What happens next for Devon after the government surprised everyone by pausing plans for the biggest local government shake-up in more than 50 years?
The approved plan would abolish all district, county and unitary councils in Devon and replace them with four new unitary councils, with Plymouth, Torbay and Exeter all expanding.
According to the plan's architects, the Labour leaders of Plymouth and Exeter, the pause is a worthwhile delay to "get it right". But the leader of Devon County Council believes the scheme is "cancelled" and wants compensation from the government for the time and money already spent.
Devon County Council has consistently opposed the proposals and had begun preparing a case for Judicial Review, with other councils across the country also threatening legal action.
Local government secretary Angela Rayner told parliament she was "pausing" the plans "in light of legal advice" and wanted to satisfy herself "the right process is in place, that it is robust, and of course complies with the law". It is not known what legal advice Rayner was acting on.
Devolution to the regions is a flagship policy of the new prime minister, Andy Burnham. On Thursday, the government announced powers to raise a tourism tax would be given to mayors and regional leaders. In parliament, Rayner added: "I want to fully test whether our proposals for local government reorganisation meet the priorities of a new administration and a new prime minister."
Devon County Council has said it will be "preserving our ability to issue judicial review proceedings if required".
What does it mean when the government says it is pausing and reviewing its plans? Julian Brazil, the Liberal Democrat leader of Devon County Council, believes this is the end of the previously approved plans for Devon. He said: "In my own mind I think local government reorganisation is cancelled in the immediate future." Brazil credited the government for listening to people's concerns. "We welcome the government's decision to pause and review the current proposals and are now seeking urgent clarification on what that pause and review will mean in practice," he said.
Councils put forward various options for carving up Devon, and the government chose the plan from the Labour leaders of Plymouth City Council and Exeter City Council. Phil Bialyk, leader of Exeter City Council, said he still expected the urban expansion proposals to go through, though delayed. He said his reading of Rayner's speech was that she needed to ensure the process had been correct and would withstand legal challenges, but the outcome might not change. He said: "I'm disappointed that we can't proceed but nothing has been taken away. I'm going to work hard to make sure it goes ahead but I've got to wait now until the ministerial team review it and come back to demonstrate they've made sure it's robust."
Devon Council Shake-Up Pause Raises Cost Questions