Rebecca Smith MP, Member of Parliament for South West Devon, has tabled a petition on behalf of 1,800 constituents in the House of Commons to stop Plymouth City Council’s ‘land grab’ of 13 parishes which currently belong to South Hams District Council. On the evening of Monday, 15th September, Miss Smith delivered a brief statement outlining the petition’s request to the House and highlighting the strength of local support, before formally presenting it to Parliament. This formal presentation will force the Labour Government to listen to the concerns of local residents and formally respond.
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 South Hams. This includes Bickleigh, Shaugh Prior, Sparkwell, Brixton, Wembury, Cornwood, Harford, Ugborough, Ivybridge, Ermington, Yealmpton, Holbeton and Newton and Noss. Many residents in Plympton and Plymstock already feel overtaxed and overlooked by Plymouth City Council - this land grab will make it worse still.
However, there are a number of ways forward. South Hams District Council 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. Miss Smith’s petition has demonstrated clear local support for this proposal.
Reflecting on the Rebecca Smith MP, Member of Parliament for South West Devon, stated:
The Labour-run Plymouth City Council wants to use the Government’s council restructure as cover to swallow up 13 parishes in the South Hams. This is a completely unnecessary move which ignores the wishes of local residents.
“South Hams District Council has listened and come up with another way forward that keeps South Hams out of Plymouth. I launched a petition to give local residents a say and stop Plymouth's land grab. I am grateful for all those who took part in just a few short weeks with just under 1,800 signatures. This will force the Labour Government to listen to concerns and respond. I urge the Government to put all South West Devon residents first when considering any changes that could permanently alter the character of the area.
Earlier this year, over 500 concerned residents responded to Rebecca Smith MP’s survey on local government reorganisation, expressing strong opposition to Plymouth’s proposed land grab. Miss Smith launched her petition to give her constituents an opportunity to have a say—something the Government appears unwilling to provide.
