Devon County Council has published a business case for local government reorganisation that argues that a single-unitary authority for the county would deliver over £28m of benefits each year.
The proposal would see the county council and the existing eight district councils replaced by a single-unitary authority, while Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council would remain as independent units.
The proposed unitary would serve around 840,000 residents and delivers the lowest implementation cost (£33.6m) and shortest pay back period (two years), alongside annual benefits of £28.6m, according to the county council.
To preserve local accountability, the plan outlines 16 Neighbourhood Area Committees aligned with health, economic and community geographies — each with its own devolved budget.
The business case will be debated by councillors on 14?November, submitted to the Government by 28?November, and if approved, would lead to shadow elections in May?2027 and the new authority coming into force on 1?April?2028.
Plymouth City Council, Torbay Council and Exeter City Council recently published proposals for Devon to be divided into four unitary authorities as part of the Government’s overhaul of local government.
Devon’s district councils have also published a plan that would see two new unitary authorities created, with Plymouth remaining independent.
Want to learn more about local government reorganisation? Check out: Local Government Reorganisation: What It Means and Why It Matters.
