Devon County Council has committed to putting residents of the county first as it develops ambitious plans for local government reorganisation in the county.
The authority has published an interim report – detailing work done on the project to date – which will be discussed at a special full council meeting this Thursday (March 20).
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.
It has asked for interim proposals, based on current district council boundaries, to be submitted this week, and detailed plans to be filed by November 28.
Devon County Council is working on a detailed assessment of populations, service demands and economic opportunities. The council’s focus is on “getting this right for Devon”, taking an evidence-based approach to assessing the best options with financial sustainability paramount.
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. Local accountability will be strengthened, with decisions made closer to communities, empowering residents to shape their future. Stronger alignment with public sector partners, including health, policing, and transport, will ensure better coordination and more joined-up services.
The council has committed to co-designing future local government and devolution arrangements with partners, communities, and residents so:
- services are easier to access, with a single point of contact reducing confusion and bureaucracy
- support for our most vulnerable children is strengthened, bringing social care, education and SEND services together with housing and health services
- health and social care is better integrated, improving support for older people and those with complex needs
- a unified approach to housing and planning enables the delivery of more affordable homes and sustainable development
- economic growth is strengthened through investment in skills, strategic job creation, and stronger business partnerships
- local democracy is enhanced, with clearer accountability and greater community engagement in decision-making
Devon County Council leader James McInnes said:
“Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a system which is more efficient and effective and is better able to support people’s prosperity, health and quality of life. It is absolutely vital that we continue to engage communities across our rural, coastal and urban areas in co-designing these proposals. I and senior leaders have already started that journey, involving the people, businesses and organisations which make Devon such a special place. More than 60 meetings have been held and I have been very much inspired by the conversations which have taken place.
“If we get this right we have an incredible opportunity to link vibrant towns and cities to our rural communities, making sense of transport, education and business development investment for Devon residents. I am delighted that such a comprehensive interim report will be put to council on Thursday and Government on Friday and thank all of those who have helped co-design it. I very much look forward to hearing from our communities, councillors and Government ministers as we build on this first phase of work to develop concrete proposals over the summer.”
Working with myriad community partners it is assessing the pros and cons of the following potential models:
- two unitary authorities – one covering Plymouth and another covering the rest of Devon
- a two unitary north Devon/South Devon split, with one council for Plymouth, Teignbridge, South Hams and Torbay and another for Exeter, East Devon, North Devon, Torridge, West Devon and Mid Devon
- a two unitary south west and north east split, with one council for Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon and another for Exeter, East Devon, Torbay, Teignbridge, North Devon, Torridge and Mid Devon
- a three unitary option of Plymouth, greater Exeter (formed of Exeter, East Devon and Mid Devon) and the rest of Devon
- a three unitary option, with Plymouth remaining on existing boundaries, a new unitary council formed of Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon and Torridge and another made up of Torbay, South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon
Also modelled for benchmarking purposes only is the option of a single unitary authority covering the whole of Devon.
The proposals align with ministerial guidance which says that new unitary councils should have minimum populations of 500,000 people each and align with existing district council boundaries.
The council intends to embark on a community engagement phase of work but has already engaged parish and town councils via the Devon Association of Local Councils (DALC).
DALC chair Councillor Liz Brookes-Hocking said:
“LGR presents opportunities to the town and parish sector. DALC members work hard on behalf of their communities and are keen that the community voice is acknowledged and heard. When responsive and respectful partnerships are developed between local councils and other sectors of local government, good work happens and communities benefit. Through this period of reorganisation, DALC will advocate for recognition of our councils’ wide-ranging contribution to the well-being, resilience and social cohesion of communities across the county. We will encourage other authorities to see our sector as a significant resource of local energy with potential to increase its effectiveness, given the right circumstances. Above all, whatever the future holds, we will be looking for open channels of two-way communication to create those strong partnerships we all need going forwards.”
LGR is part of a broader response to the Government’s Devolution White Paper, which includes setting out proposals for a new strategic authority. The county council is already on the devolution journey, having recently established the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority, which meets for the first time on Wednesday. It is now exploring the creation of a Mayoral Strategic Authority with Plymouth and Torbay and would welcome Cornwall Council to join our discussions.
More information on Local Government Reorganisation can be found on the Devon County Council website here.