Democracy & Governance
2024 Exeter local elections guide
City council elections take place on Thursday 2 May. Our comprehensive guide covers who’s standing where, wards to watch and the backdrop to this year’s ballot, which promises to be the most unpredictable contest in years.
Council raids community fund for £6 million to pay for eight year-old food waste collection promise
Emergency decision to finance materials reclamation facility investment taken less than a week before 2024 local elections campaign officially began.
County council to impose new local government tier despite majority opposition to devolution deal
Emptiness of claims that new combined authority will be accountable reflected in failure to respect consultation results as all eight Devon district councils decry prospective democratic deficit.
When, where and how to vote in the 2024 Exeter local elections
Our guide to casting your ballot in person, by post and by proxy as well as voter ID requirements and new regulations for postal votes.
Auditor broadens inquiry to include Exeter City Futures and ex-CEO secondment to liquidated company
More “significant weaknesses” found in city council governance and financial and performance management arrangements while St Sidwell’s Point valued at £7 million less than build cost and £370,000 ex-CEO final year pay and benefits confirmed.
Devon devolution deal to create unaccountable local government layer for paltry £16 million payoff
Democratic deficit to increase as city and district councils lose control over housing and prosperity funding and transport policy powers moved out of reach, while county council plans to approve deal irrespective of public consultation outcome.