Devon County Council has raised concerns about how planned local government changes could affect rural representation, with fewer councillors potentially covering larger areas.
Cabinet members met today to discuss their response to Government proposals for electoral arrangements amid the county's local government reorganisation.
The plans would replace Devon County Council, its eight district councils, Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council with four new councils. Subject to parliamentary approval, the model sets out councillor numbers for each authority: 86 for Exeter Council, 68 for Greater Plymouth Council, 64 for Torbay and South Devon Council, and 103 for Devon Council.
Councillor Julian Brazil, Leader of Devon County Council, said:
"Because this has been forced on Devon at pace the democratic deficit is shocking. In one area, a councillor could represent around 1,400 residents, while in another it could be more than 4,000. That difference in representation is unacceptable and an affront to local democracy.
"We will be the ones who must pick up the pieces if these arrangements create confusion or weaken local accountability. I am not opposed to local government reorganisation, but the process must deliver real benefits for our communities. If councils were given the time and flexibility to move at a sensible pace, we would have a much better chance of achieving those benefits.”
Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Leader of the Green and Independent Group, said:
“Changes to the management and delivery of public services should build better systems, not destroy. These proposals will destroy the systems we have in place.
“The outcome of the public consultation has been essentially ignored, which is a disgrace.
“The failure to take account of the public’s clear views and then carve out the economic areas, the cities, leaving a misshapen rural area that has been stripped of its coherence, will undermine the future of all of Devon.”
Conservative Councillor Stuart Rogers said:
"I am reassured that Devon County Council is challenging the Government on the transparency of decision-making and the pace of this process."
The council's submission focused on necessary temporary warding arrangements for elections in May 2027. These arrangements are designed to allow the first elections while a full independent review of electoral boundaries will follow the establishment of the new councils.
The Government is expected to use these submissions to inform the legislation required to create the new authorities, aiming for a planned launch in April 2028.
"I am committed to supporting my town and parish councils throughout this process to represent their concerns and get answers for rural communities who feel left behind," Councillor Rogers added.
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Rural Devon Could Get Fewer Councillors Under New Plans