Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils... a summary of the issues so far...

The clearest indication that the District Council will be disappearing has come from the Chief Executive Officer:
“If and when there is a reorganisation of local government, possibly towards one large unitary authority for Devon – it would be located in the county’s central city .”
Sale of Knowle HQ ‘inevitable’, says EDDC Chief Executive | East Devon Alliance

How have we come to this realisation?
There are several issues which this blog has addressed:

1 Everything up for grabs after the Scottish referendum:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils...

2 The creation of a Greater Exeter:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils... part two

3 Moving to Skypark and creating a Greater Exeter:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils... part three: Skypark and "the full economic potential of Exeter"

4 The privatisation of public services as part of merger plans:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils... part four... IT services and "Another fat little privatisation through the back door approaching?"

5 The admission that “there would not be a single free-standing district council left” - and the history of EDDC opposing unitary authority status:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils... part five... East Devon District Council "will imminently have no alternative whatsoever than to integrate anyway."

6 The lack of scrutiny at East Devon - and calls for more devolved powers for Devon:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils...... part six: "I think we will see economic groupings rather than political ones.”

7 The merger of EDDC with Exeter/Teignbridge and the creation of 'efficiencies':
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils... part seven: "In favour of efficiencies"

8 Dorset - and the definition of 'merger':
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils... part eight: defining the term 'merger': "Each council would continue to set its own budget and remain independent, but work from one office."

9 The Heseltine proposals for unitary authorities - again:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils... part nine: Heseltine speaks again..... "Devon County Council should become a unitary authority with both Devon and Cornwall having directly elected mayors."

10 Leaving the decision of what to do with Knowle to EDDC's successor:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils... part ten: "EDDC is probably finished and long term decisions concerning the future of the Knowle are best left to the successor authorities."

11 EDDC merger with Exeter and Teignbridge:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils... part eleven: "Exeter, East Devon and Teignbridge councils to form Greater Exeter"

12 Knowle as HQ for Sidmouth Urban District Council/Sidmouth Town Council:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and the longer-term demise of district councils... part 12: "Knowle would be an obvious new home for the expanded town council."
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