News and updates
Keeping you informed as Government considers proposals
Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is a national process with multiple stages of review, consultation and decision-making led by the UK Government. As councils prepare and submit their proposals, the Government will assess each one using the published criteria before deciding which model will best serve local residents, businesses and communities.
This page provides a clear summary of how the LGR process is unfolding in Devon and will be updated regularly as new information becomes available.
What happens next?
Over the coming months, we expect a series of key updates from Government, including:
1. Publication of Government’s preferred option
Following consultation, Government will announce the model it believes best meets the needs of Devon and the wider region. This may be the four-unitary model, an alternative model, or a modified version of one of the proposals.
2. Draft Structural Change Order
If Government confirms that LGR will proceed, it will issue a Structural Change Order - a legal document setting out the detail of how new councils will be created.
This is followed by a transition and implementation phase.
Why Government updates matter
Government decisions during this period determine:
- the future shape of local councils
- how services will be designed and delivered
- where local democratic accountability will sit
- how planning, housing, transport and social care will be managed
- the long-term financial resilience of local services
- how Devon’s communities and identities are protected
Residents, organisations and community groups will have multiple opportunities to share views as part of the process.
How Exeter City Council will keep residents informed
We are committed to ensuring that the people of Exeter and its surrounding communities are kept informed throughout the LGR process. As updates emerge, we will:
- publish summaries of Government announcements
- share links to statutory consultations
- provide easy-to-understand explanations of what each stage means
- keep partners, parish councils and community groups up to date
- provide clear timelines and next steps
- publish all technical documents associated with our proposal
We will also work closely with neighbouring councils and the Devon & Torbay Combined County Authority (DTCCA) to provide consistent information wherever possible.
Recent updates
17 July 26 - Council Leader welcomes decision on future of local councils in Devon
27 Mar 26 - Council Leader welcomes decisions on local government reorganisation
23 Mar 26 - Last chance to have your say on local government reorganisation
27 Feb 26 - Have your say on local government reorganisation
6 Feb 26 - Have your say on Devon’s future
14 Jan 26 - Council leader replies to Government on local elections postponement
6 Jan 26 - Council to consider government’s request for views on postponing election
28 Nov 25 - Two city councils unite on bold proposal for the future of Devon
18 Nov 25 – Putting People first in Devon: plan for new unitary councils published
31 Oct 25 – Plymouth and Exeter unite behind bold four-council future
26 Sep 25 - Devon’s bid for a huge new unitary council won’t deliver for communities
18 Sep 25 - Local government is changing – still time to have your say
11 Sep 25 - Yours views needed on the future of local government in Devon
28 Aug 25 - Have your say on the future of local government in Devon
22 Aug 25 - Your views needed on the future of local government in Devon
6 Aug 25 - Local government proposals will put people first in Exeter and Devon
21 Mar 25 - Councillors back Exeter’s submission for local government reorganisation
17 Mar 25 - Unitary submission drives growth and delivers for residents and communities
10 Jan 25 - Plans for Exeter to bid for unitary status backed by councillors
20 Dec 24 - Council Leader to recommend approval of Exeter unitary bid
13 Dec 24 - Council Leaders discuss Devon devolution with chair of the LGA
This section will grow as the national LGR process moves forward.
Staying informed
You can bookmark this page or return regularly for updates. Until Government makes its decisions, no changes will be made to how services operate. All existing district, county and unitary councils continue to deliver services as normal throughout the transition.
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