Having considered all relevant information—including the report, the Scrutiny recommendations, the Full Council debate, the alternative options, and the statutory, legal, financial and equalities implications—and being satisfied that the decision is reasonable, proportionate, and in the best interests of the Council, Cabinet agreed:

1.    The “Plymouth City Council’s Local Government Reorganisation Proposal for Devon” document as set out in Appendix A and approves its submission to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government;

Reason: To respond to the statutory invitation issued by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government to Plymouth City Council on 05 December 2024 and to comply with the requirement to submit final proposals by 28 November 2025;

2.    To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to make any final changes to the “Plymouth City Council’s Proposal for Local Government Reorganisation in Devon” before the deadline for submission;

Reason: To enable the Chief Executive to make any necessary final changes to the City Council’s proposal as necessary in order to meet the Government’s submission deadline of 28 November 2025;

3.    Subject to agreement by Exeter City Council at a meeting of their Executive (Cabinet) on 26 November 2025, this proposal and Exeter's proposal be submitted to the Government as a single proposal comprising a shared Executive Summary and the detailed rationale for the Plymouth and Exeter position as appendices;

Reason: To acknowledge that the Plymouth and Exeter proposals are in essence the same; to streamline the future consultation process; and to send a strong message to Government that the urban centres of Devon are united in their support of the Four Unitary Model.