A NEWTON Abbot Town Councillor has claimed the process surrounding proposed changes to local government is ‘undemocratic’ as only members of the larger authorities were asked for their opinions on the biggest shake up in Devon’s political scene since 1974.

Cllr Mike Joyce, who represents Bushell Ward, believes town and parish councils should also have been included in the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) exercise.

Five proposals have been sent to the Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government, each with the potential to sweep away the existing arrangements and replace them with larger ‘unitary’ authorities.

All were drawn up by district and county representatives, as well as politicians from Torbay and Plymouth which are already devolved from Devon County Council.

A decision on the way forward is expected by the spring but Cllr Joyce fears it could be ‘ill-informed’.

He is hopeful that an opportunity might yet be created to allow lower level councillors to be heard.

‘It’s our parish and town councils that know their residents and communities best yet we weren’t invited to speak on their behalf,’ he said.

‘This happens all too often when deciding on matters really important at a local level.

‘I accept that the deadline for LGR proposals has now passed, and that suggestions from senior authorities are currently being scrutinised by the Minister, but I’m hoping another window for talks could still be opened.

‘My belief is that the Minister should indicate which option they might favour but then ask for another round of consultation, this time including Newton Abbot Town Council and our colleagues at the same level of local government across Devon.

‘If that fails to happen then this process will have been undemocratic and the people of Devon will have changes imposed on them without proper representation.

‘That would be a very sad state of affairs indeed.’

Should the LGR process deliver new a political structure for Devon, the changes are likely to take effect fully in April 2028.