Devon, Plymouth and Torbay: Local government reorganisation
Documents relating to the government’s programme of local government reorganisation in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.
Timeline
5 February 2025
The invitation letter sent to councils in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay set out their milestones for reorganisation.
They were invited to submit final proposals for unitary local government by 28 November 2025.
5 February 2026
A written ministerial statement was made to Parliament. This set out that a statutory consultation on the proposals received for local government reorganisation in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay was launched.
On the same day, the Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, Alison McGovern MP, wrote to the leaders of councils in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay to thank them for their proposals and to inform them of the consultation.
16 July 2026
A written ministerial statement was made to Parliament, setting out the Secretary of State’s decision to implement the proposal for 4 unitary councils to be established in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.
Secondary legislation, which will be subject to Parliamentary approval, will now be taken forward to abolish existing councils, establish new councils and make transitional arrangements.
Accompanying this announcement, letters were sent to leaders in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.
Consultations
Letters to Devon, Plymouth and Torbay councils
Updates to this page
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Implementation letters to council chief executives added.
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Decision letters to council leaders added.
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First published.