Devon district worries about having no economic centre

Being left out of Exeter could be “highly damaging”

District councils will start discussions in earnest on Monday about the most likely partners to merge to become new unitary authorities.

Torridge District Council opposes plans for a single unitary authority for Devon but council leader Ken James (Ind, Milton and Tamarside) said his wish for a North Devon and Torridge combined body would not be viable under forthcoming local government reorganisation.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner announced plans before Christmas to create larger unitary authorities overseeing populations of around 500,000 which would replace the current district and county structure.

Some cities may be allowed to become unitaries with fewer residents if they make a strong case, as Exeter is attempting, and proposes to embrace parts of East Devon.

Plymouth, which is already a unitary council, hopes to draw in areas of the South Hams.

The government is also pushing for super-power ‘strategic authorities covering around one-and-a-half people, with elected mayors sitting above unitary councils, with a proposal  for an overarching authority for the whole of Devon and Cornwall.

Exeter MP Steve Race is backing that suggestion.

All Devon’s eight district councils have objected to Devon County Council’s request to the government to postpone local elections in May. They say it would be bad for local democracy.

Cllr James prefers an authority that includes Barnstaple and Bideford at its core, but it it not have an economic base, despite its growing pharmaceutical industries and planned innovation centre at Appledore for global research on clean shipping.

A special meeting about devolution is to be held between Torridge and North Devon District Council on Tuesday.

Cllr Simon Newton (Con, Winkleigh) said a unitary Exeter council could be “highly damaging” for Torridge and North Devon, because the district’s communications and tertiary education links to the city.

“We can be very proud of our area, but without an economic base like Exeter or Plymouth, it does not get us around the larger consideration of what drives economy.

“We should have clear view it is not good for us for Exeter to go on its own.”

Cllr Lauren Bright (Lib Dem, Great Torrington) said she is concerned about plans being rushed and that Torridge “great work” on its economic strategy, and success of Active Torridge could be lost if there is a huge single Devon council.