The Government has today announced that local government in Devon will be reorganised into four unitary authorities, replacing the present system of district and county councils.

Under the selected proposal, expanded unitary authorities will be created for Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay, alongside a Devon Coast and Countryside authority covering the remainder of the county.

The proposal would also transfer six Mid Devon parishes – including Crediton, Crediton Hamlets and Newton St Cyres – into an expanded Exeter authority.

Mid Devon District Council had supported the Reimagining Devon proposal developed jointly by seven of Devon’s district councils. That proposal would have retained existing district boundaries and created two balanced unitary authorities alongside Plymouth and Torbay.

Councillor David Wulff, Leader of Mid Devon District Council, said:

“Now that the Government has announced its decision, we will examine its full reasoning and the detailed implications carefully.  We are disappointed that the Reimagining Devon proposal has not been selected. It offered financially sustainable councils of a manageable size, retained existing district boundaries and sought to protect the identities and democratic voice of Devon’s towns, villages and rural communities.

“Our immediate priority must be the interests of Mid Devon’s residents, including those in the six parishes that the Government proposes to transfer to an expanded Exeter authority. Residents will rightly expect continuity in the essential services on which they rely, clear local accountability and certainty about how assets, liabilities, staff and financial resources will be allocated.

“We will therefore be seeking firm assurances that the transition will be fully funded, that council-tax arrangements will be fair and transparent, and that no Mid Devon community will experience a reduction in services or local representation.

“Mid Devon District Council will engage constructively with the reorganisation process. At the same time, we will robustly represent our residents and challenge any proposal or implementation decision that would disadvantage our communities or weaken the delivery of services in rural areas.”

The Council will review the Government’s decision documents and financial assessment before considering the implications.

It will also continue to work with town and parish councils, employees, public-sector partners and neighbouring authorities as further information becomes available.