Exeter and a 'super council' >>> "Any new proposals for local government must be fully consulted on and that whatever structure emerges must be transparent and accountable to local people."

The various 'devolution deals' being chased are all over the place:
Futures Forum: The increasing confusion of choices for devolution >>> >>> Heart of the South West LEP..... or: Greater South West..... or: Greater Exeter Growth and Development Board............. or: An Exeter/Plymouth/Torbay supermayor

With implications for East Devon:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: of devolution and rising costs

The East Devon Watch blog notes that the latest deal being sought by Exeter has clear implications for East Devon:
Exeter Green Party wants transparency on proposed LEP and other secret partnerships including with East Devon | East Devon Watch

Here is the full piece from the Express & Echo:


Strong concerns have been raised over Exeter's role in 'super council' plan

By Alex_Richards | Posted: December 12, 2016

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Chief Exec Karime Hassan and Council Leader Pete Edwards

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Proposals by Exeter City Council to restructure decision-making in Devon are being challenged.

In a letter to Council Leader, Pete Edwards, Exeter Green Party has raised concerns about the ways Exeter City Council is developing initiatives to restructure the authority – all of which will give binding powers to new layers of local government.

Below: The letter to Council Leader Pete Edwards and Chief Exec Karime Hassan
Open PDF

In a surprise move proposals emerged at the end of last week for a new super South Devon Unitary Council.

It could see a 'super mayor' governing Exeter, Plymouth, East Devon, Teignbridge, Torbay and possibly South Hams councils.

The Greens concerned that decisions are being made without any public consultation or mandate to give power to unelected bodies.


Exeter City Council had previously committed itself to the Heart of the South West "devolution" proposals for a combined authority.

It is now understood Exeter City Council withdrew from this plan at a meeting on Friday.

The Council's Executive has also agreed in principle to set up a 'Greater Exeter Growth and Development Board' with East, Mid and Teignbridge Councils, and give this new body powers to make binding decisions on each Council.

Green Party spokesperson, Diana Moore, said:"These decisions about major changes to the structure and functions of local government are taking place behind closed doors.

"We want to know what mandate the City Council has for these proposals and when they intend to consult residents and businesses on whether they actually want new local government arrangements.

"They need to be transparent about their intentions and the power they intend to give away.

"The proposed arrangements would take away key decisions from the elected representatives of the people of Exeter and hand them to distant unelected bodies.

"The economic growth priorities of any of these bodies doesn't address social and environmental considerations or the rising inequality in the city.

"Councils must focus on their duty to co-operate – and do that to the benefit of local people and not obsess about new structures which will only serve vested interests.

"Any new proposals for local government must be fully consulted on and that whatever structure emerges must be transparent and accountable to local people."

Strong concerns have been raised over Exeter's role in 'super council' plan | Exeter Express and Echo
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