The so called 1-5-4 option
The key document is this 26 page draft report. The final draft is due to be submitted on 21 March. The draft has been agreed by eight Leaders of Devon’s District Councils
In the forward the Leaders say:
We, the Leaders of seven of the district councils of Devon together with the Leader of
Torbay Council, acknowledge the government’s intent and are committed to responding
constructively to this. We have collaboratively developed interim proposals to meet the
government’s initial deadline. We propose the creation of two new unitary councils
(alongside the retention of Plymouth City unitary): one encompassing South Hams,
Teignbridge, West Devon, and Torbay, and the other uniting East, Mid, North Devon,
Torridge, and Exeter. We believe this model better serves the interests of Devon and
Torbay’s nearly one million residents rather than a single ‘mega-council’.
Despite the progress made in developing these proposals, we have significant concerns
and reservations regarding the proposed scale and timeline for LGR, particularly its
potential for financial unsustainability. The existing system, while imperfect, delivers
effective, locally tailored services and possesses established community connections
and a strong sense of place. We believe the government’s proposals fail to address the
critical funding challenges facing Devon and Torbay, notably in Adult and Children’s
Social Care, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities, and in the NHS.
This submission represents an initial framework for how two new local authorities could
be formed. There is considerable further work required to develop these proposals. We
are actively engaged in this further development, including ongoing dialogue with Torbay
Council, and are mindful of the need for flexibility and agility as the LGR process
evolves. We are committed to maintaining local distinctiveness while pursuing service
improvements and we will engage extensively with residents, partners, and
stakeholders throughout this process.
Executive Summary
This Interim Plan responds to the government’s invitation for Local Government
Reorganisation (LGR) towards a single tier. Acknowledging the English Devolution White
Paper’s intent to replace existing councils with larger unitary authorities, this
submission proposes a balanced two-unitary solution for Devon and Torbay, alongside
Plymouth City as a retained unitary authority, aiming to meet LGR objectives while
preserving local identity and ensuring sustainable service delivery.
The proposed two-unitary model aligns with the six criteria for unitary government,
using existing district areas as building blocks and aiming for populations near 500,000
for each authority. The proposed model anticipates the creation of a;
- Exeter and Northern Devon Authority: East, Mid, North Devon, Torridge, and
Exeter - Southern Devon Authority: South Hams, Teignbridge, West Devon, and Torbay.
This offers a comprehensive solution for the whole area, establishing a credible
alternative to a single ‘mega’Council whilst guarding against the creation of an
urban/rural divide.
The Interim Plan recognises that significant further work is required to develop these
proposals. A programme is set out for how this will happen through to November 2025.
This includes extensive stakeholder engagement.
[There is a feeling that the government could well change the ground rules to lower the population threshold for a unitary authority to 350K in whch case something very different may emerge. Also worth pointing out that Districts only account for 7% of your council Tax so the potential saving can’t be huge. – Owl]
East Devon Watch 