THE leader of Cornwall Council, on behalf of the region’s MPs and Peers, has welcomed the autumn Budget as the Chancellor announced devolution for Cornwall.

It was confirmed in today's Budget that Cornwall Council will, by exception, become a single strategic authority in recognition of its ‘unique cultural status’.

The council, MPs and Peers representing Cornwall have long campaigned for devolution without a mayor — and they were pleased to see this dream realised.

On behalf of Cornwall’s Members of Parliament — Andrew George, Perran Moon, Jayne Kirkham, Noah Law, Ben Maguire, Anna Gelderd — and the Peers Lord Hutton, Lord Teverson and Lord Taylor, Cornwall Council leader Leigh Frost said: "This is a significant moment for Cornwall, and something we've been working towards for a long time.

"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.

"Today's announcement is an important step forward, but it's not the end of our journey. We want to build on this agreement and secure the powers and resources we need to shape Cornwall's future for the benefit of one and all."

The Budget came on the back of “very positive conversations” held by the Cornish representatives with the Prime Minister over recent months. In celebration the council said: “Government has listened to Cornwall”.

Confirmation that the council will also receive a share of the £150-million capacity funding to support strategic authorities, plus an allocation from £285-million new Good Growth Fund to invest in to the economy, was hailed as good news for Cornwall taxpayers.

The council added: “We look forward to continuing the discussions with Ministers over the coming months to gain an even greater level of autonomy and funding for Cornwall through the government’s Rewiring the State Delivery Plan, to be published by the end of this year.”