The structure of local government is going to change – that’s a given. The government believes parish and town councils have an important role to play in reorganisation.  Whatever role the sector has played up to now, it too is going to change. The experience of areas that have already undergone this reorganisation points the way.

This is our opportunity to promote the work of our sector to principal and district councils, public sector organisations and crucially, our residents.  Our pen portraits demonstrate how every council acts to inform, represent and make decisions on behalf of their community to strengthen its identity, resilience and well-being.  The portraits also show how local councils innovate, initiate and work in partnership within their communities.   This partnership working is a familiar approach for our sector and one which it aspires to carry forward into reorganisation.  If we talk together, we can work together and if we work together, we can crack open the silos and achieve ten times more for everyone.  Our sector is a resource for achieving successful reorganisation.

You can read the draft Position Statement here.  It is our first step in engaging with other stakeholders.  It is not our final word but what we hope will be the start of a discussion.  It has been reviewed by DALC staff, by the Steering Group we set up to guide our way through LGR, and now it’s your chance to comment before it goes to the DALC Board on 20^th May. Please email anything you want to say to the DALC office.

At the time of publishing, DALC has no updates on the progress of LGR in Devon.  The authorities that submitted proposals for unitaries at the end of March are waiting to hear responses from the Minister for Local Government.  Some proposals may receive strong support; some may receive little or none and further work on them may be discouraged. As soon as the DALC office has information to share, we will let you know.

Thanks to all those who sent in pen portraits and to everyone who has attended any of the online meetings we have held in the last couple of months.  We calculate that altogether, DALC has directly engaged about half of the membership.  We still want to hear from the other half, though!  It will never be too late to join in.  Updates, relevant documents and summaries are on the DALC website, select Knowledge Bank then Devolution.  DALC staff are always ready to help with enquiries about LGR as well as general matters for business as usual – canoes still need paddling!