Exeter council leader responds to Government request on delaying local elections

Exeter City Council’s leader has set out his response to the Government on whether local elections in the city should be postponed, following a ministerial request for councils’ views amid plans for local government reorganisation in Devon.

Councillor Phil Bialyk confirmed on 14 January 2026 that he will ask ministers to consider delaying the May local elections, arguing that a postponement would allow the council to focus its resources on preparing for the transition to a new unitary authority.

The request follows an invitation from Alison McGovern MP, Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness, who asked councils to consider whether postponing elections would “release essential capacity to deliver local government reorganisation”.

Under Government plans, district councils across Devon, including Exeter City Council, are expected to be replaced by new unitary authorities. 

A public consultation on the future structure of local government in Devon is due to begin next month, following competing proposals submitted by councils.

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Councillor Bialyk said the scale of the work involved in reorganisation meant councils needed to focus on preparation and continuity of services.

“I need to make sure we’ve got the right resources, because the big prize here for all of us here in Exeter and the surrounding areas is a unitary council,” he said. 

“There’s a lot of organisational work to do, you just don’t do this overnight.”

The council leader said he would reflect the views of councillors following a lengthy debate at Exeter City Council on whether postponing the elections would help ensure the transition is delivered effectively.

Addressing concerns about democratic accountability, Cllr Bialyk said the postponement would not amount to suspending democracy.

“When it comes to questions about democracy and any deficit, we are not suspending democracy, that is not what is happening here,” he said. 

“In 2027, we will all go to the polls to elect a shadow authority for Exeter and hopefully the surrounding areas.”

He added that his responsibility was to ensure a smooth handover to any new authority.

“My responsibility is to make sure that this council hands over to any new authority its responsibilities, to make sure our services are in good order.” 

“That is what I’m charged to do. I believe that is what residents across the city really want me to do.”

Councillor Bialyk also pointed out that similar arrangements have been made elsewhere in the country during previous reorganisations, including in Exeter.

“I will reflect the views of the concerns about suspending democracy, but of course it was explained there is the 2000 Act, section 87.” 

“This has happened before across the country — it happened here in Exeter in 2010,” he said.

He said residents would continue to be represented by councillors during the transition period and that the council would remain accountable.

“There still will be councillors representing them to talk to people about those day-to-day issues,” he said. 

“When it comes to legitimacy and whether I have legitimacy, my personal term is to 2028, I have a personal mandate.”

He added that even if councillors whose terms would be extended were discounted, the current political balance would remain unchanged.

“We are accountable, we will continue to be accountable, we continue to listen to people on those services that we need to deliver,” he said. 

“We need to continue to deliver services in Exeter before we hand over to a new unitary authority, which I think will be an exciting time for Exeter.”

Councillor Bialyk said the reorganisation offered an opportunity to plan for the city’s long-term future.

“We can start looking at the next 40 to 50 years on how Exeter will continue to thrive in the way we have been,” he said, while stressing that significant work remains before that point is reached.

A final decision on whether the local elections will be postponed rests with the Government, following submissions from councils across Devon.