Democracy & Governance

Democracy & Governance

Exeter City Council in session at Exeter Guildhall

Exeter City Council’s approach to decision-making is damaging local democracy

Separation of powers and transparency provisions intended to safeguard public interest being subverted while council defies auditor over loss-making company.

Devon County Council headquarters at County Hall

Underperforming county council children’s services to receive nearly half of proposed spending increases

Details of simultaneous £50 million 2023-24 spending reductions not yet published as finance director cites service delivery ‘re-prioritisation’.

Exeter Development Fund workshop presentation October 2021

Exeter City Futures falsely claims development fund documents disclosed under FOI legislation

Senior council director puts company on collision course with Information Commissioner’s Office as significant governance failings emerge after councillors and public kept in dark over Liveable Exeter financing scheme proposals.

Exeter City Council 2020-21 external audit report cover

Exeter City Living put council at “significant financial risk” after £2.2 million loss in first two years

Missing business plan, lack of transparency and conflicts of interest among senior council directors prompt board resignations and governance review at council-owned and funded company.

Exeter borough and Exeter East & Exmouth county constituency boundary changes final proposals combined map

Pinhoe, St Loye’s and Topsham all in new Exeter East & Exmouth constituency under revised changes

Final boundary commission consultation follows city council proposal to move marginal Pinhoe to safe Conservative seat and keep Priory Labour stronghold in city.

https://unsplash.com/photos/-QmNbzMrj1M

Race in pole position

Exeter Labour looks set to pick Steve Race as the party’s parliamentary candidate at the next general election after retiring incumbent Ben Bradshaw anointed his former assistant as his heir apparent in what has been a fairly safe Labour seat since the 1997 landslide.

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