The decision
Following direction from Government, different options for how local government could be reorganised were explored and presented to the government who then ran a consultation.
Government has ultimately decided that, from 1 April 2028, Devon’s existing councils will be replaced by four unitary councils. While the names of these councils may change, the new councils will be organised as:
- Devon Council
- Exeter Council
- Greater Plymouth
- Torbay and South Devon
(provisional names are being used to help describe the changes)
Parishes included in the areas of Exeter Council, Greater Plymouth, and Torbay and South Devon
- Exeter Council
- Ashcombe
- Aylesbeare
- Bicton
- Brampford Speke
- Broadclyst
- Budleigh Salterton
- Cheriton Bishop
- Chudleigh
- Clyst Honiton
- Clyst Hydon
- Clyst St. Lawrence
- Clyst St. George
- Clyst St. Mary
- Colaton Raleigh
- Colebrooke
- Cranbrook
- Crediton
- Hamlets
- Dawlish
- Dunchideock
- East Budleigh
- Exminster
- Exmouth
- Farringdon
- Hittisleigh
- Holcombe Burnell
- Huxham
- Ide
- Kenn
- Kenton
- Lympstone
- Mamhead
- Netherexe
- Newton St. Cyres
- Otterton
- Poltimore
- Powderham
- Rewe
- Rockbeare
- Shillingford St. George
- Sowton
- Starcross
- Stoke Canon
- Tedburn St. Mary
- Upton Pyne
- West Hill
- Whimple
- Whitestone
- Woodbury
- Greater Plymouth
- Bickleigh
- Brixton
- Cornwood
- Ermington
- Harford
- Holberton
- Ivybridge
- Newton and Noss
- Shaugh Prior
- Sparkwell
- Ugborough
- Wembury
- Yealmpton
- Torbay and South Devon
- Abbotskerswell
- Berry Pomeroy
- Bishopsteignton
- Broadhempston
- Coffinswell
- Denbury and Torbryan
- Haccombe with Combe
- Ideford
- Ipplepen
- Kingskerswell
- Kingsteignton
- Kingswear
- Littlehempston
- Marldon
- Newton Abbot
- Ogwell
- Shaldon
- Stoke Gabriel
- Stokeinteignhead
- Teigngrace
- Teignmouth
How councils will change
Instead of different councils being responsible for different services, a single unitary council will deliver all local government services for its area. The aim is to make services simpler to access, provide clearer accountability, and improve coordination across services, while ensuring support for residents continues throughout the transition.
One council, all your services
The new unitary councils will provide all the services you rely on, including:
- education
- waste collection
- roads
- housing
- play areas
- the countryside
- leisure centres
- planning
- children’s services
- adult social care
- community funding
- elections
When will things change?
For now, nothing changes in the way you receive services. All councils will deliver services as usual.
Our priority is making sure residents, businesses and communities continue to get the support they need without interruption. You’ll still be able to use the same council offices, community spaces, libraries and online services.
Once the new councils are created in April 2028, they’ll gradually start to join up how they work and the systems they use. This will happen over months and years, not overnight, so any changes you notice will be introduced thoughtfully and carefully.
As the new councils form, some services will be joined up behind the scenes to make things simpler and more efficient. Where changes affect how residents receive a service, we will consult on those changes in the usual way.