A massive overhaul of Devon's councils could be scrapped following a review that is set to be confirmed in Parliament. The planned shake-up would have been the biggest change to local council operations in half a century.
It would have cut the number of councils in Devon from 11 to four, and would have seen the urban centres of Plymouth and Exeter expand into neighbouring districts. Crucially, it would also have radically changed how councils operate, with all new bodies taking on some of the largest, most expensive and complex services, such as adult social care, education and highways, for the first time.
But a statement from Westminster has confirmed a review will be launched into the plans for local government reorganisation, or LGR as it has been called. Devon County Council had already been preparing a claim for a judicial review, so the announcement by Parliament is likely to be welcomed by that authority.
Plans for 14 areas, including Devon, will be reviewed to "ensure the process is robust and aligns with the new government’s plans to rewire the state", a government statement said. Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, is expected to tell Parliament today: "As we are now more determined than ever to devolve power closer to the people we represent, it’s only right that as a new Secretary of State I make sure that everything we do is working towards that plan to change Britain, without delay. The Prime Minister told the House last week, he was ‘prepared to look at local government reorganisation’ and he asked me as his Communities Secretary to 'do that'."
Mr Burnham was challenged on the issue by Devon MP Rebecca Smith, the Conservative member for South West Devon, last week, with the new PM telling her he would be willing to look at LGR. Speaking just hours before the announcement, David Reed MP, the member for Exmouth and Exeter East, said he had "consistently raised concerns about these proposals". "This review must be a genuine opportunity to reconsider whether the plans being put
Devon Council Overhaul Could Be Scrapped as Review Confirmed