Smaller councils ‘could harm essential care services,’ Devon report warns

Devon County Council has welcomed a national report that warns splitting up large county councils into smaller local authorities could harm essential care services, a move that could also affect rural areas across Dartmoor.

The report, published by the County Councils Network, says bigger councils are better able to deliver adult social care, children’s services and support for people with special educational needs and disabilities. 

It found that creating smaller unitary councils with populations under 500,000 could add between £180 million and £270 million in extra care costs each year. 

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The report also warns that smaller authorities would face difficulties recruiting experienced care managers and could see lower Ofsted ratings for children’s services.

According to Devon County Council, the findings support its ‘New Devon’ plan to replace the eight district, city and borough councils in Devon with one single unitary authority covering the current county area. 

The council says this would protect vital services and avoid the fragmentation of care provision, particularly in rural areas such as Dartmoor where staff recruitment and travel times have previously presented challenges.

Councillor Paul Arnott, Devon’s Portfolio Holder for Local Government Reorganisation, said: “This report indicates that maintaining a unified council structure at scale is vital to protect the services on which our most vulnerable residents rely.”

Under the county’s preferred model, local “neighbourhood area committees” would be created and Devon County Council says these would include representatives from parish and town councils, the NHS, police, voluntary groups and councillors from the new authority. 

Each committee would have its own budget and decision-making powers to support local priorities, something that could give remote communities like those around Princetown, Chagford and Ashburton a stronger voice.

Councillor Richard Keeling, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health Services, said: “Smaller councils are more vulnerable to demand pressures and financial instability. Devon’s preferred model keeps services together and protects quality.”

The Dartmoor National Park Authority, which already handles planning decisions within the park boundary, has taken part in early discussions about reorganisation, and the authority has said it wants to ensure that planning and environmental protection remain properly supported if councils merge.

However, several district councils, including West Devon, Teignbridge and South Hams, all of which cover parts of Dartmoor, have said they oppose a single county-wide authority. 

They argue that it could reduce local decision-making and make the new council too distant from rural communities.

The government has asked Devon, Plymouth and Torbay councils to submit formal reorganisation proposals later this year. Devon County Council said it will debate its final plan at a full council meeting in November before sending it to ministers. 

Residents can give their views through the council’s “Have Your Say” website.