Could council shake up see the rise of rural Devon – one leader is upbeat
Torridge District Council leader Ken James “disappointed” but also thinks the decision may bring opportunity and a chance to “emerge from the shadows” of city neighbours
Rural Devon could come out of the shadows of the urban areas when local government reorganisation comes into play in 2028, says one council leader.
Torridge District Council’s independent leader of six years Ken James said he was trying to look on the bright side of the government’s new announcement that a Devon coast and countryside rural unitary authority will take over when district and county councils are disbanded.
Ministers have decided Devon will be made up of four authorities with Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay all getting an expansion and rural Devon the rest of the county.
These new bodies will be responsible for all local services from bin collections to social care and highways.
Councillor James said although he was “hugely disappointed” that the government had not followed its own guidance and appeared to make a “political decision” favouring a bid by the county’s two Labour-run cities on the way forward there were some advantages to the plan.
He said: “We have shaken off the urban areas, it means we can come out from the shadows.”
Torridge along with other district councils had proposed the 1-5-4 model creating more of an even split across the county and trying to meet the government’s guidelines of 500,000 populations.
Cllr James said that proposal was more evenly balanced, but now the new rural Devon authority would be very large, with councillors having to travel a vast area from one end to the other.
It includes North Devon, Torridge and West Devon district councils and the remaining areas of East Devon, Mid Devon, Teignbridge and South Hams which are not being added to Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay expansions.
He added: “At least in Torridge and North Devon we are not being split up like East Devon and Teignbridge, parts of which are being swallowed up by the urban councils.”
He said Torridge was making huge advances in technology and marine sectors, North Devon had a thriving pharmaceutical industry and Mid Devon was tied to the modern space race.
He concluded: “We have a lot going for us and these areas that are being put together have a lot in common. I don’t think here in northern Devon we are really losing anything really.
“It’s disappointing that there appears to be a political element to this decision and everything seems to be about political games now. I am trying to keep a positive mind though because we cannot change it and it’s no good ranting and raving.”