Want to know more about the current Local Government Reorganisation?

Background – what’s it all about?

The Government’s long-term vision is for simpler council structures, which make it clear who is responsible for services.

Local Government Reorganisation is about making a pattern of single tier unitary authorities across the country.

The Government expect that all proposals submitted as part of Local Government Reorganisation achieve the following criteria;

1. A proposal should seek to achieve for the whole of the area concerned the establishment of a single tier of local government.​
2. Unitary local government must be the right size to achieve efficiencies, improve capacity and withstand financial shocks.​
3. Unitary structures must prioritise the delivery of high quality and sustainable public services to citizens.​
4. Proposals should show how councils in the area have sought to work together in coming to a view that meets local needs and is informed by local views.​
5. New unitary structures must support devolution arrangements.​
6. New unitary structures should enable stronger community engagement and deliver genuine opportunity for neighbourhood empowerment.

Is there an overview of all the proposals?

There are 11 councils across the Devon area and 5 plans have been submitted to the government.

You can find an overview of the various plans here:

www.lgcplus.com/politics/governance-and-structure/five-separate-lgr-plans-submitted-for-devon-25-03-2025/

What is the timescale for LGR?

• April – October 2025 – Further engagement with wider stakeholders, including residents, Parish Councils etc.
• 28 November 2025 – Submission of LGR Business Case to Government
• December 2025/January 2026 – Decision on LGR from Government

New unitary councils will be established in April 2027 or April 2028, depending on capacity and devolution timelines in the area.​

Plymouth City Council Proposal

Plymouth City Council (PCC) proposes a boundary change that will incorporate 13 parishes that currently border the city.  You can find the options here:

https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation-lgr

Plymouth city council are holding a number of engagement events during April with residents across the 13 parishes.

The Cornwood event was on Monday 16^th June and the key points that came from it were:

• This was largely a presentation of PCC’s intended submission to Government.
• It was not a Q&A but a fact-finding exercise for PCC of what the parish valued.
• There is no doubt that the current governing structures will be replaced.
• Each council will only be able to submit a single plan but there must be no gaps.
• Other councils are yet to engage with their electorates.
• There was great scepticism and no enthusiasm from Cornwood residents for the PCC plan.

South Hams District Council (SHDC) Proposal

SHDC held a meeting on 18^th June with Parish Councillors, District Councillors and Parish Clerks to present their preferred plan: Called 1-4-5 which is explained here:

Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution | South Hams District Council

They will be holding stakeholder events but of necessity will be wider and later. The points that came from it were:

• The plan does not mesh with PCC’s, who have declared their preference.
• There are ongoing talks with most of the other councils’
• Exeter has not declared its preference.
• Torbay prefers not changing status, but this is probably unacceptable.
• No one has worked on a 5-5 scenario which would benefit the 13 parishes in play without giving PCC a free hand.
• The 13 parishes wish to remain within the SHDC “family”

How can I find out more on progress with LGR?

Each of the councils that have submitted are updating their websites with progress as we head towards the November deadline.  You will need to look at each of the websites to check as there is no website/portal that captures them all in a single place.

The parish council has a standing agenda item at the monthly meeting which you are welcome to attend.  The next meetings are on:

July 1^st 2025 and 2^nd September 2025 both in the Village Hall at 7.30pm

                                                            Preston de Mendonca (Chair Cornwood PC)