Newton Abbot Mayor expresses hope for future Devon talks

Newton Abbot Mayor expresses hope for future Devon talks

THE Mayor of Newton Abbot has expressed hope that the latest delay in the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) will allow opportunities for greater future cooperation between Devon’s local authorities.

Cllr Louise Cooke said that although the Government’s decision on Thursday October 29 to further suspend the LGR process was disappointing, it at least provided time for key personnel and organisations across the county to talk about the way forward.

Much of Teignbridge had been destined to become part of a larger ‘Devon Coast and Countryside’ authority while Newton Abbot was to have been combined with Torbay.

Those plans had, on the whole, been poorly received locally and were set to be challenged in the courts.

Then in September the Government announced a halt in proceedings while it considered its options.

On October 29, Devon learned that the original proposals had been withdrawn with Ministers expected to provide an update early next year.

Having recently attended the Devon Association of Local Council’s annual general meeting, at which LGR had been a hot topic, Cllr Cooke said: ‘At the DALC AGM and conference earlier this month, the chief executives of both Devon County Council and Mid Devon District Council said that the principal councils in Devon had learned lessons from the experience so far.

‘They realised that in future they needed to work together to create an option for the whole of Devon that can be promoted jointly to the Government or something will imposed upon the county, as happened in July.

‘The second lesson learned was that they needed to engage much better with the Devon parish and town councils next time around. ‘Let’s hope they were sincere.’

The LGR delays will have no impact on next May’s elections for seats on Newton Abbot Town Council which will go ahead as planned.

Cllr Cooke said: ‘The 2027 Local Elections have perhaps become even more important than they already were.

‘We need people who are passionate about Newton Abbot’s future to consider standing as candidates and having a place at the table when we discuss options for our town in whatever new administration we find ourselves.

‘Now is not the time to quip from the sidelines but instead join us in the chamber and make change happen.’