HEADLINES
Clarendon House developer submits plan to convert office block to 32 residential flats alongside 310-bed PBSA proposals
Application for change of use of existing building to be followed by application for demolition and replacement with much taller student accommodation complex following two rounds of informal public consultation on scheme. Read more.
Devon County Council “safety valve” deal target breach rises by 40% to £20.4m as SEND overspend reaches £51.6m
Cumulative SEND deficit now expected to peak at £227m while deal targets set to be missed every year to 2032, risking County Hall bankruptcy if government withdraws support. Read more.
Devon County Council 2025-26 budget to bring more service delivery cuts
£22 million cuts concealed by £60 million costs increases as council misrepresents financial position and fails to answer questions about where cuts will fall. Read more.
Deputy police and crime commissioner Mark Kingscote resigns five months after defiant appointment by Alison Hernandez
Resignation follows appointment of third Devon & Cornwall Police chief constable in eighteen months after suspensions of Jim Colwell in November and Will Kerr in July 2023. Read more.
ON OUR RADAR
Let’s Talk About: Digital Media Literacy // Exeter Library
A series of free seminars aimed at tackling misinformation and information overload in the digital world. More details.
Exeter History Book Festival // Mint Methodist Church Centre
One-day event with talks from four Devon historians and stalls from local heritage organisations. More details.
Aspects of Love // Exeter Cathedral
A lunchtime concert with mezzo-soprano Iryna Ilnytska to raise funds for Ukraine. More details.
BELOW THE FOLD
University study finds decarbonisation slowing as city council continues to pursue failing Net Zero Exeter 2030 plan
Exeter also set to miss national 2050 target on current trajectory while aviation, shipping and other excluded scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions mean annual city carbon footprint likely to be triple territorial total. Read more.
Paternoster House developer takes on Royal Clarence Hotel rebuild after sale agreement reached with previous owners
Completion of restoration plans for five floors of luxury flats above ground floor and basement commercial units scheduled for April 2027, more than decade after historic Cathedral Yard building burnt down. Read more.
Multiple-choice survey on £3.5m budget cuts follows auditor criticism of council public consultation methods
Move to replace resident views on key decisions and policies with opinion polls and selective questionnaires follows serial failure to uphold own consultation charter. Read more.
James Vaughan appointed as interim Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable
Appointment follows suspension of acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell, recruited following suspension of Chief Constable Will Kerr, as force pays salaries of all three. Read more.
