GEOFFREY Cox, MP for West Devon and Torridge, has urged the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Ruth Kelly, to think again about fast tracking Exeter City Council?s bid to become a unitary authority, after a High Court judgement threw similar plans in Shropshire into chaos. Exeter City Council announced earlier this year its plans to become a unitary authority under new Government proposals in its Local Government White Paper. If it succeeds, Exeter will operate its own services and administration, and leave Devon County Council to pay for vital services such as schools and roads. Exeter?s proposals have been widely condemned by rural Devon MPs, including Mr Cox, who do not believe it to be financially viable, and who fear it would weaken both Exeter and the county?s ability to commission services for complex care and other needs. However a High Court judge has granted a Judicial Review application to three boroughs in Shropshire who had challenged Shropshire County Council?s unitary application. Mr Justice King agreed Ruth Kelly had no power to begin the process of local government reorganisation until the Bill has passed Parliament. Mr Cox said: ?I urge the Secretary of State to reassess her support for fast tracking the unitary status application of Exeter. Not only is there widespread opposition from borough and district councils throughout Devon, it is now clear there are serious doubts about its legality. If the unitary bid is successful, rural areas such as Torridge and West Devon will be at a grave disadvantage. Ruth Kelly should take a step back and wait to see the result of the judicial review, and account for the profound concerns of our district councils, instead of railroading through this expensive and inappropriate bid.?