CALLS have been made for Cornwall to take a lead and demonstrate that it should take control of its own economic development.

The Government has announced that it intends to scrap Regional Development Agencies across the country and is encouraging local authorities and businesses to team up and create new Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs).

Last month, Cornwall Council voted unanimously to prepare a bid for a Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP to be established.

However, last week, Devon County Council issued a statement suggesting that councils in Torbay, Devon and Plymouth would be teaming up with Cornwall to form a South West Peninsula LEP.

The statement had been approved by all councils involved and included comments from Cornwall Council leader Alec Robertson.

The statement provoked a strong response from opposition Liberal Democrat councillors at County Hall, who claimed on his blog that the council's ruling Cabinet was ignoring the wishes of the council and wider public.

As a result Cornwall Council deputy leader Jim Currie issued a statement reiterating the council's support for a standalone Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP.

However, Mr Folkes said that the council should do more to dispel any fears that Cornwall will be tied to a partnership with Devon.

'Selling out'

He said: "Jim Currie's statement does little to calm the fears of people in Cornwall that their council is selling out on the need for a Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP.

"It fails to rule out the possibility of a second peninsula bid, which would lead to Cornwall's future being dictated by other larger councils with their own priorities.

"Cornwall councillors voted unanimously for a Cornwall LEP. Yet, just a couple of weeks later, the council signed up to a press release talking about a different course of action. These mixed messages play into the hands of those who believe Cornwall should be run from Exeter or from Bristol.

"Jim Currie and his colleagues should make it quite clear that a Cornwall and Isles of Scilly LEP is the only sensible way forward for local people and local businesses. They should be out there forging partnerships and taking the lead rather than sitting back and allowing others to dictate our future."

Last month during a visit to Cornwall, Prime Minister David Cameron indicated that he expected a bid to be made for a Cornwall LEP.

Bids for LEPs have to be submitted to the Government by September 6 with the regional development agencies scheduled to be wound down by 2012.