Newton Abbot submits concerns as Devon council review deadline nears

Newton Abbot Town Council has raised concerns about proposed changes to local government in Devon, warning that any reorganisation must protect the county’s economic stability and local services.

The council has submitted its formal response to the Government’s Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) consultation, which ends tomorrow (Thursday 26 March), and is examining how councils across Devon could be restructured.

READ NEXT: Major £4m investment for ageing Exeter football hub unanimously approved

While the authority said it does not oppose reform in principle, it stated that there was no clear consensus among councillors on which of the proposed models to support.

In its submission, the council warned that some options could lead to services and assets being transferred to town and parish councils without sufficient funding to run them.

It also raised concerns that new structures could make local government harder for residents to understand, rather than simpler.

A statement issued on behalf of the council said it feared the system could become “even harder” for residents to navigate.

Councillors also highlighted the risk that very large authorities could reduce local representation, particularly under proposals for a single Devon unitary council serving around 840,000 people.

Other concerns included the potential creation of new advisory bodies that may be unelected or lack clear accountability, and what the council described as a limited consultation period for such complex changes.

Despite these concerns, the council emphasised that it recognises the need for reform.

In its conclusion, the authority said: “The welfare and economic viability of Devon’s communities must be at the forefront of any decision taken with regard to the future make-up of our county.”

The Government consultation will inform decisions on how local government in Devon could be reorganised in the future. 

Ministers will decide which proposals, if any, are implemented, subject to parliamentary approval.