Ask Andy Burnham to reverse Labour’s Devon carve-up

We, the undersigned, do not support Labour’s politically motivated carve-up of Devon’s councils, happening under the guise of local government reorganisation.

The government has accepted a proposal put forward by Labour-run Exeter and Plymouth to expand both cities’ councils, along with Torbay’s, and create a new Devon Coast and Country Council in the space in-between, tasked with delivering services from Lynton to Salcombe.

This proposal disregards the wishes of rural Devon. None of our local councils proposed it and it is not what rural Devon wants. Under the plans, towns will be divided and natural community links have been ignored.

Consultation ignored

In a Devon-wide consultation this proposal ranked fourth out of five possible options, receiving only 20% positive support.

The chosen model was rejected on every major test; sensible geography, ability to deliver, reflecting local views and needs, and community engagement.

Out of all the options on the table, the government has chosen the worst. Labour’s plans risk breaking up children’s services, putting vulnerable children at greater risk, and will push up council tax. With economic potential carved out, the new Devon Coast and Country Council will struggle to deliver affordable services across its roughly 110-mile remit.

Devolution not diktat

We believe devolution should be built from the ground up, shaped by local knowledge and consent, not imposed from Whitehall. The District Councils and County Council put forward sensible alternatives - keeping Devon as one unitary with Plymouth separate, or dividing the county in two - and either would have served Devon far better than the option that has been chosen.