SPECIAL REPORT
City council scrutiny board enabling illicit obstruction of democracy
Essential safeguard against misuse of power misdirected by Executive members and senior officers while backbench councillors persistently denied rights to examine high-risk schemes and citywide climate crisis response.
OTHER LOCAL NEWS THAT MATTERS
Student landlord submits new plans for Union Road HMO back garden block following appeal failure
Application for six bedroom, single storey purpose built student accommodation block made on site of refused ten bedroom, two storey scheme in garden of thirteen bedroom shared student house. Read more here.
Junior doctors stage industrial action either side of Christmas in longest strike in NHS history
Latest round of strikes are eighth walkout by junior doctors in eighteen month national dispute over pay and employment conditions with government. Read more here.
Regional transport infrastructure strategy published for public consultation
Framework seeks to draw together major evidence base assembled over several years to address key challenges to 2050 including integration of walking and cycling with local bus and rail network and freight decarbonisation. Read more here.
Old Exeter bus and coach station to be demolished five and a half years after closure
Bristol-based Wring Group appointed as contractor by city council to demolish building to slab level but not to remove foundations, leaving rest of Citypoint site untouched. Read more here.
Developers seek feedback on replacement of Clarendon House with student accommodation
350-bed block up to sixteen storeys tall proposed on site of underutilised offices on corner of Western Way and Heavitree Road. Read more here.
CHRISTMAS APPEAL
St Petrock’s Christmas appeal to raise funds to support its work with rough sleepers
Exeter homelessness charity’s fundraising campaign features short film exploring how it feels to be homeless. Read more here.
ON OUR RADAR
New Year’s Eve concert // St Nicholas Priory
A celebration with flautist trio Flute Cake. Sunday 31 December. More details here.
Exeter Phoenix NYE // Exeter Phoenix
A silver, sparkly mirror ball-themed New Year’s Eve celebration to welcome in 2024. Sunday 31 December. More details here.
Twelfth Night candlelit concerts // St Nicholas Priory
Pianist Alex Wilson plays traditional music from across Europe at Christmastime. Friday 5 and Saturday 6 January. More details here.
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SEASON’S GREETINGS
The Exeter Observer team will be taking a break over the next ten days. We’d like to wish all our readers our very best for the festive season, with hope for a more peaceful and prosperous 2024.
