Exeter bids for independence in council shake-up

Exeter City Council will bid to become a unitary authority

Exeter City Council is making an independent bid to become a unitary authority in the reorganisation of local government.

The city council's leader said Exeter was the "economic powerhouse" of Devon and deserved unitary status.

Exeter is currently a second-tier authority along with seven other district councils which sit below Devon County Council and alongside two existing unitary authorities in Plymouth and Torbay.

The government said on Monday it wanted to see councils merged to provide single authorities.

Exeter City Council leader Phil Bialyk said the city needs to go it alone

Phil Bialyk, leader of the Labour-run council, said the city had "a huge opportunity to make the most of devolution".

He said: "We are a place where people want to live and work, and we have big plans for future growth.

"Exeter is the economic powerhouse of the county and drives the economy of the rest of Devon, so it is important that decisions for Exeter are made in Exeter."

Bialyk said he also supported a strategic authority for Devon and Cornwall with a directly-elected mayor.

Exeter City Council could become a unitary authority in the local government shake-up

The proposals will be discussed by Exeter City Council members on 9 January.

If approved, an application would be put to government with more discussions about geographical boundaries to take place in the future.

Exeter had previously tried to become a unitary council but those plans were halted by the Conservative government in 2010.

Devon County Council, Plymouth City Council and Torbay Council are understood to be working on their devolution plans.