A bitter war of words has broken out, as has the prospect of legal action and a parliamentary battle, following the government's decision last week to create a unitary authority for Exeter.Devon County Council is to ask the courts to review the move, claiming the government failed to follow its own guidelines for determining whether or not the idea had financial credibility.Devon has said council tax in Exeter and the rest of Devon could rise by as much as £200 after independence.

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