Services and communities could suffer across East Devon once the Government’s new ‘super councils’ replace local authority powers.
East Devon’s full council backed a proposal to create two unitary councils covering the whole of Devon, with one including Exeter, East, Mid and North Devon as well as Teignbridge, and the other including Plymouth and notionally the rest of Devon.
That proposal has been submitted to the government.
A host of concerns have been raised about the potential impact creating new super councils in Devon could have on residents, staff and even councillors, writes local democracy reporter Bradley Gerrard
Possible issues were raised at East Devon District Council’s full council meeting about how larger unitary-style councils might impact smaller communities being represented, that hoped-for savings wouldn’t materialise, and that it could become harder, not easier, to deliver services.
Cllr John Heath (Independent, Beer and Branscombe) said that unitary councils, which are responsible for all services in their areas, could be “more remote” from local communities.
“And they can be less responsive to local concerns,” he said.
“The public support for them is not strong, and that has been proven by research, and on efficiency, while they are larger and potentially more cost-effective, there are no guaranteed benefits.”
He added that major problems could occur if a service like adult social care, currently overseen by Devon County Council across the county – except in Plymouth and Torbay – had to be split between two new larger councils.
“And then there’s IT, with councils using different systems making merging more difficult, and the issue of property.”
Cllr Matt Hall (Lib Dem; Exmouth Withycombe Raleigh) said having created a unitary and worked in one, “it doesn’t solve problems”.
“I think there is a lot wrong with local government, not just how things are done, but how it is financed, but the way to deal with that is an adult conversation that looks at all angles and possibilities,” he said.
“For all of us going through these negotiations, it isn’t about the council, it is about people, whether staff, councillors or residents,” he continued.
“At the end of this process, it is likely good staff will lose their jobs, and good councillors will lose their roles, and when that happens it is residents that suffer.”
Pledges were made to “ensure our staff are protected as much as possible”, with Cllr Colin Brown (Conservative, Dunkeswell and Otterhead) saying he “sympathised with staff over the uncertainty”.
The potential impact of reorganisation on staff numbers is unknown at present. However, many people believe Westminster’s rationale is linked to efficiency.
In a letter to councils last month, Jim McMahon, minister for local government and devolution, said the vision is for “simpler structures which make it much clearer for residents who they should look to on local issues, with fewer politicians able to focus on delivering”.
Cllr Chris Burhop (Independent, Newton Poppleford and Harpford) had “some empathy” with where the government is heading.
“Will it be clearer to residents so they know who to look to for local issues? It probably will,” he said.
“About half of the queries I get are nothing to do with services overseen by East Devon District Council [but relate to those covered by others such as Devon County Council].”
Cllr Sarah Jackson (Independent, Axminster) raised concerns about this, suggesting that if district councillors have to deal with such queries in future – essentially doubling their workload – it could be problematic.
“If we ended up with a large, single unitary council, there would be fewer councillors to represent residents in the area, and that means fewer councillors doing a lot more,” she said.
“We already know it is hard work being a councillor, and that’s covering a small number of service areas, but in a unitary council you would be covering what are now either district or county council responsibilities.
“I’m not sure that makes the opportunity of being involved in local government easier for those with families or full-time jobs, which is a crying shame as that diversity is important.”
Cllr Todd Olive (Liberal Democrat, Whimple and Rockbeare) was even more incensed.
“I’m a Liberal Democrat, so as a principle I support devolution, but what we are talking about here stains the very idea,” he said.
“As has been mentioned, the government’s pursuit of local government reorganisation and unitary councils is fundamentally the opposite of devolution.
“It is about moving power further away to some abstract and unaccountable other, far removed from communities, and utterly, utterly unable to represent the interests of the residents it is supposed to serve. It is a disgrace.”
He added the small communities he represents “already struggle to get a look in” within a district council, suggesting a much larger unitary could “marginalise communities and minimise residents’ voices”.
Cllr Jess Bailey (Independent, Otter Valley) was “totally opposed” to one mega-council for Devon, but would be support two “because it is potentially the best we can come up with in a frankly bad situation”.
“I can’t see any benefits, as it will sap energy [from the council]and the losers are residents,” she said.
