Martin Redfern

Martin Redfern is editor of Exeter Observer and a director of its publisher Exeter Observer Limited.

He writes many of our news stories and features, leads on investigations and maintains the Exeter Observer website.

Martin is an accredited UK press card holder, a member of the Chartered Institute of Journalists and the Society of Editors and holds a masters degree in Journalism with distinction at Birkbeck, University of London.

Stories by Martin Redfern

St Thomas Library demolition plans withdrawn

Exeter Estates Holdings, a property development company that is controlled by Tony Rowe, CEO and chairman of Exeter Chiefs, has withdrawn its application to demolish St Thomas Library and replace it with a block of thirteen flats following a public outcry in reaction to the plans.

South West Water owner increases dividend despite losses and fines

South West Water owner Pennon Group has increased its shareholder dividend by nearly 11% to £112 million despite making a pre-tax loss of £8.5 million and being fined £2.15 million after pleading guilty to thirteen environmental offences committed across Devon and Cornwall.

Exeter City Council member expenses total £409,000

Exeter City Council member’s allowances and expenses came to a total of £409,000 in the year to March 2023, with council leader Phil Bialyk claiming £28,400 and receiving regular gifts and hospitality at Sandy Park.

Closed doors at County Hall

Closed doors at County Hall for councillor conduct hearings

A survey of local authority approaches to standards committee hearings finds Devon County Council alone in imposing private determination of conduct complaints.

Sandy Park stadium granted permission for four large music concerts

Exeter City Council has granted permission for four music concerts at Sandy Park stadium in June with up to 15,000 people in attendance at each, tickets for which have already been on sale for two months.

Ofsted says Devon County Council children’s social work remains “inconsistent”

An Ofsted monitoring report on Devon County Council children’s services, the fifth since the local authority was judged inadequate in January 2020, has found that the “quality of social work practice across Devon remains inconsistent”.

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