Agenda item

The minutes of the Special Executive Committee held on 19 June 2025 were presented by the Leader, Councillor Bialyk and taken as read.

In respect of Minute No. 45 Pendragon Road Councillor Moore asked for clarification regarding access points to the site, and the expected greenspace that would be connected to this development. Councillor Banyard asked the Leader to provide information on the guarantees the Council could offer to ensure the enforcement on the ransom strip around the site. Clarification was also sought from Councillor Harding regarding how the land between Savoy Hill Valley Park and Mincinglake Valley park could be joined as soon as possible.

In response the Leader stated that the report had covered the disposal of land and had not been a planning application, that the number of access points was still being discussed by planners with the developers. Discussions surrounding the land at the edges of the site were subject to ongoing work between legal and planning teams. Regarding the land between Savoy Hill Valley Park and Mincinglake Valley Park it would be good to see this provide better and useable amenity space for residents and visitors.

RESOLVED that the minutes of Special Executive Committee held on 19 June 2025 be received.

The minutes of the Special Executive Committee held on 24 June 2025 were presented by the Leader, Councillor Bialyk and taken as read.

In respect of Minute No. 48 Closure of Northbrook Swimming Pool, Councillor Palmer raised concerns about information suggesting that Northbrook Swimming Pool would be demolished by the Council and whether if asked by the Northbrook Trust for the swimming pool to be returned to them in its original condition, the closure would be reconsidered. Councillor Miller-Boam asked the Leader to provide clarification on what work had already been done regarding community ownership of the pool, as recommended by the Customer Focus Scrutiny Committee.

In response the Leader stated that there had been no proposal for the Council to demolish Northbrook Pool as the asset was not ours, and that there was an upcoming meeting with the Legal team regarding the lease, but there would be no reconsideration beyond that.

Councillor Bennett submitted the following question under Standing Order No. 8:

“At the Executive on the 24^th June, over 4 weeks ago, the Leader said with regard to Northbrook Swimming Pool. If agreed tonight, the closure process could take up to 12-weeks. This will give officers time set up focus groups, talk with teachers and engage leisure members to work out ways to help people transition to St Sidwell’s and Riverside pools. We are fortunate in having committed and knowledgeable staff at our leisure centres, who can facilitate this process.”

Please can a full update on these focus groups, transition arrangements and provision made for schools be explained to Council?.” 

The Leader provided the following response in response to Councillor Bennett’s question:

“Following the Executive meeting on 24 June, I am pleased to provide a full update on the progress made regarding the closure process of Northbrook Swimming Pool (NSP) and the transition arrangements to St Sidwell’s Point (SSP) and Riverside Leisure Centre (RSLC).

Schools and Clubs Engagement
The Leisure team have now met with all schools and clubs currently using NSP. A thorough review of pool hall space at SSP and RSLC has confirmed that we are able to accommodate all existing bookings. This has been communicated to all relevant parties, and we are currently awaiting final confirmations. Once received, all sessions will be formally added to the schedules at the new sites. I am pleased to report that in some instances; we have been able to reduce costs for schools.

Focus Groups and Community Engagement

Focus groups designed to engage individuals with protected characteristics, including those who are neurodivergent, have been scheduled at both St Sidwell’s Point and the Isca Centre during the week commencing 4th August. These sessions will offer leisure members and other stakeholders the opportunity to share their views and help shape the transition process that is inclusive, accessible, and responsive to the diverse needs of our community.

We remain committed to a smooth and well-supported transition for all our users of Northbrook Swimming Pool and will continue to provide updates as the process continues.”

In a supplementary question Councillor Bennett asked whether or not the difference in price of school transport would be paid for by the council. The Leader responded stating that this was a school transport issue and should to be raised with Devon County Council, and that a number of costs for schools had already decreased.  

RESOLVED that the minutes of Special Executive Committee held on 24 June 2025 be received.

The minutes of the Executive Committee held on 8 July 2025 were presented by the Leader, Councillor Bialyk and taken as read.

In respect of Minute No. 55 Local Development Scheme: Summer 2025 Councillor Bennett referred to a question asked by Councillor Moore during the meeting and asked how much progress had been made in drafting an SPD for co-living. In response Councillor Patrick, the Portfolio Holder for City Development, clarified that it was recognised that this was important housing tenure and should be part of our plans for SPD going forward, but was awaiting a draft plan from Bristol. Once received work would commence on a draft plan for Exeter.

In respect of Minute No. 56 Newtown Community Project – Triangle Car Park Amends Councillor Vizard spoke in support of the scheme, stating that it was crucial to the area and a good example of public consultation. Councillor Vizard also commended the support of the Cycling Campaign. Councillor M Mitchell stated that the recommendation had been supported unanimously at HATOC.

The Leader moved and Councillor Wright seconded the recommendation which following a unanimous was CARRIED.

In respect of Minute No. 57 Costed Organisational Carbon Footprint Projections to 2030 Councillor Harding asked for clarification regarding information suggesting that the solar farm was back-up powered by a diesel generator. Councillor Banyard noted the areas showing marginal reduction by 2030, and asked that given procurement is a powerful lever, how would secondary emissions from this be reduced. Councillor Moore noted that the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) highlighted an issue regarding some religions and asked the Leader if this would be addressed.

Councillor Moore also noted that ‘Business As Usual’ (BAU) showed a reduction of 29% by 2030 and asked when Exeter would be expected to achieve net zero. Councillor Atkinson spoke in support of this report and asked the Leader if she was correct in believing that this report was groundbreaking and that no other council had produced a report at this level.

The Leader responded that he would take the comments about the EQIA and feedback to officers. He confirmed that Councillor Atkinson was correct in her belief that the report was groundbreaking, and the Leader asked Councillor Vizard, Portfolio Holder for Climate, Ecological Change and Communities to respond in more depth.

Councillor Vizard responded to questions making the following points:

·         solar farms were not backed by diesel generators;

·         there was more that could be done using with communications to share the work that the council had been doing;

·         BAU was a misnomer as it suggested that the Council was doing nothing out of the ordinary but that was not the case;

·         the Net Zero by 2030 ambition remained, and the report was fully costed and provided a stark message about what would be necessary to achieve that target; and

·         the report was groundbreaking and that there had been no similar, costed reports across local authorities.

RESOLVED that the minutes of Executive Committee held on 8 July 2025 be received.