East Devon District Council supports the Government’s decision to pause and review the Local Government Reorganisation programme, including proposals affecting Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.
The council welcomes the opportunity for Government to ensure that any future decisions are based on robust evidence, sound governance arrangements and long-term sustainability for local communities.
East Devon District Council has consistently maintained that Local Government Reorganisation should deliver better outcomes for residents, protect frontline services and provide a strong foundation for future devolution across Devon.
In July 2026, the government selected a proposal for four new unitary councils in Devon and East Devon has been working extensively with the ten other local authorities in Devon to support new arrangements to begin from 1st April 2028. The latest statement from the Secretary of State will pause this work until clarity is provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Councillor Paul Arnott, Leader of East Devon District Council, said:
“We welcome the Government’s decision to review the Local Government Reorganisation programme and to ensure that any future proposals are both legally robust and aligned with the Government’s wider ambitions for devolution.
East Devon members from all political parties sent a letter to the Secretary of State in August this year to request a review of the decision made for Devon, and we are pleased to see that the Government is listening to the concerns of local councils.
Throughout this process, East Devon District Council has been clear that the test of any reorganisation proposal must be whether it delivers better services for residents, stronger financial resilience and greater local accountability.
The scale and complexity of local government reform means it is essential that decisions are driven by evidence rather than arbitrary geography or politics. However, significant work is happening across councils in Devon to deliver on already tight timelines; any review should happen quickly and decisively to avoid delay and reduce ambiguity for staff and residents.
In the meantime, our focus remains on delivering excellent local services and supporting the people and places of East Devon.”
East Devon Watch 