“New Devon” council plan proposed to replace districts and protect vital services

Devon County Council has announced its “leading option” for local government reform by creating a single unitary authority to replace the existing county and eight district councils. 

Under the proposal, Plymouth and Torbay would continue as separate unitary councils, while the rest of Devon would come under a new authority called ‘New Devon’. 

The government has asked for submissions by 28 November.

Councillor Paul Arnott, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), said the plan followed “extensive work by officers, and wide-ranging community engagement,” including over 6,000 survey responses and roadshows.

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He said the change would “provide stronger local accountability, smarter use of public money, and consistent, high-quality public services.”

Key features of the proposal include:

• One “front door” for services, instead of the current two-tier system.
• Local decision-making through new Neighbourhood Area Committees, made up of parish and town councils, police, NHS, and community organisations.
• Efficiency savings to help cover budget deficits.
• Retaining Devon’s local identity and giving the county “a stronger voice” in government.

Council Leader Julian Brazil described the move as the “least worst option”, warning that without it “we may inadvertently pave the way towards a disastrous disruption to existing key services such as adult social care and children’s services.”

Chief Executive Donna Manson said: “The Devon brand matters. We know the way the economy functions is not helped by geography.”

The proposal would mean around 100-120 councillors for the new Devon authority, while around 400-500 district councillor posts would disappear.

Cllr Arnott added: “This isn’t about politics, it’s about finding long term solutions. This decision will be made on democratic ground and hard financial grounds.”

If approved by the government, legislation would be needed, with the new council in place by 2028.

A media briefing at Exeter Science Park on 25 September provided additional details:

• All district councils would be abolished, with services brought together under one authority.
• New local decision-making bodies (“Neighbourhood Area Committees”) would involve parish and town councils, the NHS, police, and community groups.
• Around nine senior district councillors were involved in shaping the proposal.
• The model is described as “evolution rather than revolution,” aiming for more value for council taxpayers.
• A Devon mayor covering Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay was discussed, but government support was described as “lukewarm.”
• Cllr Arnott stressed: “Senior members of the council are interrogators of evidence… Exeter and Plymouth will not mirror the views shared here today.”