THE Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, has approved the cancellation of Exeter City Council elections which were due to take place in May.

In an announcement made today, Thursday, January 22, the government said some local authorities being streamlined to improve services and speed up decision-making will have their local elections postponed.

The government confirmed it will bring forward legislation to postpone elections for 29 councils that provided sufficient evidence on how postponement would release capacity to help deliver local government reorganisation.

The remaining 34 councils also going through reorganisation will hold local elections in May– meaning the majority of local elections will go ahead as planned.

It says this once-in-a-generation reform will end the outdated two-tier system and build stronger local councils equipped to drive economic growth, improve local public services, and empower their communities.

It adds that about one in three people in England currently live in an area covered by two local authorities, creating duplication and waste — two chief executives, two sets of councillors, two finance directors.

Streamlining councils will eliminate that confusion and duplication so more can be spent on the things the public want — caring for older people, fixing potholes, creating great places to live and work, it adds.

Going further, the government said the reform will cut the number of councillors by around 5,000 and eliminate highly-paid senior roles, freeing up cash for local priorities.

As a result, it adds, residents will receive better, more efficient public services, with critical services like housing, planning and roads brought under one roof to speed up decision-making in key areas like housebuilding.

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed said: “This is a once-in-a-generation reform that will transform local government for the better.

“Cutting through two-tier bureaucracy means faster decisions on housing, simpler access to services, and more money going to potholes, tackling crime and caring for older people instead of being lost to duplication. That’s what residents want and that’s what reorganisation will achieve.”

Where elections are postponed, existing councillors will have their terms extended.

Elections to the new unitary councils are expected to take place in May 2027, with the new councils expected to be up and running in April 2028.

The government said these decisions follow precedent. Between 2019 and 2022, the previous government postponed local council elections to protect local government reorganisation work.

The government added that postponement then, as now, is to enable focused work on implementing proposals.

OPPOSITION

Crediton County Councillor, Jim Cairney, said before the announcement: “Exeter’s decision to cancel its upcoming local elections has triggered strong political backlash, cross-party opposition, and widespread public frustration. Multiple councillors and community voices argue that the move is undemocratic, risks eroding trust, and denies residents their right to choose representation.”

He explained that the cancellation would affect 13 council seats, including eight held by Labour, and is estimated to save around a quarter of a million pounds.

Opposition councillors from Greens, Lib Dems, Conservatives, Independents, and Reform UK united against the cancellation, calling it undemocratic and an attempt to avoid electoral accountability.

Devon County Council unanimously opposed the cancellation, insisting the elections should proceed and offering additional staffing support to ensure they can be held. Teignbridge District Council also offered support.

A cross-party letter from five opposition groups has been sent to the Government, warning that postponing elections undermines democratic accountability and extends councillors’ terms without a renewed mandate.

Cllr Cairney added: “Exeter’s cancellation request has become a flashpoint in local politics, sparking rare cross-party unity against the decision and significant public frustration. The debate centres on whether administrative pressures justify postponing democratic processes—and many in Exeter and Devon argue they do not.”

Further comment is expected from local groups and individuals about the decision.