‘Shafted’ – Devon council leader condemns Government plan to carve up the county
Devon County Council leader Julian Brazil calls the local government restructuring decision for the county a “Labour stich up” and says it will cost residents more in council tax
The leader of Devon County Council has accused the Government of ‘betraying’ Devon and said it has ‘shafted’ local people.
Councillor Julian Brazil called the decision today (Thursday, July 16) to divide Devon into four unitary authorities to run all services a “Labour stitch up” and claimed it will add £250 a year to household bills.
Exeter and Plymouth, both with Labour MPs, along with Torbay, will get an expanded council patch that will gobble up some of the surrounding parishes.
The rest of Devon will be bundled into a ‘Devon Coast and Countryside’ council.
Cllr Brazil did not mince his words, saying that a “Labour-led gerrymandering” of the county’s authorities will lead to a 10 per cent-plus rise in council tax and cuts to services.
He said the proposed expansion of Exeter, Plymouth and Torbay into surrounding rural areas ignores clear evidence on financial sustainability, service resilience and the protection of vulnerable children and adults.
The council leader said the proposal for a four unitary council Devon will cost around £80million and leave a combined budget shortfall across the new councils of around £100m.
He has called on ‘Prime Minister-in-waiting’ Andy Burnham to overturn the government's Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) decision for Devon.
Councillor Brazil said: “This is a government stitch-up, pure and simple. The government has looked at the proposals and accepted the Plymouth and Exeter versions, who just happen to be Labour councils.
“Every other non-Labour council in Devon has been ignored. This approach has been replicated across the country. It’s blatant gerrymandering.
“The government has shafted the rural people of Devon, who represent the vast majority of local people, because that’s what their Labour mates in Plymouth and Exeter wanted.
“This is a deceitful betrayal of the people of Devon and will lead to double digit increases in council tax and cuts to local services. This decision will not benefit anyone in Devon.”
He added: “The decision to impose a reorganisation on Devon that leaves one new authority effectively bankrupt from day one puts vulnerable children at greater risk. It is a deeply flawed decision.”
The council’s leader said County Hall was preparing to challenge the government's decision and seek a judicial review to reverse it.
He went on: “What advice has been ignored? If we need to take legal action to stop it, then so be it.
“Mr Burnham has championed a broader approach to devolution and we hope he will do the right thing for Devon by abandoning this unworkable solution."
“Our next Prime Minister has spoken about delivering good growth in every postcode, not just major cities. Devon gives him the opportunity to demonstrate that commitment.”
Earlier today, when announcing the verdict for the restructure of 14 areas in England, the Government said the changes would ‘streamline services’ and give clearer accountability.
Secretary of State Steve Reed said: “We're shaking up local government so that people get the services they deserve - cleaner streets, better care, and money spent on what matters most to local people.
“These reforms create stronger, more efficient councils that lay the foundations for real devolution and the economic growth that will bring new jobs and opportunities to communities right across England.”