Members of the council (councillors) are elected every four years to represent the electorate of each county division, almost all being nominated by the major national political parties.

The population of the area administered by the council was estimated at 795,286 in 2018,[3] making it the largest local authority in South West England.

Devon is an area with "two-tier" local government, meaning that the county is divided into non-metropolitan districts carrying out less strategic functions, such as taking most planning decisions.

[9] In Devon, most county councillors who are elected have been nominated by one of England's major political parties, although there are also a small number of independents.

[28] The Office for National Statistics estimated that the mid-2014 population of the non-metropolitan area of Devon was 765,302, which is the largest in the South West England region.

Typical activities undertaken by a parish council include maintaining allotments, footpaths, playing fields and the local community or village hall.

The seal contained three shields depicting the arms of Exeter along with those of the first chairman and vice-chairman of the council (Lord Clinton and the Earl of Morley).

The main part of the shield displays a red crowned lion on a silver field, the arms of Richard Plantagenet, Earl of Cornwall.

The chief or upper portion of the shield depicts an ancient ship on waves, for Devon's seafaring traditions.

In April 2006 the council unveiled a new logo which was to be used in most everyday applications, though the coat of arms will continue to be used for "various civic purposes".

These proposals were put out to consultation until September 2008 and the Committee was expected to make final recommendations to the Secretary of State by the end of the year.

As a result of a number of legal challenges to the process and also dissatisfaction on the part of the Secretary of State with the manner in which the Boundary Committee assessed proposals, a recommendation was unlikely until March or April 2009.

[38] The Court of Appeal rejected the legal challenge in December 2009 and the Boundary Committee was expected to return to making recommendations on the proposals, to be published at an unknown date.