HEADLINES
First Exeter build to rent flats marketed at £1,375-£2,350 per month with “affordable” units costing £1,080-£1,800 plus bills
Eutopia Homes rents in Exmouth Junction block would leave many workers with substantially lower income than Joseph Rowntree Foundation minimum for a socially-acceptable standard of living. Read more.
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez launches Devon & Cornwall Police “accountability board”
Monthly board meets in private with press and public excluded without publishing advance agendas or minutes to ensure force is delivering an “effective and efficient police service”. Read more
ON OUR RADAR ~ TODAY
Exeter Respect Festival // Belmont Park
The annual celebration of Exeter diversity returns for its 28th anniversary with live music and performance, food stalls, community and campaign groups. More details.
Heritage Harbour Festival // Exeter Quay
The maritime-themed event returns for a third year with steam boats, exhibitions, talks, live music, film screenings and more. More details.
The Book Market // Cathedral Green
Exeter City of Literature event features independent booksellers from across the county with author talks, stalls, food and drink. More details.
ON OUR RADAR ~ NEXT WEEK
Art Week Exeter // Exeter city centre and elsewhere
Festival returns with exhibitions, film screenings, talks, workshops, performances, social events and an art car boot sale. More details.
Lost and Found (Keyboards Revoiced) // Exeter Library
Exeter Contemporary Sounds and Ian Summers perform works on rescued, repurposed and reimagined instruments. More details.
A Feast of English Choral Music // Exeter Cathedral
Exeter Philharmonic Choir performs works by English composers. More details.
BELOW THE FOLD
Special report: Campaigners compel Exeter City Council to reconsider Northbrook pool closure with 2,250-strong resident petition
Exeter City Council is under pressure to reconsider its plan to close Northbrook Swimming Pool after community campaigners triggered a full council debate on the closure by raising a petition imploring it to keep the pool open that was signed by nearly 2,250 local residents.
As a result it will hold a debate on the pool’s closure at its 10 June meeting at Exeter Guildhall.
At the same time responses to residents’ freedom of information requests have confirmed that the £3.5 million cuts made by the council to its 2025-26 budget included a decision to close the pool that was made without first holding a public consultation or producing an Equalities Impact Assessment.
A failure to fulfil its Public Sector Equality Duty in this way would make the pool closure decision potentially unlawful and leave it open to challenge in the courts.
May’s local elections results and the council’s dependence on financial support from Sport England have also intensified the pressure on it to change course, as months of growing anger led to a demonstration outside its annual meeting last week.
Supreme Court rejects Dartmoor landowners’ attempt to prevent wild camping on their land
Judges unanimously dismiss appeal by Alexander and Diana Darwall against 2023 ruling upholding Dartmoor Commons Act as campaigners call for enhanced public rights to access nature pledged by Labour when still in opposition. Read more.
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. Read more.
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”. Read more.
