The Government has confirmed that it will adopt the joint proposal submitted by Plymouth and Exeter as part of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) across Devon.
Under the plans, a new unitary council will serve Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, along with 22 parishes currently within Teignbridge and South Hams District Councils.
Across the rest of Devon, there will be four unitary authorities covering:
* Torquay, Paignton, Brixham and 22 neighbouring parishes from Teignbridge and South Hams.
* Plymouth and surrounding areas.
* Exeter and its natural catchment.
* The remaining rural and coastal areas of Devon.
Currently, much of Devon operates under a two-tier system of local government. Devon County Council is responsible for services including education, transport, libraries and adult social care, while district councils deliver services such as planning, housing, waste collection, environmental health and leisure facilities.
Torbay and Plymouth already operate as unitary authorities, providing the full range of local government services within their areas.
As part of the Government’s plans to replace two-tier structures with unitary councils, local authorities across Devon were asked to submit proposals for how future services could be organised. Five proposals were considered before the Government announced its decision.
Leader of Torbay Council, Councillor David Thomas, said “Our submission to Government was for Torbay to stay the same, sticking with our current boundaries. This isn’t the result we wanted, but I recognise that Government has made their decision and here in Torbay we will embrace this change.
“I want to reassure our residents that there will be no immediate changes to our council services, and we will continue to deliver as normal. Our priority is a safe and stable transition and we will share clear, timely updates as plans develop over the next 18 months.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the Leaders and Councillors from the areas we are joining and will ensure the voice of Torbay residents is heard as we work through this transition.
“As the new councils are set up across Devon, I will also ensure that we continue to work together and collaborate on strategic issues such as transport, skills, housing and economic development.”
The new council arrangements will not come into legal effect until April 2028, with elections to a Shadow Authority due to take place in May 2027. The Shadow Authority will oversee the detailed planning and implementation of the new arrangements.
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