There were no elections for Plymouth City Council in 2025 but politicians there faced a battle for leadership nonetheless.
Angus Forbes, the millionaire Australian businessman and husband of former Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell, successfully prompted a referendum on whether the city should have a directly-elected city mayor.
A heated campaign saw the city council leader receive a “serious threat of violence” in the run-up to the vote in July.
The campaigners for a referendum came close but lost out on the night.
In Torbay the council has set out major plans for investment in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham and is now hoping to attract developers.
A defection meant the Conservatives went to holding 17 seats of the 36-seat council with 15 Liberal Democrats and four Independents.
