Councillors consider proposals for future of local government in Devon

Councillors have been running the rule over Devon’s proposals for the reorganisation of local government in the county.

At a special meeting of the authority’s Full Council today (Friday 14 November), councillors had the opportunity to comment on Devon’s draft business case.

Devon County Council is proposing that the County Council and the existing eight district councils are replaced with a single unitary authority serving around 840,000 residents, while retaining the existing authorities of Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council.

The business case for Devon’s proposals, subject to approval, needs to be submitted to government by Friday 28 November.

Feedback from councillors will be considered at a special Cabinet meeting next Tuesday (18 November) when it makes its final decision on the proposals.

While no vote was taken at the Full Council meeting, there was a shared frustration from councillors over what’s being asked of local councils.

Councillors heard that the proposals for a new unitary council for Devon would provide continuity in critical services such as children’s safeguarding and adult social care, avoiding the disruption and risks that would be caused by breaking them up under separate unitary authorities.

The proposed new authority would have 16 Neighbourhood Area Committees, providing the opportunity to bring together councillors, parish representatives, the voluntary and community sector, businesses and public service partners. This will ensure communities have a strong voice. Establishing these Neighbourhood Area Committees would not remove any assets or powers from local town and parish councils.

Government will examine all of the proposals it receives from authorities in Devon and decide which proposal(s) will go to statutory stakeholders for consultation during the first half of 2026.

A final decision is expected by government next summer, with shadow elections due to be held in May 2027. The chosen new authority/authorities will take on their new powers and responsibilities on 1 April 2028.