Massive changes to local councils across Devon will simplify services for local people, according to the leader of one of the councils that will be expanded as part of the set up.
Torbay and Exeter are set to expand their boundaries as part of the biggest shake-up in local government for more than 50 years.
The government today announced the long-awaited results of its reorganisation for Devon, opting to create four unitary authorities.
Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay will all expand to take on council services in surrounding areas. The current district councils covering the county will cease to exist.
The expanded Exeter unitary council will be responsible for running coastal towns like Exmouth and Dawlish. It will spread out to take in 49 parishes in parts of Teignbridge, East Devon and Mid Devon.
The expanded Torbay authority will spread out into the neighbouring Teignbridge and South Hams areas to include 21 new parishes including Newton Abbot and other communities including Kingswear.
The rest of Devon – from the southern tip of the South Hams to the North Devon coast, and from the Cornish border to the Dorset border – will be included in the county’s fourth unitary council.
The news has been welcomed by the leader of Exeter City Council, Phil Bialyk (Lab, Exwick), who said there would be no immediate change to local services. Bin collections, council tax, housing services, benefits, planning and customer contact arrangements will continue as normal while councils prepare for the transition, he said.
“I very much welcome this decision,” he added. “Local government reorganisation is a unique opportunity to build a brighter future with stronger services and local accountability.
“It simplifies things for residents and communities by just having one tier of local government running services.
“Exeter and Plymouth’s joint submission recognised the importance of Devon’s growth areas while ensuring all four new councils have the scale to deliver high-quality services. I am delighted the Government has recognised this.”
The city council’s chief executive Bindu Arjoon also welcomed the announcement and said work would begin to ensure the transition was smooth.
“That work is already well under way in Exeter and will now move forward at pace,” she said. “We will work with other existing councils in Devon to ensure all residents and communities are fully aware of the change and feel part of the process.
“In the meantime, we will not be distracted from our responsibility to provide the best possible services for our residents.”
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