News
The independent public interest journalism Exeter needs
Devon & Torbay CCA keeps quiet about 2025-35 Local Growth Plan as it takes charge of regional development agenda
Combined County Authority privately selects unspecified stakeholders to co-author document setting out strategic priorities but with little of substance to say on addressing region’s structural challenges.
Exeter City Council renews Public Spaces Protection Order for three more years
Measure introduced to curb anti-social behaviour in 2017 extended to 2028 following consultation limited to selected consultees.
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”.
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.
Features
Stories that explore key issues behind the headlines
Second undervalue sale of Clifton Hill sports centre site after buyback loss leaves city with £3m less than initial market value
Council sold land for £2.14m – at £2.11m discount – then bought it back for £3.037m before selling again for £3.375m at £425,000 discount with £225,000 sweetener after also agreeing to spend net £600,000 on preparation, marketing and disposal costs.
Lib Dems take command at County Hall despite Reform UK surge as Conservatives lose 33 seats and Labour is wiped out
2025 Devon County Council elections leave balance of power in Green Party hands as local government reorganisation takes centre stage on regional political agenda.
Comment
Analysis and opinion that cuts through the noise
Labour councillors dive deeper into denial in decision to abandon Northbrook pool
Exeter residents mourn as council suppresses destructive consequences of creating St Sidwell’s Point complex that looms in leisure service shadows like a leviathan.
300-bed “co-living” blocks to trump social housing vision for Mary Arches car parks
More people could be crammed into Eutopia Homes complex than current car parking spaces after Exeter City Council commits to “homes for the people of Exeter” on Liveable Exeter North Gate site.
Devon & Torbay CCA sets sail for regional democratic deficit with £500,000 crew
Combined county authority throws public accountability overboard as future regional strategic governance body ratifies constitution at inaugural meeting but fails to explain why so many staff needed to deliver so little at such colossal cost.
Special Reports
In-depth insight about what's going on in Exeter that you won't find anywhere else
Exeter City Council fields false prospectus in determination to close Northbrook pool
Ian Collinson reports double down on misrepresentation, material omission and flat denial as council plans to rend more of city’s fabric from its roots.
Campaigners compel Exeter City Council to reconsider Northbrook pool closure with 2,250-strong resident petition
Pressure on council intensifies after freedom of information request responses confirm £3.5 million budget cuts included potentially unlawful decision to close swimming pool without public consultation or impact assessment.
South West peninsula devolution in disarray as Devon, Exeter, Plymouth, Torbay & Cornwall seek conflicting goals and seven Devon districts left out in cold
Contempt for local democracy laid bare by unlawful County Hall failure to publish plan to postpone local elections while Westminster looks set to back local Labour bids for disproportionate influence in regional governance reorganisation.
, updated
Council sinks additional £1.25m into struggling Exeter Science Park as company unable to repay £7m debts
Serial scrutiny failures continue as emergency meeting held to increase city council exposure to joint venture to more than £2 million on top of £450,000 project costs plus £950,000 guarantee but rescue plan risks repeating earlier strategic mistakes.
On Our Radar
Community and culture highlights curated by the Exeter Observer team
SATURDAY 12 JULY 2025
Fairy Tales in Opera and Piano Music
A fairy tale-themed concert for children and their families.
ST NICHOLAS PRIORY
SATURDAY 19 JULY 2025
Love St Thomas Summer Festival
New community event launches with live music, talks, workshops, stalls, refreshments and family-friendly activities.
ST THOMAS CHURCHYARD
