Democracy & Governance

Stories about Democracy & Governance

2023 Exeter local elections guide graphic showing current council seat distribution

2023 Exeter local elections guide

City council elections take place on Thursday 4 May. Our essential guide highlights who’s standing where, wards to watch and what the results might be. It also covers the wider context, voter ID and the impact of First Past the Post in Exeter elections.

Harry Johnson-Hill Exeter Duryard & St James and Winchester Alresford & Itchen Valley candidate local elections campaign leaflets

Exeter local elections candidate is also standing in Winchester

University of Exeter student Harry Johnson-Hill hopes to represent voters both in Duryard & St James and at home in Alresford & Itchen Valley, 100 miles away.

Exeter City Council 2022-23 councillors public meetings attendance bar chart

Alphington worst represented ward as councillor attendance at public meetings varies widely across city

Consistent commitment to participation in democratic decision-making by some councillors in contrast with poor attendance rates of others.

Exeter City Council governance review postponed for seventh time

A major review of Exeter City Council governance, which has already been postponed six times and was not expected to address the issues it raises until July, making it nine months late, has now disappeared from the council’s forward plan altogether.

Clouds gather over County Hall

Devon County Council admits “serious, material, well-evidenced” governance failures

Deficient SEND and children’s services combine with threat of section 114 bankruptcy notice to prompt “root and branch” review aimed at restoring “external confidence in the council’s democratic legitimacy”.

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Labour canvassers leave voter details on garden wall

Dozens of postal voting forms completed with the names and addresses of Exeter voters have been left on a garden wall by local Labour election canvassers.

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