EVERYTHING both nationally and internationally seems broken.

So, I want to try and be positive; to show that the county council is playing its part, and also touch on wider issues of devolution and taxation.

As a new administration, we are working to be inclusive, working across party-political divides with compromise and consensus to arrive at the best solutions for Devon’s residents.

Economic growth is the holy grail. It generates more tax revenue which in turn can be invested in the key public services.

At the council, we are taking a two-pronged approach: invest in our children and infrastructure.

The latest budget sees the largest percentage increase in children’s services. These children will be the future workforce. They need to have the skills and agility to compete in the global marketplace.

The second area is around infrastructure. As a region the South West has been let down by successive governments.

The rail service is perhaps the most obvious example but not the only one. It’s desperately unfair that our children receive up to £5,000 less annually for their education.

Many rural areas have been failed by the government funded roll-out of super-fast broadband. Private companies have been able to manipulate the system and not deliver the service we were promised. And the state of our roads!

Of course, we will continue to lobby government, but we now need to take the initiative. We are borrowing money to invest in our roads. Government talks about growth but is of little help. We have to have our own plans.

To achieve even more of this self-reliance and resilience, we need genuine devolution.

It was encouraging to hear the chancellor talking about mayors having more financial autonomy.

The problem is we don’t have a mayor, and no sign of one on the horizon. Fine if you’re a northern mayoral region, but what about the South West?

All we do have is the wretched Local Government Reorganisation. We were promised that with the reorganisation would come mayors.

All we are left with is a process that will cost local council taxpayers tens of millions of pounds. Far from devolving powers and funding downwards, it’s a power grab by government.

Yet more centralisation of a failing system. If they want growth, then give us the powers and funding to deliver. Let’s face it, they seem pretty clueless.

Finally, I want to talk about taxation. A mature debate is just so overdue.

Be it frozen personal allowances or ever-increasing council tax we all pay more. And maybe we need to pay extra but at least be honest about it.

Perhaps then, we can discuss where the money should come from. My own preference is for tax on wealth not work and that’s the kind of debate we should be having.

I know it’s not easy or simple, but I also know the system’s broken. Inequality increases while productivity and growth stagnate.

Time for a change – heard that before.