Exeter councillor Yvonne Atkinson found in breach of code of conduct but escapes prosecution
Summary of investigation related to rental property interests involving Devon & Cornwall Police and Crown Prosecution Service withheld by Devon County Council while councillor campaigned for re-election to Exeter City Council.
NEWS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
University comes clean on true Exeter campus student numbers over past two decades
Figures obtained under Freedom of Information Act confirm between 7,500 and 12,000 more students based in city each year than university numbers suggest – until this year – with major implications for council planning policy.
COMMENT ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Labour councillors again appointed to all thirteen committee chairs at annual council meeting
Council leader finally quits planning committee alongside other remaining Executive member but persists with secret board that enables scrutiny evasion.
BRIEFING ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Exeter City Council 2023 local elections results
The votes cast, ballot share and change by party plus turnout and postal votes in each ward with the overall distribution of seats.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Exeter electoral tectonic plates rumble as political landscape shifts
Labour takes second Conservative seat in Topsham but loses in St Thomas to Liberal Democrats as Green wins in Heavitree, St David's and Newtown & St Leonards place party second in 2023 city council elections.
COMMENT ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
How far does the council leader have to go before he sees a planning committee conflict of interest?
Phil Bialyk led charge against application to develop site 160 yards from his house despite conduct codes and LGA planning probity guidance.
COMMENT ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Councillor falsely labels community grants cuts story "misinformation"
Labour's Martin Pearce brands Exeter Observer "opposition propaganda" at full city council meeting, earning rebuke from Lord Mayor and putting council at risk of code of practice breach during pre-election period.
NEWSWIRE
Exeter in brief - May 2023
Keeping you informed with local news that matters.
, updated
BRIEFING ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
When, where and how to vote in the 2023 Exeter local elections
Our guide to casting your ballot in person, by post and by proxy as well as the new voter ID requirements.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
2023 Exeter local elections guide
City council elections take place on Thursday 4 May. Our essential guide highlights who's standing where, wards to watch and what the results might be. It also covers the wider context, voter ID and the impact of First Past the Post in Exeter elections.
NEWS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Exeter local elections candidate is also standing in Winchester
University of Exeter student Harry Johnson-Hill hopes to represent voters both in Duryard & St James and at home in Alresford & Itchen Valley, 100 miles away.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Alphington worst represented ward as councillor attendance at public meetings varies widely across city
Consistent commitment to participation in democratic decision-making by some councillors in contrast with poor attendance rates of others.
COMMUNITY
Help hold Exeter's political parties to account during the local elections
Send us any campaign materials you receive so we can factcheck candidates' claims and hold them to their pledges after the votes have been counted.
NEWSWIRE
Exeter in brief - April 2023
Keeping you informed with local news that matters.
, updated
NEWSWIRE
Exeter in brief - March 2023
Keeping you informed with local news that matters.
, updated
ANALYSIS ⁄ COMMUNITY & SOCIETY
Council slashes community grants but splashes cash on paddling pools in contested wards
Exeter grants programme budget reduced from £425,000 to £15,000 leaving hundreds of grassroots groups out in the cold as the impact of borrowing takes its toll and council fails to consult on budget cuts despite auditor recommendation.
COMMENT ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Exeter City Council's approach to decision-making is damaging local democracy
Separation of powers and transparency provisions intended to safeguard public interest being subverted while council defies auditor over loss-making company.
NEWS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Exeter has more empty and second homes than built in city in past two years
Council tax premium proposals that aim to raise additional revenue from underused housing stock might also encourage return to residential occupancy.
NEWSWIRE
Exeter in brief - February 2023
Keeping you informed with local news that matters.
, updated
COMMENT ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Council development levy changes are insufficiently evidenced and don't meet city infrastructure needs
Exeter City Council and Liveable Exeter partners impose faulty typology driven by policy objectives while ignoring new local plan, evidence base and statutory funding statement and excluding residential and retail charges from review.
NEWSWIRE
Exeter in brief - January 2023
Keeping you informed with local news that matters.
, updated
COMMENT ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
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.
ANALYSIS ⁄ COMMUNITY & SOCIETY
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.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Exeter City Futures falsely claims development fund documents disclosed under FOI legislation
Senior council director puts company on collision course with Information Commissioner's Office as significant governance failings emerge after councillors and public kept in dark over Liveable Exeter financing scheme proposals.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Exeter City Living put council at "significant financial risk" after £2.2 million loss in first two years
Missing business plan, lack of transparency and conflicts of interest among senior council directors prompt board resignations and governance review at council-owned and funded company.
NEWS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Information Commissioner to investigate university over student accommodation numbers refusal
Compliance failure follows university admission that nearly 39,000 students based at Exeter campuses in 2021-22, suggesting around three quarters of city's private rented housing stock occupied by students.
NEWSWIRE
Exeter in brief - December 2022
Local news that matters
, updated
NEWS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
University holds public consultation on 1,700 bed West Park redevelopment design
Outline plans to demolish 30 buildings and construct 50,000m2 of student accommodation on fifteen acre Streatham campus site did not comply with university or council environmental policies.
ANALYSIS ⁄ TRANSPORT & MOBILITY
Figures show declining Exeter walking and cycling rates as active travel delivery falls by the wayside
County council plans to remove Queen Street active travel infrastructure despite road space reallocation commitments expose equivocal city transport policy aim.
NEWS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Pinhoe, St Loye's and Topsham all in new Exeter East and Exmouth constituency under revised changes
Final boundary commission consultation follows city council proposal to move marginal Pinhoe to safe Conservative seat and keep Priory Labour stronghold in city.
NEWS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
University says 39,000 students – nearly 30% of city's population – based at Exeter campuses in 2021-22
Freedom of information request reveals 11,500 more students than published FTE figures with major implications for council planning policy but university refuses to disclose numbers in PBSA vs residential housing stock.
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Heavitree Road developer gets sixth pitch for student/co-living complex
Eight design iterations, six council meetings, four consultation rounds and two deferrals combine to impede public participation in planning process on key Liveable Exeter site and increase chances of decision being overturned at appeal.
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Flood risk threatens to sink Haven Banks redevelopment plans
Proposals for 434 rental units accommodating up to 1,167 people on 1.7 hectare Liveable Exeter site would deliver extreme housing densities that deny amenity to prospective occupants while inflicting significant impacts on existing residents.
COMMENT ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Will council seek investment zone status for Liveable Exeter sites?
Government growth plans combine tax breaks with planning deregulation, putting affordable housing provision and environmental protections at risk with little evidence that promised investment zone benefits would result.
ANALYSIS ⁄ ECONOMY & ENTERPRISE
Council borrowing nearly triples in three years as property acquisition and development loans mount
Freedom of information request reveals five paragraph "outline business plan" for £55 million Guildhall shopping centre investment.
BRIEFING ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
New Exeter local plan outline draft consultation
Our guide to Exeter City Council's consultation as well as the national planning system reform threatening major changes that would require significant revision to the new plan before its submission to the planning inspectorate.
, updated
COMMENT ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
World car free day ignored in Exeter as Extinction Rebellion challenges council climate inaction
Protestors gathered outside council offices as CEO Karime Hassan posed for photo with construction company development manager at Princesshay promotion.
NEWS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Council paves way for 186-bed "co-living" block in Summerland Street
Freedom of information request reveals intended scale of development after executive committee takes decision behind closed doors.
COMMENT ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Exeter Development Fund: rent extraction, unaffordable housing and gentrification, but not net zero
Exeter City Futures' private debt-driven Liveable Exeter property development financing scheme is under fire from councillors who say it is based on insufficiently-evidenced assumptions and won't meet Exeter's housing needs.
COMMENT ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Property development promotion as community planning participation
If the Liveable Exeter property development scheme and its Exeter Development Fund financing vehicle are already intended to "anchor and underpin" the new Exeter Local Plan, what will public consultation on the plan decide?
NEWS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
St James HMO conversion refusal overturned at appeal
Council failed to provide sufficient evidence to support 2012 planning policy introduced to limit impact of student occupation of residential housing stock.
NEWS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Progressive Group planning enforcement proposal adopted despite public Labour rejection
Newly-published register also reveals council has issued as many planning enforcement notices in the past three months as it has in the past three years.
COMMENT ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
University emissions study confirms Net Zero Exeter plan redundancy
Council retains Exeter City Futures' services despite history of delivery failures and lack of capacity to support defined decarbonisation targets.
COMMENT ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Net Zero Exeter accountability under scrutiny
Exeter City Council's response to the climate crisis has so far been characterised by numerous failings. Unfortunately its attitude towards accountability for its actions in this area is also cause for concern.
ANALYSIS ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Exeter greenhouse gas report disregards hundreds of thousands of tonnes of annual city emissions
Restricted scope of study misrepresents scale of city's impact to produce partial decarbonisation targets while ignoring opportunities to reduce emissions imported by residents, businesses and visitors, guaranteeing net zero failure.
ANALYSIS ⁄ ECONOMY & ENTERPRISE
Exeter beset by unaffordable housing, low graduate retention and economically inactive over 50's
Exeter City Council executive ignores key challenges flagged in major council-commissioned employment and skills research report.
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Bundling boards
The third in a series of city council scrutiny meetings intended to satisfy councillors that Exeter Development Fund is a way to put Exeter on the map rather than the council’s financial viability at risk took place last week...
NEWS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Council rejects calls for greater community involvement in Exeter planning policy and decisions
Council defends existing approach despite Statement of Community Involvement consultation producing just 17 responses, and won't do more to promote neighbourhood planning despite prospect of enhanced community powers.
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Will Exeter College fence off Exwick community playing fields?
Exeter College redevelopment plans at Exwick and Flowerpot Playing Fields threaten a three metre fence around publicly-accessible playing fields and their replacement with artificial turf. Will it change course after widespread objections?
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Labour councillors appointed to all thirteen city council committee chairs at annual meeting
Council leader falsely claims "overwhelming majority" voted Labour in Exeter local elections while circumvention of council decision-making scrutiny continues.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Greens take three seats from Labour so Progressive Group replaces Conservatives as official opposition
Conservative loss in Topsham among significant vote share changes in 2022 Exeter City Council elections suggesting city's political landscape in flux.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Do Exeter Labour election campaign claims stand up to scrutiny? Coda: Council tax
The last part of our 2022 local elections series is a coda examining Exeter Labour's claim that the city has one of the lowest rates of council tax in the country.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
2022 Exeter local elections guide
City council elections take place on Thursday 5 May. Our essential guide highlights who's standing where, wards to watch and what the results might look like and mean. We also outline their context and explain when, where and how to vote.
ANALYSIS ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Do Exeter Labour election campaign claims stand up to scrutiny? Part III: Climate & environment
The third in our 2022 local elections series examines Exeter Labour claims about climate crisis leadership, renewable energy, recycling, retrofitting and development standards as well as decisions to scrap council and city decarbonisation goals.
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Brownfield or green?
At yesterday’s second scrutiny meeting in the series being orchestrated by the city council to air Exeter City Futures’ ideas about using Exeter as an urban guinea pig for its development fund project it was Frazer Osment’s turn to play the ringer...
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Low attendance levels among some councillors mean Exeter electors get varying value for their votes
As part of our 2022 Exeter local elections coverage we have assessed the past year's attendance figures for public council meetings as a measure of councillor commitment to their constituents.
ANALYSIS ⁄ ECONOMY & ENTERPRISE
Do Exeter Labour election campaign claims stand up to scrutiny? Part II: Economy & city centre
The second in our 2022 local elections series examines Exeter Labour claims about the city centre and Exeter's wider economy, including its misrepresentation of content marketing materials as authoritative sources of information about the city.
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Do Exeter Labour election campaign claims stand up to scrutiny? Part I: Exeter's housing crisis
The first instalment in our 2022 local elections coverage examines Exeter Labour claims related to the housing crisis overtaking the city.
NEWS ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Exeter City Council abandons city 2030 decarbonisation "ambition"
Unannounced decision to exclude scope 3 emissions constituting around 43% of Exeter's carbon footprint from "net zero" plans effectively ensures city will not meet its decarbonisation goals.
NEWS ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Council reveals plan for "Pods in Exeter's Sky" to beat city congestion
Exeter City Futures proposal connects key city sites with a network of Alpine-style cable cars as an alternative to traffic improvement measures.
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
It's scrutiny Jim, but not as it should be
The city council kicked off a quartet of scrutiny meetings intended to pave the way for councillors to give Exeter Development Fund a green light with a session last night that resembled a sales pitch...
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Why does Exeter City Council evade public scrutiny of Exeter City Living property development decisions?
Significant decisions concerning the council-owned company are being taken in secret despite transparency legislation and assurances when it was created, with governance and scrutiny arrangements also potentially putting the council at risk.
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Council consultants confirm 58% of Exeter's university students live in city's residential housing stock
2021-22 university figures suggest there are now more than 4,500 student HMOs in the city, consistent with ONS findings, with number set to surpass Exeter's council housing provision.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Exeter City Futures secondment decision may be unlawful
Backbench city councillors denied scrutiny call-in powers to challenge controversial decision to send chief executive and senior director to work for private company.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
£55 million Guildhall shopping centre decision may breach local government transparency rules
Exeter City Council decision to purchase and redevelop shopping centre may be unlawful, ineffective and subject to judicial review, increasing already significant commercial investment risks.
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
We heart climate crisis
Anyone who might have been tempted to believe that the climate crisis is at the heart of everything Exeter City Council does (as it repeatedly claims) need look no further than its response to the consultation on the Devon climate assembly’s output report for clarification...
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Decision to send council CEO and director to work for Exeter City Futures is "disservice to citizens"
City council disregards governance, risk and conflict of interest issues despite cross-party challenges and conflates decarbonisation agenda with property development financing scheme.
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
In other urban sprawl news
A development of up to 80 residential dwellings on a ten acre greenfield site alongside Exwick Lane has been given the go ahead at appeal...
NEWS ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Exeter decarbonisation plans found wanting in nationwide council climate action plan study
Somerset West and Taunton highest scoring local authority area with East Devon in third place nationally in comprehensive Climate Emergency UK analysis.
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Pennsylvania petitioners expose fifteen years of flawed student accommodation policy-making
City council policies based on faulty premises, inaccurate information and miscalculated projections have failed to prevent mass student occupation of Exeter residential housing stock despite the proliferation of Purpose Built Student Accommodation across the city.
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Money for nothing
The Chartered Institute for Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) closed its consultation on draft changes to the Prudential Code last month, following a preliminary consultation earlier this year. The code governs how much councils can borrow to invest and what forms of commercial activity they are permitted to pursue...
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Exeter City Council approves second Harlequins "co-living" block, sealing fate of Paul Street
Previously rejected vision will now form basis of "abysmal" and "poorly thought through" Liveable Exeter development of 383 "units of accommodation" with increased proportion of substandard studios but reduced economic value to city.
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Net Zero Exeter 2030?
Research by University of Exeter students has concluded that local councils need to provide clearer and more accessible information on how they are addressing the climate emergency...
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ ECONOMY & ENTERPRISE
Public sector pay pals?
Instead of announcing the biggest council funding rise for over a decade, Exeter City Council’s press team marked budget day by celebrating Exeter’s latest quarterly YouGov popularity rating. The Paris Street PR machine forgot to mention that those surveyed need never have visited the city...
ANALYSIS ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Greens call for evidence-based Exeter carbon budget as city council clings to net zero rhetoric
The Net Zero Exeter plan lacks baseline emissions figures, recognised scope definitions and measurement and reporting frameworks, placing the city's decarbonisation agenda at risk. The opportunity for Exeter to demonstrate genuine climate crisis leadership nevertheless remains.
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Prospects improve for pop-up Paris Street and Sidwell Street tenants wanting to stay on development site
Council leader Phil Bialyk says it will be "some years" before planned CityPoint redevelopment affects repurposed retail units, and that council "would want" to accommodate artistic and cultural initiatives and independent local businesses "should they wish to remain".
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ ARTS & CULTURE
May the force be with UNESCO
Torbay and Exeter’s joint UK city of culture bid, said to be inspired by the “closely connected coastal and city destinations” despite Brixham and Exeter being an hour and a half apart by public transport, didn’t make it onto the longlist of eight places which have caught the eye of culture vulture and escapee celebrity Nadine Dorries...
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Council plans to scrap affordable housing requirement for Clifton Hill sports centre site redevelopment
Council-owned and financed developer cites unpublished report which values council-owned land for student housing despite council decision ruling out this use.
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Exeter City Council scraps own "unachievable" carbon emissions target
In an extraordinary reversal, the city council removed the goal of achieving carbon neutral operations by 2022 from its corporate risk register at an Audit & Governance committee meeting last week...
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ TRANSPORT & MOBILITY
Bonanza on the buses
There was no shortage of hyperbole to accompany last Sunday’s opening of Exeter’s glamorous new bus station...
NEWS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Proposed Exeter parliamentary constituency changes pit Priory against Pinhoe
City council responds to boundary commission consultation by proposing Conservative East Devon takes marginal Pinhoe and city keeps Priory Labour stronghold instead.
Exeter Digest #6: Liveable Exeter Place Board double bill - Scrutiny under scrutiny - Catastrophic climate change or cake?
In the sixth edition of our newsletter we review key stories from the past few weeks, get some perspective on our predicament and find some unlikely claims on a local Labour leaflet.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
City council outsourcing Exeter local government to unaccountable Liveable Exeter Place Board
An Exeter Observer investigation of Liveable Exeter Place Board has found that it is a de facto decision-making and governance body which exercises public functions with the potential to affect everyone who lives and works in Exeter.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Freedom of information requests reveal Liveable Exeter Place Board "chumocracy" overseeing the city
Despite the significance of Liveable Exeter Place Board's role in determining the city's future, its members are selected and appointed on a secretive, informal basis.
NEWS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Harlequins developer plans to scrap hotel to build second "co-living" block on shopping centre site
Existing planning approval will be factor in decision to return to earlier, rejected, vision which would mean 378 studios and "cluster flat" rooms along Paul Street.
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ ARTS & CULTURE
Free to those who can afford it
Torbay Council, Torbay Development Agency and Exeter City Council have “joined forces” to bid for 2025 UK City of Culture status, with their eyes on a prize of £300 million in claimed economic benefits...
ANALYSIS ⁄ ARTS & CULTURE
Positive Light Projects opens community arts centre despite CityPoint redevelopment threat
Parts of Exeter city centre are experiencing an unplanned renaissance as small shops and cultural venues move in to fill empty units on Paris Street and Sidwell Street, but uncertainty remains as the council still plans to demolish and redevelop.
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ ECONOMY & ENTERPRISE
Partnership agreement of the week
In a hotly-contested field, this week’s winner must surely be the new Exeter Civic University Agreement, which found its way onto last night’s city council Executive agenda...
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
River Exe green spaces and heritage harbour site threatened by "Liveable Exeter" development scheme
Exeter Civic Society and Green, Liberal Democrat and Independent councillors raise alarm at prospect of Exeter City Council development in river valley park and historic canal basin.
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
University drops environmental standards for huge student flats development with council approval
University of Exeter and Exeter City Council both ignore own policies in plans to demolish 30 buildings and construct 50,000m2 of new student accommodation, telling us more about their priorities than their climate leadership claims.
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Longbrook Street PBSA gifted second life
Exeter City Council planning officers have approved the renewal of planning permission for an eight storey 108-bed student accommodation block on the site of the King Billy public house which had previously been granted in April 2018 and since lapsed...
NEWS ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
South West Exeter district heating network plan abandoned
Property developers refuse to back scheme despite local authorities committing £7.3 million to project to supply 2500 new homes with waste heat from Marsh Barton incinerator, Exeter's largest single source of carbon emissions.
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Marking their own homework
Exeter City Council’s ruling Labour group reallocated the city’s committee seats at its annual meeting last week...
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Did Exeter's local elections results tell a Labour success story?
Exeter Labour lost just one seat in the city council elections and held all seven of its county hall seats, but on closer inspection its performance was more mixed than these headline results imply.
COMMENT ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Is Exeter City Council going to abandon its Net Zero 2030 target?
Review suggests alignment with Devon Carbon Plan, currently aimed at 50% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050, citing "technical and financial challenges ahead", although change in policy would require decision by councillors after 6 May local elections.
Exeter Digest #2: Exeter local elections guide - Majority want net zero by 2030 - Council meetings to resume in person
With the local elections a week today and a bank holiday weekend on its way we thought we'd publish our second edition a day early to give you extra time to take your pick of our top stories.
NEWS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
High Court rules council meetings must resume in person after local elections
Case seeking judgement to allow local authority meetings to continue remotely when temporary coronavirus regulations expire fails to override requirement for primary legislation.
NOTES & SKETCHES ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
So many questions
Quote of the week must surely go to Exeter City Council leader Phil Bialyk for: “Sorry, chair, I just need to refer to some of my other notes, if you’ll just bear with me”...
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
2021 Exeter local elections guide
Elections for Exeter City Council, Devon County Council and the Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner are taking place in Exeter on 6 May. Our essential election guide highlights wards and divisions to watch, changes taking place and how, when and where to vote.
NEWS ⁄ ARTS & CULTURE
Council announces plan to produce "Exeter the Musical" at city's Corn Exchange
Exeter City Council has announced a plan to produce a musical theatre extravaganza billed as "an ambitious celebration of a better life in the world's most world-class city" as part of its UNESCO City of Literature celebrations.
COMMENT ⁄ ECONOMY & ENTERPRISE
Selective use of statistics presents an unbalanced account of Exeter's economic & environmental status
Exeter City Council's Chief Executive uses statistics to show the city in a good light, but in doing so presents a picture which omits important information about the city's true position.
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Maclaines Warehouses development tests Exeter Heritage Harbour status
Decisions taken behind closed doors in favour of commercial interests threaten maritime and waterway heritage vision for Exeter's historic quay and canal basin.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
£37.5 million council maintenance backlog caused by underinvestment to be part-funded by asset sales
Exeter City Council has allowed property assets to deteriorate while prioritising new schemes including the £44 million St Sidwell's Point leisure centre, forcing it to identify assets for sale to pay its outstanding repair bills.
NEWS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Door to door campaigning for May local elections to go ahead after all
Government announces relaxation of coronavirus restrictions on election canvassing from next Monday 8 March in step with planned lockdown rule changes.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Council pushes back on Liveable Exeter Place Board scrutiny following membership change
Exeter City Council has responded to an enquiry about disproportionate Church of England representation on the Liveable Exeter Place Board by accusing Exeter Observer of promoting a "partisan narrative" and claiming our public interest reporting "bears no resemblance to fact".
NEWS ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Report places Devon County Council among UK's top local authority fossil fuel investors
£157 million of Devon Local Government Pension Scheme is invested in companies including Royal Dutch Shell, BP, BHP, Anglo American and ExxonMobil despite local authority climate emergency declarations and carbon reduction commitments.
NEWS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
May local elections to go ahead despite COVID-19 challenges
Ban on doorstep canvassing and door to door leaflet distribution likely to favour the two major parties on 6 May as postal and proxy voting encouraged in Exeter City Council, Devon County Council and Devon & Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner elections.
NEWS ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
District heating network planned for new South West Exeter development
Local councils are investing up to £7.3 million in a £23 million project to supply a development of 2500 homes with heat which depends on the Marsh Barton waste incinerator, Exeter's largest single source of carbon emissions.
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
First Liveable Exeter homes are substandard "warehousing for people" which is student accommodation "in all but name"
Harlequins shopping centre redevelopment approved by Exeter City Council includes 251 co-living units in seven storey tower block despite widespread opposition from conservation charities and community campaigners who have since appealed to the Secretary of State to call in the decision.
NEWS ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Hospital creates parking for 200 cars despite city climate crisis goals
Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital says new parking "temporary" but no end-date given in planning application and no hard evidence of need provided.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Exeter City Council executive members take direct control of city planning decisions
Council's executive now possesses majority on city planning committee, with council leader and planning portfolio holder also included despite national guidance, offering basis to challenge decisions and increasing democratic deficit.
ANALYSIS ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Is the "Net Zero" Exeter plan fit for purpose?
Exeter City Futures' carbon reduction plan ignores over a million tonnes of carbon emissions and massively underestimates the challenges facing the city.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Unelected Liveable Exeter Place Board created to oversee city from the shadows
Exeter City Council has convened an unelected board that meets in private, does not publish its discussions or decisions and is taking responsibility for major policies which will determine Exeter's future.
ANALYSIS ⁄ COMMUNITY & SOCIETY
Exeter rough sleepers in COVID-19 emergency accommodation face uncertain future
Exeter City Council has yet to confirm whether it will use any of the £2.15m Rough Sleeping Initiative funding it has received since 2018 to keep housing rough sleepers when government emergency accommodation funding runs out.
NEWS ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Exeter City Council accepts climate emergency plan to make city carbon neutral by 2030
Chief Executive warns that resourcing the plan is "problematic" given COVID-19 financial challenges and that lack of resources limits the council's capacity for immediate practical action.
NEWS ⁄ TRANSPORT & MOBILITY
Coronavirus halts decision to spend £3.9 million on car park repairs and upgrade
Exeter City Council spending plans will be revisited in June at same time as Net Zero Exeter carbon reduction plan is discussed by Executive.
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Exeter's first "zero carbon" housing development includes 96 car parking spaces for 40 homes
Exeter City Council has approved plans to develop land at Pinhoe with a parking ratio of 2.4 cars per household as part of an "exemplar scheme for future residential development in the city" while accepting that zero carbon construction comes "at a cost to the provision of affordable housing".
NEWS ⁄ COMMUNITY & SOCIETY
Exeter rough sleepers night shelter to open all year round
Exeter City Council has approved plans to extend Magdalen Street night shelter opening from April to the end of September.
NEWS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Exeter City Council announces £1.584m April budget shortfall caused by COVID-19 restrictions
Council revenues have fallen dramatically during the coronavirus pandemic, prompting a £6.357 million capital spending deferment. But financial support from government has so far been limited.
NEWS ⁄ ECONOMY & ENTERPRISE
Half of COVID-19 support grants unclaimed by Exeter businesses
Exeter City Council in bottom third of local authorities as only 45% of eligible local businesses claim government coronavirus support money.
COMMENT ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Is Exeter finally responding to the climate emergency?
A surge of activity about action to combat climate change is taking place in Exeter, including the publication of a carbon neutral blueprint pending a "mobilisation summit", but detail and evidence is still missing and community engagement is falling short of debate.
NEWS ⁄ CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENT
Exeter climate strike anniversary march brings junction to standstill
Protestors form human chain around County Hall to highlight Devon County Council's role as key regional climate policy decision-maker after Exeter City Council confiscates banners promoting carbon neutral blueprint policies.
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Exeter net zero housing revolution takes root in Chestnut Avenue
Exeter City Council is taking exploratory steps from talking about a zero carbon future to delivering one with a pilot housing project in Wonford.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Exeter & East Devon council accounts delayed by Grant Thornton's "lack of staff resources"
Annual accounts for local government, including Exeter City Council, have been delayed by private sector firms failing to complete their work on time after cost-cutting government auditing reforms.
NEWS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Conservatives hold Topsham in Exeter city council by-election
A by-election held on general election day produced an unusually high turnout but a lower Conservative vote share than at the May local elections.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Exeter City Council cuts scrutiny of executive decision-making
Constitutional changes proposed by Exeter City Council will make it more difficult to hold the ruling political group to account.
COMMENT ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Exeter could do better - was there no alternative to closing so many public toilets?
Exeter City Council did not need to close thirteen public toilets to balance the books. The money to keep them open was available in reserves, but no mention of this option was made during public decision-making by councillors or officers.
ANALYSIS ⁄ TRANSPORT & MOBILITY
We already know what to do about the climate crisis. We must get on with doing it as fast as we can.
Exeter and Devon council leaders must begin rapid regional decarbonisation now. The quickest, cheapest way to cut emissions in Exeter is to deter combustion engines from entering the city. Clean air legislation offers a basis for action.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Caught short - balancing the books in a hurry
Exeter City Council has unapologetically confirmed its decision to close 13 public toilets as a money-saving measure with full knowledge of its expected effect on residents and visitors. Can we expect other spending cuts to be handled the same way?
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Mount Radford Lawn development proposals conflict with St Leonards community vision
Exeter Deaf Academy hopes to sell a school playing field to developers who plan to build luxury homes. Local residents have other ideas about how best to use the land. A dispute is looming over an historic green space driven by prospective profit from planning gain.
NEWS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Exeter Labour loses local elections in all three city centre wards
Voters in Exeter yesterday elected three new councillors to represent them in the key wards that cover the city centre, with all the city's ruling Exeter Labour group candidates missing out despite the party's confident campaign.
ANALYSIS ⁄ DEMOCRACY & GOVERNANCE
Local resident stands as independent candidate in Exeter elections
Jemima Moore is a 36 year-old part-time primary school teacher and mother of two young children with little political experience. So why has she decided to stand for election to Exeter City Council on 2 May?
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Clifton Hill sports centre – the background
Storm Emma met the Beast from the East and dumped a huge amount of snow on the roof of Exeter's Clifton Hill sports centre, setting off a chain reaction which has ignited two campaigns and put Exeter City Council's approaches to competence and openness into sharp focus.
ANALYSIS ⁄ PLANNING & PLACE
Is the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan GESPing for air?
The Greater Exeter Strategic Plan has been a long time in gestation. When it finally arrives, will it deliver?
