THE MAYOR of Newton Abbot hopes the latest delay in Local Government Reorganisation will allow opportunities for greater future cooperation between local authorities.

Cllr Louise Cooke said although the Government’s decision to further suspend the LGR process was disappointing, it at least provided time for key personnel and organisations to talk about the way forward.

Much of Teignbridge had been destined to become part of a larger Devon Coast and Countryside authority while Newton Abbot was to have been combined with Torbay.

Those plans had, on the whole, been poorly received locally and were set to be challenged in the courts.

Then in September the Government announced a halt in proceedings.

On October 29, Devon learned the original proposals had been withdrawn with Ministers expected to provide an update early next year.

Having recently attended the Devon Association of Local Council’s annual general meeting, Cllr Cooke said: ‘The chief executives of both Devon County Council and Mid Devon District Council said that the principal councils in Devon had learned lessons from the experience so far.

‘They realised in future they needed to work together to create an option for the whole of Devon that can be promoted jointly to the Government or something will imposed upon the county, as happened in July.

‘The second lesson learned was they needed to engage much better with parish and town councils next time around. Let’s hope they were sincere.’

The delay will have no impact on next May’s elections for seats on the town council which will go ahead as planned.

Cllr Cooke said: ‘The 2027 Local Elections have perhaps become even more important than they already were.

‘We need people who are passionate about Newton Abbot’s future to consider standing as candidates and having a place at the table when we discuss options for our town in whatever new administration we find ourselves.

‘Now is not the time to quip from the sidelines but instead join us in the chamber and make change happen.’