Local Government reorganisation in Devon

The Government has announced its decision on the future structure of local government in Devon, confirming that four unitary authorities will be created following reorganisation. 

The option selected, proposed by Plymouth and Exeter City councils, will create four new unitary councils for Devon:

• An expanded Plymouth City Council, which will take in areas of South Hams
• An expanded Torbay Council to include areas of Teignbridge and South Hams
• An expanded Exeter City Council, which will take in areas of East Devon, Mid Devon and Teignbridge
• The new Devon Coast and Countryside authority which will comprise North Devon, Torridge and West Devon district councils and remaining areas of East Devon, Mid Devon, Teignbridge and South Hams.

The decision forms part of a wider programme to replace the current two-tier system of county and district councils with unitary authorities to create councils that are responsible for the full range of local government services within their areas, replacing existing arrangements where responsibilities are shared between county and district councils.

Key milestones in the programme are expected to include the development of detailed transition arrangements, the introduction of the necessary legislative changes, elections to new authorities in 2027 and implementation of the new arrangements ahead of vesting day in 2028.

There are no immediate changes to the delivery of council services. Services will continue to operate as normal while further work is undertaken to plan and implement the new structures. Similar messaging has previously been provided to staff through local government reorganisation updates, which stated that no immediate changes to services, roles or structures would take place while decisions and future arrangements were being considered.