Public invited to have say on Plymouth joining Devon and Torbay authority

A six-week public consultation opened on September 16 and will run until October 28, giving residents, businesses and organisations the opportunity to comment on the proposal and its potential implications for the wider region.

The DTCCA was established in 2025 to allow councils to work together on issues which cross local authority boundaries, including transport, housing, skills, investment and economic growth.

Devon County Council and Torbay Council are currently members of the authority, while Plymouth is involved without voting rights.

Under the proposal, Plymouth would become an equal partner, with the same representation and decision-making powers as Devon and Torbay.

The consultation also seeks views on a proposal for the authority to pursue mayoral status with the Government. If this is approved and Plymouth joins the authority, the wider Devon, Torbay and Plymouth area could be represented by a directly elected mayor. However, the proposals would not replace or merge the existing councils.

Services including bin collections, schools, social care, housing and planning would continue to be delivered by individual councils and remain the responsibility of locally elected councillors. The proposal would also not alter council boundaries, transfer services or affect council staff. It is separate from the process of local government reorganisation.

Councillor Tudor Evans OBE, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: "Plymouth is the largest city in the South West, yet we're not currently part of the body taking key decisions on transport, skills, housing and investment across the peninsula.

"The opportunities linked to Devonport, defence and our marine industries don't stop at the city boundary. Jobs, homes, skills and infrastructure need joined-up planning across the wider area.

"No decision has been made. We want to hear people's views, whatever those views may be, before councillors consider the proposal later this year."

Councillor David Thomas, Chair of the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority, said: "This is a conversation for everyone across Devon, Torbay and Plymouth. Working together gives us a stronger voice with Government and a greater opportunity to secure investment for our communities.

"Plymouth would bring significant strengths to the Authority, but it is vital that residents have their say before any decision is taken."

Councillor Julian Brazil, Vice-Chair of the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority, said: “Having a mayor is about bringing more power, funding and decision-making closer to the people and places affected by it. It means more decisions made locally, more investment for our communities, and less reliance on Whitehall.

“This consultation is about shaping the future of our region and ensuring local people have a voice in the decisions that affect them.

“This is an opportunity that we must not miss. The benefits that come with mayoralty are benefits that will be felt in very real and practical ways by residents and businesses alike.”

The consultation asks people to consider three main areas: whether Plymouth should join the DTCCA, whether the region should have a directly elected mayor, and what priorities a larger strategic authority should focus on.

The potential expansion comes as councils across Devon face major changes to the way local government is organised, although the DTCCA proposal is being considered separately from local government reorganisation.

Once the consultation closes, the responses will be analysed and the findings reported in November.

Plymouth City Council, the DTCCA, Devon County Council and Torbay Council will then consider whether to proceed with a formal proposal to the Government.

Paper copies of the consultation will be available at libraries and council offices across Devon, Torbay and Plymouth. Alternative formats can also be requested.

Have your say at https://devolutionindevon.commonplace.is/