Petitions against council reorganisation presented in Parliament
The government previously accepted proposals by Exeter and Plymouth to expand both cities’ councils, along with Torbay’s, and create a new Devon Council
Last updated 2nd Sep 2026
More than 6,000 people have signed petitions calling on the government to reverse its plans for local government reorganisation across the county.
The petitions instigated by Devon MPs Rebecca Smith (Conservative, South West Devon) and Caroline Voaden (Liberal Democrat, South Devon) are being presented in parliament today, highlighting the impact the proposals would have on their communities.
The government confirmed in July it had accepted proposals put forward by Labour-run Exeter and Plymouth to expand both cities’ councils, along with Torbay’s, and create a new Devon Council in the space in-between, tasked with delivering services from Lynton to Salcombe and Lundy to Yelverton.
The councils will replace the current two-tier structure of county and district councils in Devon with 11 councils becoming four in 2028 and they will be responsible for all local services from bin collections to education, roads to social care.
In a Devon-wide consultation, this proposal chosen by the government ranked fourth out of five possible options, receiving only 20% positive support.
Under the plans, Plymouth would expand into 13 South Hams parishes, with the remaining parishes becoming either part of the vast new Devon Council or being absorbed into an expanded Torbay Council.
The MPs, who are joining forces to present the petitions, said residents had raised concerns about communities being divided, the future delivery of vital services, democratic representation, council tax and the financial viability of the proposed authority.
More than 4,200 people have signed Rebecca Smith’s petition, whilst nearly 2,000 people have signed Caroline Voaden’s petition.
Miss Smith said: “I have heard time and again from residents who are deeply worried about what these proposals would mean for their communities.”
“I am not opposed to local government reorganisation in principle, but any changes must work for the people and communities affected. These proposals do not. If Andy Burnham truly believes in putting power into the hands of local people, he should listen, go back to the drawing board and think again.”
Caroline Voaden said: “Ask anyone with actual knowledge of Devon and they will tell you that Labour’s carve-up of the county is completely unworkable. It is patently clear a rural authority at the scale of the proposed Devon Council, with a road network comparable in size to Luxembourg, won’t be able to deliver services effectively or affordably.
“There is a reason why so many who participated in the consultation rejected Labour’s proposal. That the government is pressing ahead despite these results shows the bad faith this whole process has been conducted under.
“I have been contacted by hundreds of constituents this summer who are deeply worried about the risk these changes pose to local services. Their voices should count just as much as those of Labour politicians in Exeter and Plymouth.
“Devolution should be built from the ground up, not imposed by Whitehall. This plan makes a mockery of those beliefs and is not what rural Devon wants.”
When the announcement was made the then secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs Steve Reed said the four-unitary approach was the best option overall, partly because it allowed each of Devon’s three economic centres – Exeter, Torbay and Plymouth – to grow, increasing housing supply and growth opportunities.
Devon County Council has highlighted flaws in the city expansion model and has raised questions over how the government reached its decision. It will decide this month whether to mount a legal challenge against it.