Safety of elected members a key focus of re-elected leader after ‘ugly moments’

Friday, 15 May 2026 06:00

By Bradley Gerrard, Local Democracy Reporter

The safety of elected members will be a key theme for East Devon’s re-elected leader after a “few ugly moments” in the past few months.

Councillor Paul Arnott (Liberal Democrat, Coly Valley), who was voted in as leader of East Devon District Council for the seventh year, said two major themes would be key focuses for him as the new civic year gets underway.
“I’m really concerned about member safety,” he said.
“We are going to have to think about this very hard and there have been a few ugly moments in the past few months.”
He added that such “ugly moments were happening all over the country”, and that unacceptable behaviour was being targeted at elected members either online or sometimes in person.
Cllr Arnott, who is also the deputy leader at Devon County Council, did not reference any specific incidents at East Devon’s annual council meeting (Wednesday 14 May) where he was re-elected. However, research conducted nationally supports his suggestion.
In 2024, the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) revealed research that showed nearly half of all councillors had suffered “a serious incident of abuse”.
Cllr Arnott added he would be “working hard” with the chair of the council and the relevant portfolio holder to “ensure we look at protection here for all of us”.
At the same meeting, Councillor Eleanor Rylance (Liberal Democrat, Broadclyst) was re-elected as the chair of the council, which is a largely ceremonial role, for her fourth year. 
She was voted in over the only other rival nomination, which was Councillor Stuart Hughes (Conservative, Sidmouth Sidford).
The role of deputy chair passed to Councillor Bethany Collins (Liberal Democrat, Ottery St Mary) with the incumbent, Councillor Charlotte Fitzgerald (Liberal Democrat, Budleigh and Raleigh) not seeking re-election.
 

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