Local elections 2021: What is happening in Devon and Cornwall?

Cornwall will see its unitary authority change with the number of councillors going from 123 to 87

Voters will head to the polls to elect councillors across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly on 6 May.

All seats on Cornwall Council and Devon County Council are up for election.

A third of the seats on Plymouth and Exeter city councils are also being voted on after elections were postponed in 2020.

Voters will also be choosing a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) after elections were postponed in May 2020 due to coronavirus.

There are four candidates standing.

Political analyst Adrian Lee said the 2021 local council elections would see 180 seats being fought for in the South West by more than 780 candidates.

Cornwall Council

"Cornwall Council was the second largest authority in the country, but following a boundary review to ensure that each councillor represents broadly the same number of electors the new Cornwall Council has been reduced from 123 seats to 87," Mr Lee said.

"Although Conservatives currently have 46 seats on Cornwall Council, they form the opposition.

"Independents with 30 seats and Liberal Democrats with 38 have ruled in coalition since 2017.

"Labour have five seats and Mebyon Kernow have four," he said.

You can find out who is standing on the council website.

Devon County Council

The Conservatives will be defending a large majority on Devon County Council, holding 42 of the 60 seats, Mr Lee explained.

"Labour and Liberal Democrats each have seven, the Greens and East Devon Alliance each have one, and the Independents two," he said.

"The last district elections in 2019 saw Conservatives lose ground against the Liberal Democrats, Greens and Independents, with more councils falling to no overall control."

A full list of candidates is available.

Plymouth City Council

A third of seats on Plymouth City Council, 19 out of 57, are up for election this year.

Mr Lee said: "The council, always marginal, is currently under Labour control, with the party holding 30 seat. Conservatives have 17.

"There are two ex-Labour Independents, and a further eight Conservatives now also sit as Independents.

"If Labour were to lose two seats, the council would fall to no overall control."

The council website has information on who is nominated.

Exeter City Council

Fourteen out of 39 seats will be voted on at Exeter City Council.

"Labour has a substantial majority on Exeter City Council, holding 27 of the 39 seats," said Mr Lee.

"Conservatives have five, Liberal Democrats two, and Independents and Green one each."

A list of candidates is here.

Council of the Isles of Scilly

The Council of the Isles of Scilly, a unitary authority, will see voting taking place for all 16 of its councillors.

Where there are no parties contesting, three councillors have been returned unopposed and no-one is standing in Bryher.

Thirteen people have been nominated for the 12 St Mary's seats. You can find candidate lists here.