Plans for a significant restructuring of local governance in Devon are moving forward, with several district councils set to formally endorse proposals within the next ten days. Districts such as North Devon and Torridge are advocating for a reconfiguration of Devon’s councils into what is known as the “1-4-5 system.” This proposal aims to simplify the current two-tier council structure into unitary authorities responsible for all local services.
Despite the unified stance among some district councils, tension exists with other areas, particularly Plymouth, Exeter, and Torbay, which have put forward their own alternatives. This divergence means that the government faces the decision of selecting from potentially five different governance models.
Proposals and Options for Governance
The “1-4-5 system,” backed by North Devon and Torridge, designates Plymouth as one authority, while the group of West Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, and Torbay would comprise four authorities. The remaining five authorities would include Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon, Torridge, and East Devon. In contrast, Plymouth, Exeter, and Torbay prefer to maintain their independence while seeking to expand their boundaries to incorporate surrounding areas.
Devon County Council has also presented a proposal that would allow it to retain its existing control while keeping Torbay and Plymouth as standalone councils.
Between November 25 and 28, district councils will convene to consider formally adopting the “1-4-5” proposal for submission to the government. In a joint statement, the leaders of these councils expressed confidence in their plan, stating, “We believe this proposal truly delivers the best possible outcomes for all of Devon’s 1.2 million residents, with three authorities that are big enough to be financially sustainable and deliver major services while remaining local and accessible with communities at their hearts.”
Financial Implications of the Restructuring
The proposal emphasizes financial viability, with modelling suggesting potential savings of at least £77.1 million by the sixth year of implementation and a cumulative saving of £508 million over a decade. The councils assert that the initial investment needed to establish the new governance structure would be recouped within three years.
The comprehensive proposal, titled Reimagining Devon: Believe in Better, aims to ensure that local services such as rubbish collection, planning, education, and adult social care are efficiently managed by the new unitary authority.
As the discussions unfold, the focus remains on how best to balance local needs with sustainable governance for the future. The outcome of these deliberations will shape the administrative landscape of Devon for generations to come.
