Cornwall Council has claimed Cornwall will get £390million if it signs up to a devolution deal with the Government and has a directly elected mayor. However, it does not specify the timescale for the funding or what it could be used for.

Cornwall Council’s leader Linda Taylor and Cornwall’s six Conservative MPs had asked former Prime Minister Liz Truss if Cornwall could have a level three deal without a mayor but the request was denied.

Campaigners, Cornwall councillors, town and parish councillors have all called for a referendum to be held in Cornwall so residents can decide whether Cornwall should have a directly elected mayor.

Cllr Taylor previously dismissed the idea but said the council would carry out public consultation about the devolution deal.

Some people have highlighted that the change in governance in Cornwall is unnecessary as it already has a strong leader and Cabinet model and so having a directly elected mayor would only add to bureaucracy. They have also said that it could cost taxpayers around £1million a year.

It has been claimed a directly elected mayor could command a salary of £80,000 and there would be additional costs for staff and office. The estimated costs have been calculated on the basis of other directly elected mayors elsewhere in the UK.

Council officers have stated that Cllr Taylor is expected to make an executive decision to accept the devolution deal which they claim could be worth £390m for Cornwall.

No further details were provided on the £390m figure submitted in a report to the council due to meet yesterday after the Voice went to press.

The report also claims that a referendum would cost £967,530 and that: “It is important to note the council has not budgeted for this significant cost.”