STRUCTURAL REVIEW OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN : SUBMISSION OF CITY COUNCIL

1. Introduction

1.1 Local councils in Devon have been invited by the Boundary Committee for to submit their suggested concepts for the future shape of local government in Devon. The Boundary Committee was invited by the Government to undertake this review in February 2008. The concept submissions of the councils will help the Boundary Committee regarding the formulation of options for change. The Boundary Committee will publish its proposals for Devon local government in July 2008.

1.2 Plymouth City Council welcomes this opportunity to play a positive role in contributing to the debate about the future shape of local government in Devon. The timescale provided (from 3 March to 11 April) is challenging for such an important piece of work. Clearly within such a timeframe it has not been possible at this stage to conduct a robust discussion with stakeholders but initial soundings have been taken, primarily through the Local Strategic Partnership.

1.3 We are however able to provide a clear view on broad concepts and these are set out in this paper. In addition, the paper considers briefly some alternative concepts that may be considered by the Boundary Committee or put forward by other councils.

1.4 We have been required to send this submission to the Boundary Committee by 11 April. However, even after this date we would welcome receiving feedback and comments from stakeholders and the public on this submission. These will help us to be aware of wider community views and to guide our response to the Boundary Committee when it publishes its Draft Proposals in July 2008.

1.5 If you wish to make us aware of your views on this submission please send them to: [email protected] or Chief Executives Department Civic Centre Plymouth City Council PL1 2EW 2. The context for change in Plymouth

2.1 Plymouth is the second city of the South West (after Bristol) and the Evidence fourteenth largest city in the country. The city has a radical and ambitious Link 1 vision to be one of Europe’s finest, most vibrant waterfront cities by 2020, a Link 2 vision that is strongly supported by statutory, regional and local plans and by Link 3 regional, sub-regional and local stakeholders. Plymouth is also one of the Link 4 country’s designated New Growth points in support of the Government’s Link 5 agenda for meeting national housing needs through the provision of Link 6 sustainable communities. The city therefore has a key and increasing role at a Link 7 regional and national level, both now and in the future.

Page 1 11/04/2008 2.2 The city’s plans are in line with the views set out in the Government’s Sub Evidence

National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration. They require a Link 8 city regional approach to delivery, one that unlocks the potential of the city to deliver transformational growth and raise the prosperity of the entire sub- region; one that addresses housing (particularly affordable housing) and other infrastructure needs on a coherent basis; one that responds to the strong functional relationships between the city and the settlements that surround it; one that acknowledges the primary importance of maintaining the setting of the city in a world class environment. Plymouth and its sub-region have such an agenda. A new structure of local government for Devon must reflect and support this.

2.3 The Draft Regional Spatial Strategy requires 42,000 new jobs in Plymouth’s Evidence Travel to Work Area and 45,100 new homes in its Housing Market Area by Link 9.1 2026. The population of the city itself will grow from about 240,000 to over Link 9.2 300,000 in the next 20 years, enabling it to achieve the critical mass required to Link 10 support its regional function and to provide the highest quality of services, Link 11 affordable housing, economi