EXETER City Council is still considering whether to postpone its elections next year amid criticism that it is trying to avoid the polls as support slips.

One third of the council – 13 of its 39 councillors – will be up for re-election next year if the elections go ahead in May as planned.

But the government has given councils the option to postpone their elections if they wish.

It says not having elections in 2026 will help councils focus their time and energy on the transition to a completely new format, proposed to begin with the election of ‘shadow’ councils in 2027.

District and city councils such as Exeter will be swept away along with county councils in the reorganisation, to be replaced completely in 2028 by larger unitary authorities. Exeter wants to become one of the larger unitaries, and will find out next summer if its request has been granted.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the city council said that while the government’s communication had been received, nothing had yet been decided about the May 2026 polls.

Council leader Phil Bialyk (Lab, Exwick) said he would be discussing the issue with the council’s chief executive ahead of making a decision on whether to request a postponement.

Meanwhile, Exeter’s Greens have called on him to stand by the proposed May date for elections.

Cllr Diana Moore (Green, St Davids), who leads the opposition on Exeter City Council, said: “Cllr Bialyk has previously given a commitment to elections next year and we will hold him to that.

“The government’s argument about using time and energy to focus instead on local government reorganisation won’t wash. We won’t even know what the agreed model of reorganisation for Exeter or Devon will be until next summer, so there is no reason why the elections next May should be cancelled.

“Of course setting up of a new authority is a big deal but there’s still important work to be getting on with in the meantime – running the essential local services people rely on, tackling the housing crisis and protecting green spaces. People need their chance to decide at the ballot box who they believe is best placed to tackle these issues in their wards and across the city.”

Cllr Carol Bennett (Green, Heavitree) added: “Democracy is too important to be considered a distraction.

“We can see Labour support tanking around the country. This letter from the minister offers Labour-run councils, fearful of losing seats, the opportunity to avoid the elections.

“We urge Councillor Bialyk to do the democratic thing – face the electorate and allow the people of Exeter to have their say in May 2026.”