People in rural Devon could have fewer councillors representing larger areas under plans for the county's new councils, Cabinet members heard this week.
Devon County Council has agreed its response to Government proposals on electoral arrangements, raising concerns about fair representation and the need to protect local communities as local government reorganisation moves forward.
At a specially convened Cabinet meeting, members noted the council’s submission on interim electoral arrangements for the four new councils that are set to replace the current Devon County Council, eight district councils, Plymouth City and Torbay Council.
The Government has already chosen a four-council model for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, subject to parliamentary approval. Ministers have also proposed how many councillors each new authority should have.
The response has been sent to Government ahead of a national deadline and focuses on the temporary warding arrangements that would be needed for elections in May 2027. The warding work was carried out collaboratively by council officers from across affected local authorities.
Devon County Council’s Cabinet members discussed how the new arrangements could affect local representation, particularly in rural parts of Devon, and the need to make sure communities continue to have a strong local voice.
Under the proposals there would be:
- 86 councillors in Exeter Council
- 68 councillors in Greater Plymouth Council
- 64 councillors in Torbay and South Devon Council
- 103 councillors in Devon Council
The council's scrutiny committee previously raised concerns about whether some councillors, particularly in rural areas, could end up representing larger populations and wider geographical areas than others.
Devon County Council Leader Councillor Julian Brazil praised officers for working on an extremely challenging timetable.
He said:
“Because this has been forced on Devon at pace the democratic deficit is shocking. In one area, a councillor could represent around 1,400 residents, while in another it could be more than 4,000. That difference in representation is unacceptable and an affront to local democracy.
“We will be the ones who must pick up the pieces if these arrangements create confusion or weaken local accountability. I am not opposed to local government reorganisation, but the process must deliver real benefits for our communities. If councils were given the time and flexibility to move at a sensible pace, we would have a much better chance of achieving those benefits.”
Members also highlighted the importance of protecting community identity and ensuring that council boundaries reflect how people live, work and access services.
The report makes clear that the arrangements currently being discussed are temporary and designed to allow the first elections to take place. A full independent review of electoral boundaries would follow once the new councils are established.
The Government is expected to use submissions from councils across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay to help shape the legislation needed to create the new authorities ahead of their planned launch in April 2028.
Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Leader of the Green and Independent Group, said:
“Changes to the management and delivery of public services should build better systems, not destroy. These proposals will destroy the systems we have in place.
“The outcome of the public consultation has been essentially ignored, which is a disgrace.
“The failure to take account of the public’s clear views and then carve out the economic areas, the cities, leaving a misshapen rural area that has been stripped of its coherence, will undermine the future of all of Devon.”
Conservative Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Councillor Stuart Rogers said:
"I am reassured that Devon County Council is challenging the Government on the transparency of decision-making and the pace of this process.
"Local government reorganisation risks fragmenting services that support some of our most vulnerable residents. The process is moving too quickly and threatens to undermine some of the careful work that has been undertaken to improve services and outcomes in recent years.
"I am committed to supporting my town and parish councils throughout this process to represent their concerns and get answers for rural communities who feel left behind."
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