Local Government Reorganisation in Devon

Your councils are changing. The Government wants to simplify how local government works across the county. This website sets out the five proposals that have been submitted for Devon.

The government's consultation on local government reorganisation closed on 26 March 2026. All five proposals submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government remain available on this site for reference while decisions are considered.

Current Position

The current system of local government involves different types of councils responsible for various services which affect our day-to-day lives.

Most of Devon currently operates under a two-tier system of local government, where

Devon County Council provides services such as education, transport, libraries, social services, public health and trading standards.
District councils providing services such as environmental health, licensing, housing, planning applications, sports centres, parks, waste collection and recycling services.

Plymouth and Torbay councils are both unitary authorities, which means that they are single-tier and each council provides all the services above.

See our proposals

Devon’s councils have engaged with the public and important stakeholders when creating their LGR submissions for the Government. The five proposals put forward each have their own website, with information on the thinking behind their submissions. Once you have read the proposals, please complete the Government consultation on LGR in Devon.