THE leader of the County Council, Brian Greenslade, has warned that a unitary authority governing Exmouth, Exeter and the surrounding area would break up Devon.

THE leader of the County Council, Brian Greenslade, has warned that a unitary authority governing Exmouth, Exeter and the surrounding area would 'break up' Devon.

Mr Greenslade, is a supporter of Boundary Committee proposals to disband all of Devon's council's, except Torbay and Plymouth, and unite them under one 'super' council.

But following the latest round of proposals by the Committee, released last week, he criticised the resurrection of another option - the creation of a unitary authority for Exeter, Exmouth and the surrounding area.

He said a greater Exeter council which would 'swallow' Exmouth and 21 rural parishes in East Devon and Teignbridge.

The second option, thought dead in the water last year because of a lack of support, could become a reality - even if the smaller unitary council is unaffordable it could be subsidised by savings and reserves from the larger rural authority.

He said: "Today's report from the Committee is a manifesto for failing public services, soaring Council Tax and the break up of a proud historic County. The last thing we need in these tough economic times is the distraction of any more long and drawn out wrangling over the future of local government.

"Devon County Council never sought unitary local government and the people of Devon have been placed in this situation by the failed Exeter City Council bid to tear the heart out of the county and create an unaffordable, struggling city unitary. The Secretary of State herself said that bid was unaffordable.

"It is vital that everyone with the best interests of Devon and our capital city Exeter at heart tell the Boundary Committee and the Secretary of State in no uncertain terms that the only workable unitary solution for our great county is One Devon not two.