'Only way is up' for tax if councils join together

PEOPLE in Torbay have been warned they face steep rises in council tax if a local government shakeup sees them having to join forces with their neighbours.

- GUY HENDERSON

The bay has the lowest rate of council tax in Devon, but if Torbay is joined to neighbouring councils such as South Hams and Teignbridge in the forthcoming revamp of local councils, bay bills will inevitably rise.

Bay councillors explained the pros and cons of all the options at a public meeting in Brixham.

The government is looking to get rid of one layer of local government, and that means axing the county council and district councils altogether.

Instead, Devon would be governed by a smaller number of large 'unitary' councils that would take on all responsibilities for things like highways, social care and recycling.

Torbay Council is already a unitary council, and favours staying that way. Of the local people who have responded to consultations so far, 64 per cent agree that Torbay should stay as it is.