Councils unite to oppose devolution plans

District councils across Devon have united to oppose any devolution plans for the creation of a unitary council for Devon.

The seven district councils and Exeter City Council issued a joint statement claiming a unitary council would make decision-making "remote from the communities we serve".

The government has said it wants to see district and county councils merged into new unitary councils representing about 500,000 people.

All councils in Devon are holding extraordinary meetings ahead of the government deadline on Friday for local authorities to submit proposals.

In their joint statement the district councils said: "We would like to make it clear that we do not support the creation of one unitary council for Devon."

They said there should be a "proper consultation with residents, businesses, elected representatives, and stakeholders" before any local government reform and said a single unitary council "risks diminishing local representation".

The district councils - which have Liberal Democrat, Independent or Labour leaders - said they did not support the possibility of Conservative-led Devon County Council postponing elections due to take place in May.

The leader of Devon County Council, James McInnes, said: "I want what's best for the people of Devon.

"We've scheduled a special meeting on Thursday when all councillors will have the opportunity to debate the best way forward to guarantee high quality services for our residents."

David Thomas, leader of Torbay Council, said the council was having conversations across the south west and relationships were "the key to make any change work".

He said: "We have always said that this is the start of our devolution journey and will seek to make the most of the broader and more comprehensive framework being promised by the government."

A spokesman for Plymouth City Council said it had nothing to add on the issue at this point.

Exeter City Council has already said it wants to pursue an independent bid to become a unitary authority in the reorganisation of local government.

The local government picture is complicated in Devon with district councils and Exeter City Council responsible for areas like housing, local planning and waste collection and the county council responsible for highways, adult social care, children's services and public health.

In Plymouth and Torbay the existing unitary authorities are already responsible for all aspects of local government.

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