TORRIDGE District Council is to be gobbled up into a Devon ‘super-council’, it has been confirmed.

From 2028, the current system of local governance which sees a split of responsibilities between Devon County Council and smaller, secondary district councils will come to an end as part of a government reorganisation of how local councils work.

The option chosen by the government is different to the one that Torridge District Council supported.

It had backed a proposal which would have seen Devon split into three large authorities.

Torridge would have become part of an Exeter and Northern Devon authority which would have covered East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, North Devon and Torridge with the rest of Devon comprising of a Torbay and Southern Devon Council and a slightly enlarged Plymouth City Council.

Devon County Council had proposed merging all local authorities within the county, excluding Plymouth and Torbay, into a Devon Unitary Authority.

However, the government has chosen to back a proposal championed by Plymouth and Exeter city councils.

Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay will all become expanded city councils taking in parts of their adjacent areas while the rest of Devon will be served by one council, referred to as ‘Devon Coast and Countryside Council’, which in effect would be Devon County Council minus the three enlarged city council areas.

Cornwall is unaffected by the local government shakeup as it became a unitary authority in 2009 with the merger of the six district councils, namely North Cornwall, Kerrier, Caradon, Restormel, Penwith and Carrick and Cornwall County Council into the Cornwall Council unitary authority.

Torridge District Council Ken James
Council leader, Ken James has said he respects the decision (Torridge District Council)

It leaves open the possibility that the expanded authorities could seek mayoralties in order to obtain further devolved powers from the government, although at present, Cornwall is seeking to obtain extra powers without implementing a mayor.

Councillor Ken James, Leader of Torridge District Council reacted to the announcement of the chosen system for government reorganisation.

He said: "The government has announced its decision on local government reorganisation in our area. This decision marks an important step in shaping how services will be delivered for communities across Devon from 2028.

"A number of proposals were developed and carefully considered as part of this process, reflecting the scale and importance of these changes for our communities.

"While the Government has chosen a different option to the one we supported, we respect the decision made and will work constructively on the next phase.”

Cllr James said that there were potential benefits, adding: "Unitary councils have the potential to deliver more efficient and effective services. Over the coming months we will be working closely with our neighbouring councils across Devon to help shape the new arrangements and ensure the best possible outcomes for our residents.

"For now, Torridge District Council will continue to deliver services as normal while we work towards a smooth and well-managed transition to the new structure on April 1, 2028.

"We know residents, businesses and stakeholders will have questions, so we will be providing further updates as more information becomes available and as plans develop."