South West Devon MP steps up opposition to local government shake-up

A South West Devon MP has renewed their opposition to local government reorganisation plans after more than 3,300 people signed a petition calling for the proposals to be reversed.

Conservative MP Rebecca Smith says the petition will be presented in the House of Commons when Parliament returns after the summer recess as she continues to press ministers to reconsider the changes.

The Government has confirmed plans which would see 13 South Hams parishes become part of Plymouth, while West Devon would join a larger rural authority covering much of Devon.

Ms Smith, who has opposed the proposals since they were announced, said the petition showed residents remained concerned about the impact on their communities.

"More than 3,300 people have now signed my petition, sending a clear message that residents across the South Hams and West Devon have not accepted these plans,” she said.

"People are rightly worried about what these changes will mean for their communities.

“In the South Hams, residents face being taken into a larger Plymouth authority, whilst in West Devon, communities are being pushed into a huge rural council covering a vast geographical area.

"I've heard from hundreds of residents who feel their communities haven't been thought about, their local identity is being overlooked and their views have been ignored.

"The Government needs to wake up and start listening. Ministers should take that seriously."

Ms Smith said she had challenged ministers over the plans in Parliament and argued that local government should reflect the communities it serves and their local identity.

She added that the Government has ignored concerns raised by residents, parish councils and community groups across South Hams and West Devon.

The petition remains open, with residents invited to say whether they support or oppose the reorganisation proposals before the results are presented in Parliament.