How the council works
We are a progressive council committed to creating an environment where people can flourish and to providing quality services to those who live and work in the district.
Our priorities
As outlined by our Corporate Plan 2020-2024, we have agreed to focus on the following corporate priorities to improve life in Mid Devon over the next three years:
- Economy
- Homes
- Community
- Environment
Constitution
We abide by a Constitution that sets out how we operate, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people. Some of these processes are required by the law, while others are a matter of council choice. The Constitution is divided into 16 articles setting out the basic rules that govern our business.
Elected members
Elected Members (District Councillors), represent different wards within the district. They determine the strategic direction and policies for the Council. No single political party has overall control of the Council. The Council Administration is a coalition of Independent and Conservative Councillors. See our Committee details page for membership and political makeup of the Council.
The current Leader is Councillor Luke Taylor, and the Chairman is Councillor Frank Letch (MBE). Elected members are not paid to carry out their role, but do receive a small yearly allowance, see Members' Allowances. Elections take place every four years, see Future election dates.
Decision making
We currently operate under a Leader and Cabinet (executive) arrangement. Some see this arrangement as having advantages, e.g. accountability and efficiency, whereas others are concerned about the concentration of decision-making authority in a limited number of councillors. Please see here for more about governance arrangements.
Officers of the Council
Officers, in paid employment, carry out the policies set by the elected members and deliver services to the local community. The head of paid service is the Chief Executive Stephen Walford, see also Meet the Leadership Team and Staff structure.
Finances
Our overall net annual budget (not including council housing and capital expenditure) is about £10million. Income is from a combination of council tax, central government grant and revenue earned from providing services (for example, collecting trade waste and car parking). We have a legal duty to set a balanced budget and not to spend more money than we bring in, see Budgets.
The local area
Mid Devon covers an area of 353 square miles (914 km2) in the rural, agricultural heartland of Devon, between Dartmoor, Exmoor and the Blackdown Hills. Over half the population of some 78,000 people is scattered in villages in the rural hinterland, with the balance divided between the three main towns of Tiverton, Cullompton and Crediton, see Mid Devon Boundary Map.