Agenda item

Details of questions should be notified to the Democratic Services Manager at least three working days prior to the meeting - by 10am on Thursday 5 June 2025. Further information and a copy of the procedure are available from Democratic Services with details about speaking at Council to be found here: Public Speaking at Meetings.

The Lord Mayor reported the receipt of nine questions from members of the public and advised that supplementary questions should be short and directly related. Any questions that cannot be addressed during this Item will be answered in the minutes.

Question from James Diamond to Councillor Wood

“The December ECC motion called on DCC to increase the number of School Street what contribution could this make to the delivery of the 2040 Vision ‘By the time they are an adult, a child born in Exeter today will live in a city that is inclusive, healthy and sustainable?”

Response from Councillor Wood

“School Streets have the potential to increase the amount of walking and cycling achieved by children, young people and families. This would support improved physical and mental wellbeing and enable children and young people to be healthy and active through daily walking and cycling. Children who walk and cycle to school will be more likely to continue with sustainable travel behaviour as they get older, therefore contributing to the 2040 vision and the council net zero ambitions.”

In a supplementary question the member of the public asked the Portfolio Holder if he would commit to meet the new Leader of Devon County Council (DCC) and the new Portfolio Holder for transport to make most of the motion. The Portfolio Holder deferred to the Leader as there was more than one relevant Portfolio, and the Leader advised that there had been meetings scheduled at respective levels.

Question from Harriet Sharp to Councillor Vizzard

“In December 2024, ECC passed a potion calling on DCC to increase the number of School Streets in Exeter and to provide a progress report on this activity to the ECC Transport Member Working Group in six months’ time. Can you please provide a copy of this six-monthly report?”

Response from Councillor Vizzard

“Officers from the Council’s Live and Move team are engaged with Devon County Council sustainable transport team regarding active travel and school streets in particular. DCC maintains an active school streets application process that is open to all schools and we are aware that DCC have recently commissioned a project to support a number of Exeter Schools with Travel Plan measures. A progress report will be taken to the next Exeter Transport member Working Group on 18 September 2025”

In a supplementary question the member of the public asked if there had been any meetings between DCC officers and ECC officers since the motion. Councillor Vizzard advised he was not aware and asked officers to report back.

Question from Mark Hackett to Councillor Bialyk, Leader

“When the Council Tax officer ignores emails sent to the correct address about problems with the council tax what can a citizen do when ignored at Exeter City Council level?”

Response to Councillor Bialyk, Leader

“Citizens can refer to the Council’s corporate complaints policy and can make a formal complaint if they think we have:

• not resolved an issue or problem at the first point of contact;
• done something wrong;
• behaved unfairly of impolitely;
• not carried out a service to an agreed standard or in line with our policy; and
• not responded to you request for a service within out stated timescale.

Our complaints process is for an on-going service failure that you believe is our fault.”

In a supplementary question the member of the public asked if the URL for the form would be available in the minutes and was advised by the Leader that he would talk to Directors and he should await direct contact.

Question from Colleen Natola to Councillor Wood

“I have bowel disease and spinal injuries. Health professionals tell me to swim. I can’t wait at a bus stop, walk to SSP or afford to pay to park. My e-bike was recently stolen from SSP. Please explain, how can I live better, follow doctor’s advice once Northbrook is closed?”

Response from Councillor Wood

“The Council acknowledges the importance of accessible leisure facilities. Alternative transport options and support schemes are being reviewed to assist residents with mobility or financial challenges.”

In a supplementary question, the member of the public asked what accountability mechanisms exist when decisions with inaccuracies are made. It was advised by Councillor Wood that there would be a written response that will appear in the minutes. 

Question from Alison Lacey to Councillor Bialyk, Leader

“Where will special needs children and schools swim when Northbrook pool is closed. Please explain how SSPs profitability will be affected when it has to close admittance to the public to continue with the education of Exter’s children and how does your decisions follow the localism act of 2011.”

Response from Councillor Bialyk, Leader

“Provision for school swimming will be maintained through scheduling at other facilities. The council continues to assess the impact on public access.”  

In a supplementary question the member of the public asked if schools would be able to continue using their own teacher at SSP, as they provide their own instructors. The Leader advised that this would be dealt with by staff in conjunction with the schools. 

Question from Sarah Hornsby to Councillor Wood-

“Concerning the Exeter Vision 2040, in ECC’s current Corporate Plan, what is your strategy for achieving the aim of having a ‘year on year increase in residents using leisure centres’ when St Sidwell’s Place is running at nearly full capacity and you propose to close Northbrook Swimming Pool?”

Response from Councillor Wood

“While swimming pools occasionally reach capacity during peak periods, particularly school holidays, our leisure centres as a whole are not operating at full capacity. Our broader objective will allow for increased participation by ensuring efficient use of facilities, expanding programme offerings, and maintaining accessibility across all sites.”

In a supplementary question, the member of public asked if SSP was full, would they have to go to Riverside instead.

Councillor Wood advised that SSP is not full, and there was capacity.

Question from Richard Isley to Councillor Bialyk, Leader

“ECC have an annual budget of £23 million. The remedial work to keep Northbrook, an essential community facility, operational is less than 0.5% of that total. Given the physical and mental health benefits to both the young and elderly city wide, surely this should be taken into account when considering spending priorities.”

Response from Councillor Bialyk, Leader-

“All expenditure must be considered in the context of long-term financial sustainability, operational efficiency, and strategic priorities.”

In a supplementary question, the member of the public asked if the Council was able to see how waste reduction linked with productivity would provide funds to support Northbrook.

This was not answered as was not a supplementary question related to the answer given.

Question from Tracey Preece to Councillor Wood-

“SSP is overwhelming, intimidating, loud, impossible to swim in when you have mental health issues. Many will be overwhelmed, unable to manage the complexity of the building. It does not offer the intimate relaxed friendly and supportive environment needed. Where can I swim if I have challenges such as Autism?”

Response from Councillor Wood-

“The council recognises the need for inclusive environments. Efforts are underway to improve accessibility and sensory-friendly options at existing facilities.”

A supplementary question was asked regarding how Council could justify the closure, when the Equality Act 2010 aims to promote equality for all. Councillor Wood advised that the Equality Act 2010 was taken into consideration against all relevant decisions of the Council. He also clarified that there had been no decision to close Northbrook pool yet, only a proposal. An Equality Impact Assessment would also be carried out to ensure citizens needs were supported.