Gary's views

BOUNDARIES AGAIN

It is 340 miles from Hull to Plymouth. I know because I drove it on Saturday and it feels like a very long way indeed. It was a great relief to see the road sign on the M5 welcoming me to Devon, a joy to get to the top of Halden hill (down hill all the way from there I always think) and a thrill to pass the Woodpecker pub (even though it looks such a mess) because that marks my constituency boundary.. Deep Lane junction 12 minutes later, relax, nearly home.

Boundaries are important to us for all sorts of reasons. On Monday we will learn where our future local government boundaries will lay in this county for the next generation. I hope the Boundary Committee will include at the end of their report these words: light blue touch paper and retire, because their recommendations are likely to be explosive.

There are three main options that affect us down here: Plymouth’s and Torbay’s boundaries staying the same and a single unitary council for the whole of the rest of Devon ( this is promoted by Devon County Council); a merger of South Hams and Teignbridge and West Devon into a South Devon Unitary with Plymouth’s boundaries staying more or less as now (this is the district council’s option); or thirdly, Plymouth’s boundaries (and Torbay’s) expanding dramatically to take in a chunk of South Hams and West Devon with the rest of the county being one unitary (as championed by Plymouth Council).

All options have strengths and weaknesses, but the third option would cause much anxiety in the rural parts of my constituency, understandably so. People would ask the question: what does a large city know about running a small Devon village? Would it speed up the rate at which our fields become houses? It would signal the start of major campaigns from many parish councils to be left alone.

So Monday is a big day. The recommendation will come from five unelected people and the final decision after several weeks of hectic consultation and representation will be made by the secretary of state for Communities and Local Government. Whatever happens, the status quo is about to be shattered. I protested with the good burghers of Underwood recently on the impending closure of their post office. I suspect my marching days are not yet done.

What do you think about the future shape of our county?