Totnes Town Council has unanimously rejected the Government’s current proposals for Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) in Devon and is calling for an amendment to the proposed boundary that would otherwise divide the Bridgetown community between two unitary authorities.
The decision was taken at an Extraordinary Meeting of Totnes Town Council, attended by a significant number of residents from Totnes, Bridgetown and neighbouring villages. The Council’s most immediate concern is the proposed boundary between Totnes and Berry Pomeroy Parish, which would place part of the Bridgetown community in Torbay, a different unitary authority area. Members agreed unanimously to seek an amendment to the boundary so that the whole of Bridgetown remains within a single authority area.
The Council heard evidence from Bridgetown Alive, a long-established community organisation working in the Bridgetown area, about a recent survey of residents affected by the proposed boundary changes. Information presented to the meeting indicated that, among the responses received to date, there was unanimous support for retaining Bridgetown as a single community within one unitary authority area. Residents raised concerns about the potential impact of dividing the neighbourhood between separate authorities, including community cohesion, access to local services, funding for community and voluntary organisations, and the practical consequences of different council responsibilities applying within an established community.
The Council welcomed the survey and recognised the contribution made by Bridgetown Alive in gathering the views of local residents.
Members also heard wider concerns about the proposed boundary and its potential implications for community identity, local service provision, voluntary organisations, health and social care, transport links, environmental stewardship and partnership projects across the area. Residents and councillors also raised concerns about the practicality and long-term sustainability of the Government’s proposed Devon unitary arrangements, including democratic representation, service delivery across a large geographical area and the potential impact on rural communities.
Following discussion, Totnes Town Council unanimously resolved not to support the Government’s current Local Government Reorganisation proposals for Devon.
The Council subsequently considered the matter further in confidential session and unanimously agreed a number of actions:
- To write to Angela Rayner MP, copying in local MP Caroline Voaden MP, setting out the Council’s concerns about the proposals and the Government’s recent decision.
- To write to Caroline Voaden MP, parish councils, district councils and county councils seeking support for an amendment to the proposed unitary authority boundary between Totnes and Berry Pomeroy Parish. The Council is seeking for the entirety of the Bridgetown housing estate to remain within a single Devon unitary authority area, in order to maintain community cohesion and support effective service delivery.
- To write to Devon County Council and South Hams District Council expressing support for their proposed judicial review challenge to the Government’s decision.
- To prepare and publish this public statement setting out the Council’s position and the reasons for it.
The Council also noted longer-term concerns about the future protection of important community assets, green spaces and natural habitats, including Longmarsh and the River Dart, as well as the potential implications of future unitary authority boundaries for neighbouring rural communities and established partnership working.
How residents and members of the public can make their views heard.
Members of the public wishing to express their views on the proposed reorganisation are encouraged to contact their elected representatives directly:
Caroline Voaden MP – Local Member of Parliament
caroline.voaden.mp@parliament.uk
Jacqi Hodgson – Devon County Councillor
jacqi.hodgson@devon.gov.uk
Cllr Sam Penfold – Berry District Councillor
Cllr.Sam.Penfold@southhams.gov.uk
Totnes District Councillors
cllr.john.birch@southhams.gov.uk
cllr.georgina.allen@southhams.gov.uk
cllr.anna.presswell@southhams.gov.uk
Totnes Town Council would like to thank all residents who attended the meeting and contributed to what was a constructive and well-informed discussion.
A recording of the meeting is available here. Formal minutes will be published in the usual way following approval.