Plymouth set to revisit devolution stance
Plymouth City Council is preparing to take the first formal step towards joining the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (DTCCA), three years after stepping away from the original deal. A cabinet paper due next Monday, 20 July, proposes authorising work to develop a detailed proposal for membership, paving the way for a fuller decision later in the year.
The shift follows a change of national administration and months of officer-level engagement. City leaders argue that being part of the DTCCA would secure "a seat at the table" for decisions which already affect Plymouth — notably transport investment and adult skills funding — and strengthen the peninsula’s collective case for growth and investment.
What has changed since Plymouth walked away?
In 2023, council leader Cllr Tudor Evans criticised the then-government’s approach to devolution, warning it could weaken Plymouth’s control, particularly over transport. The city withdrew from the talks but left the door ajar to rejoin in future. Earlier this year, the leader wrote to ministers indicating Plymouth’s readiness to explore membership of the DTCCA, described as a foundation strategic authority without a mayor. Officials stress the combined authority sits apart from, and does not rely on, any separate process of local government reorganisation in Devon.
Explaining the rationale for re‑engagement, the council said being a member would allow Plymouth to contribute directly to decisions already being made for the wider area. That includes the allocation of training budgets and regional transport priorities which shape bus, road and active travel investment across the county and the Bay.
“Decisions about transport funding and adult skills for our area are already being made around a table that Plymouth is not sitting at. This is about ensuring our city has a voice where those decisions are taken and making the strongest possible case for Plymouth.”
Cllr Evans added that officers will work with government to pull together the evidence required for councillors to weigh the opportunities and risks later this year, focusing on whether tangible benefits would flow to residents, businesses and communities.
Next steps and timing
Cabinet members are expected to consider a recommendation to commence proposal development. If agreed, council officers would liaise with government and DTCCA partners to assemble the case for joining, before bringing the matter back for a political decision once the evidence is complete.
Membership of the DTCCA would not introduce a metro mayor; the authority operates under a non-mayoral model. The chair of the DTCCA, Cllr David Thomas, has previously underlined the partnership’s openness to Plymouth participating from the outset as part of a collaborative approach across Devon and Torbay.
Why it matters for Plymouth
Devolution arrangements influence how and where money is spent on local priorities. For Plymouth, joining the DTCCA could affect:
- Transport funding — input into regional investment decisions that shape local connectivity and future schemes.
- Adult skills and training — a say in how funding is directed to meet labour market needs in and around the city.
- Strategic influence — greater leverage when making the case for national and regional investment, working alongside Devon and Torbay.
City Hall emphasises that the intention at this stage is exploratory: to compile the facts, potential gains and any trade‑offs before councillors decide. The move aligns Plymouth with a broader trend of local areas seeking to secure more control over economic and infrastructure priorities through combined authorities.
At a glance: the proposed pathway
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cabinet consideration | Recommendation to develop a full membership proposal on Monday 20 July. |
| Proposal development | Officers work with government and the DTCCA to compile evidence. |
| Councillor decision | Members review the case and vote later in the year. |
For residents and employers, the immediate impact is limited while the details are worked up. However, the outcome will determine Plymouth’s role in shaping regional decisions that directly touch daily life — from the reliability of local transport to the availability of training that helps people into better jobs. The council’s test, as set out by the leader, is whether joining delivers real-world benefits for the city.
