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.