At Tuesday night’s Cabinet meeting, the Cabinet considered how to respond to the Government’s request for initial proposals on Local Government Reorganisation in Devon.
Following the statutory invitation that was received in February, the Leader of the Council has been working with the Leaders of all the other authorities in Devon to understand their positions.
Discussions have also been held between the Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet, as well as with all other members of Council. Engagement has taken place with strategic partners who are represented on the Torbay Place Leadership Board, the two Members of Parliament that represent Torbay and with interested members of the community who attended a public engagement event. The presentation from this event can be found on the Council’s website.
Cabinet concluded that at this stage they will advise government of three potential options for re-organisation, these are:
– Torbay Council remains as it is.
– A new unitary council be created covering Torbay, approximately half of South Hams and most of Teignbridge.
– A new unitary council be created covering the area of Torbay, South Hams, West Devon and Teignbridge.
A fourth option of a single Devon unitary authority (with or without Plymouth) has been discounted. It was felt that the size of this single authority would be too large for it to be efficient and effective whilst retaining a sense of place and community for Torbay. Concerns were also felt that there would be a risk to the most vulnerable who rely on crucial services such as adult social care, children’s services and homelessness.
These potential options will now be sent to government by 21 March 2025 in line with the requirement set out by government. Once feedback has been received a full business case will be submitted before the end of November 2025.
Councillor David Thomas, Leader of Torbay Council said: “This request from government is asking for all local authorities across the county to develop proposals for a single tier of local government in Devon. This request has created a large amount of discussion with a wide range of stakeholders and communities, along with the County Council, Districts and unitary authority neighbours.
“What is important to Cabinet and I is that we need to ensure what we submit is right for Torbay. I am aware though that we have to meet the criteria that government have set and constructively engage in the process, or we could be in the very real position that we are done to. We need to very much be a part of this conversation in order to influence the outcome.
“Here in the Bay, we have achieved a lot, and we don’t want to risk all our hard work being undone. Our Children’s Services are rated by Ofsted as Good, unlike unfortunately some of our neighbours, and our groundbreaking partnership with the NHS has been delivering joined up health and adult social care for almost 20 years. Through careful financial management, we are also in a secure financial position.
“We want to continue to deliver for our people and our place. We know we have challenges, but we have high aspirations. By continuing to work closely with our communities and partners and capitalising on our strengths, we want to make Torbay a great place to do business – a place where everyone is able to live their best life.”
The Cabinet meeting that discussed the interim plan can be viewed on the Council’s YouTube channel and the full interim plan can be found on the website.
You can join us on our social media pages, follow us on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Threads where you can keep up to date with whats going on in South Devon.
Got a news story, blog or press release that you’d like to share or want to advertise with us? Get in touch via email admin@wearesouthdevon.com
