Devon County Councillors met at a special full council meeting yesterday (Thursday 20 March) to discuss local government reorganisation in the county.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) wants to simplify local government, doing away with the ‘two-tier’ system in which district councils deliver services such as kerbside bin collections and local park maintenance while county authorities take responsibility for highways, schools and social care. Instead the Government wants unitary authorities, with combined duties, across England.
Council leaders believe a new model offers the chance to eliminate duplication, simplify structures, and unlock efficiencies, ensuring resources are invested in frontline services rather than administration.
HMCLG has asked for interim proposals, based on current district council boundaries, to be submitted this week, with detailed plans to be filed by November 28.
At yesterday’s meeting, County Councillors in the majority voted in support of the approach taken by the council in developing a response to the Government’s invitation, agreeing that the Leader of the Council, Councillor James McInnes, will submit the council’s Interim Plan on Local Government Reorganisation in Devon by HMCLG’s deadline today, Friday 21 March.
The Interim Plan is published and available on our website.