The Prime Minister, David Cameron, recently visited Cornwall where he unveiled the plans for the new Cornish devolution deal previously mentioned in George Osborne’s budget and promised in the Conservative Manifesto.
Under the terms of this new deal, Cornwall Council will be given responsibility for franchising bus services in the area, becoming the first rural unitary authority to do so and allowing Cornwall to develop a truly integrated public transport network. In addition, the Local Enterprise Partnership will also take a greater role in delivering skills training and apprenticeships while Cornwall Council and the Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group will now have the opportunity to join up health and social care services.
The Prime Minister also toured the soon to be finished East-West link road, which despite some delays in crossing the Red River is due to be completed in October and will unlock derelict mining land for regeneration as well as finally dealing with congestion on East Hill junction.