A LAST-minute visit to Cornwall by the new Prime Minister saw the leader of Cornwall Council ensure a promise to try a pasty was kept in a recent letter exchange - with Andy Burnham presented with a feast of one of Bodmin’s best known manufacturer of pasties.

Cllr Leigh Frost, the leader of Cornwall Council and the member for Bodmin St Petroc’ wrote to the Prime Minister upon his taking of office, wishing the Labour leader well and seeking to meet with him to discuss further devolution for Cornwall.

In a response dated August 11, Mr Burnham sent a response to Cllr Frost, making clear his commitment to that conversation as part of wide ranging plans for the United Kingdom. He added that he had asked the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government (MHCLG) to follow up with the Cornwall Council leader on the points raised.

The Prime Minister added that he hoped to find himself a pasty in the near future with Cllr Frost later declaring that when that happens, the pasties will be on him.

However, that was to happen just four days after the letter with a last-minute visit to the Duchy by Mr Burnham, who had come to visit farming businesses as part of efforts to expand a support fund for British farming.

As well as presenting the Prime Minister and his team with a basked of Barnecutts pasties, the Cornwall Council leader took the opportunity to discuss the issue of devolution.

If granted, it would potentially bring more powers and responsibility to Cornwall beyond that already granted – with concerns that the unique requirements of the Duchy mean that the models being pursued elsewhere, such as large combined authorities with a mayor would not be appropriate.

Cllr Frost said that his first meeting with Andy Burnham was a positive one and that he thought the Prime Minister was genuine in his ambition to devolve powers from Westminster to local authorities around the United Kingdom.

Speaking afterwards, Cllr Frost said: “‘It was great to meet the prime minister here in Cornwall, we discussed the opportunities that are in front of Cornwall, and ensuring the right devolution deal to help us grab those opportunities.

“The Prime Minister has said that he won’t impose a devolution on any place that doesn’t want it.”

Referring to the insistence that Cornwall is not forced to merge with Devon as part of a ‘Devonwall’ combined authority or have to introduce a mayor, Cllr Frost continued: “I made clear our red lines.”

The successful meeting, in addition to introducing the Prime Minister to the true taste of a Cornish pasty, saw an invitation extended to Cllr Frost and the six Cornwall members of parliament – comprising of four Labour MPs and two Liberal Democrats – to a meeting at the newly established Number 10 North which will be overseeing the rollout of devolution across the United Kingdom.

Cllr Frost added: “The Prime Minister has invited the six Cornish MP’s and myself up to Number 10 North to progress this”.