The Conservative county councillor for Exmouth, Cllr Christine Channon, has welcomed the Government's decision that May's local elections should go ahead.

On Friday, the Government confirmed that the May 6 elections would be held as scheduled, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

They said that that the public health response to Covid-19, not least the vaccination programme, means that they can commit to go ahead with the polls with confidence.

They are working with the Electoral Commission to ensure social distancing and other rules apply to all aspects of the polls.

Voters will also have a choice between in person and absent voting – using a postal or proxy vote.

As well as the delayed 2020 local elections in Exeter and Plymouth, and the Police and Crime Commissioner elections, the regularly scheduled 2021 Devon County Council elections will take place, as well as a series of delayed by-elections, and Neighbourhood Plan referendums on May 6.

There will be an estimated £92 million of government grant funding that will be provided to local authorities for the elections; of this, £31 million is an uplift to directly address costs associated with making the elections Covid-19 secure.

The Government

The Government said: "Everyone who feels comfortable going to a supermarket or a post office should also feel confident attending a polling station in May.

"We encourage anybody who is shielding, or who would prefer not to attend a polling station, to apply for a postal or proxy vote ahead of the polls."

But concerns have been raised by existing Devon County councillors over whether it is necessary to hold the elections in May.

Given the current guidance, canvassing and leafleting as part of campaigning would be against the law.

Conservative councillor for Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton Coastal

Cllr Christine Channon said: "I am pleased that the Government have made this announcement. We now know where we stand.

"I have read the guidelines they have produced and it is apparent that a good deal of careful thought has gone in to designing the elections in a safe way given our present pandemic situation.

"The roll out of vaccinations has been impressive in this country and especially in our area. The Government is now saying that by May they intend to offer vaccinations to all residents over the age of 50.

"If we value democracy it is important for these elections to go forward. In our area there will be both County Council Elections and elections for the Police Commissioner, plus any by-elections that may be outstanding.

"Delays will only cause confusion in budgets which run from April to April and whoever forms the new administration at Devon CC will wish to set out their four-year plan. The same is true for the police force.

"Councillors also serve on outside bodies, for example, I serve on the East Devon Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty Board.

"These committees need to know who will be supporting them in the future and not be hanging in suspense.

"Hopefully anyone who is anxious about going to vote will request a postal vote (or even a proxy vote).

"There is already a huge postbag in East Devon but it is handled in a most efficient and professional way by EDDC, and it will be possible for an elector to request a last-minute proxy up to 5pm on election day.

"I will be seeking re-election and have been selected as my party's candidate.

"At present any campaigning will have to be done by telephone or social mail as we are not allowed to deliver leaflets.

"Nearer the election this may change but a good number of residents find canvassers a nuisance.

"By May I will have been a County Councillor for 28 years and people have found it easy to contact me with their problems and I have done my best to try and solve them.

"During the Covid pandemic I have dealt with a considerable number of emails on a daily basis.

"I suspect this may increase even more before 6 May."

Devon County Council

A spokesman for Devon County Council said: "We have been preparing to hold the elections in May for some time with extra safety measures in place at polling stations and at the vote counts.

"However there are alternatives in place for those who do not want to cast their vote in person, for example postal votes."

Phil Norrey, the council's chief executive, had previously added: "No doubt that holding elections in May will be a huge challenge and we will be doing our best to support that if we have to do it.

"It might be safer to have a delay and there was a concern about how feasible it is."