Local Government Reorganisation (LGR): Torbay Response to the Statutory Consultation on Proposals for LGR in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay
Decision Maker: Chief Executive
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: No
Is subject to call in?: No
Decision:
That
Torbay Council’s response to the statutory consultation for
proposals for local government reorganisation in Devon (including
Plymouth and Torbay) be submitted.
Reasons for the decision:
Firstly, to respond to the Government’s invitation to
participate in the consultation as a named consultee. Secondly, to formally represent and record
Torbay’s position on the alternative proposals for LGR
submitted by other Devon councils, based upon the options appraisal
contained within Torbay Council’s proposal for local
government reorganisation in Devon.
Alternative options considered:
An
alternative option would have been not to submit a response to the
consultation. This option was
discounted as Torbay was a named consultee. Additionally, opting not to respond would not meet
the interests, needs and wishes of Torbay’s
residents.
Implementation:
This decision will be
implemented immediately.
Information:
On 5
February the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
launched a statutory consultation to seek views on proposals
received for unitary local government reorganisation for Devon,
Plymouth and Torbay.
The
consultation was to consider five proposals from Devon councils.
In addition to (1) Torbay’s own
proposal, the consultation included proposals from: (2) Devon
County Council; (3) South Hams District Council, Teignbridge
District Council and West Devon Borough Council; (4) East Devon
District Council, Mid Devon District Council, North Devon Council
and Torridge District Council; and (5) Exeter City Council and
Plymouth City Council.
The
consultation ran for 7 weeks and was scheduled to conclude on 26
March 2026.
Before
implementing a proposal, the Government has a statutory requirement
to consult any local authority affected by the proposal (but which
has not submitted it).
As a
named consultee Torbay Council was invited to submit its views on
the proposals submitted by other Devon councils.
The
constitution of Torbay Council confers on the Chief Executive, in
consultation with the relevant member, responsibility for
responding on behalf of the Council to such
consultations.
Interests and Nature of Interests Declared:
Publication date: 25/03/2026
Date of decision: 24/03/2026
