Council Leaders discuss Devon devolution

Council Leaders met the Chair of the Local Government Association Cllr Louise Gittins when she attended a recent meeting of the Devon Districts Forum.

The forum is made of leaders from Devon’s district councils, including Exeter City Council, and Cllr Gittins attended the recent meeting at East Devon District Council’s headquarters at Blackdown House in Honiton.

The meeting discussed the establishment of the Combined County Authority for Devon and Torbay, which will see the district councils in Devon working with unitary partners Devon and Torbay to ensure the maximum benefits for local communities arising from devolved powers and resources from Westminster.

Cllr Phil Bialyk, Leader of Exeter City Council, has been nominated by the Devon district leaders to be one of the two non-constituent members representing the districts.

Cllr Bialyk said: “It was great to meet the Chair of the LGA and explain how councils in Devon are working hard to ensure that our residents and communities get the best possible deal when it comes to devolution.

“It is very important that Exeter’s voice is heard at the highest level because the city remains the key economic driver for Devon and beyond, and will be central in delivering the region’s growth and prosperity in the future.”