Plymouth expansion plans up for discussion

Plans for the expansion of Plymouth into a large part of the South Hams will be shared with the public at a series of events.

Plymouth City Council wants to increase its population by taking over the running of 13 parishes with about 30,000 residents.

The move is part of a reorganisation of local government taking place across the country with district and county councils set to be abolished and unitary authorities - such as Plymouth and Torbay - delivering all council services.

Plymouth currently has a population of about 265,000, but the government has indicated all unitary authorities in the future should have a minimum population of about 300,000.

Devon County Council and all of the district councils are expected to go as part of the plans and a number of proposals have been put forward for what should replace them.

Plymouth City Council is holding 13 sessions - one in each parish - and said it wants to hear about "challenges and opportunities".

Council leader Tudor Evans said he had already heard "loud and clear" about the importance of local identity, but said the reorganisation was about "service provision" such as bin collections, children's social care services and fixing potholes.

Events will be held from 9 June to 10 July and more information about attending any of the events is available here.

Final decisions on the reorganisation of local government will be made by the government.

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