Despite any suggestions to the contrary, DALC has never adopted a neutral stance on LGR and does not intend to do so now. Our position has always been clear: we champion the vital role of town and parish councils in any future local government structure in Devon. As set out in our Position Statement (May 2025), we will not endorse a specific proposal unless there is a clear consensus from our member councils. However, we will evaluate all proposals to determine the extent to which it enables towns and parishes to participate meaningfully in local governance, rather than being overlooked or marginalised.
We favour proposals that:
Over the coming weeks, we will draft our consultation response. We intend to share this with our members before the consultation closes, subject to final approval by the DALC Board of Directors.
As always, we welcome your views. Please share any immediate thoughts or concerns with us at enquiries@devonalc.gov.uk or via the contact form on our website. We will be gathering member feedback during the consultation period; however, until we see the full scope of the consultation, we have not yet determined the most effective method for doing so. Our LGR Sounding and Steering Group will meet shortly to consider how best to ensure that the voice of parish and town councils is heard.
Although parish and town councils are not statutory consultees, we urge all member councils to submit their own responses once the consultation is published. We will circulate details as soon as the Government releases them. A strong response from our sector will be critical to achieving the best possible outcome for Devon’s communities.
Liz Brookes-Hocking, Chair
Rebecca Walker, CEO