Exe Valley set for by-election

Lib Dem councillor quit in July

Voters in Exe Valley, a ward in East Devon, will go to the polls on Thursday to elect a new representative for East Devon District Council (EDDC). It follows the resignation of Liberal Democrat councillor Fabian King in July, who said he was stepping down to focus on his business which had been affected by covid.

The vote will be a three-horse race between Mike Daniel (Labour), Kevin Wraight (Conservatives) and Jamie Kemp (Liberal Democrats).

It will be the second EDDC by-election in recent months. Polls were previously held in May and July this year. 

The last elections returned some surprises as Conservative Alasdair Bruce took Feniton, previously held by an independent, and teenager Jake Bonetta won Honiton St Michael’s. The 19-year old took the seat previously held by the Liberal Democrats to become the first Labour councillor on the district council this century. Since his election formerly independent councillor Paul Millar (Exmouth Halsdon) joined Labour, giving the party two seats.

With the balance of power finely poised on the council, this by-election takes on a particular significance. As it stands, EDDC is run by a coalition known as the Democratic Alliance, a combination of the East Devon Alliance, Liberal Democrats, Greens, Labour and some, but not all, independents.

Polls will open at 7 a.m. on Thursday 23 September and close at 10 p.m.

The three Exe Valley candidates have explained why they are standing, what they see as the most important issues in East Devon and in the Exe Valley in particular, and what they would like to do if elected. 

Mike Daniel – Labour

1. Why are you standing?

“I’m standing for the same reason I think many candidates choose to, which is that I want to do more for the area I live in and feel that this is a great way to do so. 

Beyond that I know I can bring a unique background as a district councillor in that I have years of experience working in local government as I currently work for Devon County Council as part of the highways department. This experience means I understand the quirks of local government from both sides and that I’ll be able to hit the ground running faster than others.”

2. What are the most important issues in East Devon and in Exe Valley in particular?

“Listening to fellow residents from across the ward over the last few weeks, there’s a real commonality in many of the issues raised, whether it be poor infrastructure, lack of affordable housing, or simply rubbish going uncollected, which is a sense that the area is forgotten or treated as a poor relation compared to other parts of East Devon. 

“It was only a few weeks ago now that we all saw this in practice where the Conservative and Liberal Democrats on the planning committee by a majority forced an industrial digestate plant on our area against massive local opposition.”

3. What would you like to do if elected?

“Obviously there are big picture issues that I would like to get movement on such as making sure that the new local plan provides affordable, sustainable housing that the community needs and increased support for our more rural areas who suffer from being cut off in regards to both transport and broadband.

“But the most basic bread-on-the-table issue I want to resolve is that lack of feeling listened to that permeates the area by establishing a frequent series of community forums/councillor surgeries so that people can actually meet with their district councillor on a regular basis and not simply hoping a hidden-away email address is monitored, as is all too common.”

Kevin Wraight –  Conservative 

1. Why are you standing?

“I have been lucky to live in the Exe Valley for quite some time and now this opportunity has arisen I want to be elected so that I can work for my neighbours and the area I love so much. 

“I am already doing much for the community including working with Network Rail to put signs on the level crossing asking motorists to switch their engines off whilst waiting for trains to pass, which will help to keep the air quality as high as possible for the residents.”

2. What are the most important issues in East Devon and in Exe Valley in particular?

“Having spoken to many Exe Valley residents, I know that broadband is a big issue, especially in the outlying areas. This will be a major focus for me and has highlighted how important it is for homes and businesses to have fast, high-quality broadband connections. The covid pandemic has underlined this with many of us forced to work, study, carry out leisure activities and internet shop from home. 

“The environment is also of major importance to the community, we must fight to preserve it and do our bit towards reducing the effects of global warming in our valley. 

“Our communications and infrastructure must be kept to a high standard. By this, I mean the roads, bus routes, footpaths and cycle lanes, and if elected I look forward to working as your [Exe Valley residents’] councillor on these issues, especially looking at ways to reduce the speed of vehicles through our villages which is an area of great concern to many residents. It isn’t about grand plans; I want to work on the day to day issues that can be changed.”

3. What would you like to do if elected?

“If I were to be successful I would begin working with our parish councils to draw up a list of priorities which I can carry forward on their behalf to East Devon District Council, but also to our county councillors and ultimately members of parliament – people I know and already work with. I can’t truly represent the Exe Valley unless I have input from the community and liaising with my neighbours will be my first priority.”

Jamie Kemp – Liberal Democrat

1. Why are you standing?

“I’m standing because I’ve lived in the heart of the Exe Valley for quite a few years now and I care about our communities. Too often, though, the needs of villages in the rural areas are just overlooked, particularly with the Exe Valley and its location – sort of being stuck up in the top corner of East Devon. 

“I believe I can provide a voice to make sure that East Devon Council actually listens to the residents of the Exe Valley.

2. What are the most important issues in East Devon and in Exe Valley in particular?

“Obviously we’ve all gone through the pandemic and that’s been quite challenging, I think, for everybody. We face all kinds of uncertainties going forward and we need to maintain our essential services – it’s a definite priority. 

“We also need to have proper control of the planning systems. There are too many developments now that are in the interests of a very small minority and not the residents of the Exe Valley – big anaerobic digestate plants and all that. They’re starting to cause issues across the Exe Valley with the scaling up of the industry –  if I can call it an industry – and that’s something that’s really really important.”

3. What would you like to do if elected?

“If I’m elected on Thursday, I would like to repay the trust and expectation placed in me by speaking out fearlessly for the communities of the Exe Valley.

Speaking about the current coalition contolling East Devon District Council, Mr Kemp said: “I think the Democratic Alliance is a good thing. It leads to open discussions from different political backgrounds. Rather than fighting against one another, I think it’s very important that we work together.”

Categories: Elections