{"id":69177,"date":"2026-03-19T11:03:53","date_gmt":"2026-03-19T11:03:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=69177"},"modified":"2026-03-19T11:03:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T11:03:56","slug":"governments-consultation-future-shape-of-local-government-devon-its-final-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/governments-consultation-future-shape-of-local-government-devon-its-final-week\/","title":{"rendered":"The Government’s consultation on the future shape of local government in Devon is in its final week"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Government-led consultation on the future shape of local government in Devon is in its final week, and we’re keen make sure you’ve had your say by completing the survey.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re proposing a new Devon Unitary Council<\/a><\/strong> because we believe replacing the existing county and district council works best for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udcc8 Consistent standards
\ud83d\udcaa Most financially sustainable
\ud83d\udd3d Less risk than smaller councils
\u2705 Least disruption
\u2764\ufe0f Neighbourhood empowerment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Government wants your views. We\u2019ve set out how our proposal stacks up against their questions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Is a new Devon Unitary Council based on sensible geographies and economic areas?
    \u2705 Yes, it\u2019s the most financially sustainable option, matching real economic areas while avoiding the higher costs and risks of smaller councils.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Will a new Devon Unitary Council be able to deliver the outcomes described in the proposal?
    \u2705 Yes, because the finances add up. \u00a328.6m a year in savings, fast payback and minimal disruption means more money for frontline services, not bureaucracy. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Is a new Devon Unitary Council the right size to be efficient, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks?
    \u2705 Yes, with a population of around 842,000, it has the scale to be efficient, resilient and avoids the cost and risk of smaller councils. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Will a new Devon Unitary Council deliver high quality, sustainable public services?
    \u2705 Yes, strong finances fund high\u2011quality services, with less duplication, consistent standards and no disruption from splitting services. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Has the proposal to create a new Devon Unitary Council been informed by local views and will it meet local needs?
    \u2705 Yes, it\u2019s what thousands of people told us they want, with simpler access, clear accountability and fairness across Devon, and is the only financially robust option to deliver it. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Will creating a new Devon Unitary Council support devolution arrangements?
    \u2705Yes, it recognises the economic opportunities for the whole of Devon, and delivers investment in housing, jobs, and infrastructure at pace. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Will a new Devon Unitary Council enable stronger community engagement and give the opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment?
    \u2705 Yes, because a financially strong council with neighbourhood budgets and local action plans gives communities real influence over what matters to them.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Have your say<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

    Visit DevonLGR<\/a> to review all of the proposals and have your say in the Government consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The deadline for feedback is 11:59pm on Thursday 26 March 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    What happens next?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

    The Government is expected to make a decision on the future structure of local government in Devon by July 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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