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Double Devolution in Cornwall: Challenges and Opportunities

Explore the historic opportunity of devolution in Cornwall, its background, current context, governance, and local perspectives. Learn about the strategies, partnerships, and governance framework shaping the devolution process.

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Double Devolution in Cornwall: Challenges and Opportunities

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  1. Double Devolution – What does it mean?Challenges and Opportunities LGA House 1st June 2016Rob Andrew: Asst. Head - Communities and Devolution, Cornwall CouncilSarah Mason: CEO Cornwall Association Local Councils

  2. Background Low-wage economy – European Funding Rurally dispersed population of 530,000 Unitary in 2009 – previously Cornwall County Council and 6 District Councils 123 Cornwall Council Members History of in-house service provision Strong community identity 213 Town and Parish Councils Vibrant VCSE community

  3. Historic Opportunity? - Devo Local 38 Devolution Deals being discussed Government wants these to include devolution to town and parish councils Government encouraging parishes to get involved and partnership with councils and county associations will be key James Wharton MP, Minister for the Northern Powerhouse “Devolution won’t be done to anyone. The worst that will happen is that it will be done without you

  4. A decentralised future… Providing visible, strong and effective strategic leadership and delivery at a countywide level… …but reworking local governance and delivery to empowering hundreds of communities and increase democratic participation.

  5. Devolution to Cornwall • The Deal provides… • powers • leverage • freedoms • flexibilities • …to accelerate the delivery of our • individual and shared strategies.

  6. Current Context 2009 – Unitary savings £19m 2015 - Cornwall Council facing £196M savings Pressure on discretionary community based services with limited externalisation of services Move to Business Rate funded budget Closer working with TPCs / VCSE 160+ Agency Agreements with TPCs 50+ Neighbourhood Plans being developed 100 Community assets listed Community initiatives – Coast communities funding, Community emergency plans 8 Business Improvement Districts (BIDs)

  7. Pressure on community based services

  8. Building blocks of success Create the right culture – build local Trust Develop a better local understanding of the “Devolution Deal” Mutual understanding of the language of “devolution” Recognise that every community is different Local ambition and local capacity Promote local partnerships and collaboration

  9. Partnership Working Close working relationship with CALC (Cornwall Association of Local Councils) and Cornwall Society of Local Council Clerks (CSLCC) Service Level Agreement with CALC Act as Critical friend Joint training partnership (inc. VCSE) CALC representation on Devolution Board and evidence to Localism Policy Advisory Committee Attendance at officer meetings Thematic forums – Planning, Waste, Transport Research project with University of Exeter

  10. Cornwall’s Devolution Framework

  11. Framework Options • Option 1 – Influencing / Monitoring • Street Cleansing • Option 2 – Joint / enhanced delivery • Environment, Traffic Enforcement • Option 3 – Agency Agreements, Licenses • Grass cutting, closed cemetries, roundabout sponsorship • Option 4 – Delegated Delivery • Libraries, One Stop Shops, • Option 5 – Services transfer / cessation • Public Conveniences, allotments, open spaces • Option 6 – Retained • Winter maintenance, coast protection

  12. Governance Devolution Board (monthly) Chaired by Director Fortnightly Strategic Devolution Group Monthly highlights reports, risk register, rolling 12 month programme Robust financial modelling Sign off - Director (CR) or Cabinet if proposal is greater than £500K £1.5m Devolution capital pot – sign off by Board Small revenue budget

  13. Established principles (1 of 2) • Simple solutions • Consider agency agreements / licenses in first instance • Packages • Total place – mix of services / assets • Local economies of scale • Single local provider • Phased - skills , budget etc • Ownership • Presumption that freehold is the starting point for transfer to a TPC • Leasehold preferred to other types of organisations that are effectively ‘semi- commercial’ organisations • Sports grounds need careful consideration

  14. Established Principles (2 of 2) • Car Parks • Car park transfer needs new Parking Order etc. • Local levy - agreed increase in charges above what CC plan - offered as a grant • Waste • Current Contract until 2020 • All new proposals to include waste costs and seek to re-charge as part of the negotiations • Consider arrangements for new contract post 2020 • Site Valuations • Most sites need valuation if leasehold / freehold transfer • Some towns 40+ sites

  15. A local perspective Understanding local Councils Timeliness of devolution conversations Pre-cepting cycle Balancing needs of both parties Who benefits? Developing alternative solutions Capacity and skills Mutual respect and understanding Access to funding – Business Rates? CIL? S106?

  16. Principles still being developed TUPE and pensions Insurability General Power of Competence Responsibility for “future proofing” services

  17. TPC precepts 2009/10 £10.156m 2010/11 £10.860m 2011/12 £11.354m 2012/13 £12.443m 2013/14 £12.149m 2014/15 £13.598m 2015/16 £15.500m 2016/17 £18.550m

  18. Support activity • Dedicated Webpages • Programme • Lists of completed and live projects • Guidance Notes and Checklists • Case studies • Training partnership

  19. Ongoing Challenges • Project assessment and evaluation • Identifying “true” current costs – operational & management • Conflicting priorities – income earning assets for individual services v. wider overall council savings • Balancing the views of social value v. capital receipts v. revenue costs • What is “cost neutral”? • Resources to undertake this work – an additional activity to the traditional ‘core offer’ • Negotiations take time and need continuity

  20. Widening the horizons

  21. The Future? Changing role of TPCs / local groups Changing role of Parish Clerk – Parish Manager? Raising appreciation of the role (£) of the Clerk! New breed of local Councillor? General Power of Competence 4 year business plans? Arms length trading opportunities? Formal / informal mergers/ clusters? Local collaboration Govt. Funding – Our Place, Power to Change etc. Different local aspirations, money, capacity, social capital differ

  22. The sky’s the limit!

  23. Contact Details • Website • http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/community-and-living/devolution-giving-communities-more/ • Email • randrew@cornwall.gov.uk • Communities.devolution@cornwall.gov.uk • enquiries@cornwallalc.org.uk

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