Consultation on Local Government reorganisation
The councils for Plymouth, Torbay, Devon and the eight District councils in Devon are to be abolished and replaced by Unitary authorities. UPC are asking their parishioners for their views on the proposals.
Published: 14 November 2025
The Government asked local authorities to provide it with suggestions by 28th November, and it will then choose which option to adopt for Devon. There will be no formal puiblic consultation or referendum.
We are running a survey to let you find out about these plans, and to indicate your preferences to the parish council.
To take part, go to https://bit.ly/upclgr2026
Plymouth City Council proposes that they remain a Unitary Authority but increase by taking in thirteen neighbouring parishes, including some from the South Hams (including Ugborough) and some from West Devon (to the north of the city). This means that Ugborough would become part of Plymouth. On 31 October they updated their proposal to include Unitary authorities for Torbay (on current boundaries), Exeter (including neighbouring parishes), and the remainder of rural and costal Devon (excluding the thirteen parishes to be added to Plymouth). See this BBC page for a map.
South Hams District Council proposes that it combine with West Devon, Teignbridge, and Torbay. Plymouth would remain as it is, and the other Districts in Torridge, North, Mid and East Devon would combine with Exeter.
Devon County Council proposes a single authority covering the whole of the current council area, excluding Torbay and Plymouth.
In February, the Government wrote to all councils in Devon setting out the criteria against which proposals would be assessed, including:
- providing plans for the whole of Devon
- creating unitary authorites covering populations of 500,000 or more
- sensible geography respecting previous district council boundaries and issues of local identity and cultural and historic importance.
- delivery of high-quality services
The letter emphasises that there is no provision for the relief of existing councils’ debts, which will be taken on by the new authorities. The current debt of Plymouth City Council is around £700 million, Devon County Council is £500 million, Torbay is £350 million. South Hams, West Devon and Teignbridge have combined debts of under £50 million.