Today the Government confirmed it will press ahead with its plans for Local Government Reorganisation in Devon.
This plan will see Devon have four new Unitary Councils from April 2028:
· Torbay and South Devon
· Greater Plymouth
· Exeter Council
· Devon Council (All areas not included in the above 3 councils)
Exeter Council would be a large new unitary council with a population of approximately 260,000. It would not just the include areas within the current Exeter City Council boundary (Which has a population of 138,000) but extend into areas currently under Teignbridge District Council, East Devon District Council and Mid-Devon District Council.
A total of 49 mostly rural parishes would be added to the City of Exeter, with the new council being responsible for all local services once Devon County Council and all District Councils are abolished in April 2028.
The announcement today represents the biggest change in local government across Devon since 1974 being enforced by Ministers despite such plans not being mentioned in Labour’s General Election Manifesto.
This means Exmouth, Budleigh, Whimple and many other surrounding communities will become part of a new "Greater Exeter" unitary council.
I've consistently raised concerns about these proposals because they are being imposed despite many local people telling me they do not want to see these changes. My survey found that 60% of respondents opposed changing council boundaries, yet the Government has chosen to move ahead regardless.
On top of that, implementing these plans is expected to cost taxpayers around £70 million, money that could have been spent on delivering the local services people rely on instead.
I will continue to stand up for Exmouth and Exeter East and hold the Government to account for the decisions it makes on their behalf.
