Have your say on Cornwall’s devolution deal at University of Exeter debate

The debate is designed to help people make up their minds about how they would like Cornwall to be governed and features local politicians from major parties.

The event is organised by academics at the University of Exeter's Institute of Cornish Studies and Environment and Sustainability Institute, and the Political Studies Association Local Politics and Governance Specialist Group.

Experts in the work of mayors from other parts of the UK will also be involved.

There will be short presentations on the devolution offer and experiences elsewhere, followed by a roundtable discussion with key Cornwall councillors, chaired by journalist Lawrence Reed.

The official consultation period for the devolution deal runs from 9 December 2022 to 17 February 2023, giving people time to contribute after the event.

Cllr Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy, will present the devolution offer, and the next steps.

There will be a presentation by Cornish business expert Steven Horscroft.

Roger Lawrence, former Leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, will discuss his experience of running a Mayoral Combined Authority in the West Midlands.

Professor Andy Pike, from the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies, University of Newcastle, will discuss the work of England’s Metro Mayors and issues they’ve faced.

Georgina Blakeley, from the University of Huddersfield, will discuss the experiences of Metro Mayors in Greater Manchester and Liverpool.

Dr Mark Sandford, Senior Research Analyst, House of Commons Library, will outline what’s on the menu for Cornwall as part of the devolution deal.

At the end of the event Laurence Reed will chair a roundtable discussion with all the speakers and audience plus local politicians.

The event will take place in person and online on February 6 2023. There will be hot drinks and cake provided from 1.15pm in the Environment and Sustainability Institute’s Trevithick Room on the Penryn Campus and it ends at 5pm.

If you would like to attend, please sign up via Eventbrite: https://Cornishdevolutiondebate.eventbrite.co.uk