Exeter City Council Seeks Unitary Authority Status Amidst Local Government Reorganization

Exeter City Council is independently pursuing unitary authority status as part of the ongoing restructuring of local government. The leader of the city council stated that Exeter constitutes Devon’s “economic powerhouse” and merits unitary status. Presently, Exeter operates as a second-tier authority, alongside seven other district councils, positioned beneath Devon County Council and adjacent to Plymouth and Torbay, which are already unitary authorities. On Monday, the government indicated its preference for the consolidation of councils to establish single authorities. Phil Bialyk, who leads the Labour-controlled council, commented that the city possesses “a huge opportunity to make the most of devolution”. He stated: “We are a place where people want to live and work, and we have big plans for future growth.”Exeter is the economic powerhouse of the county and drives the economy of the rest of Devon, so it is important that decisions for Exeter are made in Exeter.” Bialyk also expressed support for a strategic authority encompassing Devon and Cornwall, led by a directly-elected mayor. Exeter City Council members are scheduled to discuss these proposals on 9 January. Should these proposals gain approval, an application would be submitted to the government, with further discussions concerning geographical boundaries slated for a later date. Exeter had previously attempted to achieve unitary council status, but the Conservative government suspended those plans in 2010. Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council, and Torbay Council are reportedly developing their respective devolution plans.