Proposed Merger of Devon Councils into New Authority

Devon County Council and the county’s eight district councils are anticipated to be consolidated into some form of a new unitary authority, representing the most significant overhaul of local government in decades. The future of Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council, which already possess unitary status, remains uncertain. Elected mayors are slated for introduction in areas encompassing multiple authorities, with a potential combination of Devon and Cornwall, following an announcement by Angela Rayner, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. The government has expressed its intention to “streamline” local councils, while critics argue that this change could undermine local decision-making. The local government structure in Devon is complex, with district councils and Exeter City Council responsible for domains such as housing, local planning, and waste collection, and the county council overseeing highways, adult social care, children’s services, and public health. In Plymouth and Torbay, the unitary authorities manage all aspects of local government. Devon County Council and Torbay Council, though not Plymouth City Council, are already collaborating within a Combined County Authority (CCA), established earlier in the year to gain greater control over areas like skills training and public transport. Measures outlined in the English Devolution White Paper include proposals for the creation of “strategic authorities” with the aim of “bringing together councils over areas that people live and work in”. Councillors in Cornwall have indicated their reluctance to share powers with Devon or any other larger south-west region. Paul Arnott, the Liberal Democrat leader of East Devon District Council, which is the largest district council in Devon, stated that he and other leaders supported devolution but believed its implementation had been poorly managed. He said: “This is being rushed, it hasn’t been consulted on and it risks throwing the baby out with the bathwater.” He added: “District councils do a lot of good stuff already whether it’s protecting communities from the sea, emptying your bins, it’s your planning authority.” He further stated: “They do a lot and I’m not convinced at the moment that the government really understand that in the ambition to push devolution down through the country they may actually be losing really well organised district councils.” James McInnes, the Conservative leader of Devon County Council, remarked that it was “a big thing” for district and county councils to contemplate the possibility of being “swept away”. He expressed: “I’d prefer for us to find a way forward than have it be done to us by government.” McInnes indicated that all council finances were experiencing “extreme pressure” and that transitioning to unitary status would constitute “a distraction”. He added: “I hope we can continue talking to each other and agree a way forward that will be right for the residents of Devon.” McInnes confirmed his ongoing discussions with leaders in Cornwall, Torbay, and Plymouth, noting that a strategic authority for Cornwall and Devon was a potential outcome, though he favored leadership by a strategic board over an elected mayor. Devon County Council, administered by the Conservatives, stands as the largest authority, serving a population exceeding 800,000 as per the 2021 census, and has approximately 5,000 employees. The populations of district council areas vary, from approximately 57,000 in West Devon, representing the smallest, to just over 150,000 in East Devon, the largest, with around 130,000 residents in the Exeter City Council area. Plymouth City Council, under Labour leadership, serves a population of approximately 265,000 and employs around 2,500 individuals, whereas Conservative-led Torbay Council has a population of about 136,000 and a workforce of roughly 1,000. Angela Rayner, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, stated that the policy’s aim was to “see communities, people and places across England begin to take back control over the things that matter to them”. She further mentioned that new “strategic authorities” would encompass every region of England, mirroring the areas presently governed by elected regional mayors. Rayner asserted that the implementation of directly-elected mayors would prevent duplication and empower cities and regions with a more significant voice. BBC Devon maintains a presence on X, Facebook, and Instagram. Story ideas are accepted at spotlight@bbc.co.uk. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Details regarding its approach to external linking are available.