Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the previous meetings held on 10 December 2024 and 10 February 2025 were noted as a true and accurate record.

Cllr A Bailey – Minutes 28-30; Affects Non-Registerable Interest: Member of Exmouth Town Council.

Cllr O Davey – Minutes 28-30; Affects Non-Registerable Interest: Member of Exmouth Town Council.

Cllr T Dumper – Minutes 28-30; Affects Non-Registerable Interest: Member of Exmouth Town Council.

Cllr M Hall – Minutes 28-30; Affects Non-Registerable Interest: Member of Exmouth Town Council.

Cllr N Hookway – Minutes 28-30; Affects Non-Registerable Interest: Member of Exmouth Town Council.

Information on public speaking is available online

No members of the public had registered to speak at the meeting.

There were no matters of urgency.

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

There were no confidential/exempt items.

The Interim Project Manager Place and Prosperity introduced this report which outlined the progress made to date in developing the strategy and approach for the Exmouth Placemaking Plan, to allow the next stage of this work to be brought forward.

Discussion and clarification included the following points:

·        There had been some challenges engaging with the Placemaking consultants due to a change in personnel, but officers had had a positive meeting last week with the new project team which included some new and some familiar faces. 

·        A timeline is in place setting out the steps up to adoption of the Placemaking Plan in early August, and officers do not foresee any reason for a delay against this timeline.

The Interim Project Manager Place and Prosperity introduced this item which provided an update in regard to the Governance Strategy and Stakeholder Engagement to be delivered as a result of all works associated with the Placemaking Plan.

Discussion included the following points:

·        Officers were asked to reconsider the position of Exmouth Town Council on the Proposed Stakeholder Map following feedback that it does not accurately reflect the Town Council’s high level of interest in the Placemaking project.

·        Town councillors would welcome full meetings with EDDC officers as part of the engagement process.

·        It was suggested that community organisations, such as the Exmouth Community Association, could be included as stakeholders.

·        It would be appropriate to renew efforts to engage with Devon County Council following the county in elections in May.

·        One Member was of the view that meetings of the Placemaking in Exmouth Town and Seafront Group should be held in person rather than virtually online, suggesting that it was easier to talk face to face.

·        The Placemaking work needs to be a corporate project across the Council and with buy-in from all key partners, particularly Exmouth Town Council and Devon County Council, in order to get the necessary traction for the Plan to be delivered and so that private investors can have confidence in it.

The Place and Prosperity Officer introduced this item which provided an update regarding the works for Queen’s Drive Space and Beach Gardens.

Discussion included the following points:

·        The draft concept designs for Queen’s Drive Space and Beach Gardens are being finalised along with cost estimates, and will be presented to Members at a workshop in April.

·        There is a need for bicycle racks along the seafront and it was noted that the current provision is insufficient.