There's still a long way to go to fix council services. Council finances were left in the gutter by the previous Tory administration and are being starved by the national Labour government. Despite this, Lib Dems are leading the way and we're now back on the right track.
📚 Funding for our libraries from Devon County Council will also increase. Our consultation makes clear libraries foster valuable community and learning spaces. We want to ensure this is on as sustainable footing as possible.
👨👩👧👦 The budget for children and families sees the biggest increase, of £19 million (+7.7%). This will improve residential placements, workforce, and early targeted help.
🛣 Our budget increases investment in our roads - £15 million extra on potholes this year with £10m extra every following year. Plus, an additional £4 million on gullies, drainage, verges, and preventative works.
Lib Dem-led Devon County Council balanced budget approved unanimously. -More investment in our roads -More funding for children and SEND -More investment in our libraries
Despite huge funding pressures caused by national govt, Lib Dem-led #Devon County Council has managed to deliver a balanced budget that increases funding for services residents value the most.
Our budget has been approved by Devon CC unanimously, with 52 votes for, 2 abstentions, 0 against.
Full council also agreed additional funding of £225,000 to restore the book fund to £500,000 and an extra £425,000 to support general library delivery during transition. Together, these total £650,000, and reverses the proposed efficiency saving within the original libraries budget resulting in a libraries budget of more than £7 million. In addition, a £1 million reserve for Libraries and Rural Hubs will be established to support genuine transformation and community led improvement.
This constitutes an above inflationary rise considering the new £1m reserve to support the transformation of libraries and rural hubs.
To Liberal Democrats, consultations are not just tick-box exercises. They are opportunities to listen, understand the strength of what people value, and agree more sustainable ways of working.
Funding for our libraries from Devon County Council will INCREASE following our budget yesterday.
This is thanks to our team's hard work and commitment to libraries.
It's clear libraries are valuable community and learning spaces - we want to ensure they're on as sustainable a footing as possible.
Every other party and the Electoral Commission have condemned the move. Plus, Devon CC and Teignbridge DC are offering capacity.
There's a judicial review that will be heard and Lib Dems have tabled an amendment to prevent the cancellation of elections without full Parliamentary scrutiny & a vote.
CONFIRMED: Labour CANCEL democracy this May. Cllr Kevin Mitchell said: "This is a sad day for democracy. I strongly always recognised that the electors are in charge not politicians."
The Labour Minister has cancelled Exeter's elections this May after request by the Exeter Labour leader.
Clearly, Labour are running scared of the public after failing to win any seats in last year's DevonCC elections.
Sign the petition to have your say this May: exeterlibdems.org.uk/letexetervote
Labour-run Exeter City Council's Report Card. X £10m+ lost on their failed housing company and £50m+ wasted on their city centre vanity projects. X Littered streets, worst recycling rate in the South West, locals priced out of the city. X Cancelled elections so they can hide from the public.
Labour are out of ideas for Exeter. They know their time in office is up. So they're running scared of the electorate.
Don't let Labour take away your right to vote sign the petition here: exeterlibdems.org.uk/LetExeterVote
Sign the petition on Exeter City Council's website: committees.exeter.gov.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?ID=63&RPID=84052010&HPID=84052010
and the national Lib Dem petition: libdems.org.uk/endthestitchup
We will have our say! 📣
(5/5)
"There is a clear conflict of interest in asking existing Councils to decide how long it will be before they are answerable to voters." - The Electoral Commission. (4/5)
electoralcommission.org.uk/media-centre/electoral-commission-responds-potential-election-postponements
This Tuesday 13th January, the leader of Labour-run Exeter City Council will 'hear' from all city councillors ahead of requesting whether or not to cancel democracy this May. (3/5)
“To me, they’re doing it the wrong way around. They should be delaying local government reorganisation and not cancelling elections.” - Lib Dem leader of Devon County Council, Julian Brazil. (2/5)
All groups on Devon County Council have united to oppose cancelling Exeter's elections this May. (1/5)
devon.gov.uk/news/devon-county-councillors-speak-with-one-voice-in-opposition-to-any-cancellation-of-elections/%3famp=1
Electoral Commission hit out at Labour postponing democracy:
"Extending existing mandates risks affecting the legitimacy of local decision making and damaging public confidence.
There's a clear conflict of interest in asking existing Councils to decide how long before they're answerable to voters."
In July 2025, we asked confirmation from Exeter Labour they wouldn't cancel the 2026 local elections. They said they wouldn't.
Now the Labour Govt has scandalously decided to invite 60 councils (including Exeter) to cancel their elections this May, we hope Exeter Labour won't go back on their word.
Letter from Alison McGovern MP (Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness) to 60 council leaders inviting them to cancel the 7th May 2026 local elections:
drive.google.com/file/d/1CbBU...
Scandalous. 60 councils including Exeter invited to cancel 2026 elections.
After winning 0 seats on Devon CC last May, Labour are attempting to cancel democracy this May.
It would inflict further damage to Exeter Labour's credibility if they choose to cower from public by denying our right to vote
Fantastic result in Seaton, which makes it 13/13 wins for Lib Dems in Devon by-elections since last May's local elections!
Congratulations and well done to Steve and team and everyone who helped ensure Seaton is well represented.
Also pleased Ed enjoys a proper scone!
Smashing result!
Congratulations Cllr Kevin Smith. Down to earth, very nice, and in tune with the issues in his local area - the ideal choice!
Also good to catch up with peeps
We're continuing to turn the tide in Devon 🔶
Three wards in #ExmouthandExeterEast have services provided by Exeter City Council.
Well done to the Progressive Group @exeterlibdems.bsky.social & @exetergreens.bsky.social for their collective action last night.
Swimming pool closure plans will be scrutinised.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
"The case for electoral reform is stronger than it's ever been... We need system change."
@libdems.org.uk leader @eddavey.libdems.org.uk on Sky News today 👇
A phenomenal turnaround. All the better for tackling the top priorities we identified from local residents: fixing potholes, sorting out SEND, and addressing the Tories' financial mess, all with the approach of working in partnership with local communities and relevant authorities.
3/3
Map of Devon County results 2021 and 2025 by ElectionMapsUK
This will be vitally important in getting Exeter's voice heard in the local government reorganisation happening over the next few years.
Across Devon, we had been 30 seats behind the Tories (out of 60 cllrs total). Now, it's looking like we'll lead the council.
2/3
ELECTED Cllr Michael Mitchell for Duryard & Pennsylvania
Congratulations to Cllr Michael Mitchell, the new County Councillor for Duryard & Pennnsylvania!
Big thank you to all helpers and supporters.
The first Lib Dem County Councillor elected from the Exeter area for 16 years!
1/3
Your front page graphic on the local election results (1 May, print edition) omits the party that finished second but includes those that finished third and fourth. You wouldn't publish a Premier League table and omit Arsenal, so why leave out the Liberal Democrats? Yours sincerely, Mark Pack
A letter to The Guardian.
"If you're worried about the rise of divisive populist politicians like Donald Trump and like Nigel Farage, it will be the Liberal Democrats standing up for true British values."
@eddavey.libdems.org.uk
