Labour’s Devolution plans will radically reshape local government in Devon. They aim to transfer powers from Whitehall to Strategic Mayoral Authorities, sweeping away both District and County councils. In their place, large new unitary authorities are also planned, serving a population of about 500,000 each – roughly half the size of Devon and Torbay Councils. As Unitary Authorities are established, Devon’s rural areas will see power move further away and held by fewer locally elected representatives.
Certainly, the two tier council model has not served Devon well. We have seen a decade of local failure of childrens’ services, ineffective special educational needs support and disjointed transport planning. At the same time multiple national crises are all taking their toll on Devon: struggling care and NHS services, lack of affordable and social housing plus the escalating environmental and climate crises. The results are growing inequality and shocking levels of child poverty in parts of Devon.
Genuine devolution, where decisions are made at the most local level possible, is a good thing. This would also involve referring up those matters that can’t be dealt with on a small scale. The Government’s vision of Strategic Authorities with strategic powers over transport, housing, economic development, and the environment could work well for the common good, fixing market failures and prioritising local needs.
However, Labour’s local government reorganisation risks sucking powers up; away from communities into the hands of a single Mayor with immense control and few checks and balances. There’s a real danger that a Mayor could ride roughshod over the best interests of communities and the environment.
The Green Party and elected Green councillors across Devon, Exeter, Torbay and Plymouth will press hard to keep the ‘local’ in local Government: being there to meet local needs. Local Government must maintain strong links and accountability between councillors and the communities they represent. New boundaries must respect our places and consider natural boundaries, such as river catchment areas, to enable better care of our natural environment.
Devolution must also be used to strengthen local democracy by introducing a fair and proportional voting system for local government elections so every vote counts.
We also need an increased recognition of Town and Parish Councils, already unsung heroes, as they increasingly take on responsibilities passed down or neglected by upper tiers, such as looking after parks, bins and gully clearance. Sadly the White Paper ignores this role, and certainly avoids allocating additional resources to meet local needs as towns, neighbourhoods and villages expand.
Unless Government makes serious investment in local services, no amount of reorganisation or devolution will undo the years of austerity and devaluing of Councils which has degraded services, people’s trust and our local environment.
Over the past year Devon County, Torbay Council and the Districts have haggled over a new Combined Authority, set to come into place this year with £16m of Government funding. Now the four councils of Devon, Torbay, Plymouth, and Cornwall are wanting to ask Government to trade-in this Combined Authority, for a Mayoral Strategic Authority in May 2026.
No one has asked residents how they would like our local government to govern. As these seemingly inevitable proposals for supersized councils progress, they will be pushed through by Councillors who’s terms will have expired in May this year. May’s 2025 County Council should not be cancelled. They must provide an opportunity for residents to give a mandate to Councillors prepared to stand up for democracy, their communities and environment.
Signed,
Cllr James Banyard, St David’s Ward, Exeter City Council
Cllr Carol Bennett , Heavitree Ward , Exeter City Council.
Cllr Malcolm Calder, Okehampton South, West Devon Borough Council
Cllr Lynn Daniel, South Tawton Ward, West Devon Borough Council
Cllr Olly Davey, Exmouth Town Ward, East Devon District Council/Exmouth Town Council
Cllr Paula Fernley, Broadclyst Ward. East Devon District Council & EDDC Assistant Portfolio Holder for Coast Country and Environment.
Cllr Henry Gent, Broadclyst Division, Devon County Council
Cllr Mark Haworth-Booth, Landkey ward, North Devon Council
Cllr Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Councillor for Totnes and South Hams District Councillor for Dartington & Staverton, Executive Member for Waste & Community Compositing.
Cllr Andy Ketchin, Newtown & St Leonards Ward, Exeter City Council
Cllr Ricky Knight, Heanton Punchardon ward, North Devon Council
Cllr Lauren McLay, Plympton Chaddlewood ward, Plymouth City Council
Cllr Diana Moore, St David’s Ward. Exeter City Council
Cllr Ian Poyser, Plympton Chaddlewood ward, Plymouth City Council
Cllr Anna Presswell, Totnes ward, South Hams District Council
Cllr Tess Read,St David’s ward, Exeter City Council
Cllr Catherine Rees, Heavitree Ward, Exeter City Council
Cllr Gill Westcott, Canonsleigh ward, Mid Devon District Council
Cllr Lynn Wetenhall, Newtown & St Leonards Ward, Exeter City Council
Cllr Sara Wilson, Ilfracombe West Ward, North Devon District Council
And, Judy Maciejowska, Coordinator West Devon Green Party