Who Should Decide The Future For Our Community?
Where new homes are built, how local services operate, and how much council tax we pay could soon be decided much further away from our local community.
The Government has announced that our current “two-tier” system of local government will end, meaning East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council and Devon County Council will be abolished. Yet there is still no clarity about what may come next, with local council leaders unable to agree on a way forward and instead presenting competing plans.
I know that arguments about council boundaries and structures are not the biggest priority for our community or for me. However, the Government has indicated it will announce a decision later this year on the new unitary councils for our area, a decision that will have a major impact on our community for years to come.
Under plans put forward by Exeter City Council, communities across East Devon, including Budleigh Salterton, Exmouth, Whimple and Lympstone, would be absorbed into a large new unitary council centred on Exeter. This new council would not only control decisions on everyday services and the council tax we pay, but would also have the power to approve new developments across our area.
Alongside this, the Government is also suggesting the creation of an elected mayor in every part of England. Unlike current civic mayors, an elected mayor for Devon could have powers to approve planning applications for major developments even if opposed by local councils, influence public transport services across Devon, and increase taxes, including levying an additional charge on council tax or introducing a so-called “tourist tax”.
That is why, as your MP, I am getting involved to ensure our community’s voice is heard as part of this process.
Please take a moment to fill out my survey below.
