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Town and Parish Council news |
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Today, 16 July 2026, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has announced the decision on Local Government Reorganisation in Devon.
We will share details about the decision at the Martyn's Law Town and Parish Council briefing, which takes place between 6:30pm and 8pm next Wednesday (22 July). Councils can sign up to the briefing here: LGR and Martyn's Law Briefing - 22 July, 6:30pm. A teams meeting link will be sent out at lunchtime on 22 July.
Under the plans announced today, existing district and county councils will be replaced by four new unitary councils from 2028: Plymouth Unitary Council, Exeter Unitary Council, Torbay Unitary Council, and a new Devon Coast & Countryside Council.
We recognise that this decision represents one of the biggest changes to local government in Devon in decades.
The proposal selected by the Government will bring significant change to Teignbridge, with the current area divided across three separate authorities.
However, we will now work closely with our town and parish councils as well as neighbouring councils to help shape the design and operation of the new unitary authorities. This will ensure that Teignbridge residents continue to receive the best possible service.
Residents in Teignbridge will receive services from Exeter Council, Torbay Council or the new Devon Coast and Countryside Council from April 2028, depending where they live.
Plymouth and Torbay will expand to serve additional communities in surrounding areas that already look to them for employment, education, and healthcare.
A new council for Exeter and a new Devon Coast and Countryside Council will be established.
Our moorland communities and towns — including Ashburton, Bovey Tracey, and Buckfastleigh — will become part of a new Devon Coast and Countryside Council. Other areas, including Dawlish, Chudleigh and Exminster, will join an expanded Exeter, while Newton Abbot, Kingskerswell and Teignmouth will become part of a larger Torbay council.
Each council will reflect distinct local identities and functional economic areas, while working together on strategic priorities such as transport, skills, housing, and economic development. This collaboration will be balanced with clear local accountability and democratic representation.
Opportunities for Town and Parish Councils:
Local Government Reorganisation will have an impact across Teignbridge, including for town and parish councils. However, it also presents opportunities for enhanced local control, improved accountability, stronger community engagement, economic development, and access to potential new funding.
We hope you will recognise the opportunities that this new organisational structure can bring. It has the potential to transform the role of town and parish councils, enabling you to play an even greater role in building vibrant, resilient, and empowered communities.
Residents will continue to receive services from Teignbridge District Council and Devon County Council as normal during the transition period until 1 April 2028.
A Structural Change Order (SCO) is expected to be passed in the autumn. This will provide the legal framework for the reorganisation, including arrangements for the transition process.
It will also enable elections to a shadow unitary council in May 2027, ahead of the new unitary councils going live on 1 April 2028.
Over the coming months, we will keep you updated on key decisions and progress as implementation develops.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email: lgrquestions@teignbridge.gov.uk
Councillor Richard Keeling
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