans is clear that they can’t just stick with the status quo. They need to take control and not let Westminster dictate their future. Meanwhile, Conservative group leader Cllr Andy Lugger supports the idea but is concerned about the lack of public consultation due to the tight timeline.

He believes that these devolution plans should transcend party lines and help revive democracy. Other councillors echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for collaboration on major issues like transport and healthcare.

Green councillor Lauren McLay thinks genuine devolution could really help with local issues, but she’s skeptical about whether Labour will listen to the public. She pointed out that Labour has ignored public opinion in the past.

Some councillors are worried about having an elected mayor, fearing it could lead to more complications. But Cllr Sarah Allen believes this is a chance to work together instead of fighting over limited resources.

In the end, the council voted overwhelmingly in favor of the motion for a new authority for Devon and Cornwall, with just one vote against and a few abstentions. It looks like Plymouth is ready to take charge of its future!