New Democratic Alliance becomes largest political party on district council

A new Democratic Alliance has been formed in East Devon and they have become the largest political group on the district council.

Councillors from the Green Party, the Liberal Democrats, the Independent East Devon Alliance, and an Independent have come together for form a new political group.

So far, 22 of the 23 councillors from those parties have combined to join one political group. The 23rd has been away and has not had the opportunity to officially sign the papers confirming they will join the political group. All councillors will retain their respective party or independent identities.

It means the Democratic Alliance is now the largest group on the council and Councillor Paul Arnott, who has been elected as their group leader, said that they will now seek to become the official opposition on the council and may seek to form an administration at the Annual Council meeting.

The council is currently run by 18 Independents, with the largest group on the council being the Conservatives with 19.

Councillor Paul Millar and Councillor Joe Whibley were initially members of the Independent Group, but during the course of 2019/20, had quit and currently sit as part of the EDA and an Independent respectively.

Councillor Arnott, who was the EDA group leader, added: "Members of the Green, Independent East Devon Alliance and Liberal Democrat parties and an Independent at East Devon District Council have combined to form a new group with the title the Democratic Alliance.

"The members will retain their respective party or independent identities but have combined to form the largest group at EDDC of 22 councillors. If other members wish to join in due course, they will be carefully considered.

"We have finalised a five page document of our ambitions and it will be shared with all the Independent Group members. If some of them wish to consider coming on board then the Democratic Alliance will be pleased to consider them."

He added: "After recent meetings, the Democratic Alliance has found common cause in seeking to reform the running of the council, to properly examine planning policy and practice, and to accelerate the delivery of appropriate housing fit for charitable, private and public sectors.

"The Climate Emergency is a top priority in guiding policy. The group also wishes to call in the council's borrowing, investment and acquisition policy at a time when the last administration's long freeze on council tax rises has left the legacy of a looming deficit in the next financial year.

"Primarily, we will focus on the needs of residents, in particular, tackling the issues of poverty and employment."

Liberal Democrat Leader, Eileen Wragg has been elected Deputy Leader, and iEDA Leader Paul Arnott elected Group Leader of the Democratic Alliance, both unanimously.

Councillor Arnott added: "The group has also resolved that it is committed to discussing the future of the council with other members who share its vision. In the next few weeks it expects to become the official Opposition at the council, and subject to national events may seek to form an administration at Annual Council on May 12.

"Meanwhile as the people of East Devon come to terms with the far-reaching implications of the Coronavirus the Democratic Alliance councillors will continue to work hard with other members and officers. The health of local people is much more important than politics at this time."

At present, East Devon District Council has not cancelled any of its upcoming meetings, with a meeting of the Car Parking Task and Finish Forum still set to take place on Thursday evening.

An extraordinary council meeting may be called to take place on Tuesday, March 31, ahead of the currently scheduled cabinet meeting, in which the Democratic Alliance would wish to become the official opposition and where the re-allocation of committee places would take place.

If the Democratic Alliance do become the official opposition, then they would be granted the chairman of the scrutiny committee position.