The Devon County Council election results have been announced this afternoon, with the Conservatives retaining overall control of the body. Of the nine Exeter wards, seven were claimed by Labour.
Across the county 313 candidates were fighting for 62 seats, with the Tories winning 38. Labour did not add any seats to their seven in Exeter, as UKIP won four, the Greens one and three independents were elected.
Neither Labour nor UKIP could gain the Conservative held University ward, Duryard & Pennsylvania, which was won by Percy Prowse with a 21 percent majority over second placed Labour.
St David’s & St James, home to a large proportion of Exeter students, was won by Labour’s Jill Owen.
Both areas suffered from low turnout – around 10 percent below the lowly 33 percent average, which was down from 44 percent in 2009.
The coalition parties both registered overall losses, with three less Conservatives and four less Lib Dem councillors being elected.
The election results will be viewed by some as a reflection on national politics, with Liberal Democrat ratings in opinions polls remaining at low levels, in contrast to the recent rise of UKIP.
A referendum in the Exeter St James area asking: “Do you want Exeter City Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Exeter St James to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?” was emphatically accepted, with 92 % voting yes.
James Roberts and Carlus Hudson were amongst a number of University students standing in the election, but neither were elected.
Roberts came in fifth place for the Conservatives in the St David’s & St James area, whilst Hudson polled only 29 votes in Newtown & Polsloe.
To find out who your local councillor is, click here.
Harrison Jones, Online News Editor
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