MP calls for an 'end of uncertainty' for future of Devon

EAST Devon MP Hugo Swire has again called on the Government to end the uncertainty surrounding the proposed boundary changes for local government in Devon.

EAST Devon MP Hugo Swire has again called on the Government to end the uncertainty surrounding the proposed boundary changes for local government in Devon.

Mr Swire said that the latest round of draft proposals appeared to show no change to the original proposals of a single council to run all services currently under the auspices of Devon County Council.

He said he fears that if the plans are pushed through it will cause chaos - and happen at the same time as a General Election.

The proposals also reiterated an alternative proposal - the same but with an extra council to run services in the Exmouth and Exeter area.

Mr Swire said, "The Conservative MPs in Devon have written to Mr Max Caller, the Chairman for the Boundary Committee, asking him to come back to Parliament to explain the process again.

"We believe that there is a discrepancy between what we were told at the outset of this process and what the Secretary of State intended.

"The Boundary Committee are now seeking to resurrect the possibility of an Exeter/Exmouth Unitary Authority, a proposal which I believe lacks any credibility."

Mr Swire added, "We have local elections on the existing boundaries for Devon County Council in June.

"There is a possibility that in July the Government will announce they are going to scrap the County Council but any actual change will not come about until May next year with a possible General Election the same month.

"The Conservative Party does not support these changes so introducing such fundamental change when the Government of the country might well change is simply crazy.

"The Government has run out of time on this one and the best thing they can do at this point is simply drop it and end the uncertainty.