"We have had no warning of these cost cutting measures only nine working days after we thought we had resolved the situation with county," said City Council Leader Pete Edwards.
"A meeting was called to address the situation of weeds in the city on 22 September and now this comes like a bolt out of the blue! If we're taking time to talk to county about these things then why aren't we told about what is around the corner?" questioned Cllr Edwards.
"We are doing everything possible to dress this city as a place of investment but how can we do that if basic things like weeds cannot be tackled properly? The eyes of the world will be on Exeter next year for the Rugby World Cup 2015. We understand more than anyone how tight money is but there has to be dialogue between the two councils so that we understand perfectly what the challenges are that we need to look at."
Cllr Edwards said that county-wide issues such as cutting back of gritting routes to smaller communities and not re-stocking grit bins would have wider reaching implications for places like Exeter.
"How can we expect to attract investment to the city if people can't get a car off their own drive or catch a bus in the middle of winter," said Cllr Edwards.
"People will soon be asking the question 'why am I paying so much money to Devon County Council in council tax if so many of their key services are being shut down or reduced’. What is the point?"
