Latest: Devon launches judicial review of Government’s unitary decision

Exeter Unitary plan branded as “costly madness”

The Minister of State for Local Government issued a written statement to Parliament on Wednesday 10 February on the future of local government structures in Devon, Norfolk and Suffolk.

As widely predicted, the Government rejected advice from its Financial Advisors and the independent Boundary Committee and announced it would seek to establish a new unitary authority for Exeter (on its existing boundaries) with no change in the rest of the county – even though she admitted the proposal did not meet the Governments own affordability criterion.

The orders to create the new authority will now be laid before the House and if successful would result in the creation of a new unitary authority by April 2011.

The creation of a separate Exeter Unitary is unwelcome and unnecessary and not in the interests of the people of Devon or Exeter – especially in the current climate. Not only would it tear the heart out of the county but it will be a costly distraction from vital work to help the county and city recover from recession.

Prudent estimates put the cost of creating the new authority at £25 million over the next five years and – if services were maintained at current levels – means the average band D council tax bill in Exeter will rise by £203 per year.

Devon County Council believes the decision is madness” and has pledged to fight it using all means possible.

See full statement from Devon County Council Leader

Gordon Brown confronted over £25m bill for Exeter Unitary

Background

Boundary Committee publishes advice on unitary local government in Devon

In December 2009 the Boundary Committee for England has published its advice to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on unitary local government in Devon. It put forward a proposal for a single unitary council for the current Devon county area. The Committee also recommended that the original proposal for unitary status for Exeter should not be implemented because of concerns about over its ability to meet the Government’s affordability criterion.

The Committee's report is available at Devon structural review

View the Council's response to the Boundary Committee, and financial cases:

• Devon County Council's response to the Boundary Committee (1.76MB - pdf help)
• A single Unitary Council for Devon
• A rural Unitary Council for Devon that excludes Exeter, Exmouth and surrounding Parishes

The deadline for submissions to the Boundary Committee closed on the 26th September 2008. Consultation responses and financial information is being considered by the Boundary Committee and a final decision on advice to the Secretary of State will be submitted by the Committee by 15 July 2009.

Court ruling on East Devon case

A High Court judgement in response to a judicial review sought by East Devon District Council has largely found in favour of the Boundary Committee. Summary and full judgement. (26KB - pdf help)

Previous Press Releases

Council calls for halt to unitary bandwagon

Leader condemns "two Devons" proposal

Final proposal for Devon reorganisation delayed

Business leaders and public sector back a single Unitary Council

Multi million pound savings from Devon's single Unitary Council

Boundary Committee backs plan to keep Devon United

Read more about the Boundary Committee review of Devon - a recent history...