Views sought on proposals for new Local Government arrangements for Devon

A consultation on the future of local government in Devon has been opened by the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

This is the latest step in the process for reorganising local authorities following UK Government’s decision to simplify local services in England.

All authorities in the County had the opportunity to respond and there are now five proposals on the table for the county;  

• "Reimagining Devon" - three unitary authorities proposed by South Hams, Teignbridge, and West Devon.
• "Reimagining Devon" - three unitary authorities, with a request to modify the boundaries of Plymouth, proposed by East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, and Torridge.

• "The Case for Devon" - three unitary authorities, including a single large unitary council for Devon, alongside the existing Plymouth and Torbay unitary councils, proposed by Devon County Council 

•  "Proposal for Local Government Reorganisation in Devon" suggests expanded boundaries for the Plymouth and Torbay unitaries, a new unitary council for Exeter and the surrounding area, plus a rural and coastal unitary covering the remaining area, proposed by Plymouth & Exeter City Councils.
• "Proposal for Local Government Reorganisation in Devon" which is similar to the Plymouth & Exeter proposal, but suggests that Torbay would maintain its current boundaries, proposed by Torbay Council.

Government is now consulting on these options to inform their plans for the new authority, which will be announced in summer 2026.

The consultation can be viewed at https://www.devonlgr.co.uk and will be open until Thursday 26 March 2026.