Agenda and draft minutes

The minutes from the previous meeting were confirmed as a correct record.

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

Minutes 23,24 & 26

Councillor Paul Hayward, Affects Non-registerable Interest; employed as Clerk to Axminster Town Council; and Devon County Councillor

Minute 23

Councillor Olly Davey; Affects Non-registerable Interest; Member of Exmouth Town Council;

Minute 23 and 24

Councillor Nick Hookway; Affects Non-registerable Interest: Member of Exmouth Town Council

Information on public speaking is available online

None.

Information on matters of urgency is available online

None.

To agree any items to be dealt with after the public (including the press) have been excluded. There is one itemwhich officersrecommendshould be dealtwithin thisway.

There was one item dealt with this way, set out under minute 26.

The report set out updates on the work carried out by the Placemaking and Major Projects team.  Highlighted to the Forum were:

Exmouth Placemaking Plan

• Final draft reviewed in September 2025, focused on deliverable projects.
• Public consultation held November–December 2025; feedback currently under review.
• Feedback to be shared with the PETS group imminently.
• Target adoption in Spring 2026.
• Adoption sought jointly by East Devon District Council, Exmouth Town Council, and Devon County Council.
• Report expected to progress to Cabinet in April.

Stalled Employment Sites

• Multidisciplinary team established to progress sites.
• Cloakham Lawns, Axminster:
  • Land transfer progressing; target completion Spring 2026.
  • Planning application preparation underway; submission targeted for Summer 2026.
• Harepath Road, Seaton:
  • Site being marketed by Vickery Holman.
  • Offers currently being reviewed.
• Colyford Road site, Seaton:
  • Delivery options under review; update to be provided once finalised.
• Hayne Lane site, Honiton:
  • Valuation underway to support sale negotiations.

Cranbrook Scheme

• Delays experienced due to slow progress on land transfer.
• Legal work on land transfer now largely resolved; transfer expected in February [current year].
• Planning application already submitted and pending consideration, with decision anticipated by end of the month.
• Pre-Construction Services Agreement commenced at the beginning of the month.
• Construction cannot begin until land ownership is secured.
• Completion anticipated in Autumn 2026[current year].
• Funding timescales have been extended by agreement to reflect land transfer delays.  In response to questions from Members, clarification was provided that funding is not adversely affected due to the agreed extensions and commencement of construction can start when the land transfer has occurred.

The Forum noted the report.

The report before the Forum highlighted aspects of the work of the Estates team,  including community asset transfers, lease events, rental income, and capital receipts.

Community Asset Transfers

• Update provided on ongoing work by the Estates team in collaboration with Members.
• Work builds on the Stewardship Report approved by Cabinet in July.
• Good engagement reported with town councils.
• A cross-party Portfolio Holder Working Group has been established.
• A Project Initiation Document (PID) has been prepared to support programme delivery through to Local Government Reorganisation.
• A Part B Cabinet report is in preparation, setting out the post-programme approach and next steps.
• Resource requirements highlighted as critical to success, including capacity within the team, as well as Legal Services, Street Scene and Finance.

Lease Events and Rental Income

• Members noted that rental uplift varies year-on-year depending on lease events.
• Officers agreed it would be helpful to provide clearer context in future reports, including percentage increases and source of uplifts.

Capital Receipts

• Capital receipts total in excess of £270,000 for the financial year to date.

Redgates Employment Units (Exmouth)

• Three units successfully let; the fourth remains under marketing with viewings scheduled.

The Forum noted the report.

The 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)

The Forum noted the upcoming lease events due.