DEVOLUTION plans set to shake up local government have met with a mixed reaction in Devon.

The government wants to streamline councils, merging areas where there are two tiers of local authority, which is the case in Devon outside Plymouth and Torbay.

Among reforms proposed in the Devolution White Paper aimed at transferring power out of Whitehall, the government is looking at having elected mayors covering large strategic areas which could see Devon and Cornwall combined.

The reorganisation may also see Devon’s eight district councils and unitary authorities in Torbay and Plymouth amalgamated into a smaller number of larger authorities of at least 500,000 people. As Devon’s population is around 1.2 million, that suggests a maximum of two local authorities in future.

District council leaders in Devon have expressed support for devolution but some fear it is being rushed in, local democracy could suffer and thousands of jobs will be put in danger.

Cllr Paul Arnott, the Liberal Democrat leader of East Devon District Council, said he understood what the government is trying to do but “it did not need to do it at this pace.”

He continued: “To be frank, along with inheritance tax for farmers and winter fuel payment cuts, they have now upset thousands of employees in district councils just before Christmas.”

Leader of the Labour-led Exeter City Council Phil Bialyk said he is talking with ministers to get an idea of what it could all mean for Exeter.

“We need to make sure we do the right thing in all of this and we won’t know that until the new year when we have more information,” he added.

Local areas will have to apply to the government to be part of the reorganisation programme; the first applications have to be in by Friday, January 10.

Cllr Tudor Evans, leader of unitary Plymouth City Council, said: “We welcome that after years of confusion about the benefits of devolution, the government has worked at pace to publish their plans.

“Whilst there is a lot to digest in the white paper, particularly around local government reorganisation, it does provide a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Devolution is an exciting moment to elevate ourselves and give Plymouth, and the wider region, an opportunity to grow.

“It is on all local leaders to recognise the potential that devolution can bring – unlocking funding, resources and giving our region a bigger voice on the national stage.

“Clearly there is a long way to go on before the bill becomes law, but for now we need time to review the draft white paper and continue conversations with the government and our partners, including colleagues at Devon and Cornwall councils.”

North Devon Liberal Democrat MP Ian Roome, who is also a district councillor, said: “We want to see more regional powers for the South West and additional funding, but neither Devon nor Cornwall want a distant ‘super mayor’ that stretches across both counties.”

He said many of the district councils in Devon had been delivering good results.

Alison Stephenson