Two city councils unite on bold proposal for the future of Devon

Exeter City Council and Plymouth City Council have joined forces to submit a single, shared proposal to Government for local government reorganisation (LGR) in Devon.

Both councils agreed their proposals at recent Full Council meetings and, because the plans are in essence the same, they are presenting one joint submission to make the process clearer and easier for residents during the Government’s consultation. 

The proposal responds to the Government’s White Paper on local government reform and sets out a vision for replacing Devon’s current two-tier system with four new unitary councils.  

Under the joint proposal, Plymouth would extend its boundary to include 13 South Hams parishes already closely connected to the city. Exeter would grow by 49 parishes from East Devon, Teignbridge and Mid Devon, creating a unitary authority of around 260,000 people that reflects its true economic footprint. 

Torbay would also expand, adding 21 parishes from Teignbridge and South Hams to strengthen its financial resilience and serve a population of about 220,000.  

The remaining areas would form Devon Coast and Countryside Council – celebrating the unique rural and coastal identity of communities from Dartmoor to the north coast, while tackling the challenges of dispersed service delivery. 

This four-unitary model will ensure all four new councils have the scale to deliver high-quality services. It simplifies local government, cuts duplication, and brings decisions closer to residents, unlocking growth and innovation across Devon. 

This marks the culmination of months of detailed work and engagement. Since both councils published their initial proposals earlier this year, they have been rigorously scrutinised by councillors and debated at council meetings, where the four unitary model received cross-party support from opposition groups.  

Councillor Jemima Laing, Acting Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “This is a rare opportunity to fix a system that simply isn’t working. The current two-tier structure creates duplication and confusion, and it actively prevents the joined-up public service reform that residents need.  

“By working together, Plymouth and Exeter are making the case for a fairer, stronger system that delivers better services and outcomes for residents. Our proposal is about more than efficiency - it’s about unlocking better health, employment and community outcomes by creating councils with the scale to lead strategically and the local focus to deliver what communities actually need.” 

Councillor Phil Bialyk, Leader of Exeter City Council, said: “This has been a long process, and a lot of work has gone into our submission. I’m so pleased it was backed by councillors from all political parties – there has been real unity on this in Exeter, because everyone knows it is a once in a generation chance to deliver real change throughout Devon.  

“We have a developed a very strong case for change, and I am very proud of the fact that we are joining our colleagues in Plymouth in a joint submission which will transform local government in the county.”   

Tracey Lee, Chief Executive of Plymouth City Council, said: “This joint submission is about clarity, collaboration and ambition. By presenting one proposal, Plymouth and Exeter are making it easier for residents to understand what’s being suggested and why. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to simplify local government, strengthen financial resilience and design services around real communities rather than outdated boundaries. 

 “I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this process – residents who shared their views, stakeholders who engaged constructively, and the dedicated staff from both councils who have worked tirelessly to shape a proposal that reflects Devon’s future needs. Working together means we can speak with one voice for the future of Devon – a future where decisions are made closer to the people they affect, where councils have the scale to lead strategically, and where innovation and growth can flourish across our county.”  

Exeter City Council Chief Executive Bindu Arjoon said: “I want to thank everyone in the city and beyond who have taken their time to share their views with us to inform the development of our submission. We believe that four councils working together can deliver better public services, unlock investment, and give every part of Devon a stronger voice.   

 “We have demonstrated how we can improve services and outcomes for residents, deliver value and enhance community involvement in partnership with parish and town councils. 

 “This is a very exciting time for local government - reorganisation will create financially viable, efficient authorities aligned to geography, population and economic potential, recognising the distinct needs and identities of urban and rural areas.” 

To read the full joint submission, visit the Exeter City Council website or the Plymouth City Council website