The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,
Declares that Plymouth City Council’s proposed expansion into 13 parishes in the South Hams is strongly opposed by local residents; further declares that Plymouth City Council’s proposal threatens the identity, autonomy and rural character of long-established parish communities; further declares that Devon’s District Councils have presented an alternative 1-4-5 model for local government reorganisation in Devon which takes account of local residents’ wishes; and further notes that this plan would retain Plymouth as a unitary authority within its current boundaries, create a second unitary authority comprising South Hams, Teignbridge, West Devon and Torbay, and a third authority covering East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, Torridge and Exeter.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to reject Plymouth City Council’s proposed boundary expansion into the South Hams and instead adopt the 1-4-5 model proposed by South Hams District Council, which respects existing boundaries and reflects the preferences and interests of local residents.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Rebecca Smith , Official Report, 15 September 2025; Vol. 772, c. 1307.]
[P003113]
Observations from the Minister for Local Government and Homelessness (Alison McGovern):
It would be inappropriate for the Government to comment at this stage or give a view on specific unitary proposals given the statutory process for unitarisation.
On 5 February 2025, the Government invited two-tier authorities and their neighbouring small unitary authorities to develop proposals for unitary local government. The invitation provided statutory guidance to support councils on issues such as size, sensible geographies, efficiencies and financial sustainability, public service delivery, community engagement and devolution. Councils in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay were invited to submit proposals for unitary councils by 28 November.
The invitation set out that existing district areas should be considered the building blocks for proposals, but where there is a strong justification more complex boundary changes will be considered. There will need to be a strong public services and financial sustainability related justification for any proposals that involve boundary changes, or that affect wider public services, such as fire and rescue authorities, due to the likely additional costs and complexities of implementation.
We expect local leaders to work collaboratively and proactively, including by sharing information, to develop robust and sustainable unitary proposals that are in the best interests of the whole area. We also expect local leaders to engage their Members of Parliament, and to ensure there is wide engagement with local partners and stakeholders, residents, the workforce and their representatives, and businesses on a proposal.
The Government will consult on final proposals before deciding on which, if any, proposal to implement. Responses from MPs, residents, town and parish councillors, and local businesses will be welcome. We would encourage residents to engage with the consultation once it is launched.
Following the consultation, proposals will be considered carefully, alongside the responses received and all other relevant information. The statutory process for unitarisation is set out in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 and a summary of that process is available on gov.uk: