Have your say on, and shape the future of Torbay

Torbay Council wants to hear from Bay residents and workers on future service delivery. In March 2025, Cabinet discussed responses to the Government’s call for proposals on Local Government Reorganisation, agreeing to explore three preferred options.

Torbay Council would like to hear from those who live or work in the Bay on how services are delivered in the future.

In March 2025, Cabinet considered how to respond to the Government’s request for initial proposals on Local Government Reorganisation in Devon.

It was agreed that three potential options (in order of preference) for re-organisation should be explored. These are:

• Torbay Council remains as it is
   
• A new unitary council be created covering Torbay, approximately half of South Hams and most of Teignbridge (similar to the catchment area of the Torbay and South Devon NHS foundation Trust and mirroring the South Local Care Partnership area)
   
• A new unitary council be created covering the area of Torbay, South Hams, West Devon and Teignbridge.

The option of a single Devon unitary authority including Torbay, but with or without Plymouth, was discounted. It was felt that the size of this single authority would be too large for it to be efficient and effective whilst retaining a sense of place and community for Torbay.

An options appraisal has to be completed for the final proposal.  However there is currently a consensus between the political groups on the council that the Bay remaining as it is, is the best option for Torbay’s residents.

Councillor David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council, said: “The Government has requested that we work with all the councils across Devon to develop proposals for a single tier of local government in the county.

“What is important is that we need to ensure what we submit is right for Torbay. I am aware though that we have to meet the criteria that government have set and constructively engage in the process, or we could be in the very real position that we are done to. We need to very much be a part of this conversation in order to influence the outcome.

“Here in the Bay, we have achieved a lot, and we are continuously looking at where we can improve. We don’t want to risk all our hard work being undone, and this can seen through our careful financial management, as we are in a secure financial position.

“We want to continue to deliver for our people and our place. We know we have challenges, but we have high aspirations.  We want to continue that work together.

“I’d encourage as many people across Torbay to have your say so that your views can be properly represented to the Government.”

More information about the options and the opportunity to feedback can be found at www.torbay.gov.uk/lgr. The survey is now open and will be closing at midnight on Sunday 10 August 2025. Paper copies of the survey can be found at all four libraries across Torbay from Friday 4 July 2025.