Councils at odds over shake-up of authorities

PLYMOUTH, Exeter and Torbay 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

Under new shakeup plans councils are expected to reach a consensus of how Devon can be divided up but that is far from the case.

Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay Councils have announced their united support for being separate unitary authorities once district and county councils are abolished with a fourth council consisting 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 district councils, apart from Exeter, want the county to be 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 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 decide which one to take forward.