Issue - meetings

Verbal update from the Executive Member for Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution and/or the Managing Director.

The Democratic Services Manager confirmed that the Governance Committee at its meeting on 2^nd October 2025 agreed dispensations for ‘dual hatted’ Councillors (District and County Councillors) to speak and vote on items relating to Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation.

The Managing Director gave a verbal update on proposals for Local Government Reorganisation in Devon. The presentation included a timeline of the submission plans up to the end of November 2025, progress to date on the proposals, an overview of the options appraisal, the financial case within the proposal, other considerations taken into account, the proposed numbers of Elected Members and Neighbourhood Area Committees.

An extraordinary Full Council and Executive meeting have been arranged for Tuesday 25^th November 2025. A further All Member Briefing will be arranged in advance of these meetings to share the proposals.

Councillor Nutley spoke about the role of Dartmoor National Park Authority within Local Government Re-organisation. The Managing Director confirmed that the National Park authority is not in scope for Local Government Reorganisation but there will need to be changes around the appointment of Members to the authority, how the authority works with a future unitary authority to achieve its aims and have strong working relationships.

The Leader spoke to this item re-confirming that Teignbridge District Council and Devon County Council would be abolished following Local Government Reorganisation.

Councillor Buscombe asked a question regarding the operation of Neighbourhood Area Committees. Learning and best practice from other unitary authorities would be incorporated into the proposals. The new unitary authority would determine the delegation of functions to these Committees and ensuring that local communities are involved in these.