Transport & Mobility
ANALYSIS
Devon County Council adopts charging strategy that provides for only 20% of EVs it expects by 2030
Local ULEV ownership has risen rapidly in recent years but many more vehicles have joined county's roads as local transport area ULEV growth lags behind rest of country and Exeter motor vehicle numbers alone top 87,000.
NEWS
Regional transport infrastructure strategy published for public consultation
Framework seeks to draw together major evidence base assembled over several years to address key challenges to 2050 including integration of walking and cycling with local bus and rail network and freight decarbonisation.
Planning & Place
NEWS
Secretary of State overturns council decision to waive Southgate site Environmental Impact Assessment
Proposals for up to 200 flats in high-rise tower blocks have potentially significant impacts on Exe Estuary avian flightpaths, Exeter Cathedral skyline, listed buildings and ancient city walls placing protected landscapes and heritage assets at risk.
ANALYSIS
Liveable Exeter Placemaking Charter consultation skewed towards only one of five 'core tools'
Private developers' forum and other major components of new charter not mentioned in council communications, but transparency and new 'culture of openness' to 'help build trust in the planning system' emphasised throughout.
ANALYSIS
Top to bottom King Billy student block redesign waved through as minor variation to consented plans
Council throws out Design Review Panel interventions and reneges on commitment to planning committee while developers claim unauthorised destruction of protected medieval wall justified on safety grounds.
Arts & Culture
Climate & Environment
ANALYSIS
Council plans huge allotment fees increases to claw back cash from 1,500 city gardeners and growers
Plot holders provided with incomplete picture as consultation held which does not comply with council's own charter and delayed scrutiny report that omits key survey findings suggests council aims to turn profit from allotment provision.
, updated
Democracy & Governance
ANALYSIS
Auditor broadens inquiry to include Exeter City Futures and ex-CEO secondment to liquidated company
More 'significant weaknesses' found in city council governance and financial and performance management arrangements while St Sidwell's Point valued at £7 million less than build cost and £370,000 ex-CEO final year pay and benefits confirmed.
COMMENT
Devon devolution deal to create unaccountable local government layer for paltry £16 million payoff
Democratic deficit to increase as city and district councils lose control over housing and prosperity funding and transport policy powers moved out of reach, while county council plans to approve deal irrespective of public consultation outcome.
SPECIAL REPORTS
City council scrutiny board enabling illicit obstruction of democracy
Essential safeguard against misuse of power misdirected by Executive members and senior officers while backbench councillors persistently denied rights to examine high-risk schemes and citywide climate crisis response.
Community & Society
Economy & Enterprise
NEWS
Exeter employment rate second lowest in South West for second year running
Economic inactivity levels related to large student and retiree population remain high, creating recruitment challenges from healthcare to refuse collection, but council celebrates top retirement destination ranking as 'more good news'.
