Torbay agrees its vision for future in council shake-up

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.

- GUY HENDERSON

An aerial view of Torquay harbour

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 re-organisation will mean the end of Devon County Council and all the county's district councils, and every local authority has been asked to make a choice about the way forward.

After a long and sometimes acrimonious debate, Torbay endorsed a four-unitary solution for Devon.

The bay would continue on its current footprint; 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 new Rural Devon Coast and Countryside Authority would administer the rest of the county.

Council leader David Thomas (Con, Preston) urged the opposition not to take a 'wrecking ball' to the published strategy by putting forward last-minute amendments.

"This is not a time for points-scoring," he said. "It's a time for leadership and a clear voice on behalf of Torbay's residents."