SPECIAL REPORT
Campaigners compel Exeter City Council to reconsider Northbrook pool closure with 2,250-strong resident petition
Exeter City Council is under pressure to reconsider its plan to close Northbrook Swimming Pool after community campaigners triggered a full council debate on the closure by raising a petition imploring it to keep the pool open that was signed by nearly 2,250 local residents.
As a result it will hold a debate on the pool’s closure at its 10 June meeting at Exeter Guildhall.
At the same time responses to residents’ freedom of information requests have confirmed that the £3.5 million cuts made by the council to its 2025-26 budget included a decision to close the pool that was made without first holding a public consultation or producing an Equalities Impact Assessment.
A failure to fulfil its Public Sector Equality Duty in this way would make the pool closure decision potentially unlawful and leave it open to challenge in the courts.
May’s local elections results and the council’s dependence on financial support from Sport England have also intensified the pressure on it to change course, as months of growing anger led to a demonstration outside its annual meeting last week.
HEADLINES
Supreme Court rejects Dartmoor landowners’ attempt to prevent wild camping on their land
Judges unanimously dismiss appeal by Alexander and Diana Darwall against 2023 ruling upholding Dartmoor Commons Act as campaigners call for enhanced public rights to access nature pledged by Labour when still in opposition. Read more.
Ofsted finds Devon County Council children’s services remain “inadequate” with rating unchanged since 2020
Inspection report highlights “serious weaknesses” that are “leaving children at risk of harm” as failings echo poor Special Educational Needs & Disabilities provision. Read more.
Mid Devon District Council mischarged 2,865 social housing tenants £15.5 million in rent over twenty years
Housing regulator identifies “serious failings” in application of rent standard as council discovers dozens of evictions in which “rent arrears were the sole, or contributory factor”. Read more.
ON OUR RADAR
The Mushroom Show // Emmanuel Hall
Scratchworks Theatre Company combines interactive games, comedy and music to explore the fascinating world of fungi. More details
Love, Devotion and Harmonious Melodies // St Nicholas Priory
Steve Tyler and Marco Cannavò perform medieval music on historical instruments. More details.
Exeter Respect Festival // Belmont Park
The annual celebration of Exeter diversity returns for its 28th anniversary with live music and performance, food stalls, community and campaign groups. More details.
Heritage Harbour Festival // Exeter Quay
The maritime-themed event returns for a third year with steam boats, exhibitions, talks, live music, film screenings and more. More details.
The Book Market // Cathedral Green
Exeter City of Literature event features independent booksellers from across the county with author talks, stalls, food and drink. More details.
Art Week Exeter // Exeter city centre and elsewhere
Festival returns with exhibitions, film screenings, talks, workshops, performances, social events and an art car boot sale. More details.
BELOW THE FOLD
Dartmoor National Park warns of continued high fire risk after wildfire destroys 1,230 acres of moorland
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service took nearly 24 hours to extinguish bank holiday weekend blaze that followed warning of uncontrolled moorland fire risk. Read more.
24 hour year-round Sidwell Street “adult gaming centre” allowed at appeal
Planning inspector finds no evidence that “increase in crime and disorder” or “serious detrimental impacts on the health of local residents” would result from change of use from restaurant and takeaway unit. Read more.
Twelve months temporary church use extension sought for Haven Banks Liveable Exeter development site units
Second year of “worship and ancillary uses” for retail park units to follow December 2023 planning approval for ultra-high density build-to-rent scheme for which neither planning permission nor consent notice yet published. Read more.
Petroc and Exeter College governors agree “merger in principle”
Further and higher education colleges with Barnstaple, Tiverton and several Exeter sites will now consider consequences of creating what would be largest college group in South West with public consultation due on plans before November decision. Read more.
Planning inspector upholds decision to refuse fifth additional storey in build-to-rent scheme above Crankhouse Coffee
Twelve year-old permission to add one full and one stepped-back storey to West Street elevation and remove all commercial space nevertheless remains extant. Read more.
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