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 Moore to the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Homelessness Prevention and Customer Services:
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“I appreciate that the Council listened to St Petrock's to change the methodology so that we get a better picture of how many people are experiencing rough sleeping. The Customer Focus minutes highlight the new strategy which plans tackle homelessness in a more systematic way, and that is expected in the autumn. In the meantime, what is the interim plan to respond to the growing rough sleeping crisis?”
The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Homelessness Prevention and Customer Services responded to this question stating that the increase in reported numbers was largely due to a change in methodology this year, designed to better align with partner organisations and provide a more inclusive and accurate count, meaning the rise appeared greater than it actually was.
In response, a range of improvements were being introduced, including a new “off the streets” offer providing same-day accommodation, a re-designed and more integrated outreach service, and a new commissioning model separating personal support from accommodation to improve stability and engagement.
There would also be gender-specific accommodation, enhanced support pathways for people leaving institutions such as hospital, prison, care, and the armed forces, and an expansion of Housing First and long-term supported housing for those with complex needs.
All current contracts would be replaced with new outcome-focused ones by summer 2026, alongside embedding a trauma-informed approach across services. Overall, these changes aim to deliver a more effective and sustainable reduction in rough sleeping throughout the year.
In asking a supplementary question, Councillor Moore thanked the Portfolio Holder for the response and requested that the information be shared more widely with residents. She noted that many residents were asking about the issue and emphasised the need to reassure the public that the Council was improving how it supported people quickly.
The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Homelessness Prevention and Customer Services agreed with the request to share information with residents and would see about
exploring ways to communicate the updates more widely.
In accordance with Standing Order No.8, the following question was put by Councillor Read to the Deputy Leader & Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services, Community Safety and City Centre:
“It was really interesting to find out recently that there are 58 services which are now only accessed by a digital login to My Exeter, e.g. making a noise complaint, reporting graffiti, ordering a new or replacement bin and 55 other services.
This method of digitally logging into My Exeter to report issues and request Council help puts off many people and potentially creates digital exclusion. I know that ECC is using various different performance indicators for analysing if people are being excluded from services, and that there has just been a review of this, when will the next review be planned for to ensure that no one suffers from an inability to access Council services due to digital exclusion in Exeter”.
The Deputy Leader & Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services, Community Safety and City Centre clarified that services were not only accessible through the MyExeter platform; it was encouraged for convenience but was not mandatory.
She confirmed that residents could still access services via phone or in-person at customer services and provided assurance that multiple communication channels remained available and functional. Access and performance were continuously monitored rather than reviewed annually and any accessibility issues would be addressed promptly as they happened. There was no evidence that improving online access reduced availability for those using non-digital methods.
In accordance with Standing Order No.8, the following question was put by Councillor Read to the Leader:
“In the light of the shocking docudrama ‘Dirty Business’ does the Leader think we can do more to have liaison with our local water company, South West Water, and the Environment Agency to understand whether situations here are likely to improve or worsen”?
The Leader, Councillor Bialyk, responded to this question stating that Members should recall that it had previously been agreed that contact with South West Water would be made but unfortunately the offer of a meeting was declined. As a district authority, the Council had no statutory powers over water companies or the Environment Agency. Regulation, enforcement and investment decisions rested entirely with national agencies and Southwest Water themselves.
However, the Council was committed to representation and partnership liaison whenever and wherever possible in order to ensure that service delivery concerns are raised on behalf of residents.
In asking a supplementary question, Councillor Read noted that South West Water had declined to attend a meeting, which was disappointing and urged continued pressure for engagement. She asked whether farmers or their representatives could be invited to future discussions, noting their absence at previous meetings despite their role in water pollution.
The Lord Mayor advised that the supplementary question was not related to the response provided.