Cllr Dan Thomas said: “I am urging residents, organisations and businesses across the South Hams to take part in the consultation on Local Government Reorganisation in Devon, which closes on 26 March.

“The proposals being put forward will change how council services are delivered across Devon from 2028. Residents and businesses have told us how much council services matter to local people; essential services like waste and recycling collections, roads and highways, children’s services, planning, housing, and environmental health, are all delivered by your local authorities, and how that all operates will be changing in the years ahead.

“It may sound dry, but Local Government Reorganisation affects everyone living here. How council services are delivered matters to everybody. We want to ensure that after the reorganisation process is over, the people of Devon are left with the best option possible to ensure fair political representation and a high quality of services that are delivered efficiently and reliably.

“Anyone who cares about their local services and the future should take the opportunity to take part in the consultation and share their views before it closes. You can find out more about the different proposals at www.devonlgr.co.uk.”

South Hams District Council, along with six of Devon’s other district councils, is supporting the Reimagining Devon proposal, which would see Devon split into three unitary authorities. One would cover Exeter and northern Devon, one would cover Torbay and southern Devon and the final one covers Plymouth, either on its existing boundaries or on a slightly expanded boundary that would include four parishes currently in the South Hams.

The council believes that Reimagining Devon is the most balanced solution for all of Devon, not just those living in the South Hams. It is a plan that would deliver efficient and effective services closer to communities, building on the dependable services already being delivered by Devon’s district councils.

It ensures decision making remains local and offers the best political representation for everyone across the county. It also is the plan that delivers the biggest financial savings, with a robust plan that ensures services provide Devon taxpayers with good value for money. The cost of implementing the Reimagining Devon proposal would be paid back in under three years.

Reimagining Devon is one of the proposals put to government; Devon County Council, Plymouth and Exeter city councils, and Torbay Council also made their own submissions.

You can find out more about all the submissions and have your say at www.devonlgr.co.uk

ENDS

Watch the video with our Leader, Cllr Dan Thomas, on LGR: