A call has been issued for local councils in Devon to come together and take the opportunity to improve services, whatever decision government makes on the restructure of local government.
The message came at a special meeting of the County Council Cabinet, as it agreed the draft report setting out proposals which will be submitted to Government later this month.
Devon’s proposals are for a single unitary authority to replace the County Council and the existing eight district councils. The existing authorities of Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council would remain as they are.
Councillor Julian Brazil, Devon County Council Leader, said: “At the end of this process we all have to come together. Our duty is to deliver the services that our residents deserve. Within that is proper funding for local government. The fact children in Devon get less than nearly every other area in the country is grossly unfair and affects their life chances.
“As we move forward, we should accept that there will be fantastic opportunities to deliver services that really reflect the wants and needs of our communities. It would be remiss of us not to take that. There is an element of positivity that in the end I’m sure we will be able to do better, which is what we strive to do, and should always strive to do.”
Cabinet members discussed the benefits of a new unitary authority for Devon which would maintain critical services, particularly children’s services and adults services.
A number of issues raised at last week’s Full Council meeting were considered by Cabinet. In response to the views from that meeting, Cabinet agreed a recommendation to review the committee structures and councillor numbers in its proposal, taking into account the rurality and geography of Devon as exceptions.
Once the government has received proposals from all of the local councils in Devon it will examine their submissions. It will then decide which proposal(s) will go to statutory stakeholders for consultation during the first half of next year.
A final decision is expected by government next summer and shadow elections are due to be held in May 2027. The chosen new authority/authorities will take on its new powers and responsibilities on 1 April 2028.
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