Are we getting a “Greater Exeter” unitary council by stealth?

The whole devolution thing for Devon is looking a little unclear at the moment:
Futures Forum: Devolution deals for Devon: further delays and confusion

With other counties in the area making very clear moves:
Futures Forum: Devon may soon be the only non-unitised county in the South West

One direction this part of the county is going seems to be 'Greater Exeter':
Futures Forum: Greater Exeter Strategic Plan for Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon and Teignbridge and the plans for new housing >>> CPRE seminar with MP Hugo Swire: Friday 19th January

As the East Devon Watch blog asks, is this going to give us some form of 'unitary council'?


IS ONE DEVON UNITARY COUNCIL BEING CREATED BY STEALTH?

19 MAY 2018

DCC Leader John Hart said on Spotlight this evening, that the reason Devon isn’t going for unitisation is that the government usually insists on 0.5m population for a unitary council and so Devon would need 2 unitary councils and, whichever way you cut it, that would result in one rich council and one poor council. (Presumably he means a north/south divide or east/west).

(No worries, Mr Hart, ALL councilswill be very poor, very soon!)

BUT WAIT! Isn’t “Greater Exeter” coming in close to 500,000 population?

Exeter – approx 120,000
Mid Devon – approx 80,000
Teignbridge – approx 125,000
East Devon – approx 140,000

YES – it is big enough to be unitary and is developing an over-arching “Strategic Plan”.

Are we getting a “Greater Exeter” unitary council by stealth?

Is one Devon unitary council being created by stealth? | East Devon Watch
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