To receive questions from Members on any matter for which the Council has powers, duties or affects the city.
Minutes:
In accordance with Standing Order No. 8, the following question was put by Councillor M Mitchell to the Leader:
“Can the Leader confirm that neither he or his administration will be placing before Council a request to the Secretary of State to cancel the local elections due to be held for Exeter City Council in May 2026?”
The Leader responded stating that he had no intention of cancelling the local elections due to be held in May 2026 and neither did this council.
In accordance with Standing Order No. 8, the following question was put by Councillor Wetenhall to the Leader:
“Your administration has committed to completing the roll-out of food waste collections by the end of this financial year and I and my fellow Green Councillors warmly welcome this. Can you please confirm that this roll-out will include flats in the city centre area, covering both St David’s and Newtown and St Leonard’s wards?”
Councillor Ruth Williams, Portfolio Holder for City Management responded stating that flats would be included, as they had been with all areas of the roll out that had been conducted to date.
In accordance with Standing Order No.8, the following question was put by Councillor Moore to the Leader:
“Exeter’s baseball team, the Exeter Spitfires, have won Regional League and we wish them well as they go to the National Finals. However, at the moment they are unable to train anywhere as King George V Playing Fields have reverted back to the football team. When will the Exeter Spitfires be able to move onto their permanent home of Bromham’s Farm playing field?”
Councillor Wood, Portfolio Holder for Leisure Services and Healthy Living responded to this question, stating that “Exeter Spitfires current licence agreement for KGV ends on the 3rd of August 2025. The field will continue to be maintained, and they remain able to play up to and including that. The commencement of the use of Brohmams is subject to current and ongoing discussion with the club regarding their terms of occupation. It is anticipated that terms will be in place prior to the start of the April 2026 formal baseball season. No interim training facilities have been requested.”
In a supplementary question, Councillor Moore stated that there had been discussions about interim arrangements and the need to spend their grant by September to ensure it could be spent, she asked Councillor Wood if he would be able to have an urgent conversation with Exeter Spitfires about these issues.
Councillor Wood stated in response that if Exeter Spitfires made an approach the council would engage in discussion.
In accordance with Standing Order No. 8, the following question was put by Councillor Banyard to the Leader:
“The Government is currently consulting on proposed changes to the way planning committees operate, in its “Reform of planning committees: technical consultation”, which closes on Wednesday 24th July 2025. Has the Council responded, or does it intend to respond, to this consultation?”
Councillor Patrick, Portfolio Holder for City Development responded stating that “Officers have reviewed in detail, the Government’s Reform of Planning Committees: Technical Consultation, and that does close on 24?July?2025, and have discussed the proposals with myself. Many of the measures outlined are actually consistent with approaches already adopted in Exeter, although some aspects – such as a nationally prescribed delegation framework – could have implications for local flexibility.
Following this consideration, the Portfolio Holder and officers concluded that a formal submission from Exeter City Council would not add significant value to the consultation process on this occasion. Nevertheless, officers will continue to monitor developments and will ensure that Members are briefed on any future consultations or emerging guidance with direct implications for the Council’s decision?making arrangements.”