Vanessa Newcombe
Liberal Democrats candidate for St Thomas
Vanessa has lived in Exeter for 22 years and has a grown-up son who lives in London. She was an Exeter City Councillor for 6 years, and a Devon County Councillor for 7 years until 2013. During this time she championed children and young people, was very involved with health and adult social services, and was instrumental in getting the new Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre built on the Quay. She also represented her residents in the smaller things that matter, like getting someone a disabled parking bay, getting respite care for the husband of an elderly lady who was at the end of her tether, and strongly opposing a proposed Park and Ride site in her patch. As a governor of a Children’s Centre, and of a Federation of two schools in Exeterx she is concerned about education and the poor funding per pupil received by Devon schools. Vanessa strongly supported the Remain campaign, but is concerned to listen to, and represent all the residents of Exeter.
Previous elections
Alphington & Cowick (2025)
Liberal Democrats· Not elected
St Thomas (2024)
Liberal Democrats· Not elected
Newtown & St Leonard's (2023)
Liberal Democrats· Not elected
Newtown & St Leonard's (2018)
Liberal Democrats· Not elected
Newtown & St Leonard's (2017)
Liberal Democrats· Not elected
Exeter (2017)
Liberal Democrats· Not elected
St Sidwells & St James (2017)
Liberal Democrats· Not elected
St Thomas (2016)
Liberal Democrats· Not elected
About the role
The responsibility of a councillor is to represent the people within a ward by making decisions on local services and other local issues.
What councillors do
- Make decisions on local services like housing, roads, and parks
- Represent residents' concerns at council meetings
- Help resolve local issues raised by constituents
- Set council budgets and local tax levels
How to influence
- Attend local council surgeries
- Write or email about local issues
- Attend public council meetings
- Join local community groups
Council
Exeter