Voters in Exeter would cast a separate ballot for the office, in conjunction with the residents of the rest of the Devon and Cornwall police area.

The review was prompted by the previous council that had a high level of electoral inequality, with some councillors representing many more voters than others.

[4] The ward changes equalised the ratio of voters to councillors, and provided for the entire city being able to vote in local elections every year.

[5] As the council would revert to electing by thirds in 2018, a number of councillors would serve partial terms in the interim.

[6] After the previous election, which was held in 2015 for a third of the councillors, the council consisted of 29 Labour members, 10 Conservatives, and one Liberal Democrat.

[8] The Labour Party were standing on their record in office and their key redevelopment plans for the former bus station, which would include the St Sidwell's Point leisure complex in the centre of the city.

The Conservatives campaigned against the St Sidwell's Point project on cost grounds, instead promising to invest in affordable housing, cultural venues, and producing a new transport plan for Exeter.

The Liberal Democrats planned to rebuild their former presence in Exeter, focusing on improving the quality of public services.