Elections will take place for all 60 seats on Devon County Council on Thursday, May 6, with voters going to the polls to elect their representatives for the next four years.

AS postal votes become available, here are the manifestos of the main political parties.

In next week’s Mid-Devon Advertiser we will print personal statements from candidates.

The entirety of the 60-strong council will be up for re-election, with 56 ‘single-member’ Electoral Divisions and two, ‘two-member’ Divisions’.

The current composition of the council consists of 41 Conservatives, seven Labour, six Liberal Democrats, three Independents, one Green Party, one East Devon Alliance and one North Devon Liberal.

All elected councillors will serve their usual four year term upon their election.

The Conservatives and Labour are the only parties who are fielding the maximum of 60 candidates, with the Liberal Democrats fielding 55.

The Green Party are fielding 45 candidates, with one from UKIP, five from Reform UK, and 20 from the Freedom Alliance, who are standing on a platform of ‘no lockdowns, no curfews’.

The East Devon Alliance have three candidates, the Trade Unionist and Social Coalition have six, while there are 28 Independent candidates.

Elections for the position of Police and Crime Commissioner also take place next Thursday, when all voters can decide. Four candidates are standing: Gareth Derrick (Labour), Brian Blake (Liberal Democrat), Stuart Jackson (Green Party), and the current commissioner Alison Hernandez (Conservative).

CONSERVATIVE PARTY MANIFESTO

The Conservative Party have launched their six point plan for a ‘better Devon’ as they aim to keep control of the county council after May’s local elections.

They have been in power at County Hall for the last 12 years, and currently hold 41 of the 60 seats on the council, and will be fielding candidates in all of the wards across Devon.

In their bid to extend their reign, they have launched their manifesto with a six point plan that focuses on improving the economy, climate change, supporting tourism, road improvements, supporting the elderly and the vulnerable, and maintaining vital services, and they say that over the past 12 years, they have delivered their pledges to the people of Devon.

Cllr John Hart, leader of Devon County Council and the Conservative Group, said: “The Conservatives have delivered on the pledges that were made four years ago. Our commitment for the next four years is to keep Devon resilient after Covid-19, regenerate our economy and help businesses and families recover from the damage that this pandemic has done.”

The manifesto adds: “We promised to spend your money effectively and efficiently and we have reduced staff numbers substantially and cut out tiers of management whilst making services for the old, the young and the vulnerable our top priorities. In the wake of the pandemic, it is even more vital to create the right climate for job creation and boost the economy.

“More than £4 million has been invested in a training centre for hightech skills at Exeter Airport. The North Devon Enterprise Centre is now complete and 15 workhubs have been opened across the county with seven more on the way.

“There has been real improvement to Devon’s vital road arteries – the South Devon Highway is complete and work has begun on major improvements to the North Devon Link Road. In addition, a multi-million pound programme to install fast Broadband is under way to halt the digital divide between rural and urban communities in Devon.

“In the last four years the gap in funding between Devon’s schools and the national average has narrowed but the fight must continue to ensure complete equality for our children.”

It continues: “The Conservatives have achieved for Resilience, Regeneration and Recovery for Devon and the Conservatives have delivered on the pledges that were made four years ago.

“Our commitment for the next four years is to keep Devon resilient after Covid-19, regenerate our economy and help businesses and families recover from the damage that this pandemic has done.

“We have invested over £1.3 billion in capital projects Invested in skills and training, e.g. Flybe Academy, created Team Devon, working with the Districts, Towns, Parish and Voluntary sector to support the residents of Devon over this pandemic, organised food Vouchers for the 15,000 young people eligible for free school meals over Christmas and the Easter holidays, and have already reduced the carbon footprint of Devon County Council by 50 per cent with more investment planned for the next four years.”

Their six point plan for a ‘better Devon’ says:

Improving and protecting the Devon economy – We’re doing all we can to protect and improve the Devon economy so we can thrive and prosper after Covid-19. We’ve invested over £4m in buying the old Flybe training academy and working with Exeter College to provide hi-tech training for anyone who wants to re-skill

Major road improvements are boosting the economy – projects including the North Devon Link Road and the South Devon Highway are boosting our economy and helping residents and businesses. We continue to campaign for improved rail services on the Waterloo line and look forward to the re-opening of the Okehampton-Exeter passenger line

Taking the lead on climate change – We’ve cut our carbon footprint by almost half and we’ve pledged to become net zero carbon by 2030, and we’re working with Devon residents as well as public and private and voluntary organisations to set out how we can become carbon neutral

Supporting the elderly and the vulnerable – We will support the old, the young, and the vulnerable, as we have done during the pandemic, with the support of our district, town, and parish councils and voluntary sector partners

Supporting tourism, local producers and hospitality – We’ve launched a major ‘Made in Devon’ campaign to support and promote county businesses to local people and visitors alike. This is already supporting food producers and agriculture and will back tourism and hospitality as restrictions are lifted

Maintaining vital services through efficient management – We have substantially reduced staff numbers and cut tiers of management. We’ve maintained vital services to the old, the young and the vulnerable. We’ve kept our libraries open and taken back responsibility for school nurses.

LABOUR PARTY MANIFESTO

Devon’s Labour group have launched their six step plan for a fairer future for Devon if they were to take control of the county council in May’s local elections.

With seven councillors, they are the official opposition to the Conservatives, and alongside, they are the only Party to be fielding candidates in all 60 seats.

In the manifesto, Labour say they will promote enterprise, tackle the climate emergency, improve health and social care, promote better public health, support education, and establish county wide fast broadband connection accessible to all.

Cllr Rob Hannaford, Leader of the County Council Labour Group Opposition adds “For only the second time in the history of Devon County Council the Labour Party is contesting all sixty divisions.”

“So there is a clear choice for voters as only we and the Tories are fielding people everywhere, and competing for every vote and every seat. The Liberal Democrats and Greens have fallen well short this time in finding enough candidates.”

“This means that in every hamlet, village, town and city across Devon people will have the opportunity to vote for our progressive, ambitious and caring county Labour vision for a better future.

“Our Labour Party candidates in this election offer a huge breath of experience, enthusiasm and diversity. Including business people, trade unionists, farmers, self-employed entrepreneurs, and indeed workers from all sectors.

“Many are already serving their local communities as school governors, community volunteers, and Parish and District Councillors. I am especially proud that we have so many young people, women and BAME people that represent the inclusive dynamic future of our county. ”

The manifesto says that during the next four years, Devon Labour will:

Promote enterprise through investment, innovation, improving people’s skills, sustainable jobs and give priority to opportunities for young people and small businesses including cooperatives and other innovative models

Tackle the climate and ecological emergencyby promoting environmentally sustainable practices and reducing carbon emissions towards a target of net zero by 2030

Improve Devon’s health and social care servicesby making sure people in Devon receive good quality integrated services at hospital and at home that address the long-term effects of Covid19

Promote better Public Health solutions and funding to address health and wellbeing including mental health.

Support nurseries, schools, colleges and universitiesso that all young people thrive, catch up on lost education as a result of Covid-19 and reach their full potential

Establish county wide fast broadband connectionaccessible to all

It adds: “Devon faces enormous challenges in the wake of the pandemic and a decade of cuts inflicted by Tory austerity. Devon must now be sufficiently resourced to deal with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on both our economy and on the health and well-being of our residents.

“Decisive leadership and action are essential to create a new post-Brexit economy and we support the growing awareness across our population and beyond, that action to deal with climate change is one of the most urgent issues we face as a society.

“The County Labour Group recognises that residents within Devon face many issues around employment, transport, education and health. Whilst the impact felt in each of these areas may vary from community to community, we will seek and strive to represent all those affected by these challenges and be their voice at County Hall.

“Wide ranging engagement, a belief in the power of collective endeavour and the innovations we can create together is fundamental to our outlook as Devon Labour. As such, we are always on the lookout for ideas to address the challenges facing communities of both coast and country.

“If you have any thoughts on our focus, any suggestions for new policy, or any ideas for new and exciting campaigns, we invite you therefore to get in touch. To further these aims we will actively seek to promote debate, produce sound policy, organise campaigns and enact real change.”

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT MANIFESTO

Devon Liberal Democrats have identified the six key areas to get Devon back on its feet following the Covid-19 pandemic if they were to come to power at County Hall.

The Party say they will fix potholes, back jobs, bring care services under control, listen to locals, invest in children, and create green jobs if they take control of Devon County Council after May’s local elections.

They are fielding 55 candidates in the elections out of the 60 available seats as they aim to increase their presence of the council from the existing six councillors.

Cllr Alan Connett, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Devon County Council, said: “I am delighted that the Liberal Democrats are fielding such a strong group of candidates for the local elections across Devon.

“Devon has been let down by years of Conservative inaction at County Hall, leaving our children’s service branded as ‘inadequate’ by OFSTED and our roads unfixed.

“Voting Lib Dem on 6th May means that local communities will get their voice heard. No more ‘County Hall knows best’.”

The six priorities that they will focus on to get Devon back on its feet are:

Fix the potholes, unblock the drains, bring back regular maintenance.

Back jobs with a ‘Made in Devon’ campaign promoting buying from local businesses, traders and craftspeople.

Bring care services back under council control and open new council-run care homes.

Listen to local residents and communities. No more ‘County Hall knows best’.

Launch ‘Green Devon’ – create green jobs, invest in making Devon carbon neutral and protect our beautiful environment.

Invest in our children – fix our failing Children’s Services, support young people’s mental health services and campaign for fair funding for Devon’s schools.

Fix the potholes

Lib Dems are pledging to fix the roads with a straightforward three step plan: fix the potholes, unblock drains, bring back regular road maintenance and there will be an extra £3.4 million will be invested this year to boost road repairs by the Liberal Democrats if they take control of County Hall next month.

Cllr Connett said: “The money was pledged for highway drainage works over the past 10 years and simply has not been spent. We are all living with the consequences, potholes, blocked drains, lack of regular maintenance”.

Made in Devon

Liberal Democrats will back jobs with a ‘Made in Devon’ campaign promoting buying from local businesses, traders and craftspeople. Devon’s council owned farms will also be protected under the Liberal Democrats, who say they will keep the 65 farms and not sell them off, as other councils have done elsewhere in the country.

Cllr Connett said: “At a time when we need to support our economy and agricultural sector, we see the farms as a vital part of the county council and a way of helping farmers to progress in the business. We will keep the farms,”

Invest in our children

Inadequate is the judgement on Children’s Services across Devon from independent inspectors, who said: “Until this inspection, senior leaders did not know about the extent of the failures to protect some of the most vulnerable children and young people from harm. They were unaware that a very small minority of their care leavers were or had been living in tents on the streets. These are not isolated incidents.”

“Some children who have suffered chronic neglect and emotional abuse are being left with their families for too long because social workers and their managers lack clarity about when to turn concerns into legal action. Social workers are not gathering evidence of neglect systematically.”

Cllr Connett said: “Back in 2013, Devon County Council was told its services for vulnerable children were Inadequate and did not meet the minimum requirements. Eight long years later and still County Hall has failed to make the improvements needed.”

“Children deserve better and the buck stops at County Hall. They have no-one to look to but themselves. Other councils have hit the bottom and been able to improve, but Devon limps from one inadequate judgment to another.”

“Our plan is an immediate review of Children’s Services, identify the problems, ensure named people are responsible for leading the improvement and report regularly on what is being done. We shouldn’t be embarrassed about learning from what other councils have done and getting in experts to help us get this right.”

GREEN PARTY MANIFESTO

The Green Party has pledged that every elected councillor will work to ensure local councils put the Climate Emergency and fairness at the forefront of efforts to rebuild the economy following the Covid-19 pandemic.

They have launched their campaign for the local elections and as the country emerges from the Covid-19 lockdown, the Party say they will fight the City and County Council elections under a banner of ‘Make Normal Better,’ pledging to back policies that ‘create a more just society, a cleaner environment and a fairer economy in Exeter and Devon’.

The Green Party say elected Green councillors will prioritise real action to ensure Exeter meets its pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030, support the creation of local jobs in social enterprises and small businesses which help with the COVID recovery, and push for communities to have a better say in future development.

Their manifesto says: “During the pandemic we have seen communities provide extraordinary help for one another. We truly valued our essential workers – in health, social care, education, our shops and of course, our local councils.

“The lockdowns have also given a glimpse of how our neighbourhoods could be better, with

cleaner air, safer streets for walking and cycling and the sound of bird song. And the carbon

emissions that are causing instability to our climate also dropped by a record amount in

2020.

“With the mass roll out of the vaccination programme, there is hope – and the expectation

that in 2021 life will ‘return to normal.’ This offers a chance to make normal better –

developing connected solutions that create a more just society, a cleaner environment and a

fairer economy in Exeter and Devon.”

Cllr Diana Moore, existing Green Party councillor for St David’s ward on Exeter City Council, said: Greens want to ensure that the Climate Emergency and fairness are at the forefront of efforts to rebuild the economy after the coronavirus pandemic. Green councillors will work hard for a greener and better future for everybody.

“This means affordable low carbon homes to rent. It means supporting the creation of local jobs in small businesses and social enterprises while helping the city meet its climate goals. And it means ensuring low carbon, active and healthy travel options – especially walking, cycling and public transport – are safe, convenient and affordable. As a sense of normality returns to our lives, now is the time to Make Normal Better.”

Greens have been working collaboratively cross-party in both Exeter City and Devon County councils, and in Exeter, on the City Council, Greens are part of the Progressive Group and have an agreement with the Lib Dems to each stand candidates uncontested in six wards in the city.

Specific proposals from the Greens include new zero carbon housing with low running costs and affordable to rent; a permanent modern market in the city centre focussing on promoting local affordable food; and cleaning up the city’s air by making walking, cycling and public transport safe, convenient and affordable options.

The manifesto adds: “Real action is needed to ensure Exeter meets its pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030 – including a citywide carbon reduction budget to show progress, engagement with communities on the steps we will all need to take and the creation of a locally owned fund to provide the investment needed to tackle the Climate Emergency.

“We support the creation of local jobs which contribute to the recovery from COVID and help the city meet its climate goals – especially those in the social enterprise and small business sectors.”

THE TRADE UNIONIST AND SOCIALIST COALITION MANIFESTO

The Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC) was set-up in 2010, co-founded by the late Bob Crow, with the primary goal of enabling trade unionists, socialists, and working class social movement and community campaigners to stand candidates against pro-austerity establishment politicians. TUSC is supported by the Socialist Party, the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) and Resist.

Covid has revealed the drastic situation our local public services are in, with councils massively underfunded by central government. This underfunding of councils has been ongoing for the last eleven years through austerity, cuts and privatisation. The results of this have been laid bare by the dire situation millions of us find ourselves in as the social, economic and health effects of the Covid-19 pandemic hit our workplaces, schools, services and communities.

TUSC has a policy platform which could make a real difference:

Oppose all cuts and closures to council services, jobs, pay and conditions.

Reject the claim that ‘some cuts’ are necessary to our services or that the Covid crisis is a reason for austerity.

Support all workers’ struggles against government policies making ordinary people pay for the crisis.

Oppose racism, fascism and discrimination. Defend our liberties and make police and security democratically accountable.

Reject above inflation rises to council tax, rent and other charges. Support a redistributive revenue raising system to finance local council services, and demand central government restore the cuts in funding it has imposed.

Use councils’ powers to begin a mass building programme of eco-friendly affordable council homes to tackle the housing crisis.

Vote against the privatisation of council jobs and services, or the transfer of council services to ‘social enterprises’ or ‘arms-length’ management organisations, which are first steps to privatisation.

Bring privatised public services, industries and utilities back into public ownership under democratic control, with compensation only on the basis of proven need.

Use all the legal powers available to councils to oppose both the cuts and government policies which impose privatisation. This includes using councils’ powers to refer local NHS decisions, initiate referenda and organise public commissions and consultations in campaigns to defend public services.

Vote for councils to refuse to implement austerity. We will support councils which in the first instance use their reserves and prudential borrowing powers to avoid making cuts. Setting budgets which meet the needs of the local community.

NEWTON SAYS NO MANIFESTO

Three years ago we started the campaign group Newton Says No to demand transparency and to shine a light on the dark deals done in local government to benefit developers and vested interests at the expense of ordinary people in this town. Two years ago we asked the people here to vote for the NSN independents. We won – and we have spent two years fighting Teignbridge District Council from the inside. We helped raise funds for Abbotskerswell Parish Council to fight the NA3 development. We challenged the frankly unlawful planning decision on Langford Bridge south of Decoy. We forced the Lib Dem executive to halt its plan to gut the Alexandra Theatre. We exposed the undeclared interests between councillors and developers, and the foregone conclusion 'investigations' by which the council covers up its actions. And thanks to us and our friends, Newton Abbot has not yet doubled in size to swallow Abbotskerswell and Kingskerswell, with no corresponding expansion of infrastructure or healthcare, as both Conservatives and Lib Dems had planned.It’s fair to say we’ve had everything thrown at us; from kangaroo-court standards hearings to made-up slur stories and threats of police action. There is very little the entrenched Lib Dem/Tory chumocracy won’t do to get rid of us. So it would be AWFUL for them if you let us take our fight to county, where can demand that Newton Abbot be allowed to keep the things it has a right to – green space and clean air, but also properly funded schools, well-maintained roads and representatives who are beholden to no-one.

THE REFORM UK PARTY MANIFESTO

Reform Party Manifesto Devon County Council 

Whilst local issues are really what this county council election issue is about some understanding of what the key aims of the Reform party is about is still important , One Key policy of the reform party manifestos is to support coastal communities , Industry , leisure, tourism  & fishing ,

Ending the export & dumping of exported waste by recycling in the UK ,adopting smarter solutions to  Environmental support strategies that are genuine & achievable not unrealistic pipe dreams that are not ready to be rolled out till proven , supporting  pragmatic projects like  tree planting & embracing nature & working with it pragmatically not superficially to simply catch votes ,

Supporting Green fuel sources & technology solutions but not prohibiting existing resources before science is ready to provide effective solutions .

Removing excessive red tape in the NHS & Investing in it as well as common sense investment in Education , Investing in genuine Digital infrastructure technology not dressing up sales promises .

Being tough on real crime ,fighting intimidation & abuse in a fair & common sense approach .   Supporting business start ups,  supporting the high street pragmatically,  getting people into the high street instead of making cities no go areas . 

Abolishing inheritance tax , along with stifling taxes which prevent economic growth & employment . Encouraging public & private investment , supporting British product innovation & manufacturing,  Public purchase of British made equipment , supporting British Farming . 

It does not support the HS2 project,  preferring value for money investment not wastage , the current network rail plan for Teignmouth & Holcombe mile for mile far exceeds that of  HS2 in cost mile for mile by a vast margin  & yet doesn’t deliver a reliable service solution for those that need a reliable service.

 Reform party stand for more open consultation & expert opinions not political or contractual driven overspend solutions getting investment right is more important than just spending on big projects . Another example of the pragmatic approach of the Reform party is the proposed  reform of the NHBC home builders Guarantee system which is woefully shown as a failure sitting on Millions £pounds  of assets yet failing to protect home builders from defective homes,  failing to help home owners trapped in payment poverty in defective homes , a key example being the widespread use of & approval of ?  Highly flammable cladding systems on buildings which offered no real cost saving but are proven a serious danger to life yet still the government fails to address such needs even when highlighted so clearly .

Reform does not support the TV licence lead funding of the BBC the licence needs phasing out. 

Widespread reform to the voting system to make Parliament more accountable & keep it more in touch , reform of the House of Lords & the ending of vested interest rewards system & cronyism which seeks to retain the status quo of problems & all the economic restrictions that come with it making the lower house more accountable to the electorate with a more open system of elected officials in the lower & upper houses in Westminster 

Pushing back against workerism & history rewrites & putting back pride in Britain Controlling immigration & a more responsible foreign aid approach .  

Controversially the Reform party does not support long term lock down policies to tackle Covid type outbreaks seeing it as short term local controls only when absolutely necessary a similar view to the World Health Organisation,   Reform support balanced scientific analysis & not selective only science ,Reform don’t support unproven data modelling, The true  cost economically & in human death toll from none Covid loss of life is simply being swept under the carpet &  should have been considered when making important decisions  important lessons must be learnt as well as better investment in medical research , 

Reform Supports responsible free speech & liberty . 

 This is not exhaustive merely a snapshot of the emerging common sense polices of the Reform party  http://www.reformparty.uk"; TARGET="_blank">www.reformparty.uk See ReformUK Facebook