Homes across Exeter are to come under close scrutiny in a major review of supposedly empty properties across the city to check that they are actually unoccupied.
The action is being taken because many people do not inform the Council when empty properties become occupied. This can lead to the local authorities missing out on council tax payments as well as New Homes Bonus payments that are paid out by the government on every home brought back into use.
Cllr Rob Hannaford, Lead Councillor for Housing, Community Involvement and Maintaining Assets said: "Houses that have been...
Exeter has been named amongst one of the UK’s rent hotspots where private rents may be off-limits to many households.
A report by the Resolution Foundation has found that Exeter is among places where the cost of rent exceeds the income of many households even on a modest property.
Across the UK, 125 of the 376 local authorities studied were shown to have a rent which was unaffordable on a £22,000 net income. For family with an income of £19,000, nearly half of the studied areas were unaffordable.
The report claims that the root of the problem is a UK-wide housing...
History comes to life in Exeter on Friday 5 July, with the centuries-old tradition of Lammas Fair.
The colourful ceremony of the Proclamation of the Fair dates back more than 900 years and Exeter is one of the few cities to maintain the tradition.
The word Lammas derives from the Anglo-Saxon Hlafmaesse or Loaf Mass. Lammas Day, the festival of St Peter and Vincula, was when the first fruits of the harvest were offered to the Church in the form of a loaf.
The franchise of a fair was a very valuable possession, giving exclusive right to tolls on all articles sold. The...
The Green Party in Exeter is calling on Exeter City Council to ensure the bus station redevelopment provides an opportunity to showcase the best that Devon has to offer in local foods, artisan crafts and multiculturalism and diversity.
Citing the phenomenal successes in Exeter of the South West Food Festival and Respect Festival, the Green Party believes there is popular demand for an area in the city centre with such a focus.
Responding to a recent City Centre strategy consultation, the Green Party is calling for the redevelopment to incorporate a market square and space...
Paying workers a 'living wage' will help people out of poverty, create less reliance on benefits and give a much-needed boost to the local economy, Exeter City Council has said.
Exeter City Council Leader Pete Edwards today (Wednesday 19 June) announced plans to ensure that all staff working for the local authority are paid at least a 'living wage'. The policy is subject to due process and final approval at full council but would be the first to be implemented by a local authority in Devon.
Cllr Edwards hopes the Council's example will be copied by other businesses and...
Exeter Mosque and Cultural Centre, located just off Sidwell Street on York Road, is set to open its doors to the people of Exeter for a Mosque Open Day on Tuesday 25 June from 3pm - 6pm. All are welcome to the event, which will include a tour around the Mosque, the opportunity to get your questions answered and refreshments.
The Islamic Centre in Exeter was established in 1978 through the efforts of local Muslim businessmen and concerned students from the University of Exeter. Since its formation it has grown considerably both in its physical size and activities. Its primary...
As recently reported, one of Exeter's oldest parish churches is threatened with closure as St Thomas Church in Cowick Street faces repair bills of around £3m and rising. Its plight has led to a major rethink of how best to look after it and its two sister churches, Emmanuel in Okehampton Road and St Andrew's in Alphington Road, which are also both in need of considerable repair and refurbishment.
St Thomas City and County Councillor Rob Hannaford, who attended the recent well-attended public meeting about these issues adds:
“One option is to make the parish church, which is...
Media coverage of the Government’s recent planning changes was dominated by the controversy over a free-for-all on house extensions and the potential problems that might cause between neighbours. But changes to the rules governing retail premises could have just as big an impact on our city centres and shopping streets.
Exeter City Council has confirmed that it shares the fears expressed by the Labour Party nationally that the changes could be extremely damaging to the quality and character of our shopping streets.
The new rules threaten to destroy independent retailers and...
RAMM’s redevelopment project and its architects, Allies and Morrison, have received further acclaim, winning the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) South West Regional Award 2013 last night. RAMM also won South West Building of the Year and the South West Conservation Award.
The RIBA Awards programme champions and celebrates the best of British architecture:
“This is a nationally important project, made all the remarkable when the full logistical story is explained (for example, only 0.01% of the museum archive is on display in RAMM). A&M’s attention to detail...
A £500 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of vandals who wrecked a popular piece of childrens' play equipment.
Council Leader Pete Edwards described the vandalism at Lloyds Crescent Play Area as "mindless destruction".
Vandals smashed the bearings and arms of The Walz, a popular pole-mounted four-seat spinner. The cost of replacing the piece of equipment is in the region of £8,000.
Cllr Edwards: "If anyone out there knows anything about this attack, I would urge them to contact the police. The damage to the bearings was deliberate and...
