Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority and devolution deal

Why do we need a devolution deal?

Devon and Torbay is a special place with enormous potential in its businesses, people and places. But Devon and Torbay face challenges that impact productivity levels and the ability to grow:

  • Productivity lags behind the UK average and requires an 30% increase to close the gap.
  • Public spending per person has historically trailed the rest of the UK.
  • Rural, urban and the coastal areas suffer from nationally significant levels of poverty.
  • Social mobility and youth aspiration and progression are particular areas of concern.
  • Young people are leaving the area due to a lack of available housing and attractive employment opportunities.
  • There are significant challenges with skills and educational performance and pockets of nationally significant educational need.

We believe that our proposal for a Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority will help us address these challenges.

View of Brixham Harbour on a sunny day, boats in the water and colourful houses on the far side.

The benefits we believe our proposal will bring to Devon and Torbay

With a population of 953,000 and a Gross Value Added of over £17 billion, Devon and Torbay offer enormous potential. We have nearly 50,000 businesses providing around 473,000 jobs. There are significant sectors with the potential for growth.

We believe that establishing a Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority will enable us to make a real difference to people’s lives – tackling challenges as well as providing Devon and Torbay with a stronger voice to influence policy for the benefit of our residents, communities and businesses.  Our proposal will give the area greater ability to: 

Maximise our economic potential

  • A skilled workforce our local economy needs for the future
  • Secure new investment to help create additional high value jobs
  • Devolution of Adult Education functions

Address our housing pressures 

  • Additional investment in affordable housing schemes
  • Reduce the barriers to affordable housing delivery
  • Greater Community Land Trust-led delivery

Improve local transport

  • Strengthened joined-up approach
  • Improved efficiency and co-ordination of public transport
  • Shared responsibility for strategic transport to support economic growth

Meet our net zero ambitions

  • Unlock Devon and Torbay’s huge green economic potential
  • More investment in green business growth
  • Capitalising on our area’s world-leading expertise in green science and technology

Deliver investment in Devon and Torbay

  • Local democratic accountability for investment decision in the local economy
  • A strong voice for business and skills representatives
  • Easier for businesses to access information, advice and support

Create a strong and sustainable local economy

  • Support high growth business sectors  and  our traditional strengths
  • Creating a strong and sustainable local economy
  • Increase productivity and pay across Devon and Torbay