The 2026 Exeter City Council election took place on 7 May 2026 to elect members of Exeter City Council in Devon, England. This was on the same day as other local elections.
Under current plans, the elections will be the last ever to the city council, as it is planned to be abolished in 2028 and replaced with a unitary authority. Elections will be held in 2027 to its replacement authority.
The elections were initially cancelled alongside others to 29 other authorities similarly planned to be replaced, however in February 2026 it was announced that the elections would go ahead as normal following filings by Reform UK for judicial review of the cancellation.
Prior to the election, the council was under Labour majority control. At this election, the council went under no overall control. Labour remained the largest party, but fell two seats short of an overall majority. They continued to run the council after the election as a minority administration.
Summary Council composition After 2024 election Before 2026 election Party Seats Party Seats 24 22 7 6 4 4 3 2 0 2 1 2 0 1 Changes 2024–2026: January 2025: Zoë Hughes (Labour) leaves party to sit as an independent April 2025: Naima Allcock (Labour) and Joshua Ellis-Jones (Labour) resign – by-elections held May 2025 May 2025: James Cookson (Labour) wins by-election; Tony Payne (Reform) gains by-election from Labour December 2025: Alison Sheridan (Conservative) joins Reform March 2026: Carol Bennett (Green, Heavitree) resigned
Election result
Incumbents
Ward Incumbent councillorParty Re-standing Alphington Bob Foale No Duryard & St James Kevin Mitchell Yes Exwick Paul Knott Yes Heavitree Catherine Rees No Mincinglake & Whipton Tony Payne Yes Newton & St Leonard's Matthew Vizard Yes Pennsylvania Josie Parkhouse No Pinhoe Duncan Wood Yes Priory Marina Asvachin Yes St David's Tess Read No St Loyes Peter Holland No St Thomas Laura Wright Yes Topsham James Cookson Yes
Ward results
Alphington
Duryard & St. James
Exwick
Heavitree
Mincinglake & Whipton
Newtown & St. Leonard's
Pennsylvania
Pinhoe
Priory
St. David's
St. Loye's
St. Thomas
Topsham
Notes
References