Exeter City Councillors have agreed to press the government for a separate unitary council for Exeter, with the rest of the county remaining two tier, and to strongly oppose the Boundary Committee for England’s recommendation for the creation of one huge single Devon unitary council.
Oddly enough, the council believes that its original proposal for unitary status on its existing boundaries, would provide strong, democratic and dynamic governance for Exeter.
Cllr Pete Edwards, chair of the Local Government Review Committee said: “City residents and businesses have backed us time and again in our struggle to get the best deal for the city. We are asking them to show their support one last time and write or email to the Secretary of State and call on him to make Exeter a unitary city.”
Pens and paper at the ready?
(Exeter City Council has already been putting pen to paper in the form of cheques to the tune of at least £650,000 on its unitary posturing so far.)
Any comments on the restructuring of Devon local government must be made by email to devonstructures@communities.gsi.gov.uk or in writing to Unitary Structures Team, Zone 3/J1, Eland House, Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DU.
The Boundary commission have already ruled this option out in their latest letter to the Minister so Exeter are just pissing in the wind!!