Consultation on the five proposals put forward as part of the Government’s reorganisation of local authorities in Devon has now begun.

In November 2025 Mid Devon District Council submitted a joint proposal to the Government about how it would like to see services delivered at a local level.

This submission was a requirement set by the Government, which is committed to restructuring the current make up of councils, in particular moving away from two-tier authorities like the one currently operating in Devon, which operates under a county council and district council system.

Last year, councils across the county developed proposals for new single tier, or unitary authorities. Mid Devon District Council was part of a group of seven district councils in Devon to jointly submit the proposal Reimagining Devon, also known as the 4-5-1 option, which would result in three unitary authorities:

• Exeter and Northern Devon – a unitary authority with East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon and Torridge
• Torbay and Southern Devon – a unitary authority with South Hams, Teignbridge, Torbay and West Devon
• Plymouth City Council remaining a standalone unitary authority.

The Reimagining Devon (4-5-1) submission is one of five proposals submitted by councils across Devon. A modified version of the proposal from the districts, known as 4-5-1+, has also been submitted and includes a modest expansion of Plymouth into four parishes within South Hams.

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

“At Mid Devon we have taken a collaborative approach to create a bold new way of delivering local services in Mid Devon. There are now five clear options for the Government to consult on, including the 4-5-1 proposal supported by most of the districts. This option provides a structure that would keep services local and accessible for our communities, while being financially robust and reflecting our unique geography. What is important now is that the Government look at each proposal in detail and reflect the needs of our local community when considering the future of local services across the county. If you want your voice heard I would encourage you to take the time to access the consultation and share your views.”

Businesses, residents and local organisations can view and respond to all the proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Devon on a dedicated website.

Anyone who wants to take part in the consultation can do so online by midnight 26 March 2026.

If you need support to complete the consultation please contact Customer Services who can help.