Councillors demand answers from PM over threat to growth funding

THE Prime Minister is being urged to provide “urgent clarity” on whether Cornwall will continue to receive local growth funding.

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Liberal Democrat Cornwall Council leader Leigh Frost has written to Sir Keir Starmer asking whether the county is set to be phased out of the financial support programme after March next year.

The letter comes in response to recent announcements suggesting future growth investment may be targeted only at mayoral city regions.

Plans for a directly elected mayor for Cornwall in exchange for greater devolution and funding were dropped in April 2023 in the face of mounting public opposition. Seven out of 10 people who responded to the public consultation said they were against the idea.

Cornwall councillors have also previously rejected a cross-border devolution deal as part of a strategic mayoral authority for the South West.