TORBAY’S boundaries will expand to include neighbouring towns and villages including Newton Abbot and Teignmouth as a result of the government’s shake-up of local councils.

The news, which was announced today, sweeps away the current system of local authorities in Devon and replaces it with four giant unitary councils.

Torbay Council leader David Thomas (Con, Preston) said while it was not the outcome the council wanted, the bay would embrace the changes.

Torbay had wanted to stay as it is.

Under the new structure Plymouth expands east into the South Hams while Exeter expands into parts of Teignbridge, East Devon and Mid Devon.

Torbay reaches out into Teignbridge and the South Hams as both districts lose their current district councils. Devon County Council is also abolished as part of the restructure.

The new ‘Torbay’ unitary authority spreads out to take in the Teignbridge areas of Abbotskerswell, Bishopsteignton, Coffinswell, Haccombe with Combe, Ideford, Ipplepen, Kingskerswell, Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, Ogwell, Shaldon, Stokeinteignhead, Teigngrace and Teignmouth.

It also includes Berry Pomeroy, Broadhempston, Denbury and Torbryan, Kingswear, Littlehempston, Marldon and Stoke Gabriel from the South Hams.

In effect, the government has adopted a joint proposal put forward by Labour-led Plymouth and Exeter, rather than Torbay’s request to keep its existing boundaries. District councils like Teignbridge and South Hams had wanted a completely different structure.

Cllr Thomas said: ‘Our submission to government was for Torbay to stay the same, sticking with our current boundaries.

‘This isn’t the result we wanted but I recognise that government has made their decision and here in Torbay we will embrace this change.

‘I want to reassure our residents at this time that there will be no immediate changes to our council services, and we will continue to deliver as normal.

‘Our priority is a safe and stable transition and we will share, clear, timely updates as plans develop over the next 18 months.

‘I look forward to continuing to work with the leaders and councillors from the areas we are joining and will ensure the voice of Torbay residents is heard loud and clear as we work through this transition.

‘As the new councils are set up across Devon, I will also ensure that we continue to work together and collaborate on strategic issues such as transport, skills, housing and economic development.’

Torbay’s Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling spoke in the House of Commons as local government secretary Steve Reed made the announcement, which also creates a fourth unitary council covering the remainder of Devon, from the southern tip of the South Hams to North Devon and the borders with Cornwall and Dorset.

He said: ‘This could be worse for Torbay, but it’s a catastrophic carve-up for Devon. It will result in a rural rump for Devon.’

Mr Reed told him: ‘Financial viability was one of the key criteria, and we selected the most viable options in all cases.

‘Constituents (in Torbay) will benefit because of inward investment. People in Devon deserve more access to opportunity, and thanks to these proposals, that is what they will get.’

The new councils will not take on legal powers until April 2028 and elections to shadow authorities will take place in May 2027.