In Devon County Council, Hughes is currently the Cabinet member for Highways Management, and he also remains a member of East Devon District Council, where he served as the Cabinet portfolio holder for Communications from 2003 to 2011.
In Devon County Council, Hughes currently serves as the Cabinet member for Transportation Management, and he also continues to be a member of East Devon District Council, where he previously held the position of Communications portfolio holder from 2003 to 2011.