Councils calling for business experts to work alongside the new Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority

Devon County Council and Torbay Council are inviting experts in business to be part of a newly formed Devon and Torbay Business Advisory Group.

Members of the Business Advisory Group will have a meaningful role in developing, implementing, and monitoring the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority’s economic strategy, including setting annual priorities, securing investment, and designing appropriate programmes to address business needs.

In addition, the Group will provide expertise, insight, intelligence, and evidence from business to support the growth and economic ambitions of Devon and Torbay.

The invitation follows the formal submission to Government of the proposal to create the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (CCA).  The Government has chosen Devon and Torbay as one of only a small number of local authority areas in the country to form a CCA, that will have a wide range of responsibilities and decision-making powers devolved to it from Government.

Those new powers will enable important decisions and actions to be taken on local priorities, including the shortage of affordable housing, improved coordination of public transportation, the need for new training and retraining opportunities and the need for more investment to support local businesses, green jobs, and to increase productivity and pay.

Subject to Government agreement, the new powers will be devolved to the proposed Devon and Torbay CCA later this year, with expert groups such as the Business Advisory Group immediately working alongside the CCA to deliver on a jointly agreed programme.

“We’re offering a unique opportunity for people who want to actively contribute their expertise to advise, guide, and inform the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority on strategic economic planning for Devon and Torbay,” it says on the Devon and Torbay Devolution Deal website.

Visit the Devon and Torbay Business Advisory Group webpage for more information about the role of the group, with a briefing pack and details about how you can apply.  Deadline for applications is Friday 7 June.