Exeter City Council’s request for its 2026 local elections to be called off has been officially received by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
The controversial decision by the city’s Labour administration has led to accusations that it flies in the face of local democracy.
The administration says the money spent on the scheduled May elections – more than a quarter of a million pounds – would be better spent preparing for the local government reorganisation which will take place over the next three years.
It also says all available manpower will be needed to prepare for the shake-up, rather than running elections which should have taken place in 13 of the city’s 39 council wards.
Opposition councillors have appealed to the minister to intervene and allow the elections to go ahead, while neighbouring authorities including Teignbridge District Council and Devon County Council have offered their help with the organisation.
A spokesperson for the Ministry confirmed that all views were now being considered before a final decision was made on whether to postpone the 2026 elections.
Four councils – Oxford, Norfolk, Southampton and Essex – have been asked to clarify their positions because they have not made it clear if they want their elections to go ahead or not.
The spokesperson went on: “The Secretary of State is only minded to make an order to postpone elections for one year for those councils who raise capacity concerns. We will listen to councils.
“He is clear that should a council say they have no reason for postponement, then we will listen. But if a council voices genuine concerns about capacity, then we will take these concerns seriously.”
“If the Secretary of State decides to postpone elections, legislation will be brought forward as soon as we can.”
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