East Devon, Mid Devon and Teignbridge District Councils are restating their commitment to collaborative working and to engage with residents to get the best democratic deal in the upcoming Local Government Reorganisation.

This follows the publication of Exeter City Council papers which shows proposals to expand its geographic footprint.

Exeter City Council has published its preferred plans for Local Government Reorganisation, or LGR, in an agenda for an extraordinary meeting scheduled for Thursday 14 August. It reveals the full extent of the proposals to expand its geographic footprint by proposing a Unitary Authority which expands into the current administrative areas of the three adjacent councils.

The English Devolution White Paper put forward proposals to end the current two-tier system of local government and included a guideline that each successor Unitary Authority should cover a population of around 500,000 people. This would not be possible for Exeter City Council within its current footprint which has a population of around 138,000 people.

As a result, Exeter City Council has suggested expanding the boundary to include a total of 49 parishes currently in East Devon, Mid Devon and Teignbridge District Councils’ administrative areas, to bolster the population in a bid for Unitary Authority status. However, this proposed expansion still falls short, being just over 50 per cent of the government’s guideline population size.

Exeter City Council’s proposal would include expanding into 28 parishes in East Devon District Council's area, 6 in the Mid Devon district and 15 in Teignbridge's district.

The three councils are working closely with each other and alongside the other District Councils in Devon and Torbay to make sure residents views are taken into consideration and to ensure that the best possible local government structures that can deliver high quality services are put in place.

In response to the government’s expectation that Devon councils put forward proposals for local government reorganisation by November 28 this year, Mid Devon District Council has been investigating, alongside our partners, the feasibility of the formation of two new councils that combine our existing areas as follows:

• A South Devon unitary combining the South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon areas with Torbay
• A North East Devon unitary including East, Mid and North Devon alongside Torridge and the City of Exeter

Councillor Luke Taylor, Leader of Mid Devon District Council, said:

“Following the publication of Exeter City Council documents, it is good to see what area this proposal covers, including the six Mid Devon parishes that Exeter would like to see become part of their proposed extended area alongside a number of parishes in East Devon and Teignbridge.

“I am committed to bring forward proposals that best serve all Mid Devon residents into the future and will continue to work with all our partners to work towards the formation of two new unitary councils, as required by government. This approach of collaboration and combined ambition to secure what’s best for our communities, will ensure we meet the government’s criteria for local government reorganisation across all of Devon, including the guidance for new authorities on scale, sustainability and effectiveness. We look forward to demonstrating this through our final submission to government in November.”

Councillor John Loudoun, East Devon District Council’s Deputy Leader & Portfolio Holder Corporate, Council & External Engagement, said:

“Exeter City Council has been indicating for a while that it wants to expand its geographic reach. We can now finally see the extent of these proposals including the 28 East Devon parishes that would form part of the extended area alongside parts of Mid Devon and Teignbridge.

“I am committed to ensuring that we work alongside our partners, including the other District Councils in Devon, to bring forward proposals for local government reorganisation that best serve all East Devon residents.

“We continue to work towards the formation of two new unitary Councils. I firmly believe that this model provides a better and more balanced response to meeting the government’s criteria for local government reorganisation including for new authorities to have a guideline population of 500,000 people.”

Councillor Charles Nuttall, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive Member for Local Government Reorganisation, said:

“We are committed to ensuring that any future structure of local government is shaped by evidence, community input and a clear focus on delivering excellent services.

“While Exeter’s proposals are now public, Teignbridge is still in the process of evaluating all available options. We will continue to work with our partners across Devon to ensure that the final submission reflects what is best for our residents.”

Each authority is currently consulting with residents, with surveys open until Sunday 31 August and we would urge residents to complete theirs.

• Mid Devon District Council’s survey is here.
• East Devon District Council’s survey is here.
• Teignbridge District Council’s survey is here.

The deadline for the submission of full proposals to the Government is Friday 28 November 2025.

The Local Government Review process has been initiated by central government to remove two tier county and district council models. Central Government want to create Unitary Authorities of similar population sizes where all services are provided by that council from highways, education, adult social care and waste and recycling.