Bay ‘taken for ride’ by neighbours as agreement on reorganisation ignored

FOUR separate unitary councils for Devon will allow the “powerhouses” of Torbay, Exeter and Plymouth to flourish without leaving the county's rural ‘rump’ behind - at least that’s what the bay has decided.

- by GUY HENDERSON Local Democracy Reporter

Torbay Council was split down party lines when it came to deciding on its vision of the county's future when the Government sweeps away a layer of bureaucracy. Local government reorganisation will mean the end of Devon County Council and all the district councils.

After a long and sometimes acrimonious debate, Torbay endorsed a four-unitary solution for Devon. The bay would stay as is; Plymouth would expand to absorb parts of the South Hams; Exeter would spread out into parts of Teignbridge, East Devon and Mid Devon; and a Rural Devon Coast and Countryside Authority would administer the rest of the county.

Plymouth has set its sights on encompassing the villages of Bickleigh, Shaugh Prior, Sparkwell, Brixton, Wembury, Cornwood, Harford, Ugborough, Ivybridge, Ermington, Yealmpton, Holberton and Newton and Moss which would increase its population by around 30,000, bringing the total proposed local authority area to 300,000 which better fits Labour's criteria.