THE leader of Devon County Council is calling on the Government to abandon plans to reorganise councils across England, arguing that the money earmarked for the changes would be better spent tackling youth unemployment and protecting essential public services.

Councillor Julian Brazil said the estimated cost of implementing the Government’s Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) programme across 21 areas in England could exceed £1.5 billion — money he believes should instead be directed towards supporting young people into work and strengthening communities.

And the final cost could rise further if ministers approve more expensive structural options currently being considered in areas including East and West Sussex and Brighton & Hove.

Councillor Brazil described the proposed spending as an ‘avoidable burden’ on taxpayers at a time when councils are already under significant financial pressure.

Cllr Julian Brazil
Cllr Julian Brazil (Bradley Gerrard, LDRS)

He said: ‘This £1.5 billion-plus bill for Local Government Reorganisation is nothing more than a tax on local people.

‘At a time when families are struggling and councils are stretched financially, we should be investing every pound in frontline support — especially for our young people — not pouring it into an expensive structural shake-up that risks damaging services’.

The council said the funding could instead be used to address growing concerns around youth unemployment. Using the Government’s £3,000-per-person youth guarantee benchmark, Devon estimates that scrapping LGR could fund support for more than 480,000 young people across England.

In Devon, where the cost of reorganisation is expected to be at least £50 million, the council said the same funding could create around 16,000 jobs or support targeted initiatives including free transport for 17-year-olds, employment support for unemployed 18 to 24-year-olds, and new satellite college campuses in areas identified as having high numbers of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), including Ilfracombe, Tavistock and Honiton.

The council also suggested the money could fund the recruitment of 1,000 full-time youth mentors, providing more personalised support for young people seeking opportunities.

‘Helping a young person into real work is surely a far better use of taxpayers’ money,’ Councillor Brazil said.

‘We could transform lives, strengthen our economy and give hope to a generation, rather than spend it on bureaucracy that hits local services and people in the pocket’.

The comments come amid wider concerns about young people becoming disconnected from education and employment, following calls for urgent action in the recent Alan Milburn report.

Councillor Brazil has also previously raised concerns about the potential impact of council restructuring on children’s services, warning that changes could risk fragmenting support for vulnerable children and families.

Devon County Council is instead backing a model of stronger regional devolution, following proposals from Andy Burnham for greater local decision-making through mayoral combined authorities.

Councillor Brazil said Devon supported an approach focused on economic growth, skills and accountability.

‘We back Andy’s push for true regional devolution — one that empowers communities and drives growth, not one that hits local services and local people in the pocket,’ he said.

Devon has said it is ready to become the first new Mayoral Combined Authority under the proposed approach, with a focus on investment, jobs and opportunities.

The council’s call comes as legal challenges continue elsewhere, with Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk seeking judicial review of the Government’s plans following decisions on their future structures.