“Interim plan feedback Devon Plymouth and Torbay”

The Labour Government Feedback on interim devolution plans provides much needed clarity, or maybe not. Does this reflect chaos in Whitehall?

Owl has now seen a copy of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Governments’ “interim plan feedback Devon Plymouth and Torbay” of 15 May and consulted “Sir Humphrey Appleby” (now retired from Yes Minister) on what it all might mean.

First of all he pointed to the significance of the omission of Exeter in the title.

Exeter, he said, had submitted its own plan to become the stand alone “Greater Exeter Unitary Authority” by absorbing parts of neighbouring districts. Exeter City Council was also one of the addressees of the feedback which claims to respond to a list of submissions including one from Exeter.

This omission speaks volumes, he said.

Sir Humphrey also saw significance in the lack of confirmation of Plymouth’s position in this Whitehall reply to a direct question from the district councils:

“You asked for Government to confirm that Plymouth City Council would be a continuing authority in relation to your preferred option. You should set out in your final proposal how implementation would work and the assumptions underpinning this. Decision on the appropriate implementation and transition arrangements will be considered following final decisions on the proposal to be Implemented.”

Although Sir Humphrey then draw attention to the “overview” section of the feedback which contained the following committed noncommittal caveat:

“We welcome the work that has been undertaken across proposals to develop local government reorganisation plans for Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. This feedback does not seek to approve or discount any option or proposal, but provide some feedback designed to assist in the development of final proposal(s).” 

Could Plymouth become the economic powerhouse in the Devon West half of a two unitary solution?

Read between the lines Councillors and “Carry on up at County Hall”.