Green councillor for Totnes and Dartington Jacqi Hodgson has joined the cabinet at Devon County Council as member for climate and biodiversity. She also leads the Green and Independent Group on the council, which has expanded to eight members (six Greens and two Independents) following the election on 1 May.

The Liberal Democrats are the largest party on Devon County Council with 27 out of 60 seats and will run the council as a minority administration. Jacqi is the only member of the cabinet who is not a Liberal Democrat. She is also on the executive of South Hams District Council.

The new Green and Independent Group put forward two motions at the first full county council meeting on 22 May, one calling for swift boxes to be introduced on Council properties and one in support of “20’s plenty” – the implementation of 20mph zones.

Jacqi was re-elected in Totnes and Dartington with 62% of the vote.

Here at South Devon Green Party we know that Jacqi will be a powerful voice for people and nature in Devon and are delighted at her appointment.

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The Green Party’s deputy leader, Zack Polanski, met with parents, carers and young people concerned about the closure of the very popular and much loved Totnes Youth Centre and the withdrawal of Devon County Council (DCC) funded youth services at Rushbrook. Local MP Carolyn Voaden was also present to lend her support to the protest.

Zack said, “We know how important working with young people is. We also know we’ve had 15 years of Conservative austerity government. Now we have Labour, nothing’s really changing, services are not being funded properly. We keep being told there is no alternative, but we know there is an alternative. There is plenty of money and wealth in this country, and we’ve seen poor people get poorer, we’ve seen rich people get richer, and we need to rebalance our economy.

“The consequence of decisions like closing this youth centre, whether it’s in Totnes, wherever it is in the country, is a complete false economy. Because we know it pushes people in worst cases into the criminal justice system, we know that we hear about anti -social behaviour, we hear about people hanging out in the street, wherever youth are meant to go, if you don’t provide them a service. Its simply not fair and ill thought out.”

Zack gave his support to long-standing Green Party county councillor Jacqi Hodgson’s efforts to change the council’s position on the unannounced closure of the centre and reduction in services. He said, “Today’s rally demonstrates how important it is to have a committed and dedicated local councillor working for and with local people. Today’s young people need local youth services and centres where they can relax, make friends and have trusted adults they can relate to. The Green Party is very proud of Cllr Jacqi Hodgson’s track record of hard work and her engagement with young people. The fact that she set up the wonderful TRAYE Youth group that works with over 900 young people in both rural and urban local areas is testament to her dedication. If Jacqi wasn’t working to restore these services and highlighting what’s been going on with the youth centre and local services, they would have just been quietly disappeared”.

Cllr Hodgson called the rally at Totnes Youth Centre for people to express their dismay and concerns about the sudden closure of the popular purpose-built youth centre in Totnes. She said, “The very recent notice to local people and myself of this closure has been met with almost disbelief. No one has yet told me where this decision has come from. The loss of this dedicated youth space added to the withdrawal of many of the directly funded local youth services has created a huge shock wave in the community and has long term implications for our young people’s wellbeing.”

Cllr Hodgson was initially contacted by DCC officers as the Chair of Totnes Rural Youth Engagement (TRAYE) project, which she initiated in 2015 and currently serves over 900 young people in eight locations around the South Hams. She said. “DCC simply asked TRAYE to take over some of their Totnes-based services, which is now being negotiated. However DCC did not offer full funding to cover the costs of paid youth workers and at the same time announced that Rushbrook Youth Centre was being closed and youth evenings would have to find another venue. A terrible decision at a time when we know so many young people are suffering high levels of anxiety and in the absence of enough youth facilities and services, are left at the mercy of predatory social media.”

Parents of young people who were regular attendees at Rushbrook brought their concerns to the full Devon County Council meeting on Thursday 24^th April and handed in a petition with 425 signatures of people seeking the reopening of Rushbrook Youth Centre. Cllr Hodgson also tabled questions at that meeting. The call for reopening is also supported by local MP Caroline Voaden.

Read more about Zack Polanski’s visit to Totnes

Watch Zack Polanski and Cllr Jacqi Hodgson speaking at the Rushbrook protest

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Green Party deputy leader Zack Polanski visited Totnes on Saturday 26 April as part of his tour of local Green Party groups across the south west.

Zack met candidates and activists in the town to discuss the upcoming county council elections on 1 May.

He joined Green county councillor Jacqi Hodgson in speaking at a protest against the closure of Rushbrook Youth Centre in Totnes.

Zack visited the River Dart. He spoke with Ian Bright, founder director of Totnes Renewable Energy Society (TRESOC). TRESOC runs the Totnes Weir Hydro power plant, generating
1,250,000 kWh of clean electricity each year powering local homes and KEVICC.

He heard the concerns of local activists and members about sewage outflows. These are particularly concerning as Friends of the River Dart have successfully applied for Bathing Water status in this area.

It was inspiring meeting Zack Polanski and seeing the way he engages with the issues which affect local people here in South Devon. As members it has made us more committed than ever to working hard in our communities.

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The government’s recent proposal to dissolve district councils and transfer their responsibilities
to new larger unitary authorities has sent a ripple of anxiety through local councils across
Devon. Under the plan, the county, district, and city councils have been asked to submit
proposals for reorganising services based on recognisable areas with populations of at least
500,000.

While the shape of this reorganisation is still uncertain, it presents a critical opportunity to ask:
what should local government services look like – and who should run them?

For the Green Party, the answer is clear. We believe public services should be publicly owned,
publicly delivered, and designed to meet the real needs of our communities. These services go
far beyond waste collection and road maintenance. They include education, housing support,
planning, support for disabled people, fostering, and provision for children with special needs.
Public health and adult social care are also major responsibilities, accounting for a significant
share of our council tax spending. Added to this is vital environmental work, such as monitoring
air and water quality and enforcing protections against those who damage or destroy wildlife
habitats.

This web of services is central to the wellbeing of our communities and our environment – and it
deserves to be properly valued and resourced.

Unfortunately, the system has been steadily eroded over the past decade. Austerity policies
introduced by the Conservative–Liberal Democrat coalition in 2012 slashed central government
funding to local authorities. Councils were given five years’ notice that their core funding would
be phased out entirely by 2018. The impact was devastating. Devon County Council lost a third
of its staff. South Hams District Council cut nearly a quarter. As services shrank, potholes
multiplied and maintenance was deferred. Requests for services that were once routine are now
too often met with the all-too-familiar response: “Computer says no.”

The situation was made worse by Brexit, which drove up costs, and by the chaos of the COVID
pandemic. But these were not the only factors. A deeper, longer-term issue lies in the legacy of
privatisation – a model first championed under Thatcher and then extended by Blair through
Public Private Initiatives (PPIs). These deals handed over key public services to private
contractors, removing direct council control and eroding democratic accountability. The result?
Less transparency, less value for money, and a workforce often denied basic rights.
Now is the time for change. This proposed shake-up in local governance gives us the chance to
bring services back in-house, where they belong. Councils should be empowered to deliver
services directly through their own staff – experienced officers who understand their
communities and are invested in their success.

There’s already proof this works. South Hams District Council’s recent decision to return waste
collection services to in-house delivery has shown the benefits: better value for the public,
improved working conditions for staff, and stronger local control. Public delivery also means
employees are more likely to have access to fairer pay, stable contracts, and the right to be
represented by a recognised trade union – rights that are often harder to secure under private
contractors.

But it’s not just about scaling up. Local governance needs to work downwards too. Larger
authorities must strengthen ties with town and parish councils, empowering them to develop
services that reflect local priorities and enable community involvement.

A Green Vision for local government puts people and planet first. It values care, cooperation,
and sustainability over profit. And it offers a future where thriving local services support thriving
local communities – without costing the earth.

Learn more

Cllr Jacqi Hodgson stands for re-election in Totnes and Dartington
Open letter on local government reorganisation from Devon’s Green councillors

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South Devon Green Party is standing candidates in every division in Teignbridge and six out of seven divisions in South Hams in the Devon county council elections on 1 May.

We will be campaigning in South Devon on a strong positive message. We will work hard in our communities and fight for good public services, energy-efficient, affordable homes, and a future where climate and nature are protected for the benefit of all.

find your green candidate

Read more about our Green candidates in the county council election on 1 May

Cllr Jacqi Hodgson on standing for re-election in Totnes and Dartington

Pauline Wynter on why she’s standing in Ashburton and Buckfastleigh

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Hard-working county councillor Jacqi Hodgson is standing for re-election to Devon County Council in Totnes and Dartington on 1 May. 

Jacqi has a track record of listening and taking action. She has successfully been getting things done in Totnes and Dartington all year round.

These are just some of her achievements

• supporting young people
• helping families
• fixing potholes
• sorting out drainage to prevent flooding
• safer streets around schools
• implementing active travel routes
• fighting for better bus services

Jacqi also fought a successful campaign against cuts to community grants. Devon County councillors each get £8,000 a year to spend on supporting local causes. Jacqi saw off a proposal to reduce grants to £5,000, and the grants, known as locality budgets, will stay at £8000 this year.

Green Party councillors embody the principles of the Green Party and believe a better and happier world is possible. The people of Totnes and Dartington Division (which includes Harberton, Staverton and Bridgetown) have the opportunity to re-elect an excellent, hardworking and experienced candidate to deliver a vision for a low-carbon, sustainable future that benefits everyone.

Jacqi says: “Re-electing me as your local councillor, means I will be able to continue to achieve for you. I will continue to work hard for you as your councillor in challenging times. I want to keep working hard for everyone living and working in Totnes and Dartington county division.”

Jacqi’s key priorities

• Bring public services back in house – turn the tide on privatisationProper highways repairs and maintenance – fix those potholesImprovements to drainage and preparation against flooding
• Better investment in schools, education and children’s services
• Promote 20’s Plenty speeds for safer and more inclusive streets
• Implement active travel routes and improve public transport
• Help cut carbon and costs with more affordable, energy efficient homes
• Meet young people’s needs – to grow up happier and well
• Ensure better care and services for older and vulnerable residents
• Make Devon greener – support wildlife and nature to thrive
• Stop the investment of Devon pension funds in fossil fuels and weapons for genocide
  

Read Jacqi’s county and district councillor’s monthly reports

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Hard-working local campaigner Pauline Wynter has been confirmed as the Green Party candidate for Ashburton and Buckfastleigh in the county council elections on 1 May.

As a parish councillor in Ogwell Pauline works on biodiversity and climate issues, helps with the project to set up a local shop, and has canvassed residents about a boundary change. She runs the parish magazine, keeping residents informed about local issues and events, and is a member of a local wildlife group.

She also works with Action on Climate in Teignbridge.

Pauline says, “I’m proud of the work I do for the community and hope you will vote for more hard work on 1st May. Please vote for Pauline Wynter.”

At the 2023 district council election in Ashburton and Buckfastleigh, your local county council division, the Green Party missed out on electing a councillor by just 4% of the vote. Turnout in local elections is often lower than in other elections, so your vote can make all the difference.

Your choice in the election is clear: a hard-working Green councillor who stands up for local people and gets things done all year round, or more of the same from the old parties.

Pauline’s priorities

• Fixing the potholes on local lanes and highways
• Demand high energy efficiency standards for new housing
• Focus funding on running basic services better
• Defend financial support for those who need it most
• Promote active travel and improve public transport
• Take action on anti-social behaviour in our community
• Ensure good access to green spaces and improve our parks

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Green councillor Anna Presswell visited Totnes Food Bank on Thursday 20 February to learn about the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on local people.

She spoke to manager Kit Stevens, and learnt that there has been a big rise in demand for the food bank from families. While local people and suppliers contribute generously, the food bank often has to buy in additional supplies.

Cllr Presswell, who is district and town councillor for Totnes, said: “We need a government that works with farmers and other stakeholders so we are able to produce healthy nutritious food at fair prices for consumers and fair wages for growers, and to increase the amount of food grown and traded in the UK as locally as possible.

“Elected Greens will push for an economy, that delivers security, well-being, and a better quality of life for everyone as well as protecting our environment and enabling us to tackle the climate crisis.” 

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An open letter to Local Leaders and MPs from Devon Green Councillors

Government has made it very clear that the local government reorganisation in Devon is inevitable, and we intend to engage with this in a positive way to ensure the needs of our communities and environment come first.

We are deeply concerned that conflicting plans are being developed behind numerous closed doors, each rushing to meet the Government’s March deadline for initial proposals. The breakdown of previous cooperation between the current Local Authorities in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay and the proposals for ‘mega councils’ is a recipe for disaster and risks spending too much of our Councils’ precious funds on consultants, while our communities are facing rising council tax bills and being kept in the dark about the future of Council services.

The Government has set a minimum figure of 500,000 people for each new local authority. We are concerned this number is not justified by evidence nor does it recognise the challenges of delivering good and financially viable services over large geographical areas such as Devon. With over a decade of austerity and significant debts our Councils are already on the back foot – something which, with the best will in the world, reorganisation won’t be able to fix.

We believe we should keep services local and reorganisation simple, rather than spending huge amounts of money on complicated reorganisation arrangements. We ask you to ensure that the ‘local’ remains in Local Authorities. We want to ensure our communities, voluntary and community organisations and businesses can be connected to local democracy and decisions taken by local Councillors who understand their communities and local environment. Decisions should be taken at the lowest level of decision-making possible – a mega Council for Devon or vast Unitary Authorities will be detached from reality and the residents they represent.

This means a real recognition of the vital role of Parish and Town Councils, involving them now in these negotiations. All proposals should include clear commitments for their development (including establishing them where there are none, e.g. Exeter) and ongoing support and relationship with the new authorities. Parish, Town and Community councils can work closely alongside our residents, and voluntary and business sectors to ensure effective delivery of services and support for local initiatives.

We ask Leaders that you put differences aside to go back again to learn from current cooperation and use this as a model for future operations across authorities. For example South Hams, West Devon have already been successfully delivering shared services; Strata, joint  company is owned by and delivers IT services for Exeter, East Devon & Teignbridge; and Torridge and North Devon have a joint Local Plan and joint Building Control Service. Smaller unitary authorities across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay will still have the opportunity to work in this way. Models can be developed to set standards for services across authorities and enable local councils to deliver effectively.

We call on you to develop proposals which truthfully set out to Government the funding required to deliver for our communities and environment – recognising the ‘rural premium’, the urgent need for more investment in adult social care and childrens’ services and the current debts our Councils hold. We recognise that the digital delivery of services will create considerable savings and these can work well at scale; however there are still important services from adult social care to waste & recycling collections that need proper investment in people on the ground. Those funds cannot come from our communities, some of which are on low incomes, others experiencing rural or urban deprivation and more and more living precariously as a result of cost of living pressures.

Last but not least – we ask that you be open with our communities about what’s happening with these changes, the impact they might have and engage them in a meaningful way in the plans for our future. We need to build confidence, so that on the first day of operation of the unitaries, our communities relate to the place and value the people who look to serve in these new authorities on our behalf.

Reorganisation needs to promote an economic model across Devon which is built on resilience – strengthening local economies by investing in our market and coastal towns. Continuing to rely on a perception of Exeter and Plymouth as the only ‘engines of growth’ will continue to suck the economic life out of our rural and coastal areas and not tackle areas of urban deprivation.

The leaked ‘1-5-4 model’ (Plymouth plus some of the South Hams; Torbay plus West Devon, Teignbridge, the rest of South Hams; Exeter and East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon and Torridge) has only 3 unitary authorities – too few to create meaningful authorities connected to our local people. A model of fewer than six unitary authorities across Devon, Torbay and Plymouth would fail to provide the much needed democratic accountability to local areas.

Please pull together so that we are not divided up by Whitehall.

Signed

Cllr Diana Moore, Exeter City Council

Cllr Jane Elliott, West Devon District Council

Cllr Anna Presswell, South Hams District Council,

Cllr Georgina Allen, South Hams District Council,

Cllr Sara Wilson, North Devon District Council

Cllr Ricky Knight North Devon District Council

Cllr Mark Haworth-Booth, North Devon Council

Cllr Gill Westcott, Mid Devon District Council

Cllr Carol Bennett, Exeter City Council

Cllr Tess Read, Exeter City Council

Cllr James Banyard, Exeter City Council

Cllr Catherine Rees, Exeter City Council

Cllr Lynn Wetenhall, Exeter City Council

Cllr Paula Fernley, East Devon District Council

Cllr Huw Thomas, Torridge District Council

Cllr Peter Hames, Torridge District Council

Cllr Henry Gent, Devon County Council

Cllr Lauren McLay, Plymouth City Council

Cllr Ian Poyser, Plymouth City Council

Cllr Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council

Cllr Andy Ketchin Exeter City Council

CC: Devon Association of Local Councils 

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