Devon urges clarity after £2m spent on halted council overhaul

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 11:34 · Archive

Devon County Council has spent approximately £2.1 million on plans for a suspended reorganisation of the county's two-tier council system. The proposals, which could have led to the creation of four unitary authorities by April 2028, were paused last month by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government following legal threats from councils across the country.

The council is now calling on the government to clarify its position on the halted plans. Julian Brazil, leader of Devon County Council, said the government's proposals for Devon 'would have introduced a model which was unworkable, unpopular, and threatened to derail enormous progress' the council has made. He added that implementation would have cost around £100 million, which 'should instead be invested in frontline services'.

Brazil raised concerns about restructuring efforts that prioritise administrative boundaries over practical service delivery. He said the council wants to 'work with government and district councils, health bodies, and the private sector to invest our energy and funds into rewiring Devon'.

How it is being reported

• Devon council spends £2.1m on plans for suspended local government overhaulDevon County Council has called on the government to clarify its suspended plans to overhaul the county's two-tier council system.Exmouth Journal · 14 Oct, 11:19
• Devon calls for ‘clarity’ over costly council shake up plansWith the restructure of Devon’s councils paused and £2m already spent, Devon County Council is calling on the government to provide answers on what happens nowNorth Devon Gazette · 14 Oct, 10:28

In this story: Devon County Council · Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government · Julian Brazil · Devon

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