TORRIDGE District Council has welcomed the government's decision to review its plans for local government reorganisation and pause work on proposals affecting Devon.

The government has announced that it is reviewing plans for changes to local councils. The review will look at whether current proposals are workable, follow the law, and support the government's plans to give more power to local communities. As part of the review, work on reorganisation in 14 areas, including Devon, has been paused.

It comes just weeks after it was announced under the government of the previous Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, that Devon would be re-organised into a new system where the majority of Devon would be gobbled up into a Devon ‘super-council’ while Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay would expand their surrounding areas to form their own councils.

With the announcement of the pause, it means that the plans will be delayed until at least after the review, with the prospect that they might not go ahead in their current format at all.

The government has also withdrawn previous decisions affecting Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

The elections scheduled for May 2027 will still go ahead using existing district council boundaries.

Leader of Torridge District Council, Councillor Ken James, said: "We welcome the government's decision to review local government reorganisation and pause work while that review takes place.

“We feel this is a sensible decision. Local Government Reorganisation is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so it is vital that any decisions made reflect our communities and empower councils to provide simple, fair, and effective services for all residents - wherever they live in the county.

“Throughout the process we have been working well with our colleagues across the county. We look forward to continuing to work with the government and councils across Devon as the review progresses."