The Cabinet of Devon Council met on Friday 14 August 2026 to discuss the proposed warding arrangements for the upcoming Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay. The council ultimately decided not to endorse the proposed warding arrangements due to concerns about a democratic deficit, despite acknowledging the significant efforts of officers in preparing the proposals under a tight deadline.

Local Government Reorganisation - Warding Arrangements

The primary focus of the meeting was the proposed warding arrangements for the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Devon, Plymouth, and Torbay, which are set to take effect in April 2028. The report presented detailed the interim warding arrangements that had been developed by the Chief Executives of Devon, Torbay, Exeter, and Plymouth councils, following a government directive issued on 16 July 2026. This process, which would typically take 18 months, had to be completed in just over three weeks.

Councillor Paul Arnott, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Local Government Reorganisation and Water Quality, highlighted the challenging timescale and the collaborative effort involved. He stated that the proposals were the best effort that could have been made in the circumstances and that approving them for submission to the government did not equate to endorsing the process itself.

Several members of the Cabinet voiced significant concerns about the proposed arrangements. Councillor James Buczkowski, Cabinet Member for Finance, expressed his fundamental opposition to the LGR, citing a lack of democratic mandate and concerns about financial sustainability and service impact. He argued that the compressed timetable had prevented adequate community engagement, stating, with more time and more input from communities, etc., a different arrangement might have been arrived at. He also raised concerns about the extensive use of multi-member wards, believing they could weaken the direct relationship between councillors and their communities. Councillor Buczkowski proposed that the Cabinet should not endorse the response to be submitted to the government due to the democratic deficit it created.

Councillor Denise Bickley, Cabinet Member for Children's Services - SEND, echoed concerns about the pace of the process, highlighting the progress made in her department over the past 15 months and the potential risks to service improvement and children's outcomes if existing arrangements were disrupted. Councillor Richard Jefferies, Cabinet Member for Adults Services, also expressed disappointment with the government's timetable, calling it a missed opportunity to develop more robust warding arrangements.

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Leader of the Green and Independent Group and Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Bio-diversity, argued that the proposed warding arrangements, particularly in rural areas, would undermine effective local representation, divide established communities and link together areas with little natural connection.

The meeting also heard from other councillors who attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2). Councillor Jess Bailey raised concerns about splitting up communities and the potential for boundary anomalies. Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Leader of the Conservative Group, questioned whether the warding work had been undertaken collaboratively with the district councils. Councillor Sara Wilson expressed concern about the potential democratic loss in Ilfracombe due to its proposed expansion with three members. Councillor Stuart Rogers BEM sought clarification that the strength of feeling regarding the LGR process would be reflected in the Cabinet minutes.

The report detailed specific examples of community identity and boundary issues, including concerns raised about the proposed boundaries in areas such as Crediton, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Ottery St Mary, West Hill, and Axminster. It was noted that the proposed warding arrangements did not always reflect established communities, local identities, or existing relationships between settlements. For instance, in Teignmouth, 100 households within the Dawlish parish council area were to be located in the Exeter Council area, while the rest of Teignmouth would be in the Torbay and South Devon Council area.

The average elector to member ratios for the proposed new authorities were presented: Torbay and South Devon (1:2,610), Exeter (1:2,191), Devon (1:3,494), and Plymouth (2,30,689 members: 68, ratio: 1:3,392). Members questioned these ratios and their relationship to equitable democratic representation.

Following the debate, the Cabinet MOVED and SECONDED a motion that they would note, but due to the democratic deficit it creates, do not endorse the response to be submitted by Devon County Council to Government, by the 17th August 2026, regarding interim warding arrangements for the proposed successor authorities arising from Local Government Reorganisation in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay and Exeter. The motion was CARRIED. It was also noted that final decisions on councillor numbers, initial electoral arrangements, and the content of the Structural Changes Order rest with the Secretary of State and Parliament.

Questions from Members of the Council (LGR only)

Prior to the main agenda item, Councillor Stuart Rogers BEM asked several questions regarding the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). He inquired about the judicial review process, specifically whether it allowed for fact over fiction to be represented and what information the public would receive in advance of any information going to the judicial review. Councillor Rogers also expressed disappointment that the Prime Minister had not contacted Devon County Council, given his presence in Devon, and voiced concerns about the sustainability of rural communities when LGR is invoked in 2028.

Councillor Julian Brazil, Leader of the Council, responded that a pre-action letter had been sent and a response was expected imminently. He stated that once the response was received, both the pre-action letter and the government's response would be published, which would clarify matters. He added that the judicial review would be discussed in detail at a Cabinet meeting in September. Regarding the Prime Minister's visit, Councillor Brazil confirmed he had written to him that day, inviting him to visit Devon, particularly North Devon, and specifically Ilfracombe, to witness the hidden deprivation in rural areas. He also mentioned the closure of the maternity hospital in North Devon and the education gap as examples of rural struggles.

Questions from Members of the Public (LGR only)

There were no questions submitted from members of the public for this meeting.