DESPITE assurances by Cornwall Council this week that it would be opposed to any devolution deal with the government that would see a “combined authority that stretches across the Tamar”, it is understood that council leader Linda Taylor and chief executive Kate Kennally have had talks with their opposite numbers in Plymouth.

Plymouth City Council has said that it’s keen that any deal with the Labour government to give more self-governing power to the UK’s regions should include a peninsula-wide deal including Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.

Cornwall Council’s Conservative cabinet introduced a “white paper” in July which contains details of how the local authority would like to see Cornwall, as a recognised and protected Celtic nation, having the means to shape its own destiny by securing greater autonomy and the ability to deliver a range of policies. It hopes to present its plan to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner later this month.

Cabinet members agreed a “level two” devolution deal with the last government late last year after its bid for a “level three” deal – with greater autonomy – proved unpopular with Cornish residents due to its inclusion of an elected mayor.

Cornwall Council issued a press release this week announcing its “leaders have joined Cornish MPs in calling for a devolution deal that will help unleash Cornwall’s potential, without the need for a mayor or becoming part of a combined authority.

“Following a meeting last week to discuss the new government’s devolution plans, leaders expressed their ‘shared commitment’ to secure a deal that will provide more autonomy for Cornwall based ‘solely on a Cornwall geography and non-mayoral model’ as opposed to a ‘combined authority that stretches across the Tamar’.”

The media statement continues: “The group noted that although not formally invited to submit a devolution settlement ‘expression of interest’ – unlike Plymouth which currently has no devolved powers – Cornwall remains ‘ready, willing and able to take back control in its own right’.”

Despite the comments, an insider at the council has said that Cornwall Council’s Conservative leader Linda Taylor has agreed that Cornwall be named on Plymouth’s bid. “Don’t be derailed by the council press release,” said the anonymous source.

Another contact told us that Cllr Taylor and Cornwall Council’s chief executive Kate Kennally had met their opposite numbers at Labour-run Plymouth City Council to discuss devolution. Cllr Taylor and Cornwall Council haven’t responded to our queries about a possible joint ‘Plymwall’ devolution deal.

However, Cllr Tudor Evans, leader of Plymouth City Council, has commented. He said: “We want to play our part in the programme of national renewal and believe that a peninsula-wide deal for Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, bringing together a population of around 1.82m residents and 74,500 businesses, would constitute a strong growth alliance for the South West.

“We recognise that if we want to be on a similar footing as other areas across the country, accessing more powers for Plymouth and the region to deliver the growth we need, we must think wider than just Plymouth. Therefore, we are open to having conversations around what the ‘offer’ for a devolution deal for Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay might include. But, let me be clear, this is just a conversation.”

He added: “The Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has written to all areas without a devolution deal to kickstart conversations about potential proposals and has asked us to complete an ‘outline expression of interest’ suggesting who we would be willing to have conversations with to explore the art of the possible in the future.

“The government’s new model intends to help councils address issues such as funding and powers and therefore we are open to having conversations around what the ‘offer’ for a devolution deal for Cornwall, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay might include.”

Cornwall Council had a meeting with the Duchy’s new MPs last Friday to discuss its devolution white paper. Despite it announcing that council “leaders” were present, at least one political leader has complained he was “denied access” to the meeting.

Cllr John Conway, who resigned from the council’s Conservative group in July, is now the leader of the local authority’s Non-aligned Group. He said: “I am a group leader and I was denied access to the meeting despite requesting an invitation.”

Andrew George, Lib Dem MP for St Ives and West Cornwall, was at the meeting. He told us: “I’m reassured that between the MPs and the council, there’s very strong alignment on the building blocks for Cornwall’s case for greater devolution of powers; that the only region for Cornwall is Cornwall and that there’s no appetite whatsoever for any elected mayor or leader.

“If we stand together then I think our voice will be heard more clearly, than if there are discordant voices. The signs are looking good.”