South Hams District Council is bitterly disappointed that its South Devon and Dartmoor concept does not feature as a preferred option for unitary local government in Devon following today's announcement by the Boundary Committee.

The Boundary Committee feels the people of Devon would be best served by a single council covering the whole county. Contrary to the Boundary Committee's view, SHDC believes that this will create a geographically large unitary council that is distant and remote from the people it would serve, making it hard for local people to influence and out of touch with the needs of local rural communities.

Cllr John Tucker, Leader of South Hams District Council said: "We are incredibly disappointed at the Boundary Committee's recommendation as we do not feel this structure will best serve the people of the South Hams.

"In particular we are concerned that communities in the South Hams could lose out on resources when competing with other areas of Devon. South Hams residents have already seen second homes council tax raised in the district being spent elsewhere in Devon, now residents could see their council tax going the same way. We think it essential that rural communities are given a proper say in how their money is spent in addressing specific priorities and needs which are very different from other areas."

"We are also concerned at the major financial implications from a proposal of this scale and will be calling on the Boundary Committee to justify the cost of this change."

Alongside its principal proposal for unitary governance for the whole county, the Boundary Committee has also indicated that a proposal to expand Exeter's boundary should be subject to further consultation.

Cllr John Tucker, Leader of South Hams District Council added: "Creating Exeter as a unitary would be a major blow as it takes a thriving economy out of the local government equation for the rest of the county. It truly rips the heart out of Devon, making the provision of local government services across the rest of the county far more challenging. I think if this received support it would create a two-class Devon, with the rural communities being worse off!"

"In either case we did not look for this change but were confronted with the reality that maintaining the status quo was not an option. If these changes do not benefit our residents or result in better local government, we will argue that it should not happen. We will work with our communities to understand their reaction to the proposal and will be making our views known to the Boundary Committee."

"It is important to remember that at this stage this is just a recommendation, there is no guarantee that the Secretary of State will choose to implement the advice from the Boundary Committee. Whatever the advice to the Secretary of State, or her decision early next year, we will continue to fight for the best interests of the people of the South Hams."

South Hams District Council is now seeking a meeting with the Boundary Committee to discuss its proposals.

Media contact:

Jenny Bishop, Communications Manager, South Hams District Council
Tel: 01803 861369, email jenny.bishop@southhams.gov.uk

Cllr John Tucker, Leader of South Hams District Council is available for interview/photograph.