Putting our rural communities first

Transcription

1 Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority Putting our rural communities first A concept proposal for Unitary Local Government in Devon that safeguards our rural communities South Hams 11 April 2008 Sponsoring authorities: District Council South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - a concept proposal 1

2 Contacts David Incoll Chief Executive South Hams District and West Devon Borough Councils, Kilworthy Park, TAVISTOCK, Devon. PL19 0BZ Tel: Alan Robinson Strategic Director (Community) South Hams District Council, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, TOTNES, Devon. TQ9 5NE Tel: Nick Payne Corporate Director West Devon Borough Council, Kilworthy Park, TAVISTOCK, Devon. PL19 0BZ Tel: Roger Nicholson Head of Improvement South Hams District and West Devon Borough Councils, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, TOTNES, Devon. TQ9 5NE Tel:

3 Contents Courtesy of Dartmoor Tourist Association Page Purpose 4 Introduction 5 Context 6 Support 12 Strategic Leadership 13 Neighbourhood Empowerment 16 Value for money and equality of Public Services 19 Affordability 22 Conclusion 23 Appendices 24 Appendix A - Letters of Support 24 Appendix B - Statistical Information 27 Appendix C - MOSAIC s Definitions 30 Appendix D - Parish Clusters 31 All maps in this proposal can be viewed in larger scale at: South Hams District Council

4 Purpose How a future unitary structure in Devon could look This document proposes a unitary solution in response to the Boundary Committee invitation to submit concepts for the structural review of local government in Devon by 11 April It aligns with the existing boundaries of South Hams District Council, Teignbridge District Council and West Devon Borough Council. Our proposal provides a unitary proposal for the South Devon and Dartmoor area, which will fit into an overall structure within Devon. It aligns with the way that Integrated Devon (service-based clusters in the North, East and South of the county) is developing and provides each authority with sufficient critical mass for efficiency gains and resilience in service delivery. North Devon Torridge North & Mid Devon Mid Devon Greater Exeter West Devon Exeter East Devon Teignbridge Plymouth South Devon & Dartmoor South Hams Torbay Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. South Hams District Council. 4 Licence No /2008 Putting our rural communities first

5 Introduction The South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority concept: Cllr John Tucker, Leader, South Hams District Council Is based on existing service delivery because Devon s size and diversity means public services are increasingly being delivered on a sub-county basis. Includes Dartmoor National Park and the general area currently administered by South Hams District Council, Teignbridge District Council and West Devon Borough Council. Cllr James McInnes, Leader, West Devon Borough Council Places rural issues at its heart, because of the distinct and specifi c challenges faced by our rural communities. Is focussed on local areas, an approach which experience proves has achieved high levels of customer satisfaction. Meets the fi ve criteria set by the Boundary Committee for assessing possible unitary solutions: Broad cross section of support Strategic leadership Neighbourhood empowerment Value for money in provision of services Affordability We believe that a rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority, with a population of around 260,000, will have the necessary critical mass and unity of purpose to be both effective and efficient. Vision To provide innovative local government for rural South Devon and Dartmoor. We will improve the well being of residents, support businesses and maintain our special environment working in partnership with local and strategic agencies. Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - a concept proposal 5

6 Context A distinctive rural place to which our communities relate and that service organisations recognise. 9. South Devon and Dartmoor is characterised by a mosaic of small towns and villages where people value local community life. It has areas of moorland, rural and coastal landscapes of a high quality and a patchwork of towns and villages. Dartmoor is the largest and wildest area of open country in southern England. SD&D UA (SHDC, TDC, WDBC) Plymouth Torbay DCC Population 259, , , ,800 Area in sq miles 1, ,543 Density per hectare % living in rural areas (Defra 2005) % of area with designated landscapes 96.2%, 91.31%, 100% % 83.1%, 83.1%, 61.8% 8.4% 42.0% 54.7% Further statistical information is provided in Appendix B. South Devon and Dartmoor unified by rural sparsity and high quality designated landscapes. Population Density Exmoor National Park Designated Landscapes North Devon AONB Blackdown Hills AONB East Devon AONB Jurassic Coast WHS Legend People per hectare Crown copyright. All rights reserved Dartmoor National Park Cornwall & West Devon WHS Tamar Valley AONB South Devon AONB Legend National Parks World Heritage Sites North Devon Biosphere Exe Estuary Ramsar Wetland Site Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Crown copyright. All rights reserved South Devon and Dartmoor will balance pressure for growth and environmental protection. 6 Putting our rural communities first

7 MOSAIC Groupings by Ward South Hams 10. MOSAIC is a lifestyle classification system designed to identify groupings of consumer behaviour for households and postcodes. The MOSAIC maps (right) show strong similarities across the South Devon and Dartmoor Area. Tables showing percentages can be found in appendix A and explanations of the two major classifications within the area are in appendix C. Teignbridge 11. The South Devon and Dartmoor area is one of the safest and most desirable places in England to live. A Royal Mail survey published in March 2008 indicated that Devon was the fourth most popular place for people to move to in the UK. 12. It is a distinctive area, recognised by residents and visitors. Tourism is a key driver of our local economy. South Hams has Sustainable Tourism Beacon Status and is a leader in green tourism initiatives. A recent BBC Holiday Programme survey placed Dartmoor as the BBC s No.1 Holiday Area. West Devon 13. The area has some of the highest satisfaction levels in the whole country and its current constituent authorities are within the top 15 authorities in the country for satisfaction in As a place to live figures SHDC TDC WDBC Plymouth Torbay DCC 88% 88% 90% 77% 70% 82% 47% 43% 50% 50% 41% 65% 27% 31% 44% % of residents Satisfied with the area as a place to live All in the top 15 Authorities Satisfied with the way the authority runs things 62% 63% 62% All in the top 50 authorities Who think their council is trustworthy 73% 58% 73% All in the top 50 authorities Feel informed as to the services provided and the benefits 57% 56% 54% All in the top 25 authorities Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - a concept proposal 7

8 Baynards Cove, Dartmouth 14. South Devon and Dartmoor is somewhere special but there are signifi cant challenges. People living in the area have chosen to live a rural lifestyle, but some - especially young people - can feel excluded due to high house prices, low incomes and limited access to some services. 15. The General Satisfaction Survey (local) undertaken in 2007/2008 highlighted the following issues across the South Devon and Dartmoor area: Most important issues for a good quality of life Issues most in need of Improvement to achieve a good quality of life The level of crime Health services Affordable decent housing Access to nature Education provision Public Transport Affordable decent housing Activities for teenagers Public transport and the level of traffi c congestion Job prospects Wage levels and local cost of living 8 Putting our rural communities first

9 16. Rural transport is a concern to many residents particularly within a large geographic area and comparatively low ownership of vehicles. SD&D UA (SHDC, TDC, WDBC) Plymouth Torbay DCC Miles of Road 3,113 n/a n/a 7,963 Vehicles owned by residents 140,293 98,436 60, ,226 Vehicles per capita Travel times to Barnstaple Travel times to Exeter Travel times to Plymouth Ilfracombe Lynton/Lynmouth Ilfracombe Lynton/Lynmouth Ilfracombe Lynton/Lynmouth Braunton Braunton Braunton Barnstaple Barnstaple Barnstaple South Molton South Molton South Molton Bideford/Northam Bideford/Northam Bideford/Northam Great Torrington Tiverton Great Torrington Tiverton Great Torrington Tiverton Cullompton Cullompton Cullompton Holsworthy Crediton Honiton Axminster Holsworthy Crediton Honiton Axminster Holsworthy Crediton Honiton Axminster Okehampton Ottery St Mary Okehampton Ottery St Mary Okehampton Ottery St Mary Exeter Sidmouth Seaton Exeter Sidmouth Seaton Exeter Sidmouth Seaton Moretonhampstead Exmouth Moretonhampstead Exmouth Moretonhampstead Exmouth Dawlish Dawlish Dawlish Tavistock Newton Abbot Teignmouth Ashburton/Buckfastleigh Legend Tavistock Newton Abbot Teignmouth Ashburton/Buckfastleigh Legend Tavistock Newton Abbot Teignmouth Ashburton/Buckfastleigh Legend Travel time to Devon Town centre Travel time to Devon Town centre Travel time to Devon Town centre Plymouth UA Ivybridge Totnes Torbay UA 0-30 minutes minutes minutes Plymouth UA Ivybridge Totnes Torbay UA 0-30 minutes minutes minutes Plymouth UA Ivybridge Totnes Torbay UA 0-30 minutes minutes minutes Dartmouth minutes Dartmouth minutes Dartmouth minutes Kingsbridge minutes Kingsbridge minutes Kingsbridge minutes Crown copyright. All rights reserved Crown copyright. All rights reserved Crown copyright. All rights reserved Travelling time by car from Barnstaple to Plymouth can be in excess of 2.5 hours 17. Challenges faced include; affordable housing, low wages, meeting the needs of young people and children, an aging population, access to services and transport, with a need for agriculture and tourism industries to diversify further. 18. Average house prices are much higher than the Devon average, peaking at 280,000 in 2007 in the South Hams. This is due to the high levels of inward affl uent migration and second homes ownership. Average wages are low despite generally low levels of unemployment and deprivation. Population Density Indices of Deprivation 2007 Legend People per hectare Legend Indices of Deprivation 2007 Most deprived quartile Least deprived quartile Crown copyright. All rights reserved Crown copyright. All rights reserved Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - a concept proposal 9

10 19. All the authorities that form the South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority concept perform well or excellently when judged against national standards by the Audit Commission, though work is needed in respect of Children and Young People. Issues facing children and young people in rural areas can be different to those relevant in an urban environment. South Devon and Dartmoor will be a good partner to the existing unitaries of Plymouth and Torbay and any new neighbouring unitaries CPA rating Direction of Travel Beacon Council DCC DNPA SHDC TDC WDBC 3 Star Improving well Dartmoor National Park Authority is well run. Excellent Good Good Improving well Affordable Housing Promoting Sustainable Tourism Improving well Crime and Disorder Partnerships Improving 20. Our proposal is a natural progression from Integrated Devon, an enhanced two-tier working partnership model which established North, East and South Devon clusters for the delivery of Devon County Council services. 21. South Devon and Dartmoor will be a good partner to the existing unitaries of Plymouth and Torbay and any new neighbouring unitaries, providing the opportunity for imaginative cost effective solutions to the challenges facing specialist services e.g. special needs schooling, which can be procured on a cross-boundary basis. Integrated Devon Environment Directorate Environment Directorate Areas (including Highways) Adult & Community Administration Areas Adult & Community Services Administrative Localities Barnstaple Exeter Newton Abbot Plymouth UA Torbay UA Plymouth UA Torbay UA Crown copyright. All rights reserved Note: These areas are under review as joint working with health is expanding. Crown copyright. All rights reserved Putting our rural communities first

11 Crown copyright. All rights reserved.. Devon County Council A379 Children s Trust Clusters - five coterminous with South Devon and Dartmoor Devon Structure Plan - landscape and major routes Ilfracombe Combe Martin Ilfracombe & Braunton Lundy Woolacombe A3123 Barnstaple Bideford South Molton & Chulmleigh Bideford Tiverton Crediton & Culm Valley Torrington & Holsworthy Crediton & Culm Valley Hontion & Axe Valley Clyst Vale, Ottery St Mary & Sidmouth Exeter Okehampton & Tavistock Exmouth Dawlish & Teignmouth Teign Valley & South Dartmoor Dawlish & Teignmouth Newton Abbot Torbay UA Plymouth UA Ivybridge Totnes, Dartmouth & Kingsbridge To Penzance A39 Westward Ho! Bideford ha TORRIDGE Holsworthy ha WEST DEVON Tavistock Cornwall To Penzance A30(T) To Penzance A38(T) Great Western Main Line A30 (T) A361 Braunton A386 A386 R I E I Bere Alston R INSET I A - PLYMOUTH I M AREA 80ha 6,800 Barnstaple P A385 A38(T) A30 (T) A377 Newton Teignmouth Abbot I Kingskerswell P 30ha 3100 R I P I South Brent INSET R I C - Totnes I TORBAY Paignton AREA E SOUTH HAMS NOTE : The Devon part of Exmoor National Park is covered by the Somerset and Exmoor National Park Structure Plan Somerset 70ha NORTH DEVON South Molton Great Torrington MID DEVON I Tiverton 5850 I R 60ha Willand I Hatherleigh Cullompton EAST DEVON Dorset R Crediton Honiton Axminster 4950 Okehampton 6700 I M Ottery 35ha I R R INSET B - EXETER 4000AREA St. Mary 40ha 85ha Seaton Sidmouth R I TEIGNBRIDGE 4250 DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK 25ha Exmouth Exeter - Exmouth Line Dawlish 900 A39 A A399 A361 Exeter - Barnstaple Tarka Line ha Dartmouth A380 A361 A376 M5 A30(T) To Bristol Great Western Main Line - to London and North M5 A3052 A30(T) A35(T) A303(T) A358 I Exeter - Salisbury Waterloo Line A35(T) Kingsbridge Crown copyright. All rights reserved Salcombe 22. We will be able to capitalise on the existing strong partnership working across the South Devon and Dartmoor Cluster and will integrate with Dartmoor National Park Authority wherever possible. Existing and committed South Devon and Dartmoor shared services (district council based): Shared Chief Executive Building Control Procurement Corporate Improvement Tourism Partnership Personnel and Payroll Property Environmental Health Urban Design Joint representation on national and strategic bodies Proposed arrangements include: Legal Audit Finance ICT South Hams and West Devon South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon South Hams and West Devon South Hams and Teignbridge South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon South Hams and West Devon South Hams and Teignbridge Revenue and Benefi ts Waste and Recycling With a range of future collaboration proposals including climate change and economic development Integrated Devon (with DCC) Community safety Civil parking enforcement Public Realm rural pilot Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - a concept proposal 11

12 Support Future unitary local government structures must be supported by a broad cross-section of partners and stakeholders. Many partners and stakeholders recognise the merit of a South Devon and Dartmoor unitary. It is felt to be going with the grain 23. In the very limited timescale available we have advised parish councils, local business leaders, members and staff of the concept. We will test out our proposals fully during the preparation of a detailed business case alongside a full programme of community engagement and stakeholder consultation. Letters of support can be found in Appendix A. 24. Parish councils, community organisations and other public services recognise the South Devon and Dartmoor cluster within Integrated Devon and its shared services core agenda. The development of a new, rural, unitary authority is a logical progression from shared services, and would accelerate that agenda. It also fi ts in with early discussions regarding a shared South Devon and Dartmoor Local Strategic Partnership (LSP). 25. Many agency service areas are largely coterminous with the cluster including Highways, Social Services, the Police and the Primary Care Trust (PCT). The new unitary authority will capitalise on the strength of current partnership working and build on examples of best practice and innovation from all agencies within the unitary area. This will ensure that the cost of change is minimised as well as demonstrating its outward focus by learning from the best practice elsewhere as new unitary authorities emerge. 26. Our intention is to have a unitary authority rooted in local areas. This is what communities said they want through the Local Development Framework (LDF) process. During the South Hams consultations many communities showed a desire to have self-supporting rural life where they could live, work and play. We will build upon current high levels of satisfaction with local government in South Devon and Dartmoor A summary of key points from LDF Community Participation days supports our vision for the new unitary: Mix of affordable/open market housing, use of brown-fi eld land, local houses for local people Mixed economies/development in towns and villages should be encouraged, with the promotion of sustainable employment within communities. Encourage fl exible and small scale offi ce development Promotion of rural economy. Diversifi cation where agriculture is no longer viable. Allow for tourism. Farmers to be assisted where possible in the maintenance of the environment Transport better integration. Need for more car parking but with integrated strategy which includes effective public transport 12 Putting our rural communities first

13 Strategic leadership Future unitary government structures must provide strong, effective and accountable leadership. The leadership must work with local communities businesses, the voluntary sector and a range of stakeholders to create a vision of the place and go on to deliver it. Community leadership is one of the most important features of the future of local governance. 27. The new unitary will be characterised by strong executive leadership focused on a distinctively rural agenda and working closely with local and strategic partners to achieve the best quality of life for our communities. 28. We will develop the existing Devon Local Area Agreement to be specifi c to the needs of an essentially rural population and to ensure that there is full compatibility with our Sustainable Community Strategy (SCS) and other key strategic documents such as the Local Development Frameworks. The new SCS will become the Corporate Plan for the whole authority as well as the work programme for the new LSP. South Devon and Dartmoor s main priorities, shared with its LSP partners, will be: Sustainable Communities, including affordable housing, transport, the needs of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in our rural economy, environmental protection and a network of services to make villages sustainable Safer and Stronger Communities focusing on reducing the fear of crime and strengthening community cohesion Healthier Communities and Older People, enabling older people to live active independent lives by effective combination of key local services such as social services, health, education, housing, crime and accident prevention Children and Young People, including the Building Schools for the Future programme, sustaining improvement in our schools, improving the provision of care and protection and enabling life long learning Value for money, through a transformational approach to the delivery of local services based on: Engaging with and focusing on residents and communities Reshaping service delivery to improve accessibility Working together with other agencies and investing in the future The new unitary will be characterised by strong executive leadership, focused on the distinctive rural agenda Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - a concept proposal 13

14 29. We intend to adopt an executive model for the new council with portfolio holders drawn from the council s membership who are best able to champion their briefs on behalf of the electorate. This builds on the existing practice within most of South Devon and Dartmoor. Multi-Area Agreements (MAA) with neighbouring unitary authorities will be high on the agenda 30. The new unitary authority will be small enough to operate at a scale local people can relate to but with strategic capacity and infl uence with regional and national agencies. 31. Multi-Area Agreements (MAA) with neighbouring unitary authorities will be high on the agenda to ensure cross-border challenges are addressed. Close cooperation will enable more effective representations to be made to the regional agencies to infl uence investment in economic growth, affordable housing and transport infrastructure. 32. Executive Members will be responsible for corporate priorities and providing a strategic lead for a geographic area linking local placemaking with strategic policy making. 33. Developing elements of current practice the Council s Executive Portfolios will be built around the core priorities of our SCS and the shared vision for our area. The SCS will provide a policy umbrella and will be supported by: Social Service, Health Care, Children and Young People and Education Strategies including life long learning Beneath these will be a range of delivery plans including: Local Transport Plans National Park and AONB Management Plans Housing Strategy Waste Strategy Economic Development Strategy Building Schools for the future programme Each of these strategies will be infl uenced by the outcome of local town strategies and parish plans. 14 Putting our rural communities first

15 34. Our aim is long term rural sustainability in terms of people, jobs and the environment. We will determine, rather than merely infl uence, the best responses to the challenges posed in effectively serving our communities. South Devon and Dartmoor interests are currently diluted within a large and diverse county agenda. 35. Through the Local Area Agreement (LAA) the council will infl uence and determine the provision and funding of strategic public services. This will ensure that the existing excellent track record in use of resources, public satisfaction and high performance of all the current authorities, is sustained and improved upon in the unitary setting. 36. We will build a strong and effective partnership with the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) in respect of community and strategic planning supported by an integrated LAA. 37. We will support joint commissioning arrangements, with other authorities and agencies for the delivery of services, where these make sense and are most appropriate for serving the population. 38. We will engage with existing partnerships and develop new opportunities, including the possibility of a Care Trust (integrated health and social care), to ensure that the needs of our population are fully recognised and met and that the specifi c needs of disadvantaged individuals and hidden communities are mainstreamed. 39. Local councillors will be vital to the success of this vision. They will work with individuals, towns and parishes and local groups and communities of interest, within their wards to identify the key issues and priorities of local people and represent these priorities at the council and beyond. 40. There will be single member wards each serving a population of approximately 4,000. This is considered the optimal ward size to enable South Devon and Dartmoor Members to properly engage with their electorates as well as providing residents with genuine accessibility to the democratic process. 41. Larger wards would involve too many parishes for meaningful contact and, due to the full time nature of the role, would exclude some members of the public, who have the appropriate background skills, from seeking to become a councillor. 42. The new authority will comprise some 60 Members with councillors majoring as community leaders. This is reasonable given the signifi cant geographic size of the area at over 1,050 square miles serving a population of around 260, Strong Overview and Scrutiny arrangements based on service delivery will be deployed to robustly challenge external service providers and the council, ensuring the best possible effi ciency, performance and effectiveness of decision-making by all local service providers in our area and that the lives of local people are improving. The new authority will comprise some 60 Members with councillors majoring as community leaders Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - a concept proposal 15

16 Neighbourhood empowerment Future unitary government structures must deliver genuine opportunities for neighbourhood flexibility and empowerment. Local ownership, locality distinctiveness and an ability for local people to influence the priorities will be a hallmark of the new authority 44. Our parishes are the democratic basis for achieving effective neighbourhood empowerment in a rural area. Existing parish planning will be further encouraged to foster subsidiarity between local communities, the unitary authority and the South Devon and Dartmoor LSP. 45. We would also look to develop and build upon the successful local application of the Market and Coastal Town Initiative (MCTi) to draw together other sector interests in our community and complement the parish planning which, by defi nition, has a strong focus on residents interests. 46. South Devon and Dartmoor will build upon experience and existing good practice in terms of community engagement. Local communities will be involved in budget setting, service development and use of resources. There is a real opportunity for enhanced accountability and decision making around local services being devolved to the lowest possible level, subject to a fi nancial viability assessment. 16 Putting our rural communities first

17 Local communities will be engaged in budget setting, service development and use of resources 47. Local people have a strong affi nity for their local village or town. Our concept will enable that affi nity to be developed to revitalise local democracy and embrace local engagement and empowerment in a structure which is focused on rural issues at a strategic level. 48. Thinking big and acting local will improve democratic engagement in election processes. A vote will make a difference. Democratic engagement in local elections is more important in rural communities with between 42% and 49% turn-out in the South Devon and Dartmoor area as opposed to 37% in Plymouth and 32% in Torbay. 49. Service clustering, through Local Forums based on Town and Parish Clusters, with populations of up to 20,000, will become the democratically accountable vehicles for distribution and committing locality budgets and the recently announced community funds. 50. The principle of subsidiarity will apply and local communities will be engaged in budget setting, service development and use of resources. 51. The devolution of appropriate services to market town/parish clusters will achieve local ownership and local distinctiveness by allowing local people to determine priorities. There will be the opportunity, at a local level, to fund enhanced service provision, where required, above a minimum consistent standard. Local people have a strong affinity for their local village or town 52. Local Forums will be: Built on existing Quality Parish arrangements and administer devolved budgets Be open public meetings Respond to important local issues best tackled at a local level Provide real local accountability from the organisation s representatives to the people it serves Assess performance against customer charters and declared service standards Be supported by innovative use of ICT to enable information and data to be exchanged, analysed and monitored to raise, and track the resolution of, local issues Enable effective engagement and partnership between the statutory and voluntary sector Be a vehicle for the Councillor Calls for Action process Local Forums will be built on existing Quality Parish arrangements and administer devolved budgets Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - a concept proposal 17

18 Town council offices, parish halls, mobile libraries, and home visits will all increase the accessibility of services 53. We also see that neighbourhood empowerment is inextricably linked to Access to Services. We will build upon the successful multi-agency outreach service surgeries already provided in West Devon. This will be a hallmark of the South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority brand. 54. Town council offi ces, parish halls, mobile libraries, and home visits will all increase the accessibility of services that are vital to the successful operation of the new authority. Good public satisfaction will be built on the perception that the new unitary authority services are closer to home and more responsive than existing, more distant county services. 55. The key to the success of many of the unitary authority s services will be effective engagement and partnership with voluntary groups. We will develop and build upon the Council for Voluntary Services Compact and in conjunction with the Health Service community ensure that there is effi cient and effective joint commissioning of services within the sector. 56. We will evolve the successful budget consultation approaches already in place across the area, to ensure that residents and businesses continue to have real opportunities to infl uence the new unitary authority s budget priorities as part of the annual budget setting process. 18 Putting our rural communities first

19 Value for money and equity of Public Services Future unitary local government structures must deliver value for money and equity of public services. 57. A South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority would commence operation with the best possible credentials for achieving Value for Money (VfM). The current authorities have all achieved good reviews in each previous independent use of resources assessments. Use of Resources Score DNPA DCC SHDC TDC WDBC Dartmoor National Park Authority is well run and in comparison with the income sources within other National Parks, it is one of the leading authorities. 58. Effi ciency saving targets are already fully met by each authority. The new unitary authority will benefi t from the economies of scale on commencement of its operation, the merging of two tiers of local government and more effi cient working. 59. The current authorities have undertaken market testing and have externalised services where this was in the best interests of effective service delivery and value for the council taxpayer. 60. We will adopt a mixed-market approach to achieve value for money through the best practicable means. This robust business-orientated approach will become a hallmark of the new unitary authority. 61. We envisage that as a dedicated unitary we can successfully address the inequities of previous service delivery patterns. These have tended to focus services on urban centres of population rather than where most (over 90%) people live and access their services. We will adopt a mixedmarket approach % living in rural areas (Defra 2005) SD&D UA (SHDC, TDC, WDBC.) Plymouth Torbay DCC 96.2%, 91.31%, 100% % Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - a concept proposal 19

20 The South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority will build upon the excellent track-record of VfM of the outgoing local authorities. It will be high performing and known for efficiency 62. Our current work on Shared Services has developed effective relationships across the three districts at Member and offi cer level. This provides a foundation for a radical assessment of how best to integrate top and second tier functions for optimal performance and improved accessibility by our communities and clients. We will enhance existing genuine choice for our customers We are now achieving enhanced efficiencies through this combined approach 63. The localised presence and sensitivities of our organisation will be well placed to encourage enhanced community engagement in supporting vulnerable people, possibly through a Care Trust providing health services and the management of social care services for older people and vulnerable adults, day care, home care and residential homes. 64. We will enhance existing genuine customer choice for our customers through the roll out of community based service delivery, e-access, our Local Service Centres and utilising assets (such as schools) as community hubs for a broad range of activities, educational and otherwise. 65. Our involvement in the Building Schools for the Future programme will commence in It will commence with our special schools and phased over a number of years. 66. We have already secured LIFT SW funding in 2008 to examine the potential for improved partnership working in relation to waste collection and disposal. We will use the benefi t of that consultancy report to build an effi cient, resilient cost effective approach to waste management across the authority. This will reinforce our top quartile performance on waste minimisation, recycling and high levels of public satisfaction with our service. 67. Our investment in improving procurement through a Procurement Offi cer resource shared across the three districts is further evidence of the current commitment to VfM. We are now achieving enhanced effi ciencies through this combined approach as well as participating in national and regional procurement schemes. A careful assessment of potential joint commissioning options, such as children s services and waste management, will be made to achieve the best and most cost effective arrangements for combined procured services. 68. Public perception of VfM in service delivery terms is inextricably linked to the ease of public access to our services. Our service design across all aspects of the UA activities will therefore be closely related to where and how people live. 20 Putting our rural communities first

21 69. Providing people with opportunities to engage at: one-stop-shops, mobile one-stop surgeries, community action days, community forums and, through the use of technology: virtual transactional service portals, will all be essential in providing value for money, as well as neighbourhood empowerment, across such a large rural area. Opportunities for service integration will be fully exploited to provide more effi cient and effective service delivery, for example: in relation to addressing the supply of affordable housing and linkages to supporting people in harnessing the full spectrum of community based services to support vulnerable adults and children at risk in public realm management in business advice and related regulatory services integrating leisure and cultural services maximising benefi cial use of assets and disposing of underused assets Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - a concept proposal 21

22 Affordability A South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority would have a population of around 260,000 and will have sufficient critical mass to ensure affordability in implementation, efficiency gains and resilience in service delivery. our experience of Lean Thinking methodologies and Shared Service delivery will provide a strong framework 70. Successful 4 star rated rural unitary authorities include: The East Riding of Yorkshire with a population of 325,000, North Lincolnshire with a population of 152,850, and Redcar and Cleveland Borough with a population of 139, The development of a new unitary authority will allow commonality of ICT systems. 72. Our experience of Lean Thinking methodologies and Shared Service delivery will provide a strong framework for development of cost effective customer focused services. 73. Offi ce accommodation centres will be reduced and we will promote greater remote working with other public and private sector organisations around local service delivery hubs. 74. Shared service arrangements will provide an alignment of services to provide focus on a locality driven unitary place through a one council approach to services for children and young people, older people, housing provision, environmental standards, public realm, leisure and amenities, economic development and regulation. 75. We recognise that there will be continued areas of fi nancial pressure, through Comprehensive Spending Round 2007, Children and Young People s services, Adult Care, Transport and an increased public engagement agenda. 76. We welcome recent announcements to changes skills funding and the opportunity to build Further and Higher education provision for year olds within the unitary authority and will expect to work closely with the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and the Young People s Leaning Agency (YPLA) to develop excellent provision. 77. A full financial appraisal has not yet been undertaken but we have taken advice and carried out a brief initial assessment of fi nancial viability. We have made comparisons with other recent reorganisations, which suggest that the costs of creating a South Devon and Dartmoor unitary authority would fall within the Governments payback period. 22 Putting our rural communities first

23 Conclusion We will ensure that South Devon and Dartmoor remains somewhere special for people to live, work and visit. 78. A South Devon and Dartmoor unitary provides an opportunity for radical and innovative development in leadership and service delivery arrangements with rural sustainability as the key driver. 79. Our proposal will provide a rural focus for strong and enhanced community leadership, neighbourhood engagement and partnership working. This will build on existing high quality value for money services currently provided at district and county level, which local people already value, as has been evidenced in this document. 80. Our concept will fully meet the Government s criteria, build on the existing local sense of community and place, and respond to how our rural areas work socially and economically. 81. We will ensure that South Devon and Dartmoor remains somewhere special for people to live, work and visit through the development of an effective locally focused unitary organisation. Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - a concept proposal 23

24 Appendices Appendix A Sample of letters of support From: pete.tansey@bt.com [mailto:pete.tansey@ bt.com] Sent: 01 April :50 To: RJ Tucker Subject: RE: Local Government Review Dear John, As always you and David can rely on my full support for such a logical solution with a fi rmly rural bias. Kind regards, Peter Peter Tansey Client Director SW - Education & Local Government Practice BT Global Services From: Paul H. Dorey [mailto:pdorey@aspidistra.com] Sent: 01 April :16 To: RJ Tucker Cc: Kate Parsons Councillor John Tucker South Hams District Council, Follaton House, Plymouth Road, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5NE 2 April 2008 Dear Councillor Tucker Structural Review of Devon Thank you for your letters of 15 February and 27 March This council is taking a keen interest in the Boundary Commission s review of local government in Devon. Indeed, it has already formulated its own outline policy statement which has been approved at the latest full council meeting. One of the key aspects of the policy is strong support for the creation of a South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority. Such an authority to be predominately rural in character and which should combine the current district councils of South Hams, Teignbridge and West Devon. The town council is very content to take part in any forthcoming discussions as the review progresses. Yours sincerely Martin Johnson Town Clerk Subject: RE: Local Government Review Dear Cllr Tucker The view you express in this coincides very much with the feelings of The Kingsbridge and Salcombe Chamber of Commerce. While we do not always see eye to eye with SHDC we do not wish to be swallowed by an urban authority. What can we do to help achieve the desired outcome? We have a Business Club Meeting Wednesday 21 May in Salcombe where the matter could be discussed or we could be addressed by someone from the commission. I am quite happy to write or visit to press this case. Perhaps you would care to call me so we can discuss a way forward. Yours Aye, Paul 24 Putting our rural communities first

25 From: PETER BENNETT BT To: Nick Payne CC: Jackie Crawford Sent: Fri Apr 04 11:46: Subject: Eastern Link : South Devon & Dartmoor UA Concept Dear Nick, I am writing to you in my role as Chair of the Eastern Link group of Parishes in support of your Concept submission to the Boundary Committee. Specifi cally from the perspective of the Easter Parishes of the current West Devon Borough, I would like to make the following points to the Boundary Committee. Boundary The current Eastern Boundary of the West Devon & Teignbridge councils is a real physical & cultural boundary. It is formed by the Teign Valley and stretches from the A30 down to the A38 virtually due North - South. Due to the extreme shortage of river crossings there is almost no East to West cultural or physical contact across the River Teign to the lowland around Exeter. The people of North East Dartmoor and the surrounding parishes look West. We have little contact with East and North Devon and Plymouth is virtually inaccessible to us. Whilst of necessity some of our young people go to College in Exeter, and the RD&E is our main hospital, there is little work commuting to the East, and trade is driven by the M5 connection which happens to be at Exeter rather than the Exeter business community itself. A major trade route is the North South A382 with Newton Abbot as the focus, and culturally we focus on Tavistock and the Atlantic coast of Devon. The Dartmoor National Park Democratic Deficit One of the major issues for the people of Dartmoor is the legacy of the 1950 s style legislation that set up National Parks. For the inhabitants of the Park, effectively we have no middle tier democratic representation on all the issues that the DNPA is responsible for. DNPA members are either appointees or delegates from elected bodies with a wider constituency than the Park. Only the single Parish rep. has a constituency wholly comprised of Park dwellers. Four Councils have interests in the Park and for members delegated from these councils there is no clear remit as to whom they represent; their constituents in the Park, or their wider organization. Thus for, say, Planning, there is no councillor to whom the Park dweller can address specific local issues. The S Devon & Dartmoor Concept offers a unique opportunity to address this Democratic Deficit, without re-writing the DNPA legislation, and would be a major benefit to Park dwellers, and the surrounding Parishes. Evolution of Existing Processes The WDBC and South Hams DC have been working very effectively to develop signifi cant cost savings by sharing resources and developing co-operative processes, whilst keeping the political process firmly grounded in the existing constituencies. This process is working well. The results are demonstrable and supported by the population. It would be disastrous to destroy all this good work by combining the area into some suburb of coastal cities or a not the city defi nition of a rural rump of Devon County. The proposal incorporated in the SD&D UA is cohesive, based on successful existing evolution and worthy of support by the Boundary Committee. By contrast if the surrounding areas are compared, Cornwall and other parts of Rural Devon, they are not actually working the cost saving and effi ciency models pioneered by WDBC nor the best practice which has earned WDBC a good council rating. This best practice includes the Link meetings by which all 3 current tiers communicate effectively and democratically. Supporting the SD&D UA concept would harness the momentum already built up for continuous improvement in this geography. Peter C Bennett Chair, Eastern Link Committee Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - a concept proposal 25

26 Okehampton Community & Recreation Association Okehampton Community College, Mill Road, Okehampton, DEVON EX20 1PW TEL: / admin@ocrasport.og.uk Nick Payne Corporate Director West Devon Borough Council Kilworthy Park Tavistock 9 th April 2008 Dear Nick Local Government Review Thank you for your short paper dated the 2 nd April 2008 OCRA as a community group from this large rural area are very keen on a local rural option and fully support the need for public consultation. Yours sincerely Stuart Lord OCRA Activity Development Manager OCRA IS A CHARITY THAT AIMS TO MAINTAIN & DEVELOP SPORTING/ RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES & FACILITIES IN THE NORTH & EAST OF WEST DEVON BOROUGH 26 Putting our rural communities first

27 Appendix B statistical information South Devon and Dartmoor UA SHDC, TDC, WDBC Plymouth Torbay DCC Population 259, , , ,080 Area (sq miles) ,543 Hectares 277,130 7,980 6,288 Density (per hectare) % living in rural areas (Defra 2005) % of area in designated landscapes 96.2%, 91.31%, 100% % 83.1%, 83.1%, 61.8% 8.4% 42% 54.7% Band D Council Tax 1, , , Population Growth by 2029 Net Inward Migration 2006 Includes Outward Migration 2006 Major MOSAIC categories % 16.7% 9.4% 25.7% 23.29% 2,900 n/a n/a 7, years old 900 n/a n/a years old 1,500 Grey Perspectives 29% 35% Rural Isolation 28 % Suburban Comfort 12% Blue Collar Enterprise 15% Municipal Dependency 10% Suburban Comfort 15% 10% Happy Families 12.5% Ties of Community 20% 31% Election Turn-out District 45.52%, 43.20%, 46% 37.2% 31.8% 67.8% Dwellings 41,557, 56,249, 22, , ,230 62, ,110 Second Homes (2001) 10% 0.3% 2% 3.5% Average House prices k k, 202k, 226k 155k 172k 210k Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - a concept proposal 27

28 Housing Needs Units required p.a. South Devon and Dartmoor UA SHDC, TDC, WDBC 600+ Plymouth Torbay DCC 1,426 affordable homes Average Wages 18,542, 19,000, 16,759 23,068 19,012 Unemployment April 2007 England 5.5% 1, %, 3%, 3.7% 3, % n/a 2, % Economically Inactive 14.1%,15%, 21.3% 21.5% 20.5% Deprivation Indices ranking Satisfied with area as a place to live Satisfied with the way the authority runs things % of residents who think their council is trustworthy Feel informed as to the services provided and the benefits Waste recycling and composting % 230, 71, %, 88%, 90% all in the top 15 Authorities 62%, 63%, 62% All in the top 50 authorities 73%, 58%, 73% All in the top 50 authorities 57%, 56%, 54% In the top 25 authorities % % n/a 8,857 n/a % 47% 43% 50% 50% 41% 65% 27% 31% 44% 48.8%, 50.4%, 39.6% 26.9% 26.1% n/a Recycling centres Tourism nights capacity Tourism nights occupancy peak season inc. private houses 58,680 30% of Devon 75,400 32% of Devon 6,180 44,080 6,700 54,800 Miles of Road 3,113 miles n/a n/a Cars and Vans owned by residents 140, per capita 98, per capita 60, per capita County wide inc. Torbay 197,460 (Torbay 22%) Countywide 236,800 (Torbay 23%) 7,963 But care as DCC web site appears to be incorrect 370, Putting our rural communities first

29 South Devon and Dartmoor UA SHDC, TDC, WDBC Plymouth Torbay DCC Total Recorded Crimes 5,377 12,175 4,975 18,341 Fires Governance: Members 40, 46, Cabinet / Executive Executive, Executive, Committees Housing Authority 0 Schools SD&D Secondary 114 Primary 5 Special Cabinet Secondary (14 Community 2 Voluntary Aided 1 Foundation) 64 Primary (52 Community 9 Voluntary Aided 3 Voluntary Controlled) Mayor and Cabinet 18 8 Secondary (5 Foundation, 2 community, 1 Voluntary Aided) 10 primary (3 Foundation, 4 Community, 2 Voluntary Aided, 1 Voluntary Controlled) Executive Secondary 318 Primary 10 Special Education authorities 1 DCC Coastguard stations Fire brigade stations Police stations Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - a concept proposal 29

30 Appendix C MOSAIC s definitions for: Group J Grey Perspectives Independent pensioners living in their own homes who are relatively active in their lifestyles. This group consists mostly of pensioners who own their own homes and have some source of income beyond the state pension. Many have, on retirement, moved to the countryside or seaside to live among people similar to themselves. This results in the formation of elderly neighbourhoods. Many have quite active lifestyles and are considered in their purchasing decisions. As members of this group age they may use up their capital and their health fail, at varying rates. Not all members are coastal geriatrics. Some live in seasonal tourist locations where the servicing of visitors is a major source of income to younger neighbours. The environments have high amenity values, good order and low level of crime. Many residents are still able to drive but many either cannot or do not want to use their cars, relying on public transport and increasingly on taxis. This group tends to prefer receiving information face to face. Educational levels are mixed, with typically a quarter having a degree, but more than a quarter without qualifi cations. Diet tends to be good, and residents do not drink to excess. Smoking levels are about the national average. Heart and respiratory illness are relatively common, but less so than for more deprived older people. Age adjusted hospital admissions are slightly lower than national average, except emergency admissions, which are high. Crime levels, and the fear of crime, are low, although crime is perceived as increasing. Group K Rural Isolation People living in rural areas where country life has not been influenced by urban consumption patterns. There is a common identifi cation with the life of the village that transcends differences in income and status and demands that people should be treated with equals irrespective of position. Despite the mix of incomes, most people own their own homes and not withstanding the low level of many rural incomes there is substantial hidden wealth in land and property. Population is generally growing but has an increased average age. There are few opportunities for ambitious young people. Young couples who might like to raise children in these areas worry about lack of facilities; rural living is more attractive to older workers and retired people. Children usually have good education, but the adult population has a mixed level of qualifi cations. Residents tend to eat a good diet and not smoke. Most forms of disease except some cancers are less prevalent in these areas than in the country as a whole. Mental illness and social problems such as alcoholism and drug abuse, and teenage pregnancies are also much less of an issue than elsewhere. The isolated nature of these areas make the inhabitants see them as distinctly good places to live, with generally very low fear and incidence of crime. Clearly, the elderly will claim state pension, but most people do not require pension credits. They are amongst the least environmentally friendly groups, but through circumstance rather than choice. 30 Putting our rural communities first

31 Appendix D Parish Clusters Northern Link Committee Eastern Link Committee Southern Link Committee Ivybridge Parish Cluster Totnes Parish Cluster Kingsbridge Parish Cluster Dartmouth Parish Cluster Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. South Hams District Council. Licence No /2008 Rural South Devon and Dartmoor Unitary Authority - a concept proposal 31

32 Putting our rural communities first South Hams District Council Sponsoring authorities: South Hams District Council and West Devon Borough Council