Devon County Council have prepared this briefing for DALC members providing an update on local government reorganisation.

Parish and town councils are the tier of local government closest to the electorate with a range of powers that make a difference to towns, villages across the county. The Civic Agreement between Devon County Council and the Devon Association of Local Councils recognises the critical role of precepting councils, at all tiers of local government, in local service delivery and place-shaping. With a shared commitment to vibrant local governance, both parties aim to foster good relations and collaboration between our organisations, between councils, and the elected members, officers, and communities they represent.

The Government is planning a large-scale programme of local government restructuring in England. It is facilitating local government reorganisation in each of the 21 two tier areas and wants to deliver the process as quickly as possible.

On 5 February 2025 the Minister of State for Local Government wrote to the Leaders (including Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council) of all the principal councils in Devon to formally invite proposals for local government reorganisation. He asked for interim plans to be submitted by 21 March 2025 and final proposals by 28 November 2025. If, having considered proposals, the Government decides to implement any of them, the necessary legislation will need to be approved by Parliament and “shadow” unitary councils established.

Proposed new unitary authorities will be required to:

1. a) have a population of 500,000 or more “as a guiding principle”, with exceptions requiring a clear rationale
   b) “prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens”
   c) “show how councils in the area have sought to work together in coming to a view that meets local needs and is informed by local views”
   d) “support devolution arrangements”
   e) “Enable stronger community engagement and deliver genuine opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment”.

The Minister’s letter says that existing district areas should be considered the building blocks for proposals, but “where there is a strong justification more complex boundary changes will be considered.”

Members of Devon County Council will consider a proposed interim plan that sets out a range of options at their meeting on 20 March 2025. It is available on this webpage – Agenda for Council on Thursday, 20th March, 2025, 2.00 pm – Democracy in Devon. Each of the possible patterns for future unitary local government recognises the vital role that town and parish councils play in the communities that they represent.

The new County Council will be elected on 1 May 2025 and it will be for those members to determine which option/s to take forward and in light of Government feedback and clarity on some areas within the guidance.

In developing the proposal over coming months, the County Council will engage town and parish councils and the Devon Association of Local Councils. This will include discussion and exploration of a range of issues including:

• Precepting and council tax
• Devolving assets and/or services
• Neighbourhood planning
• Supporting town and parish council in working

The anticipated timetable is currently:

• 21 March 2025: Submission of interim plan to Government.
• April/May 2025: Further development and collaborative work on options and feedback from Government on interim plan.
• June to November 2025: Work and engagement of key partners (eg NHS, national parks authorities, police) on full proposal/s for single local government structure across Devon and submission to Government by 28 November 2025.
• December 2025 – March 2026: Ministerial decision on the best option for single local government structure across Devon
• March 2026 – March 2027: Government consultation on any proposal. Parliamentary legislation. Transition planning and implementation.
• April 2027: Elections to shadow unitary council/s.
• April 2028: Vesting of unitary council/s.

This timetable is speculative and likely to change.

The County Council and DALC will work jointly over coming months to develop a proposal/s that would enable a new unitary structure to engage and empower local communities. Alongside thinking about the future structure of local government in Devon, the County Council also wants to further develop it relationships with local councils and communities and explore opportunities to develop local services and assets.

Further information

https://www.devon.gov.uk/devolution-and-lgr/