Local Government Reorganisation paused

The Government has withdrawn from the plans to reorganise Local Government in Devon which it announced in July. Under those plans Torridge and West Devon councils would have been brought together with other areas of Devon in an unwieldy unitary authority stretching from Axminster to Holsworthy and from Ilfracombe to Kingsbridge, which some dubbed the ‘Devon rump’.

Responding to today’s announcement by Angela Raynor, Secretary of State for Communities, Housing and Local Government, Phil Hutty, parliamentary spokesperson for Torridge and Tavistock said:

‘What a mess! Councillors and council officers have been working in good faith for months on the assumption that our District and County Councils would disappear in 2028. Nobody liked the plan, nor did anyone realistically think it would save money. Now we are back to the drawing board, with a sense that the Government wishes to push ahead with a mayoral authority but with no idea what sort of arrangement will sit beneath it. It feels chaotic and leaves everyone in limbo’.

Councillor Teresa Tinsley, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Torridge District Council, said:

‘I am pleased that the Government has recognised that its schedule for implementing such far-reaching changes was too tight and has taken a step back from what would have been a very risky course of action. However, they must now make clear what the next steps are. Will they look at alternative proposals such as the ‘451’ plan put forward by Devon Districts, will they start the whole process again with new criteria, or will they abandon the whole idea of Local Government Reorganisation? Torridge and other rural councils came out badly from the so-called ‘fair funding’ review and we are now about to embark on a difficult budget-setting process, yet we are left with massive uncertainty about what the future holds and how long we need to plan for.’

Councillor Chris West, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on West Devon Borough Council, said:

‘I am glad that we will no longer be part of the ‘Devon rump’ which seemed like an afterthought once Plymouth, Exeter, and Torbay had taken what they wanted rather than something developed with the interests of our communities in mind. I hope the Government will use this opportunity to listen to listen to councillors and officers who bear the responsibility for delivering services across our huge county and recognise the extent and diversity of needs across Devon, and the need for decisions to be made as near as possible to the communities they affect.’