PLYMOUTH City Council leader Vivien Pengelly has called for

people to reject the idea of a unitary 'super council' for

Devon.

The Tory councillor wants residents in Plymouth and South

West Devon to make representations against the proposal during

the Boundary Committee's consultation.

And she called for Plymouth's proposal – to extend its

boundaries and take in Tavistock, Ivybridge, Sherford and

Wembury – to be reconsidered by the Boundary Committee.

She said the committee's “hands were tied” over considering

changes to Plymouth, because of the remit set by the

Government.

She said: “It is clearly a nonsense to exclude Plymouth from

such an important decision.”

Meanwhile, South West Devon MP Gary Streeter is anxious to

learn how such a huge authority, run from Exeter, can represent

people in rural towns and villages in his constituency.

The Boundary Committee has proposed not to change the local

government boundaries of Plymouth and Torbay, but to create a

super unitary authority for the rest of Devon.

However, it will look again at whether there should be a

fourth authority, to cover Exeter and Exmouth.

Cllr Pengelly said she was “extremely disappointed” at the

super council proposal, which would mean the South Hams and

West Devon councils disappearing and councillors representing

much larger wards.

She said: “We believe the proposed super unitary authority

is wrong for the county, and for the districts and parishes in

South West Devon that were included in our proposals.

“It means these areas will be governed by a remote and

highly bureaucratic council based in Exeter and will be

competing for resources and attention against more than 400

other parishes.

“The proposals we put forward would have given communities

in South West Devon a greater say in the delivery of

services.”

Mr Streeter stressed that “most people in rural area were

against” the expanded Plymouth idea, but nevertheless wanted

more details of how a super council run from Exeter would

ensure “local communities' voices are still heard”.

“It's making government more remote,” he said.

South Hams and West Devon District Councils were also

disappointed.

They had called for a unitary authority which encompasses

both districts, and part of Dartmoor.

Both authorities fear the proposed system will result in

ward sizes increasing from about 2,500 people to more than

8,000.

West Devon Borough Council leader Cllr James McInnes said an

Exeter-run authority could be “too big and unwieldy”.

He doubted it would bring council tax savings for voters,

saying only central government would benefit.

“Our task is to make sure the proposals are thoroughly

researched,” he said.

Cllr John Tucker, leader of South Hams District Council,

said it was “essential” people have their say on the

proposals.

He said: “We have got to work through the issues and come

out with a way forward”.

Cllr Tucker is concerned jobs could be lost, and said 400

posts have gone as Cornwall moves to a unitary system.

“It's the top tier of management that will be reduced,” he

predicted.

South Hams District Councillor Keith Baldry added: “It's too

early to say how many jobs would go, but people may have to

relocate.”

Max Caller, Boundary Committee chairman, said: “These

proposals have the potential to offer people in Devon stronger

local government capable of providing better and more efficient

services.

“Your responses to the draft proposal will inform the advice

we give (the Secretary of State for Communities and Local

Government) so tell us what you think. More importantly, tell

us why you think that.”

The consultation period runs until September 26. The

Boundary Committee will then consider responses before making

recommendations to the Secretary of State for Communities and

Local Government by December 31.

The Government is expected to announce its decision by next

February .

Responses to the draft proposal can be made by filling in a

form at www.boundarycommittee.org.uk or writing to: Review

Manager, (Devon Review), the Boundary Committee for England,

Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.