Welcome to your Community Engagement Newsletter
Share your feedback during our active surveys.
Thank you for subscribing to this newsletter, which is designed to keep you informed about active and previous consultations/surveys.
We are committed to putting your voice at the heart of our decision making. You’ll find details about our current consultations, how to take part, give your feedback and contribute your ideas on a range of projects on the East Devon Engagement Hub. You can also view updates from previous consultations, including the stage each one is currently at.
 Have your say on the future of local government in Devon
Thank you to everyone who has already completed the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) survey. Your input is helping to build a clearer picture of what matters most to communities across East Devon and Devon as a whole.
If you haven’t had a chance to take part yet, there’s still time as we’ve extended the closing date to Sunday 31 August 2025. Complete the survey now.
This is your opportunity to influence how local services are delivered, how councils are structured, and how decisions are made in the future. Whether it’s roads, recycling, planning, education or social care — the structure of local government affects the services we all use every day. Your views will feed into the final recommendation due later this year
In December 2024, the government announced plans to simplify local government structures in England. Areas like Devon, which currently operate under a two-tier system (with both district and county councils), are now being asked to consider moving to a unitary authority model, where a single council is responsible for all local services.
In response, East Devon District Council has been collaborating with other councils across the county to explore potential options. A joint outline proposal was submitted to the government in March 2025 by Devon’s district councils.
Known as the 1-4-5 Plan, the proposal outlines the following structure:
- Plymouth would remain a standalone unitary authority.
- South Hams, Teignbridge, West Devon, and Torbay would form one new unitary council.
- East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, Torridge, and Exeter would form another.
In addition to this joint plan, some councils have submitted alternative proposals. The government will ultimately determine the final structure, based on several key criteria:
- Create councils with logical geographical areas.
- Improve efficiency and financial sustainability.
- Deliver high-quality and sustainable services.
- Reflect local identity and informed by local views.
- Support devolution arrangements.
- Enable better engagement and empowerment for local communities.
Before a final recommendation is made in November 2025, residents, businesses, and community members across East Devon are invited to share their views.
To take part, please complete the online survey by Sunday 31 of August.
Your input will play an important role in shaping how local services are delivered in the future.
Please forward this email to anyone you think would find it useful and encourage them to sign up.
You can also share this update on social media and in any online groups you're part of by using the view it as a web page link at the top of the page.
Find out more about the past and present engagements.
|
