Agenda and draft minutes

The minutes of the previous meetings of Cabinet held on 29 October 2025 were agreed.

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

Information on public speaking is available online

Sandra Ward spoke on the item Public Spaces Protection Orders Approval Review. She stated she lived in Kilmington and that treating people fairly must be ensured legally by EDDC so as not to breach the 2010 Equality Act. She felt this had not been used when applying the PSPO on the Kilmington Playing Fields. She said that there had been no consideration for having one area of levelled access for people with disabilities or mobility issues when walking their dogs. She was concerned that the residents vote to allow dogs off lead had not been considered. Residents could make use of the field every day. She asked for due diligence in treating people fairly when this item was considered.

Martin Huscroft spoke on the item Public Spaces Protection Orders Approval Review. He stated that Kilmington Cricket Club had been playing cricket here since 1906 and that the club was the main contributor for the running costs of the playing fields and pavilion. The playing field was used by the primary school, village residents and young people alongside the Cricket club using it for training, coaching and matches. Many villages were club members and supporters. Since the introduction of the Dogs on Leads PSPO in 2023 the incidents of dog fowling had significantly reduced, the free running of dogs was the main contributor to the dog fowling. He stated that as a club they had legal responsibilities for the health and safety of all cricketers to ensure safeguarding. Dogs on leads would not encroach on the club’s activities on the field but dogs off leads could chase balls as well as players. He thanked Kilmington Parish Council and primary school for their support in this matter and EDDC’s environmental health team for their recommendations to keep the current controls in place. 

John Lavender, Chair of the Kilmington Playing Fields Committee spoke on the item Public Spaces Protection Orders Approval Review. He stated the Committee had governance responsibilities for the playing field. For safeguarding reasons, the committee opposed the dogs off leads proposal. He believed the new proposal failed the safeguarding test and that all protections should be applied throughout the day and not just at certain times of the day. Activities on the field can co-exist dogs walking on leads but not when off lead. He stated the Kilmington Playing Fields Committee supported these proposals for dogs being kept on leads.

Yvette Turner spoke on the item Public Spaces Protection Orders Approval Review. She represented the Kilmington Dog Walking Group and was a resident of Kilmington. She stated that PSPOs must be proportionate and avoid blanket bans. A dog on lead rule would affect many elderly and disabled residents who can access the field safely and essential for their mobility, mental health and independence. She felt the residents compromise backed by the Kennel Club was more proportionate that the PSPO proposals.

Cllr Arnold Dare represented Kilmington Parish Council and spoke on the item Public Spaces Protection Orders Approval Review. He  ...  view the full minutes text for item 109.

Information on matters of urgency is available online

There is one late item recommended by officers - agenda item 10: Minutes of the meeting of Budget Setting and Capital Allocations Panel held on 1 December 2025.

There is one late item recommended by officers - agenda item 10: Minutes of the meeting of Budget Setting and Capital Allocations Panel held on 1 December 2025.

To agree any items to be dealt with after the public (including the Press) have been excluded. There is one item which officers recommend should be dealt with in this way.

Members noted the minutes and recommendations of the Cranbrook Placemaking Group held on 6 October 2025.

Minute 30: Community Development

To support the approach set out in the report to reestablish the Wellbeing Cranbrook

programme and the creation of the Community Wellbeing & Activity Organiser and

Community Connector roles.

Minute 31: Stewardship of Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space

1. To approve the preferred approach for the order of priority for the appointment of the ‘Responsible Organisation’ for adoption and future management of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) in the expansion phases of Cranbrook (in line with other public green spaces and community assets), as follows:

i. Cranbrook Town Council in the first instance (subject to Governance Review in relation to the area currently within the Whimple Parish).

ii. The District Council (or future Unitary Authority).

iii. An appropriate public body, charitable trust or CIC that is suitable for the

management of SANG (e.g. Land Trust/English Estates), in consultation with

Cranbrook Town Council.

2. To approve the following proposed selection criteria, which are set out as the Council’s expected consistent approach when (in conjunction with developers) determining who should be the Responsible Organisation for each phase and in future S106 agreements.

i. An appropriate constituted organisation in public ownership with capacity and suitability to manage SANG in perpetuity.

ii. A suitable financial plan to ensure in perpetuity funding, which takes a

cautious/low risk approach to investment.

iii. A clear approach to public accountability to ensure that future management of the SANG can respond to community issues/concerns.

iv. That management costs for SANG in each phase of Cranbrook are based on an approved detailed landscape plans, specification, SANG management plan and a cost schedule which sets out the areas/features being delivered within the SANG and the estimated timescale for their capital replacement (and costs thereof).

v. Consideration of how added value will be achieved (e.g. wider public health and wellbeing, education, sustainability and biodiversity benefits).

vi. How the organisation will contribute to achieving a consistent management of SANG within Cranbrook.

vii. Agree to delegate authority to the New Community Manager and Green

Infrastructure Project Manager to prepare a model of an outline specification

and management plan which sets out the approach and requirements for SANG

Management in Cranbrook.

3. Agree to delegate authority to the New Community Manager and Green Infrastructure Project Manager to prepare a model of an outline specification and management plan which sets out the approach and requirements for SANG

Management in Cranbrook.

Members noted the minutes of the Placemaking in Exmouth Town and Seafront Group held on 20 October 2025.

Cllr Aurora Bailey asked about the pedestrian crossing and signage coming into Exmouth. She also asked about getting a pedestrian crossing laid in the Strand opposite the Powder Monkey and requested that this be considered by the Group as she was concerned about public safety.

Minute 50 was deferred from Cabinet held on 29 October 2025. This report is on the agenda at item 15.

Members noted the minutes and recommendations of the Overview Committee held on 30 September 2025.

Minute 50 Public Spaces Protection Orders consultation

1. That the evidence supports the ongoing need for public space protection orders in relation to the control of dogs, seashores and promenades and anti-social behaviour and consumption of intoxicating substances.

2. That Cabinet discharge the three Public Spaces Protection Orders from 2023 in March 2026.

3. That Cabinet approves three new East Devon Public Spaces Protection Orders for 2026 as attached to the report, with the exception of the PSPO for Exmouth seafront which the Overview Committee recommends should remain as it currently stands and that further consultation should be undertaken, if necessary, with a view to extending and clearly defining the areas where dogs are either permitted or prohibited.

Members noted the minutes and recommendations of the Budget Setting and Capital Allocations Panel held on 1 December 2025.

Minute 12 - Capital Bids considered

1.         That the following bids be included in the Capital Programme:

a. Bridge Health and Safety Repair works £85k for 2026/27

b. Coastal Maintenance Works district wide £120k for 2026/27

c. Fluvial Maintenance district wide £90k for 2026/27

d. Cliff fencing relocation in Budleigh Salterton and Sidmouth £50k for 2026/27

e. Replacement of Play Provision at Thomas Close Play Area, Exmouth £150k for 2026/27

f. Muga resurfacing at Foxhill Playing Field, Axminster £50k for 2026/27

g. Replacement of play provision at St Malo Close Play Area, Exmouth £50k for 2026/27

h. Beer Outfall Relocation Works £50k for 2026/27

i. Resurfacing of car park at Victory Hall, Broadclyst £20k for 2026/27

j. Refurbishment of Play Area at Uplyme £60k for 2026/27

k. Camperdown Depot essential improvements £67k for 2026/27

l. Installation of LED screen to replace projector in Council Chamber, Blackdown House £57k for 2026/27 subject to review of the cost and alternative options for display that meets the requirement of users of the Chamber

m. Recycling and Waste Fleet Replacement (35 vehicles) £444k for 2026/27, £3790k for 2027/28, £1701k for 2028/29

n. Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and Depot Enhancements, Unit 42 Greendale Business Park £50k for 2026/27

o. Ocean Remedial Cladding Works, Exmouth £55.5k for 2026/27

p. Stage Lift Replacement, Exmouth Pavilion £40k for 2026/27

q. Bell Works, Jubilee Clock Tower, Seaton £40k for 2026/27

r. Air Handling Unit (AHU) Replacement, Sidmouth Leisure Centre £91.5k for 2026/27

s. Whimple Playground refurbishment £76k for 2026/27

t. Demolition of Brook Road Car Park Public Piolets and creation of car parking spaces, Budleigh Salterton £32k for 2026/27

2.         That the following proposed bids put forward for inclusion are not supported at this time:

a. Replacement of railings on Sidmouth Promenade £189k for 2026/27

b. Replacement of Steamer Steps at Budleigh Salterton £250k for 2026/27

c. Play Park consolidation study £20k for 2026/27

d. Demolition of Jarvis Close Car Park Public Toilets, and creation of car parking spaces, Exmouth £34k for 2026/27

e. Toilet refurbishment at Exmouth Pavilion £168.5k for 2026/27

f. Boiler replacement at Exmouth Leisure Centre £265k for 2026/27

g. Lift replacement, Exmouth Town Hall £53.5k for 2026/27

h. Camperdown Depot Roof replacement £92.5k for 2026/27

i. Tracked Access Platform £95k for 2026/27

The Green Infrastructure Project Manager presented the report which set out the proposed approach to the management of 78Ha of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) which would be delivered across the four Cranbrook expansion areas.

It was proposed that the preferred approach for the appointment of the ‘Responsible Organisation’ for adoption and future management of SANG in these expansion phases of Cranbrook was agreed with the Developers, in accordance with an order of priority which aligned with other public open spaces and community assets within Cranbrook. The Cranbrook Placemaking Group supported this approach.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1. Approve the preferred approach for the order of priority for the appointment of the ‘Responsible Organisation’ for adoption and future management of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) in the expansion phases of Cranbrook (in line with other public green spaces and community assets) as follows:

i. The relevant Town/Parish Council in the first instance (subject to the outcome of the Governance Review in relation to the area of Cranbrook currently within adjoining Parishes),

ii. the District Council (or future Unitary authority),

iii. an appropriate public body, charitable trust or CIC that is suitable for the management of SANG (e.g. Land Trust/English Estates).

2. Approve the following proposed selection criteria, which are set out as the Council's expected and consistent approach when (in conjunction with developers) determining who should be the Responsible Organisation for each phase and in future s106 agreements:

i. An appropriate constituted organisation in public ownership with capacity and suitability to manage SANG in-perpetuity.

ii. A suitable financial plan to ensure in-perpetuity funding, which takes a cautious/low risk approach to investment.

iii. A clear approach to public accountability to ensure that future management of the SANG can respond to community issues/concerns.

iv. That management costs for SANG in each phase of Cranbrook are based on approved detailed landscape plans, specification, SANG management plan, and a cost schedule which sets out the areas/features being delivered within the SANG and the estimated timescale for their capital replacement (and costs thereof).

v. Consideration of how added value will be achieved (e.g. wider public health and wellbeing, education, sustainability and biodiversity benefits).

vi. How the organisation will contribute to achieving a consistent management of SANG within Cranbrook.

3. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director Planning Strategy and Development Management, in consultation with Cranbrook Town Council and the relevant Portfolio Holders, to prepare a model outline specification and management plan which sets out the approach and requirements for SANG Management in Cranbrook.

REASON:

To ensure that Council’s preferred approach for the appointment of a Responsible Organisation for the management of SANG in the expansion phases at Cranbrook, was consistent (across the different phases); financially sustainable; supports wider health, wellbeing and environmental benefits; and supported an effective approach to community stewardship of both the SANG and wider community assets.

Sue Wakley-Stoyle stated that the woods were gifted to the Woodland Trust in 1991 by her late uncle Percy Wakley. She asked that the legacy of her uncle (who’s ashes are buried in the woods) was maintained and care and attention was given to any excavation. She asked if a plaque could be placed in the woods to commemorate her late uncle and if this area could still be referred to by his name.

The Appropriate Assessment for the final 1137 homes at Cranbrook concluded that there was a requirement for an additional 15.2ha of Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) to mitigate the impact of the houses. Only 1097 homes would actually be provided, reducing the requirement to 14.4ha. Clyst Meadows Country Park would provide 10.24Ha of SANG, meeting part of this requirement, but leaving a balance of 4.16Ha which would need to be met to fully mitigate the early phases of Cranbrook.

Percy Wakley Woods was a 5.4 Ha woodland owned by the Woodland Trust, located within the Grange phase of Cranbrook. Without external support or long-term management funding, the Woodland Trust did not have the capacity to absorb the additional management required to meet visitor pressures likely to arise as neighbouring housing and SANG were delivered. The Woodland Trust had offered to lease the woods for a peppercorn rent to the Council, in order that it could be

enhanced and managed as SANG and integrated with adjacent proposed SANG areas.

A series of access improvements were proposed in 2 phases. An investment and additional funding reserve would provide in-perpetuity (minimum 80 years) to meet annual maintenance costs and capital replacement costs when required. The total budget was £880,000, which could be funded through s106 agreements relating to Habitat Regulations mitigation at Cranbrook.

The Council’s Countryside Team would implement enhancements and manage the woodlands until adjacent SANG areas were completed. At this stage the Council would seek to transfer the lease of and management of the woods, with funding to secure in-perpetuity management, to the Responsible Organisation who were managing the adjacent areas, to provide a consistent and efficient management approach.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.     Delegates authority to the Assistant Director – Countryside, Environment & Ecology in consultation with the Assistant Director Place Assets and Leisure, Director of Finance and Director of Governance, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders, to agree and finalise the lease of Percy Wakley Woods from the Woodland Trust subject to the completion of appropriate legal documentation.

2.     Notes the intention to sub-let Percy Wakley Woods to the future Responsible Organisation, to provide a continuous management regime for SANG land at the Grange, Cranbrook, and delegates authority to the Assistant Director – Countryside, Environment & Ecology, in consultation with the Assistant Director Place Assets and Leisure, Director of Finance and Director of Governance, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders, to agree management arrangements, transfer of funding to ensure in-perpetuity management of the woods and finalise the sub-tenancy arrangements subject to the completion of appropriate legal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117.

Cabinet received an update on the management funding for Clyst Meadows Countryside Park (10Ha Suitable Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG)), at Station Road, Broadclyst which sat within the wider Clyst Valley Regional Park. Estimated costs for future SANG delivery to mitigate the impact of residential allocations in the emerging Local Plan were provided. The delivery of Clyst Meadows would ensure that the planning authority was able to meet its statutory duty to preserve the integrity of nearby internationally designated habitat sites.

The total budget for delivery of the site works at Clyst Meadows was £1.63M (excluding land purchase and management costs). This was funded through CIL contributions, s106 agreements and £200k from the capital programme. A further £200k of UK SPF funding was also allocated for delivery of the shared cycle path.

Advice from an Independent Financial Advisor and CCLA Investment Management indicated that an appropriate low-risk investment to secure in-perpetuity funding would be £1.1M (to be funded from CIL).

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.     Approves the creation of an investment fund of £1.1m, funded from CIL, to secure the in-perpetuity funding for the management of Clyst Meadows.

2.     Delegates authority to the Assistant Director Planning Strategy and Development Management, Finance Director, Place Director and Director Governance, in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders, to set up and arrange for the management of this fund.

REASON:

The Council as the competent authority, had a legal responsibility to ensure that SANG was provided and managed in-perpetuity as part of the Mitigation Strategy for the SE Devon Internationally Protected Habitats. The delivery and in-perpetuity management of Clyst Meadows SANG was one of the mitigation measures identified through the Habitat Regulations Assessment process, ensuring the Council met its legislative requirements when permitting housing development through the Local Plan.

The existing Exmouth Beach Management Plan (BMP) was produced in 2015 and set out how the Exmouth coastal defences were to be monitored and maintained in line with the long-term strategic approach. Since 2015 there had been several developments including updates to sea level rise and climate change guidance, and seawall failures at Exmouth. As a result, the BMP needed to be reviewed and updated.

A key focus of the BMP update was to critically review and re-appraise the long-term strategic approach to sustainably managing the present and future risks of coastal flooding and erosion over the next 100 years, to secure the long-term future of Exmouth seafront for future generations to enjoy in the way that many people do so today. Three leading options for the future management of coastal flood and erosion risk along the Exmouth BMP had been identified. Alongside that ongoing monitoring and maintenance activity, the BMP update also set out the forward programme and actions for EDDC to progress the leading.

Cabinet thanked Alan Frampton for his work in reviewing and updating this Plan.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1)    adopt the Exmouth BMP Update and support the leading options set-out in the adaptive pathway approach as the basis for managing the Exmouth BMP frontage in the short, medium and long-term.

2)    That Cabinet support recommending that progressing this project, including preparatory work by South West Flood & Coastal, is promoted as a priority for the successor authority following Local Government Reorganisation to commence in 2028/29.

3)    In the meantime, Cabinet support South West Flood & Coastal in progressing preparatory studies below £100k, utilising the remaining budget previously approved by Cabinet for development of the BMP on 2 October 2024 of £140k rather than returning the underspend to the general pot as proposed in that previous paper.

REASON:

Adopting the updated BMP and strategic approach it set out would enable preparatory work to commence in the coming years by South West Flood & Coastal. With aim of commencing work to develop a business case for the local or national options from 2028/29 in order to provide long-term sustainable management of coastal flood and erosion risk to Exmouth.

The Council’s Leisure Strategy (2021 - 2031) was approved in October 2022 and contained a recommendation for the facility mix for the leisure centre in Cranbrook. Given the scale of the project at Cranbrook, this had now been updated with an addendum to reflect the latest population and leisure industry guidelines. The Leisure Delivery Forum on 16th September 2025 received the Leisure Addendum and asked Cabinet to recommend to Full Council, to endorse this update to the Leisure Strategy (2021 - 2031).

RECOMMENDED to Council:

That the Addendum to the Leisure Strategy be endorsed.

REASON:

The Leisure Strategy’s purpose was to help the Council make informed strategic decisions on its leisure facilities. The addendum ensured that the Leisure Strategy reflected the latest population and leisure industry guidelines and informed the Cranbrook and Marlcombe projects.

The Assistant Director – Environmental Health introduced the report and provided a presentation which highlighted key points. The Council currently has three PSPOs in place covering dog control, seashores and promenades, and anti-social behaviour dating back to 2023. The Council had carried out a review of these PSPOs to ensure that the three-year review period was met and to assess if the controls were still required and if so whether they needed to be amended. This included public consultation. It was recommended that the evidence supported the ongoing use of PSPOs but changes to existing controls required three new orders. These PSPOs were subject to enforcement which could be handled by Dog Wardens, Enforcement Officers and the Police.

During discussion the following points were made:

·       The need for clarification to some of the wording in the EIA

·       That disabled people were exempt from the dog control and seashores and promenades orders.

The Portfolio Holder Environment – Operations wished to thank Matt Blythe and his team for their hard efforts in producing this challenging review being proposed.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.     Agree the evidence supports the ongoing need for public space protection orders in relation to the control of dogs, seashores and promenades and anti-social behaviour and consumption of intoxicating substances.

2.     Discharge the three Public Spaces Protection Orders from 2023.

3.     Approves three new East Devon Public Spaces Protection Orders for 2026.

4.     Approve to change the length of a short lead to up to 2 metres when dog walking on a pavement.

REASON:

To ensure that suitable Public Space Protection Orders were in place.

Woodbury Parish Council (as ‘Qualifying Body’) had formally submitted their proposed Neighbourhood Plan for the parish of Woodbury to the District Council (as Local Planning Authority). The purpose of the report was to formally agree the response by the Council to the submission. The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (Regulation 16) required the Council to formally consult on the Plan for a minimum of 6 weeks.

The Portfolio Holder Environment – Operations thanked Ed Freemen and his team for working with Woodbury Neighbourhood Plan team in getting to this submission stage.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(1)   Note the formal submission of this first neighbourhood plan for the parish of Woodbury and congratulate the producers of the plan on reaching this milestone.

(2)   Agree that the proposed representation set out at paragraph 1.22 and Annex 1 in the report is made in response to the consultation.

REASON:

To ensure that the view of the District Council was formally recorded and informs the consideration of the Neighbourhood Plan by the independent Examiner.

The Portfolio Holder Finance introduced this report which proposed that EDDC support the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust in introducing car parking charges at a currently free site on the outskirts of Sidmouth. If agreed, this would be the second site that EDDC managed on behalf of this landowner.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

(1)   Approves the addition of Mutters Moor Car Park to the EDDC Off- Street Civil Enforcement Parking Order 2008 which will allow for car parking charges to be introduced and for EDDC to manage the site on behalf of the landowner.

(2)   That an identical model of commercial terms to those already in effect at Otter Estuary Nature Reserve is agreed for EDDC’s ongoing management of the new car park. This will see EDDC receive a 20% share of all income for the site, with the landowner covering all administrative and setup costs associated with the creation and management of the site.

REASON:

EDDC already managed Otter Estuary Nature Reserve Car Park in Budleigh Salterton on behalf of the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust, and the landowner had asked if the Council could support them in introducing a similar charging scheme at Mutters Moor, Sidmouth. The basis for introducing charging at the site was to support the Trust in achieving its charitable aims and ensure the long-term viability of the site. By supporting the landowner, the Council further improved its working relationship and could manage and enforce the site as it did with other sites. This ensured a fair and transparent enforcement regime for motorists, which would not have any control over if the landowner opted for a private enforcement company to manage the site. EDDC would receive a 20% share of all income from the site, this was calculated once the agreed administrative fees had been paid by the landowner.

The report stated that the Cranbrook Placemaking Group had considered two reports on how best to reinvigorate the Wellbeing Cranbrook programme. This report followed up on the recommendations from the Group to Cabinet regarding the funding and hosting of key roles. The potential to develop a civic collaboration agreement was also put forward to develop a framework to support the social development of Cranbrook over the longer term.

RESOLVED that Cabinet;

1.     Supports re-establishing the Wellbeing Cranbrook programme.

2.     Supports the creation of the Community Wellbeing & Activity Organiser and Community Connector roles and for these to be hosted by Cranbrook Town Council and funded through a combination of utilising the earmarked reserve and the balance of the Move More Cranbrook budget.

3.     Supports exploring the development of a civic agreement with key partners to provide a framework to support ongoing community development

REASON:

To help to reactivate the Wellbeing Cranbrook programme to ensure that the benefits of being within the Sport England Place Partnership programme were realised including the promotion of physical activity. To ensure that strong social foundations were established for the Cranbrook new community alongside its ongoing physical development.

The Vice-Chair to move the following:

“that under Section 100(A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public (including the press) be excluded from the meeting as exempt information, of the description set out on the agenda, is likely to be disclosed and on balance the public interest is in discussing this item in private session (Part B)”.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

That under Section 100(A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public (including the press) be excluded from the meeting as exempt information, of the description set page 7 Cabinet 29 October 2025 out on the agenda, is likely to be disclosed and on balance the public interest is in discussing this item in private session (Part B).

The amended recommendation was agreed.