St Ives Town Council has successfully negotiated a devolution deal with Cornwall Council that takes back control of 46 spaces and buildings in the parish for the price of just £1.

Councillor Andrew Mitchell, who represents St Ives West, called the deal “trailblazing”.

The town council will now become custodian of assets worth millions of pounds, including parks such as Richmond Gardens, empty buildings such as Barnoon Workshop and the empty Longstone Chapel.

Income generating property including the Sloop car park forms part of the package to help fund the additional running costs and new services. The deal was agreed by Cornwall Council’s Cabinet at a meeting today (Wednesday, June 14).

Other parts of St Ives which will now be overseen by the town council include St Ives Guildhall, part of St Ives Harbour, The Island, Ayr Field Recreation Ground and various public toilets. For some tenanted properties, such as the NCI Coastwatch and St Ives Museum, the town council aims to be a responsible long-term landlord and ensure these community facilities are protected.

This is the biggest package of assets Cornwall Council has transferred and it will take lots of time and resources to complete the process. The target is for four parcels of sites and buildings to be handed down over two years.

St Ives town councillor and devolution panel lead Rachael Gaunt said: “This is the largest package of devolution that Cornwall Council has enabled to date. We are thrilled that the Cabinet of Cornwall Council supported the transfer of such important buildings and spaces to St Ives Town Council for the sum of £1.

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“Today marks the beginning of an important new chapter for our parish. By working together with Cornwall Council and other stakeholders as a trusted partner we can secure a bright future for much loved open spaces and buildings. We see our role as a custodian, working for the benefit of the communities we serve.”

Cllr Mitchell said at the Cabinet meeting: “I think this will show you what the parish and town councils in Cornwall are able to do. It will be a great thing for Cornwall Council, who will save some money which is a good thing, and for the town council to manage those assets better on a local needs issue.”

The town council aims of the package are to protect important green spaces and re-imagine them for future generations; direct important investment into publicly-owned heritage buildings and bring them back into use; use commercial income to support investment and help the council run services.