Exeter will bid for unitary status under the Government’s devolution plans. A Council meeting on 9 January will seek approval to notify the Government of Exeter’s intention to pursue unitary status.
Exeter intends to bid for unitary status under plans for devolution and local government reorganisation announced by the Government.
An extraordinary Council meeting on 9 January will ask members to approve a recommendation to inform the Government of Exeter’s desire for unitary status.
The full case for a unitary Exeter would then be submitted for ministers to consider later in the year.
The recommendation to Council will be for an expression of interest to Government by the agreed timetable for Exeter to be considered as a unitary council, with discussions and agreement on geography to follow.
A further recommendation calls on the Council to support other authorities and MPs who are seeking to create a Mayoral Strategic Authority for Cornwall and Devon, ensuring that Exeter is a principal and constituent member.
Council Leader Phil Bialyk said: “This week the County Council publicly expressed its desire to create a unitary Devon, so it is right that I make Exeter’s intentions clear now.
“I believe that we now have a huge opportunity to make the most of devolution. Exeter is rapidly growing and has one of the biggest travel-to-work areas in the whole country. We are a place where people want to live and work, and we have big plans for future growth.
“Exeter is the economic powerhouse of the county and drives the economy of the rest Devon, so it is important that decisions for Exeter are made in Exeter.”
Chief Executive Bindu Arjoon said: “We will continue to work closely alongside other councils as well as our stakeholders and partners throughout the city in this process.
“We believe that the interests of the city and the rest of Devon are best served through the creation of a unitary Exeter, which would work in partnership with other councils in a Mayoral Strategic Authority.
“That is the best way of ensuring that residents and communities throughout Devon get the full benefits of devolution, by driving economic growth and increasing prosperity for all.
“If our members our minded to back these recommendations, that is how we intend to proceed.”
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