New council set up would be more cost-effective and sustainable

With just under a month to go, the deadline for submitting proposals for the new local government structure for the county is rapidly approaching. 

We at Torridge have been working with East Devon, West Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge, Mid Devon and North Devon district councils, in consultation with Torbay Council, to shape a proposal.

That proposal is known as the 4-5-1 model, which includes: a unitary authority for West Devon, Teignbridge, South Hams and Torbay (4); a unitary authority for North Devon, Torridge, Mid Devon, East Devon and Exeter (5); Plymouth remaining a standalone unitary authority (1). 

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As a group, we are committed to creating councils that are built around people and place, reflecting the unique geography, economy, and identity of Devon and giving its residents services they can be proud of for generations to come.

We have worked very hard across a wide geography and a range of political backgrounds to develop this plan.

Our proposal aims to create a more effective and financially sustainable local government for Devon by aligning council boundaries with real communities and local economies.

The new structure will deliver better, more integrated high-quality public services, while ensuring decisions are made closer to residents and reflect local needs. 

I’d like to thank our residents, businesses and wider stakeholders for their invaluable feedback throughout this process. Your views have been central to shaping our proposals and ensuring they are grounded in the lived experiences of Devon's communities.  

We’ve still got some way to go in this process, but we will share information and updates as soon we have them.

This week, it’s Halloween and Torridge District Council is encouraging residents to minimise waste while celebrating the spookiest night of the year. People might think leaving pumpkins out for wildlife is a good idea but rotting pumpkins can harm animals, especially hedgehogs.

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We’re encouraging everyone to enjoy their pumpkins to the fullest so try out some new recipes or dispose of pumpkins responsibly by composting or ‘monster mashing' and adding to your food caddy.

If they're still in good shape, you can also leave the pumpkins on top of, or beside, your kerbside caddy for the post-Halloween pickup by our crews. Just please make sure to remove any decorations and candles first. Your pumpkin will then be transformed into fertiliser and energy along with the rest of the food waste we collect. 

With a little creativity and effort, we can keep Halloween spooky, delicious and sustainable!