Democracy & Governance

Democracy & Governance

English Devolution White Paper cover

South West peninsula devolution in disarray as Devon, Exeter, Plymouth, Torbay & Cornwall seek conflicting goals and seven Devon districts left out in cold

Contempt for local democracy laid bare by unlawful County Hall failure to publish plan to postpone local elections while Westminster looks set to back local Labour bids for disproportionate influence in regional governance reorganisation.

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Bar chart of Devon County Council cumulative SEND deficit 2019-20 to 2031-32 at March 2024 with 2024-25 £14.7 million month eight excess overspend added

Devon County Council “safety valve” deal target breach rises by 40% to £20.4m as SEND overspend reaches £51.6m

Cumulative SEND deficit now expected to peak at £227m while deal targets set to be missed every year to 2032, risking County Hall bankruptcy if government withdraws support.

Devon County Council 2025-26 budget press release image

Devon County Council 2025-26 budget to bring more service delivery cuts

£22 million cuts concealed by £60 million costs increases as council misrepresents financial position and fails to answer questions about where cuts will fall.

Exeter City Council consultation charter

Multiple-choice survey on £3.5m budget cuts follows auditor criticism of council public consultation methods

Move to replace resident views on key decisions and policies with opinion polls and selective questionnaires follows serial failure to uphold own consultation charter.

Devon MPs voting record assisted dying bill second reading map

How did Devon MPs vote on the assisted dying bill second reading?

Ten of Devon’s thirteen MPs voted in favour of a private member’s bill to legalise assisted dying in the House of Commons on Friday as the bill reached its crucial second reading stage.

Devon County Council Cabinet meeting on 13 November 2024

2024-25 SEND overspend rises to £45.8m as government “safety valve” deal target breach doubles to £14.7m in two months

County council breaches Local Government Act by failing to publish budget documents in time for scrutiny and cabinet meetings and councillors complain about missing financial information and being “kept in the dark” about SEND delivery.

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