Minutes:
The Lord Mayor advised Members of the events she had attended, which included:
· attended the Exeter College Awards, celebrating the achievements of young people, and visited the Exeter College Technology Centre to see cutting-edge apprenticeship work;
· joined the opening of Tops Nursery, meeting staff and pupils;
· attended Clyst Vale Community College’s production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ at the Barnfield Theatre;
· attended the Exeter University Theatre Company’s production of ‘And ThenThere Were None’ at the Northcott Theatre;
· supported the IJW Dance Show at the Cygnet Theatre and the Mayura Dance Awards at America Hall;
· attended performances by the Band of the Royal Marines at the Northcott Theatre and the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra at the University Great Hall;
· celebrated the 75th Anniversary of Exeter Writers at the Custom House and attended the Exeter History Book Festival at the Mint;
· spoke at the Southernhay and Topsham Rotary Club breakfast meeting;
· attended the AGM of Exeter Twinning Circle and heard about plans in Rennes to mark the 70th anniversary of the twinning between the two cities;
· met with crafters and members of the Hong Kong community at Spring Festivals hosted at the Phoenix and the University Forum, celebrating the Year of the Horse;
· attended Evensong for the Northern European Cathedrals conference;
· marked the appointment of Canon Chris Palmer as Dean of Winchester Cathedral, with thanks given on behalf of the city;
· commemorated Holocaust Memorial Day at services held in the Cathedral and the Guildhall;
· marked four years of war in Ukraine with a vigil and an evening of Commemoration & Culture at St Stephen’s Church; and
· attended the wreath-laying ceremony and service at the Cathedral to commemorate HMS Exeter.
The Lord Mayor invited the Leader to speak to make a special announcement.
The Leader expressed appreciation for the Chief Executive’s 20 years of dedicated service to the Council.
The Leader described the Chief Executive, Bindu Arjoon, as a respected leader who demonstrated integrity, intellectual rigor, genuine warmth and approachability with a strong sense of public service. It was noted that she joined the Council in 2006, providing two decades of senior strategic leadership and was appointed Deputy Chief Executive in 2021, leading corporate transformation during a period of significant financial and operational challenge, and became the Council’s first female Chief Executive in 2023.
Members were advised that she had led on a wide range of major service areas, which included: housing, homelessness, planning, business transformation, ICT, HR, corporate strategy, community safety and strategic partnerships. Her work had
strengthened the Council’s financial resilience and governance arrangements, while overseeing significant regeneration programmes supporting housing, economic development and environmental sustainability.
The Chief Executive had been recognised for her steady leadership through the Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living pressures, championing inclusive growth and community wellbeing, and maintaining a strong focus on residents and frontline services. It was noted that she has represented the city regionally and nationally through Local Government Association peer work, contributing to improvement across the wider sector.
In addition to her Executive duties, she had demonstrated a strong commitment to education, serving as Chair of Governors at St Thomas Primary School and St Peter’s School, and as Chair of the Corporation of Exeter College. She was also recognised as a mentor and champion for colleagues, supporting the development of future leaders.
The Leader described her as a leader of integrity, humility and loyalty, who exemplified modern civic leadership through a thoughtful, inclusive and determined approach.
The Lord Mayor was invited to present the Chief Executive with her long service award on behalf of the Council, and congratulations were formally recorded.
The Chief Executive thanked the Leader for his kind words and reflected on her 20 years of service to the city, describing it as a great privilege. She recalled first arriving in the city with her young son and noted that it had since become her home, where she has felt welcomed and supported. She expressed her appreciation to colleagues, elected Members and partner organisations for their support and friendship over the years.