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High level issues

When Cabinet made its decision in March 2025, it considered the following high level issues as relevant to each of the options: 

Torbay Council remaining as it is

  • We are an existing unitary council. We have a population of 139,300 with 3.8 million staying visitors and an additional 2.7m day trippers annually,  
  • Our groundbreaking partnership with the NHS has delivered joined up health and social care for almost 20 years, including the community and voluntary sector,
  • We are in a secure financial position and have been able to invest in services in recent years,
  • We are at a crucial time with our Regeneration Partner, driving investment in the Bay with an ambitious regeneration programme underway. We have to ensure the focus remains on this. 

A new Torbay and South Devon Council

  • A new unitary council could be created covering Torbay, approximately half of South Hams and most of Teignbridge 
  • This would be similar to the catchment area of the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust and is broadly the catchment area for South Devon College
  • It would serve a population of approximately 292,000 people and would have increased room for growth over and above Torbay Council remaining as it is
  • There would need to be changes to the current boundaries of South Hams District Council and Teignbridge Council and these would need to be considered by the Boundary Commission 

A new Southern Devon Council

  • A new unitary council could be created covering South Hams, Teignbridge, Torbay and West Devon council areas
  • This would have a population of around 430,000 and room for growth 

A single Devon Council

Our Cabinet discounted this option within its interim plan. The population of Devon (including Plymouth and Torbay) is 1.25 million and it has a size of 6,500 km2. It was felt this is too large a council to be efficient and effective, and fundamentally Torbay would lose its identity as a place and as a community.  

An options appraisal has to be completed for the final proposal. However there is currently a consensus between the political groups on Torbay Council that remaining as we are is the best option for those who live in the Bay. 

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