Bay joins bid to redefine councils with 'engines of growth' scheme

Torbay, Plymouth and Exeter councils are backing a new model for local government reorganisation that is at odds with proposals by Devon County Council and district authorities.

- by ALISON STEPHENSON Local Democracy Reporter

Amid the shakeup, councils are expected to reach a consensus of how Devon can be divided up but that is proving to be far from the case.

Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay Councils last week announced their united support for being separate unitary authorities once district and county councils are abolished with a fourth council of ‘Devon coast and countryside’.

They say these proposals respond directly to the Government's call for reform and reflects the shared ambition of Devon’s urban centres to lead the region into a more resilient, responsive and sustainable future.

However, all the district councils, other than Exeter, want the county divided into three local authorities under a 1-4-5 system with Plymouth the one, West Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge and Torbay the four and Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, Torridge and East Devon the five.

And Devon County Council, which unveiled its own plan in September, wants a new local authority covering roughly the same area as is now covered by the county council and the eight district councils while retaining Plymouth and Torbay councils.

In the future all the councils providing local services will be unitary to simplify the local government structure. All proposals have to be submitted by November 28 and the Government will pick one plan. Feedback from Government is not anticipated until next March.

In a statement Torbay Council said the proposal had been shaped by months of engagement, clear local feedback and detailed strategic analysis.