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The political landscape of Devon could consist of one huge rural authority, which would encompass Exeter, if plans put forward by the county council are accepted (link below.)
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144125&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232450&contentPK=20350967&folderPk=108202&pNodeId=251466

The proposals envisage Plymouth and Torbay retaining their unitary status, but a newly formed authority absorbing the six district councils and Exeter City Council.

County council members claim that a single unitary authority would be capable of managing big issues such as social care and education, while using economies of scale to reinvest locally.

But last night, members of Exeter City Council warned it would mean the city would be reduced to the status of "lower than a parish council", with no real decision-making powers over local matters.

The city council, which failed in a bid to obtain unitary status last year, has proposed extending its boundaries about five miles to the east. It suggests the remaining rural areas of Devon could then be divided into one or two unitary authorities.

Both councils, and others across the Westcountry, will submit broad concepts to the Boundary Committee before the deadline of April 11.

Plymouth's concept document to be submitted to the Boundary Committee could see it swallow up Tavistock, Ivybridge, Sherford and Wembury (link below.)
http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229968&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133174&contentPK=20350240

Rural councillors have threatened to 'fight tooth and nail' against the Plymouth proposal.

The same is happening in Cornwall - 'One Cornwall':

http://www.onecornwall.cornwall.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=42109 (http://www.onecornwall.cornwall.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=42109)

Sounds pretty rubbish, I don't aprovwe of it. Difference about ours is that it is definatly happening.

Strange, last I heard Torbay itself wanted to expand into the South Hams.

Two local councils have come up with a joint plan for a unitary authority - which doesn't involve Plymouth (link below.)
http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=181429&command=displayContent&sourceNode=229968&home=yes&more_nodeId1=133174&contentPK=20361901

West Devon Borough Council and South Hams District Council, which are already working with Teignbridge District Council, Devon County Council and Dartmoor National Park Authority to provide some services, will tomorrow fire off an alternative plan.

This would see a 1,000 square mile triangle of land between Plymouth, Torbay and Exeter become a single unitary authority representing around 260,000 residents.

The document is called South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - Putting Rural Communities First.

The Boundary Committee will take up to 12 weeks to look at all the proposals and decide which are worthy of being developed in more detail ready for public consultation from July to September.

No, it is definitely happening in Cornwall too - 1st April 2009 (April Fool, eh?) is the date for  the start of the new council. Many from our llocal council (Kerrier) have already sought jobs elsewhere prior to redundancy.

Kerrier is my local area as well and they are pretty good.
That is what I said, our is definatly happening.

Sorry Conner, I thought you were referring to the Devon council! My apologises!

Tha's fine.  :D

Cornwall's new unitary authority could be launched next year with 130 councillors (link below.)
http://thisiscornwall.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=144125&command=displayContent&sourceNode=232510&home=yes&more_nodeId1=232470&contentPK=20436556

County councillors met yesterday to vote on the proposed number to go forward in a bid to the Boundary Commission (BC) for England.

Plymouth City Council leader Vivien Pengelly was today ^extremely disappointed^ after learning the city^s boundary will not change under proposals for a major shake-up of local government in Devon. The council had submitted a plan to the Boundary Committee which would have seen the city expand to swallow Tavistock, Ivybridge, Sherford and Wembury. But the suggestion has been rejected in favour of a proposal to keep Plymouth and Torbay the same and create a super unitary authority for the rest of Devon. This would mean the South Hams and West Devon councils disappearing and councillors representing much larger wards.

A consultation period on the draft proposals runs until September 26. The Boundary Committee will then consider responses before making final recommendations to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government by December 31. The Government is expected to announce its decision by February 2009.

See http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/West-Devon-South-Hams-disappear-super-council-proposal/article-208880-detail/article.html

See also http://www.thisisdevon.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=141507&command=displayContent&sourceNode=257390&home=yes&more_nodeId1=257393&contentPK=21033501

The Boundary Committee has said it welcome the views of all residents and businesspeople during a consultation period on the unitary plans.

To express your views, write to Review Manager (Devon Review), Boundary Committee for England, Trevelyan House, Great Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW.

There is also an online form which is available at www.boundarycommittee.org.uk 

The deadline for consultation is September 26.

Once the deadline passes, the committee will consider all responses and formulate its final advice by December 31.

This will be forwarded to the Secretary of State who will accept, reject or modify any proposal that is made.

See http://www.thisisexeter.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=137199&command=displayContent&sourceNode=136986&contentPK=21036983&folderPk=79934&pNodeId=137002