The Government is pressing ahead with local government reorganisation to create more single tier unitary authorities across the country.
Plymouth City Council's solution has been to propose what it calls a "modest" expansion. In reality, the Labour-run council want to swallow up 13 parishes in the South Hams - Bickleigh, Shaugh Prior, Sparkwell, Brixton, Wembury, Cornwood, Harford, Ugborough, Ivybridge, Ermington, Yealmpton, Holbeton and Newton and Noss. Residents of Plympton and Plymstock are already overlooked by Plymouth City Council - this land grab will make it worse still.
However, there is another way forward. Devon’s District Councils, including South Hams have put together their own proposal which takes account of local residents' wishes. Their 1-4-5 plan proposes the following: retain Plymouth unitary authority on its existing boundary; create a unitary authority combining the South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon areas with Torbay; and create a unitary authority including East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, Torridge and Exeter.
I want local people to have their say on who provides their local services and who they pay their council tax to.
More than 500 concerned residents responded to my survey on local government reorganisation with overwhelming opposition to Plymouth's land grab. Judging from social media, many more share this view. However, what has become clear is that the Labour Government is not giving residents any direct say.
That is why I am launching this petition to give you a voice. With your support, I will table this petition in Parliament when the House of Commons returns in September - forcing a Labour Minister to listen and respond to your concerns.