The current three-tier system of local government in Devon is not perfect. There is some overlap of responsibilities, and the division of duties between councils can lead to confusion over accountability and low public engagement.
Abolishing one tier of local government, as Westminster is seeking to do, may present opportunities to simplify and to improve efficiency. However, if streamlining is done merely to reduce costs, it will not lead to better services. In fact, services are likely to get worse, particularly in areas of lower population density.
Elected mayors may increase engagement in urban areas with a distinct identity but will have little impact in large, predominantly rural areas where public transport is minimal and many communities are well over an hour’s drive from the centre of decision-making. Exeter is as far from parts of north Devon as London is from Cambridge.
The current Government has a large majority of parliamentary seats but was elected with only 33.7% of the votes cast (from a turnout of 59.7%). Reorganising local government was not included in its election manifesto; Labour does not have a specific mandate. There are many more important issues – not least climate change but also housing and social care – that should be addressed first.
For the above reasons, Torridge Green Party believes that:
1. Removing one tier of councils will not automatically improve democracy, accountability or public engagement in decision-making.
2. If any reorganisation is to take place, it should only happen following extensive consultation. We suggest a minimum period of two years.
3. The county council elections scheduled for 2025 must go ahead as planned to help provide a democratic mandate for any decisions on the future of the county.
4. Any proposals should include merging Torridge and North Devon councils, recognising the distinct identity, existing economic relationships, socio-economic problems and infrastructure challenges faced by this area.
5. If reorganisation is imposed and district councils are abolished, safeguards to protect all communities must be built into any new system and resources allocated by need, not simply population numbers. For example, local levels of deprivation, educational achievement and average pay should be used to create a funding formula so that areas remote from decision-making hubs do not continue to deteriorate.
6. Elections for any new local authorities should be carried out under a system of proportional representation to increase public engagement and ensure a truly democratic mandate.