Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 27 March 2025 were approved as a true and accurate record.

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

Minute 40, Exmouth Motorhome Parking – Overnight Stopovers

Cllr Tim Dumper, Affects Non-Registerable Interest, Former member of the Exmouth Town Council Motorhomes TAFF.

Minute 40, Exmouth Motorhome Parking – Overnight Stopovers

Cllr Paula Fernley, Affects Non-Registerable Interest, Has a campervan.

Minute 40, Exmouth Motorhome Parking – Overnight Stopovers

Cllr Geoff Jung, Affects Non-Registerable Interest, Sat on the Exmouth Town Council Motorhomes TAFF.

Minute 40, Exmouth Motorhome Parking – Overnight Stopovers

Cllr Steve Gazzard, Affects Non-Registerable Interest, Member of Exmouth Town Council and member of the Exmouth Town Council Motorhomes TAFF.

Information on public speaking is available online.

Two members of the public had registered to speak at the meeting.  

Mr Robert Kathro spoke in connection with Exmouth Motorhomes Parking – Overnight Stopovers item (minute 40 refers).  He outlined shortcomings with the public consultation, including the data collection exercise and reporting and analysis of the results.  Mr Kathro also spoke of issues around fire safety, rule breaking, lack of enforcement, and financial questions, many of which were identified within the report but to which credible and meaningful solutions were not provided.  He requested that the Committee rejects the proposals before them and suggested that they needed to be reworked.

The Democratic Services Officer read out a statement of behalf of Mr Sav Spall, concerning Exmouth Motorhomes Parking – Overnight Stopovers (minute 40 refers).  Mr Spall strongly opposed the policy of allowing overnight stopovers for motorhomes on the seafront and in Maer Road Car Park.  He outlined examples of inconsiderate behaviour and unsafe practices which were not being policed, and parking restrictions which were not being enforced.  He asked why out of town car parks were not being used to accommodate vehicles, given this would be easier for the Council to regulate and would make owners have to walk through the town to the seafront, providing footfall for shops, cafes and restaurants.  Mr Spall referred to the public consultation which he said should have been a fair and democratic process but in effect, served only to promote and entice motorhomes and campervans to the seafront.

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/exempt items.

The Parking Services Manager presented his report which set out recommendations for a number of proposed changes to the overnight stopover arrangements for motorhomes in two Exmouth car parks, following public consultation.  The recommendations had been formally endorsed by Exmouth Town Council in April 2025.

The Chair welcomed Exmouth Town Councillor Fred Caygill who was attending as an external witness in his capacity as Chair of Exmouth Town Council’s Motorhome Task and Finish Forum (TAFF).  A briefing paper provided by the Town Council had been published with the agenda papers and Cllr Caygill verbally outlined the background and context to the TAFF’s recommendations.

Discussion and clarification included the following points:

·         The council’s current policy on motorhome parking is set out in the Parking Strategy.

·         Some members were of the view that motorhomes on the seafront should be banned.  On visiting Exmouth, they were surprised at the number of motorhomes in the area, taking up spaces which could otherwise be used by local families who want to enjoy the beach. 

·         Other members noted that campervans are popular worldwide and it is not feasible to ban them.  The Council needs to cater for them which in turn helps the local population who do not want campervans parked outside their driveways and on residential streets.

·         There is dedicated parking enforcement daily except for Christmas Day; however, there is no resource for enforcement beyond 6pm and into the night. 

·         Members noted that RingGo would prevent people from paying to stay for more than 3 consecutive nights but were concerned that no enforcement is in place to stop people from returning after 6.00pm, and parking overnight for free.  The Parking Services Manager responded that from experience, most people are conscientious and observe the restrictions.  He added that enforcement officers are active from 6.00am.

·         It was suggested that 2 consecutive nights would be more appropriate for stopovers, still allowing people to stay and enjoy the town and seafront.    

·         The Council has committed to accept payment by cash for as long as practically possible; however, it is intended to only take payment by RingGo for motorhomes parking, as a specific and bespoke solution to the particular problem of people parking for longer than the maximum stay restrictions.

·         Some members were of the view that Queen’s Drive Echelon is unsuitable for campervans and motorhomes.  Spaces cannot accommodate vehicles of the size which typically have on-board facilities, and the closest public toilets are closed overnight from 10.00pm.  The Parking Services Manager responded that there is an expectation for people to be responsible and use the facilities for waste disposal as they need them.  There is no requirement for their vehicles to be self-contained, however he felt the nature of the recommendations would naturally attract vehicles that have on-board facilities.

·         Members felt that the overnight stopover fee was too low at £15.00 for 24 hours given that it costs £8.00 to park a car for the day, and motorhomes would benefit from enhanced facilities.  It was suggested to set the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

The Democratic Services Manager presented this report which set out proposed changes to the Petition Scheme for the Committee’s consideration. 

Members were invited to comment on the proposed wording, for submission to the Constitution Working Group which would make a final recommendation to a future Council meeting.

The Democratic Services Manager informed the Committee that implementation of the new e-petitions platform was delayed.  It had been intended to introduce the platform on the Council’s website by 30 May 2025, and the Democratic Services Manager stated that he would provided an updated timeline by email to the Chair, during the week commencing 21 July 2025. 

Discussion included the following points:

·         The e-petitions platform is an additional offering to members of the public but the Council will continue to accept hard copy petitions.

·         Costs for the e-petitions platform are yet to be confirmed.

·         In the Democratic Services Manager’s experience where authorities have an e-petitions scheme, this has not led to a significant increase in petitions submitted.

·         Need to be careful with the wording in the petitions scheme so as not to set a public expectation that the Council will fix an issue over which it has no control.

·         At section 3.2 of the scheme which covers Petitions for Council Debate, consider setting the signatures threshold at a percentage of the population rather than a fixed number, given the chances of getting 1,500 signatures in a village will be quite slim, relative to a town.

·         Review whether section 3.3 is needed, in relation to petitions calling for Council employees to give evidence at any meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

·         In reference to section 5.12 concerning petitions which the Monitoring Officer may decline to accept, it would be appropriate for this to be subject to Member oversight, in the interests of transparency.

·         Consider setting out in the Petitions Scheme what this Council does not do, given that people often do not know what individual councils do.

The Assistant Director – Environmental Health presented this report which proposed service-specific policies relating to Animal Licensing and Animal Enforcement, to ensure a consistent and effective approach to animal related enforcement.

In discussion, it was suggested to put out communications to promote awareness of the policies among the general public.

RECOMMENDED to Cabinet:

1.    To formally adopt the draft Animal Enforcement Policy

2.    To formally adopt the draft Animal Licensing Policy

i.              To receive the Overview Committee’s Work Programme 2025 – 2026

ii.             To consider a proposal form submitted by Cllr Geoff Jung:

a.    Beach Hut arrangements and charging review of current agreed policy

Members received and noted the Overview Committee’s Work Programme for 2025-2026.

Having reviewed the Cabinet Forward Plan, the Chair suggested adding the Public Spaces Protection Orders consultation to the Committee’s work programme, for a future meeting.   

Members also considered a proposal form submitted by Cllr Geoff Jung concerning beach hut arrangements and charging review of current agreed policy.  It was agreed to add this item to the Committee’s work programme, for scoping work to be undertaken.