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 holds a masters degree in Journalism with distinction at Birkbeck, University of London.

He is an accredited UK press card holder and a member of the Chartered Institute of Journalists and the Society of Editors.

Stories by Martin Redfern

Exeter City Living governance review to follow highlighted financial risk

A progress report on the development of the 2023-24 Exeter City Living business plan confirms a governance and management review will take place after an auditor’s report which found that the company had put the council at “significant financial risk” after losing £2.2 million in its first two years of trading.

City council to receive £1.3 million homelessness prevention grant

Exeter City Council has been allocated a £1.3 million share over two years of a £654 million government homelessness prevention grant.

Exeter city centre retail area map 2017 and 2022 CDRC data

Is the grass really greener in Exeter city centre?

Academic research placing Exeter retail area at top of green space table was nationally reported, locally misrepresented then repurposed as booster fuel by local politicians overlooking study’s social justice focus.

National planning policy consultation has major Exeter Local Plan implications

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is consulting on proposals to update the National Planning Policy Framework via the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill.

Lottery graphic

Council lottery operator to take cut from local charitable donations

Decision to promote gambling as “incentivised giving” plays down risks without assessing potential impacts or evidencing claimed benefits, disrupting relationships between community and voluntary sector organisations and supporters.

Karime Hassan tenure as city council CEO to be terminated

Karime Hassan’s tenure as city council CEO is to be terminated following a decision taken in private by councillors, with Bindu Arjoon to be appointed as interim CEO in his place.

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