Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution

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Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution

If Government plans for local government reform go ahead, the way your services are delivered by your councils will change. Read all about why the reorganisation is happening, what it means for you and how you can get involved by completing the survey below.

What’s changing?

On 16 December 2024, the Government announced significant reforms for local government and published an English devolution white paper.

This includes two main initiatives:

  • Devolution
    • Transferring powers and funding from Whitehall to local areas by creating regional Strategic Authorities with an elected Mayor, covering populations of over 1.5 million in all areas of England that don't already have them.
  • Local Government Reorganisation
    • Ending the two-tier county and district council system by forming new unitary local authorities serving larger populations.

What Local Government Reorganisation means for you

In the historic county of Devon, there are currently two unitary authorities (Torbay Council and Plymouth City Council), one County Council (Devon) and eight district and borough councils, including North Devon.

In the future, these could be reorganised to create new unitary authorities which will deliver all council services within their area. If this happens, North Devon Council and Devon County Council will no longer exist and the services we provide to you will be delivered by a single unitary authority.

Our proposals

As requested by Government, a joint outline proposal (known as an interim plan) has been submitted on behalf of all the Devon District Councils, except Exeter. The proposal has also been included as one of several options submitted by both Torbay Council and Devon County Council.

North Devon Council itself submitted an interim plan which incorporated support for the proposal but also outlined the importance of reflecting the unique cultural, community and historic identity of North Devon. That interim plan highlighted the possibility of a more northern Devon focussed model but made clear that we would take into account all evidence and data before reaching any conclusions.

We want to make sure that any future reorganisation meets the needs of our communities in North Devon and across the whole of Devon.

Known as the 1-4-5 plan, it proposes:

  • A unitary including East, Mid, North Devon, Torridge and Exeter.
  • Retaining Plymouth unitary authority.
  • A unitary combining the South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon areas with Torbay

Multiple other proposals have also been submitted to Government by Plymouth, Exeter, Devon County and Torbay.

All councils across Devon are now working towards refining the possible options for the future of local government and final proposals will be submitted to Government in November 2025.

Get involved

Over the coming months we want your feedback so we can understand what matters the most to you and your community. The views of our residents, partners and other stakeholders will help us develop a more detailed business case for our final proposal – a plan which must meet the future needs of everyone living, working and serving North Devon.

Although the Government will ultimately decide how local government is reorganised in Devon, you can help influence the final proposals to help keep the local identity of North Devon communities alive for future generations to come.

We are committed to making sure any changes to local government continues to tackle local challenges, makes the best use of our opportunities and benefits everyone we serve in North Devon.

The results will inform the formal consultation which is taking place in September 2025. The final submission is required to be submitted to the Ministry of State by 28 November 2025.

Have your say by filling out the survey below.

The engagement will start on 30 June 2025 and close on 11 August 2025.


Alternative formats

If you need this survey as a paper version or large print you can request this by emailing the Corporate and Community Services Team at consultation@northdevon.gov.uk(External link)(External link) or by calling 01271 388253. Paper copies are available from the new Town Centre Hub in Barnstaple's Green Lanes (Monday to Friday 9 am until 5pm), Ilfracombe Community Office, High Street, Ilfracombe (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 am until 5pm closed 1pm to 2pm), and Amory Centre, South Molton (Thursday 9 am until 5pm - closed 1pm to 2pm).

Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution

If Government plans for local government reform go ahead, the way your services are delivered by your councils will change. Read all about why the reorganisation is happening, what it means for you and how you can get involved by completing the survey below.

What’s changing?

On 16 December 2024, the Government announced significant reforms for local government and published an English devolution white paper.

This includes two main initiatives:

  • Devolution
    • Transferring powers and funding from Whitehall to local areas by creating regional Strategic Authorities with an elected Mayor, covering populations of over 1.5 million in all areas of England that don't already have them.
  • Local Government Reorganisation
    • Ending the two-tier county and district council system by forming new unitary local authorities serving larger populations.

What Local Government Reorganisation means for you

In the historic county of Devon, there are currently two unitary authorities (Torbay Council and Plymouth City Council), one County Council (Devon) and eight district and borough councils, including North Devon.

In the future, these could be reorganised to create new unitary authorities which will deliver all council services within their area. If this happens, North Devon Council and Devon County Council will no longer exist and the services we provide to you will be delivered by a single unitary authority.

Our proposals

As requested by Government, a joint outline proposal (known as an interim plan) has been submitted on behalf of all the Devon District Councils, except Exeter. The proposal has also been included as one of several options submitted by both Torbay Council and Devon County Council.

North Devon Council itself submitted an interim plan which incorporated support for the proposal but also outlined the importance of reflecting the unique cultural, community and historic identity of North Devon. That interim plan highlighted the possibility of a more northern Devon focussed model but made clear that we would take into account all evidence and data before reaching any conclusions.

We want to make sure that any future reorganisation meets the needs of our communities in North Devon and across the whole of Devon.

Known as the 1-4-5 plan, it proposes:

  • A unitary including East, Mid, North Devon, Torridge and Exeter.
  • Retaining Plymouth unitary authority.
  • A unitary combining the South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon areas with Torbay

Multiple other proposals have also been submitted to Government by Plymouth, Exeter, Devon County and Torbay.

All councils across Devon are now working towards refining the possible options for the future of local government and final proposals will be submitted to Government in November 2025.

Get involved

Over the coming months we want your feedback so we can understand what matters the most to you and your community. The views of our residents, partners and other stakeholders will help us develop a more detailed business case for our final proposal – a plan which must meet the future needs of everyone living, working and serving North Devon.

Although the Government will ultimately decide how local government is reorganised in Devon, you can help influence the final proposals to help keep the local identity of North Devon communities alive for future generations to come.

We are committed to making sure any changes to local government continues to tackle local challenges, makes the best use of our opportunities and benefits everyone we serve in North Devon.

The results will inform the formal consultation which is taking place in September 2025. The final submission is required to be submitted to the Ministry of State by 28 November 2025.

Have your say by filling out the survey below.

The engagement will start on 30 June 2025 and close on 11 August 2025.


Alternative formats

If you need this survey as a paper version or large print you can request this by emailing the Corporate and Community Services Team at consultation@northdevon.gov.uk(External link)(External link) or by calling 01271 388253. Paper copies are available from the new Town Centre Hub in Barnstaple's Green Lanes (Monday to Friday 9 am until 5pm), Ilfracombe Community Office, High Street, Ilfracombe (Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 am until 5pm closed 1pm to 2pm), and Amory Centre, South Molton (Thursday 9 am until 5pm - closed 1pm to 2pm).

Page last updated: 30 Jun 2025, 04:26 PM