Two days after Cornwall Council’s ruling Cabinet voted to “accept the UK Government’s intention to designate Cornwall Council as a single Foundation Strategic Authority (FSA),” the Prime Minister announced that he would give “all mayors of city regions in England a share of income tax revenue … as part of his drive to transfer power from Westminster to local leaders.”

Analysis by one newspaper showed how the money would go to mayoralties in the Midlands and the North, the Bristol area, and there would be significant uplift in spending in London.

Another Minister, Louise Haigh, was interviewed by BBC Radio 4’s Today programme and she said that strategic authorities that bring multiple councils could also benefit.

MK leader Cllr Dick Cole said: “What does FSA status mean for Cornwall? When will we get the funding for our public services that our communities need? When will we get clarity on how Andy Burnham’s Government will deliver meaningful devolution and fair funding for Cornwall?”

It is also telling that Labour MP Perran Moon (Camborne and Redruth) has described governmental plans as “discriminatory,” adding that they could create a “two-tier system” and Cornwall could be frozen out of getting access to devolved powers.