NEWS

Exeter City Futures board minutes published nearly nine months after meeting held

Minutes confirm Global City Futures work on Exeter Development Fund continues via direct city council contract framework and suggest university could retain brand after company dissolution.

Martin Redfern

Exeter City Futures has published the minutes of its 1 December 2022 board meeting nearly nine months after the meeting was held.

While the company’s website says the page from which the minutes are accessible was published on 26 June, the minutes themselves were not made available until 24 August.

The page also says the company’s board is “committed to being completely transparent and open about the things that are discussed at board meetings”.

Exeter City Futures 1 December 2022 board minutes Exeter City Futures 1 December 2022 board minutes, published in August 2023.

The minutes confirm that Global City Futures, another Oxygen House company which was previously in control of Exeter City Futures, has continued work on the controversial Exeter Development Fund via a direct contract framework agreement with the city council under Ian Collinson, the council’s development director.

The fund is expected to focus on redevelopment in the Southgate area, allocated site reference 46 in the current version of the new Exeter Local Plan, and an area alongside Exeter St David’s station known as “Red Cow village”, site reference 22 in the new Exeter Local Plan.

Exeter City Futures branding Exeter City Futures branding

The minutes also suggest the University of Exeter could retain use of the Exeter City Futures brand following the company’s dissolution.

The city council announced in June that Exeter City Futures would be wound up at the end of the month following the final event in its £250,000 National Lottery-funded community engagement programme, although it has yet to file.

The eight-year-old company, on which the city council has spent nearly £500,000, is responsible for the redundant Net Zero Exeter 2030 plan.


Democracy doesn't work when people don't know who is deciding what on whose behalf and what the costs and consequences of those decisions will be.

Exeter Observer is proving that reader-funded media can deliver the independent public interest journalism our local democracy needs.

Upgrade to a paid Exeter Observer subscription to support our work and get access to exclusive premium content and more.

More stories
Child on park bench

Ofsted finds Devon County Council children’s services remain “inadequate” with rating unchanged since 2020

Inspection report highlights “serious weaknesses” that are “leaving children at risk of harm” as failings echo poor Special Educational Needs & Disabilities provision.

Mid Devon District Council headquarters at Phoenix House in Tiverton

Mid Devon District Council mischarged 2,865 social housing tenants £15.5 million in rent over twenty years

Housing regulator identifies “serious failings” in application of rent standard as council discovers dozens of evictions in which “rent arrears were the sole, or contributory factor”.

Dartmoor wildfire on 5 May 2025, photo by Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service

Dartmoor National Park warns of continued high fire risk after wildfire destroys 1,230 acres of moorland

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service took nearly 24 hours to extinguish bank holiday weekend blaze that followed warning of uncontrolled moorland fire risk.

Former Firezza in Sidwell Street to become adult gaming centre

24 hour year-round Sidwell Street “adult gaming centre” allowed at appeal

Planning inspector finds no evidence that “increase in crime and disorder” or “serious detrimental impacts on the health of local residents” would result from change of use from restaurant and takeaway unit.

Haven Banks development illustrative aerial view

Twelve months temporary church use extension sought for Haven Banks Liveable Exeter development site units

Second year of “worship and ancillary uses” for retail park units to follow December 2023 planning approval for ultra-high density build-to-rent scheme for which neither planning permission nor consent notice yet published.

Exeter College in Hele Road

Petroc and Exeter College governors agree “merger in principle”

Further and higher education colleges with Barnstaple, Tiverton and several Exeter sites will now consider consequences of creating what would be largest college group in South West with public consultation due on plans before November decision.

On Our Radar
Tabatha Andrews sculpture

SATURDAY 26 APRIL TO SATURDAY 21 JUNE 2025

The Slightest Gesture

Sculptor and installation artist Tabatha Andrews presents a new immersive exhibition.

EXETER PHOENIX

Fore Street Flea

SUNDAY 18 MAY 2025

Fore Street Flea 2025

Market with stalls selling vintage items, handmade craft, food and drink plus live music from local artists returns for 2025 season.

FORE STREET

Pint of Science graphic

MONDAY 19 TO WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 2025

Pint of Science 2025

Three days of talks, demonstrations and live experiments by research scientists in city centre pubs.

EXETER CITY CENTRE

The New Exonians

FRIDAY 23 MAY 2025

The New Exonians

Inclusive Exeter documentary exploring the experiences of migrant communities in the city.

EXETER PHOENIX

Augustine Fogwoode in The Mushroom Show

MONDAY 26 MAY 2025

The Mushroom Show

Scratchworks Theatre Company combines interactive games, comedy and music to explore the fascinating world of fungi.

EMMANUEL HALL

Steve Tyler and Marco Cannavò

SATURDAY 31 MAY 2025

Love, Devotion and Harmonious Melodies

Steve Tyler and Marco Cannavò perform medieval music on historical instruments.

ST NICHOLAS PRIORY