The decision to grant Exeter unitary status is wonderful news.It restores the self- rule that our city enjoyed for hundreds of years until 1974.

All those in Exeter who have worked so hard over many years to this end deserve congratulation. They include the business community, university, voluntary sector and all four political parties on the city council. That strong all party unity has been critically important to this result. But more than anything this is a tribute to the people of Exeter who have never given up on their desire to return to running their their own affairs in the same way as England’s other great cities. In means that in future Exeter councillors will once again decide on local matters affecting Exeter rather than councillors from Barnstaple, Kingsbridge or Tavistock. No longer will councillors or councils be able to pass the buck between them. A single council will be responsible for what happens in Exeter with councillors directly accountable to the people they serve.