Row as city postpones elections

PEOPLE in Exeter will not have the chance to vote for new councillors this year, after the Labour leadership of Exeter City Council decided to ask the Government to call off the polls.

- GUY HENDERSON Local Democracy Reporter

The administration says it will save more than a quarter of a million pounds by putting off the elections for 13 council seats which were due to take place in May. The move will also free up council staff to prepare for the forthcoming local government reorganisation.

Opponents say the decision is undemocratic, and Labour are just using a 'get out of jail free' card to avoid defeat in May.

Council leader Cllr Phil Bialyk (Labour, Exwick) will write to the Government minister in charge of the massive nationwide council shakeup to request permission to call off the May polls. The minister is unlikely to say no.

The city council will cease to exist in its current form in 2028 as reorganisation is brought in.

The decision came after a heated three-hour session of the city council, and Cllr Bialyk quoted the words of the song My Way as he said there were 'exceptional circumstances' which meant the elections should be called off.