Watch my question urging for local government elections to go ahead

If the Government’s intentions for its plans for local councils was to devolve power, I’m afraid it missed its mark.

Rather than devolve power these plans will take power away from local communities and shift it to distant, higher tier authorities.

These authorities often move money from where it was raised to be spent elsewhere and lack the understanding of the differing needs of each area under its jurisdiction.

And many are already struggling to deliver in the areas they are responsible for, including Devon County Council, which has been failing our most vulnerable children for decades.

Today, I asked the Government to confirm that despite its plans, council elections will still go ahead in 2025 so the people of Devon can deliver their verdict on their failing county council.