With the exception of the local clique (7)
I believe the answer is:
barring
'with the exception of' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how they can define each other.
'local clique' is the wordplay.
'local' becomes 'bar' (local can mean someone's local pub).
'clique' becomes 'ring' (I've seen this in another clue).
'bar'+'ring'='BARRING'
'the' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Another definition for barring that I've seen is " Except for".)