Agenda item

A statement was read out on behalf of Mr R Kathro, an Exmouth resident, who could not be present at the meeting.

His statement raised concerns about ongoing, unregulated camping in Exmouth’s car parks and highways, which he felt stemmed from a poorly managed trial initially meant to last two years, but now ongoing for eight. He criticised a biased consultation process that favoured expanding camping despite factual and data errors.

He urged East Devon District Council (EDDC), Devon County Council (DCC), and Exmouth Town Council (ETC) to take action to address persistent poor behaviour by some campers, as reported by residents. A document titled “To car park manager vF.docx”, based on input from about 95 residents, outlined suggested steps for improvement and had been circulated to Cabinet members. The statement stressed that, without proper management, issues will continue to be exploited by irresponsible campers, and called on the councils to act responsibly and effectively.

Cllr Anne Hall, Chair of Overview Committee, informed the Cabinet of their previous meeting where the proposed improvements to overnight stopover arrangements were debated.  She felt that the debate had added value to a derisive subject, and the committee had tried to mitigate to the best solution possible.  As a result the proposed recommendations had been amended before presentation to Cabinet.

Discussion on the proposals included:

·        Differentiating between a managed camp site and the proposals, particularly relating to the fee and how that may impact on nearby campsites;

·        Emergency works by South West Water could not be halted as they had legal power of entry to the site to carry out such work; Members were informed that relations with SWW had improved in that proactive liaison is now in place;

·        Impact of motor homes on highways both in Exmouth and other areas;

·        Welcomed the previous debate at Overview Committee;

·        Suggestion to add in a recommendation to include a safety fence at the eastern end of the site to prevent pollution of the brook, with the design and installation aspects to be delegated to the appropriate Portfolio Holder and officers.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

Approve the improvements to the overnight stopover arrangements as follows;

a)       Install a drive-over grey wastewater (shower & dishwater) disposal point in Maer Road Car Park

b)       Install a chemical toilet waste disposal point in Maer Road car park – connected

directly to the sewerage network

c)       Install a fresh water tap in Maer Road car park.

d)       Reduce the maximum permitted number of consecutive overnight stays to 2 nights, with no return within 72 hours. This is in line with other authorities and prevents the risk of paid habitation within the car parks.

e)       Improve the signage stating the rules and restrictions for overnight stays within both car parks – including ground markings along Queen’s Drive Echelon to designate bays suitable for overnight parking, stipulating a safe distance between vehicles.

f)         Trial RingGo only payment for overnight parking sessions to prevent vehicles

remaining on site for longer than the maximum permitted number of nights.

g)       Increase the overnight stopover fee to £20.00 (currently £11.00) per night in

recognition of the additional costs incurred in managing, maintaining and installing the physical improvements to the overnight parking arrangements.

h)       Ring-fence £5.00 (25%) from each overnight parking stay to fund enforcement activity specifically related to overnight parking;

i)         A yearly review to be carried out by the appropriate scrutiny committee;

j)         Explore the costs and feasibility of erecting a fence at the eastern end of the Maer Road car park; with a budget limit of £6k that can be met from the current capital programme (with delegated authority to the PH Finance and the Director Finance); the design and installation to be delegated to PH Environment Operational in conjunction with officers; for reasons of safety, and to prevent pollution of the Littleham Brook on the site.

REASON:

The recommendations of the Exmouth Motorhome TAFF were first reviewed by Cabinet in January 2024. At that point it was determined that public consultation should be carried out to gather further feedback and provide assurance on the recommendations. The consultation has now been carried out with most respondents supportive of the proposed improvements. These recommendations have also been formally endorsed by Exmouth Town Council in April 2025. The recommendations were reviewed and amended to their current iteration by the EDDC Overview Committee on the 17th July 2025.