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 Banyard to the Leader:
“The former SecAnim site in St David’s has become a magnet for urban exploring, with young people and others putting themselves at risk by entering this contaminated and derelict factory. Despite repeated complaints from ward councillors, the owner has taken no action. The Council has issued a Community Protection Order, but this has been ignored. What action will the Leader take to ensure this dangerous site is urgently made secure?”
The Leader gave the following response:
“ The former SecAnim site is in private owndership (Cilldara Group Exeter Ltd), and responsibility for ensuring the site is secure, rests with the landowner under the Occupiers Liability Act 1984.
Exeter City Council’s building control powers only extend to cases where a structure resents an immediate danger to the public, which is not currently the case here.
The Council’s Corporate Property team has pressed the landowner’s agents to strengthen fencing and site security, and we have reminded them of their legal duties. We continue to monitor the situation and will review whether other statutory powers, such as action under section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (untidy land) or section 79 of the Building Act 1984 (ruinous or dilapidated buildings), might be engaged if conditions worsen.
The Council’s Environmental Health Team and Police have also been liaising closely with the landowner over the matter and pressing for a resolution to the problem using their limited legal powers also.”
In accordance with Standing Order No.8, the following question was put by Councillor Haigh to the Leader:
“At the Special Executive on 24 June 2025, it was resolved that any increase in costs to Leisure Services be reported back to Executive and Council for approval. With regard to the closure of Northbrook Pool, can the Leader confirm the outcome of negotiations on the dilapidations clause – specifically, the requirement, as stated by the Strategic Director of Place, to return the building to the Northbrook Trust in “good order and repair”? What is the agreed cost of meeting this obligation, will the Council need to borrow to fund it, and what impact will this have on the current budget?”
The Leader gave the following response:
The City Council has announced that it will no longer run services at Exeter’s Northbrook Swimming pool after 3pm on 23 September 2025. It follows the decision made by the Council’s Executive on 24 June, and an extensive consultation with leisure members, centre users, schools, and clubs. The decision has been driven by a combination of high operating costs and consistently low usage. Unfortunately, this means the Council is no longer able to subsidise the facility.
However, all users will be able to switch to our modern and accessible facilities close by in the city. The leisure team have worked hard over the last couple of months to ensure that the transition is as smooth as it can be for all users. We have worked closely with our members, schools, and clubs who use Northbrook to ensure they are able to access alternative locations.
The Leisure team have now met with all schools and clubs currently using Northbrook Pool and it has been confirmed that we are able to accommodate all existing bookings, and all sessions will be added to the schedules at the new sites. All Exeter Leisure members and pool users will continue to have full access to our swimming facilities at St Sidwell’s Point and Riverside Leisure Centre, where we look forward to welcoming them.
The Commercial Assets Team is liaising closely with the Northbrook Community Trust so that the building can be handed back as soon as possible, and in accordance with the lease. Further discussions are required to understand and agree dilapidation costs, which will be reported to Council, as necessary and in due course.
To date only informal discussions have been held with the Northbrook Trust; formal negotiations will commence once the Trust have served a dilapidations schedule on the Council. The Trust have instructed surveyors to act on their behalf, and we await service of the schedule.
In accordance with Standing Order No.8, the following question was put by Councillor Haigh to the Leader:
“What was the outcome of the Sport England funding package for the redevelopment of Wonford Sports Centre, including the total amount awarded, the draw down deadline by which this funding must be spent, and how much additional funding will have to be contributed by ECC to progress the project? If further funding is needed, will the Council be seeking to borrow to meet this commitment?”
The Leader gave the following response:
The Council has received a conditional funding agreement from Sport England, to cover a proportion of the capital costs of the project, but as the grant award is embargoed until it can be signed, the Council is unable to provide further details.
Officers continue to have dialogue with the Sport England strategic capital investment team regarding capital funding of the Wonford Community Hub project. Officers continue to explore other funding opportunities to meet the full costs of the scheme, as well as working on a business case to enable the new facility to be delivered without subsidy.