The UK Government’s English Devolution White Paper proposes replacing the existing two-tier council system with unitary authorities serving populations of approximately 500,000. This has led to necessary discussions among Devon’s local councils regarding potential restructuring.
The Liberal Democrats have criticised Labour’s plan to reorganise local government by abolishing the two-tier system of county and district councils in favor of unitary authorities. They argue that this restructuring is wasteful, particularly due to the associated costs and the scheduling of two sets of elections within a two-year span.
Additionally, the Liberal Democrats have accused Labour of attempting to manipulate the electoral process to their advantage. Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has claimed that Labour and the Conservatives are colluding to prevent the rise of other parties in key areas affected by the proposed changes.
Devon’s seven district councils, along with Exeter City Council, have collectively expressed opposition to the idea of a single county-wide unitary authority. Instead, they are exploring alternative configurations that align with the government’s criteria while preserving local representation.
One proposal under consideration involves forming two separate unitary authorities within Devon. This approach aims to balance the benefits of streamlined governance with the need for local responsiveness.
Exeter City Council has prevously indicated its intention to seek unitary status independently, aiming to manage all local government functions within its jurisdiction. This move reflects Exeter’s desire to tailor services more closely to the specific needs of its urban population.
In February, the districts reached initial agreement to work towards the formation of two new Councils that combine existing areas as follows;
- A Unitary combining the South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon areas with Torbay
- A Unitary including East, Mid and North Devon alongside Torridge District and the City of Exeter
Plymouth would remain a unitary on its own. However mutiple other options are proposed. November is the hard deadline for submissions – and there is no timetable if this should happen, but it could be 2 to 3 years. There is considerable further work to do to develop these proposals.