How major local government reforms could affect services in West Devon

Residents of West Devon are being invited by West Devon Borough Council to share their views on proposed changes to local government that could reshape how council services are delivered in the area.

The UK Government announced significant reforms to local government on 16 December 2024, including plans for local government reorganisation and devolution across England.

These reforms aim to simplify council structures by creating new unitary authorities, single councils responsible for all local services, replacing the current two-tier system of county and district councils.

In Devon, this could mean the end of West Devon Borough Council and Devon County Council as separate bodies.

Instead, services would be managed by a new, larger unitary authority covering West Devon along with neighbouring areas such as South Hams, Teignbridge, and Torbay. Plymouth City Council would remain a unitary authority under the proposals.

Known as the "1-4-5 plan," this proposal was jointly submitted by all Devon district councils except Exeter and is currently under government consideration.

Other plans have also been put forward by Devon County Council, Plymouth, Exeter, and Torbay.

West Devon Borough Council is encouraging residents to have their say on these potential changes before final proposals are submitted to government in November 2025.

Feedback from the community will help shape a detailed business case to ensure the new council arrangements best meet the needs of West Devon residents.

If implemented, the reforms could affect how residents access services such as waste collection, housing, planning, social care, and road maintenance.

Residents can find more information and complete the consultation survey on the West Devon Borough Council website.