Torbay ‘let down’ by Plymouth and Exeter over council shake-up plans

A leading Torbay councillor has said the bay has been ‘let down’ by the leaders of Exeter and Plymouth city councils as Devon prepares for the biggest shake-up in local government in 50 years.

Cordelia Law (Tormohun), who is the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group and a member of the bay’s shadow cabinet, said it was ‘incredibly disappointing’ to be put in a position where the bay’s proposals for the future shape of Devon’s councils do not match those of any of its neighbours.
“I can imagine how let down by the leaders of Plymouth and Exeter you must be feeling,” she said in a message to Torbay Council’s Conservative leader David Thomas (Preston).
“I know that we feel very disappointed by the apparent disrespect by them towards the wishes of Torbay.”
Plymouth published its proposals last week, a day before Torbay’s overview and scrutiny committee met to firm up theirs.
Plymouth says it wants to replace the current two-tier system in Devon with four new unitary councils – an expanded Plymouth taking in parts of the South Hams; an expanded Exeter taking in parts of Teignbridge, East Devon and mid Devon; an expanded Torbay taking in parts of its Teignbridge and South Hams neighbours plus a brand-new Devon Coast and Countryside authority for the rest of the county.
Exeter also favours expanding its boundaries.
The bombshell announcement from Plymouth, which Torbay had not been expecting, caused a division at the bay meeting, with councillors debating consultation which has seen the majority of bay residents in favour of keeping their council just as it is.
Conservative councillors wanted to endorse the position of keeping Torbay intact while allowing Plymouth and Exeter to expand, but Opposition members said the situation was too fast-moving to make a decision yet.
The casting vote of the chairman won the day for the Opposition councillors, who have passed the decision-making to the council’s cabinet which meets on November 18. 
Councils must submit their proposals by November 28, with the government likely to make its announcement on its chosen option for Devon next summer.
Cllr Law said she did see some positives from the situation. 
“Firstly, there is still time for us in Torbay to be flexible and responsive to the emerging new information before us and come together with a consensus for a proposal that has wider support and more of a chance of being considered by government as a viable option,” she said.
“Secondly, there is one proposal already put forward, from Devon County Council, that respects Torbay’s residents and the majority of councillors’ preference, to remain along our current boundaries and remain as we are.”
Cllr Law said she and her colleagues had never supported the expanded boundaries of Exeter, which opponents say could force financial challenges on the remaining Devon unitary for at least the next 10 years.
“We are all agreed, cross-party, that we want Torbay to remain as she is,” Cllr Law urged the council leader.
“We have worked together on this for so many months, I implore you, please don’t let us fall at the last hurdle. If we are to put Torbay first and our residents at the heart of everything we do, the only chance now for that to happen is if we add our voice to Devon County Council and mirror their proposal.
“It’s not too late.”
Devon County Council’s proposal is for Plymouth and Torbay to stay exactly as they are, with the rest of the county covered by a single unitary authority.