Exeter urged to follow Plymouth in holding May local elections
Pressure grows for Exeter City Council to reject delays
Pressure is mounting on Exeter City Council to hold its May elections as planned after a Government decision to offer councils the opportunity to postpone polls.
Devon County Council’s leader Julian Brazil has described the proposed delays impacting up to 64 councils as ‘deeply dangerous’.
Plymouth City Council announced that it would not request a postponement, sparking further calls for Exeter to follow suit.
“Councillors are elected to office for a specific term and should not seek to extend that without a mandate,” Julian Brazil said.
“Plymouth councillors have done the right thing. In this context it would be a disgrace if Exeter residents were deprived of the chance to choose who represents them in the Civic Centre.
“This ramps up pressure on Exeter but the city council could easily make a firm and positive decision on this matter before Christmas so Devon residents’ faith in local democracy is maintained.
“If the Government is worried about councils being able to deliver services it should fund us properly and postpone a reorganisation project which is costing millions of pounds and stretching both local authorities and civil servants.”
The Government’s offer comes amid local government reorganisation plans, which Devon County Council’s leadership say is creating uncertainty and financial strain.
Deputy Leader of Devon County Council, Paul Arnott, added to calls for Exeter’s decision, saying that Plymouth’s stance should act as a wake-up call.
“This latest move to offer councillors the chance to stay in power longer than they were elected for comes in the context of increasing uncertainty about democracy across Devon,” Paul Arnott said.
“Plymouth has done the right thing. Exeter needs to do the same.”
A special meeting convened by Devon County Council is planned for 9th January to allow members to debate and respond to an official letter on the subject. The deadline for local authorities to request election delays is set for 15th January.