Agenda and draft minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a true record.

Guidance is available online to Councillors and co-opted members on making declarations of interest.

Minute 50. Public Spaces Protection Orders consultation.

Councillor Brian Bailey, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Exmouth Town Councillor.

Minute 50. Public Spaces Protection Orders consultation.

Councillor Daniel Wilson, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Exmouth Town Councillor.

Minute 50. Public Spaces Protection Orders consultation.

Councillor Marcus Hartnell, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Seaton Town Councillor.

Minute 50. Public Spaces Protection Orders consultation.

Councillor Matt Hall, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Exmouth Town Councillor and dog owner.

Minute 50. Public Spaces Protection Orders consultation.

Councillor Tim Dumper, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Exmouth Town Councillor.

Minute 51. Public toilets programme review.

Councillor Brian Bailey, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Exmouth Town Councillor.

Minute 51. Public toilets programme review.

Councillor Daniel Wilson, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Exmouth Town Councillor.

Minute 51. Public toilets programme review.

Councillor Matt Hall, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Exmouth Town Councillor.

Minute 51. Public toilets programme review.

Councillor Steve Gazzard, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Exmouth Town Councillor.

Minute 51. Public toilets programme review.

Councillor Tim Dumper, Affects Non-registerable Interest, Exmouth Town Councillor.

Information on public speaking is available online.

Seven members of the public had registered to speak.  It was agreed to take the public speakers at the start of the relevant agenda item.

Information on matters of urgency is available online.

There were no matters of urgency.

To agree any items to be dealt with after the public (including press) have been excluded. There are no items that officers recommend should be dealt with in this way.

There were no confidential or exempt items.

The Blackdown Hills National Landscape Manager, Tim Youngs, presented the Annual Review and update on progress being made with reviewing the Management Plan 2025 – 2030. It provided an opportunity for the Committee to understand the work programmes and activities that had been carried out by the Blackdown Hills National Landscape team over the last 12 months and also to hear about the plans for 2025/26 and how they align with the Council’s own priorities for the environment. The Blackdown Hills National Landscape team is hosted by Devon County Council, with East Devon DC (along with Mid Devon DC and Somerset Council) as key match funding partners, alongside Defra. The Management Plan 2025 – 2030, including the Delivery Plan, would be published imminently. 

In response to a question regarding soil loss and soil entering rivers due to agricultural activity, the Manager advised that advice was available for farmers to assist with promoting crop management to minimise soil loss.

That Overview Committee noted the Blackdown Hills National Landscape Annual Review report 2024/25 and update on the Management Plan Review 2025-2030.

The Chair thanked Mr Youngs for attending the meeting.

Five members of the public had registered to speak on this item.  The following points were made by the members of the public:

Martin Huscroft represented Kilmington Cricket Club and advised that the Club had seen a large reduction in recorded dog fouling incidents following the introduction of the PSPO. The continuation of the dogs on leads PSPO was supported as it would positively address the issues of dog fouling and dogs running free and causing a nuisance.

Ash Cook represented the Kilmington Playing Field Committee and noted that the Playing Field was distinct from the Kilmington Recreation Ground which was referred to in the consultation. It was requested that any further final PSPO document referred to the Playing Field. The Playing Field Committee opposed the introduction of dogs off leads for a large part of the day, as this would inevitably result in increased dog fouling with the associated risks to public health, including the potential for dog attacks which was a growing national problem. The Playing Field Committee supported retaining the current dogs on leads PSPO.

Yvette Turner represented the Kilmington Dog Walking Group and advised that the school and Cricket Club only use a part of the Playing Field during the summer months.  There are no suitable alternative areas in Kilmington which elderly or less mobile residents can access to exercise their dogs off lead safely. Off lead exercise is also highly beneficial for dogs’ well-being. Ms Turner outlined a compromise position which would restrict dogs on leads to the summer months only: Kilmington Dog Walkers Association proposed that the dog on lead requirement should be removed and a new dog exclusion requirement between 10am and 6pm from 1 May to 30 September is applied. This compromise had worked well in other parts of Devon and the Dog Walking Group requested the Committee to support the compromise.

Sandra Ward highlighted the need for a place where disabled people and those with mobility issues can exercise their dog safely off the lead. Currently disabled people and those with impaired mobility have to use country lanes which can result in dangerous incidents such as Ms Ward had experienced when walking her dog. The compromise position worked in other parts of the country and took account of the Council’s legal obligations and the needs of the whole community.

Robert Kathro addressed the Committee with regard to Exmouth Donkey Field and Exmouth beach. Mr Kathro advised that he had regularly observed dogs off lead on the beach during restricted times and had submitted complaints in previous years. Mr Kathro had been advised by the Council that his complaints would be treated as vexatious. A volunteer survey this summer had witnessed 53 dogs off lead on Exmouth beach and members of Mr Kathro’s family had personally experienced a distressing incident involving a dog off lead.  A compromise position for Exmouth beach could include a stretch which prohibited dogs at all times to enable everyone to enjoy use of the beach.

Angela Ashwin  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

Two public speakers had registered to speak for this item.

Cllr Graham Deasy, representing Exmouth Town Council, advised that the Town Council had growing concerns regarding the review which had resulted in a shortfall of facilities for Exmouth.  Existing facilities are struggling to remain serviceable and the Town Council would like to see additional and larger public toilet blocks. The Town Council seeks to promote Exmouth as a welcoming tourist destination but has received many complaints, including from international visitors, regarding the condition of the facilities.  This is damaging the town’s reputation and negatively impacting those wanting to visit the town, including local sports groups, which then has an unwanted negative impact on the local economy. The Town Council was of the view that the review was based on outdated information and urged EDDC to work with the Town Council moving forwards.

Cllr Dianne Conduit, representing Exmouth Town Council, informed the Committee that she had received many complaints during this year, particularly from women and those caring for small children.  The impact assessment which had formed part of the review was out of date in the post covid pandemic era.  Cllr Conduit expressed concern regarding the public toilet provision at Foxholes which had been problematic: money had been taken although the public could not access the toilets; people had been locked in; disabled people had difficulty accessing the toilets and the design did not meet the needs of stoma users.  There was a lack of confidence in the facilities at Foxholes.  There had also been public health issues when the facilities at The Maer had been closed.

The Chair thanked the public for their contributions.

The report was introduced by the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Assets, Cllr Paul Hayward, who advised that the review and provision of the service was challenging and complex.

The Assistant Director – Place, Assets and Leisure, Tim Child, presented the report which followed on from a Spotlight Briefing to the Overview and Scrutiny Committees on 15 July.  A key milestone has been reached in the programme for delivery against the outcomes of the 2021 Public Toilets Review.  Phase 1 of the planned investment programme has now been completed alongside the transfer of some facilities to Town and Parish Councils and the sale, lease or closure of others.

The report also considered the current context for the delivery of the Public Toilets programme, including the challenges associated with the Medium Term Financial Plan and the backdrop of the forthcoming local government reorganisation [LGR], and considered the options for moving forward whilst also reflecting on learnings from the first phase.

The outcomes of the Spotlight Session were as follows:

1.     Overview Committee to receive a report and make recommendations on the way forward;

2.     The Scrutiny function to be satisfied by a cross-party Members group with oversight of project as it moves forward.

This report addressed the first outcome and provided Overview Committee with the opportunity to influence direction of travel and a more detailed options  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

To consider the Cabinet Forward Plan; would the Committee wish to receive a report on key decisions prior to Cabinet?

It was suggested that the Committee could consider the care and maintenance of ancient trees in the District.  A proposal form would be submitted.

With this addition, the Work Programme, as published, was agreed.