Plans for three new councils and mayor for Devon

Devon could be carved up into three unitary authorities with one elected mayor, according to the latest plans for local government reorganisation and devolution.

Seven district councils have backed plans for the South Hams, West Devon, Teignbridge and Torbay to form one authority, with Plymouth expanding its borders as another unitary authority then Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon and Torridge joining up for a third.

Exeter has not signed up to the plan and its leader said he would continue to make the case for it standalone.

Devon, Torbay and Plymouth councils have all backed the idea of a strategic authority for all of Devon with one elected mayor.

The government announced plans for a major redesign of local government across England in December.

It wants to sweep away all district and county councils and have only unitary authorities which would then band together to form strategic regional authorities with a directly-elected mayor.

All local councils in Devon have been asked to work together to come up with one plan for the reorganisation of local government.

Paul Arnott, leader of East Devon District Council, said: "Led by the geography, by certain economic causes as well - we've put together those geographies.

"They may well change as we move forward."

But the leader of Exeter City Council, Phil Bialyk, said he would "continue to build the case for a unitary authority that includes the city of Exeter and is based on sensible geographical boundaries which are still being worked on".

Bialyk said: "We believe our proposals will be key to coordinating public service delivery, driving regeneration and strengthening community leadership and identity, for residents in the city and wider region."

The existing councils of Plymouth, Torbay and Devon County also announced on Friday they were working together on a joint mayoral authority for the county.

Tudor Evans, leader of Plymouth City Council, said there were "clearly established economic connections" between the three areas, which "share existing public service boundaries".

He said: "By working together we can not only unlock greater powers and funding, but we can also ensure that our unique interests are understood by central government."

All three councils have previously expressed their desire to see Cornwall join with Devon in a strategic authority but those plans have been rebuffed by councillors in Cornwall.

The leaders of Devon, Plymouth and Torbay said in a joint statement that Cornwall was "welcome to join their discussions at any time, should they choose to reconsider".

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