More than 6,000 people have signed petitions urging the government to reverse its plans for local government reorganisation across the county.
The petitions, started by Devon MPs Rebecca Smith (Conservative, South West Devon) and Caroline Voaden (Liberal Democrat, South Devon), are being presented in parliament today. They highlight the impact the proposals would have on their communities.
In July, the government confirmed it had accepted proposals from Labour-run Exeter and Plymouth to expand both cities' councils, along with Torbay's, and create a new Devon Council in the space between them. That council would deliver services from Lynton to Salcombe and Lundy to Yelverton.
The changes will replace Devon's current two-tier structure of county and district councils. Eleven councils will become four in 2028, responsible for all local services from bin collections to education, and from roads to social care.
In a Devon-wide consultation, the government's chosen proposal ranked fourth out of five options, receiving only 20% positive support.
Under the plans, Plymouth would expand into 13 South Hams parishes. The remaining parishes would become part of the new Devon Council or be absorbed into an expanded Torbay Council.
The MPs, who are joining forces to present the petitions, said residents had raised concerns about divided communities, the future of vital services, democratic representation, council tax, and the financial viability of the proposed authority.
More than 4,200 people have signed Rebecca Smith's petition, while nearly 2,000 have signed Caroline Voaden's.
Miss Smith said: "I have heard time and again from residents who are deeply worried about what these proposals would mean for their communities."
She added: "I am not opposed to local government reorganisation in principle, but any changes must work for the people and communities affected. These proposals do not. If Andy Burnham truly believes in putting power into the hands of local people, he should listen, go back to the drawing board and think again."
Caroline Voaden said: "Ask anyone with actual knowledge of Devon and they will tell you that Labour’s carve-up of the county is completely unworkable. It is patently clear a rural authority at the scale of the proposed Devon Council, with a road network comparable
Petitions Against Devon Council Reorganisation Presented in Parliament