Democratic Deficit

Democratic Deficit

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.

City council again breaches local government transparency legislation

Exeter City Council has again breached local government transparency legislation by failing to give required notice of its intention to hold an Executive committee meeting in private.

City councillors low attendance at training sessions

Exeter City Council figures show low levels of attendance at councillor training sessions – fewer than half attended a local plan briefing and only a quarter turned up for a communications session – but near 100% participation in junkets at parks and waterways.

Church Road traffic congestions

Alphington “enhancements” will not mitigate traffic impact from massive South West Exeter extension

County council manipulates public consultation and allocates just 1% of £55 million grant to pedestrian scheme while spending 75% on new roads and increased road capacity for 3,500 new cars expected on greenfield housing estate.

Exeter City Council 2022 annual meeting 17 May 2022

Labour councillors appointed to all thirteen city council committee chairs at annual meeting

Council leader falsely claims “overwhelming majority” voted Labour in Exeter local elections while circumvention of council decision-making scrutiny continues.

Exeter Labour manifesto for Exeter City Council 2022 elections - front cover

Do Exeter Labour election campaign claims stand up to scrutiny? Part I: Exeter’s housing crisis

The first instalment in our 2022 local elections coverage examines Exeter Labour claims related to the housing crisis overtaking the city.

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