Investment firm ICG confirmed it had agreed a deal with Rigby Group to purchase the Devon airport, along with airports in Bournemouth and Norwich.
ICG said the airport’s passenger and cargo operations would be expanded and Steven Wiltshire, the airport’s managing director, called the deal “great news for Exeter and great news for Devon”.
Exeter Airport opened in 1937 and has flights to a number of UK and international destinations, including Edinburgh, Amsterdam and Lanzarote.
‘Time for growth’
Mr Wiltshire said Exeter could handle up to 1.2m passengers annually, about 400,000 more than current levels, before requiring major infrastructure upgrades.
“Flights are pretty full, there’s some capacity on the routes we’re operating currently, but additional aircraft and new routes would help us reach that next level,” Mr Wiltshire said.
The airport currently serves 27 destinations including recently launched daily flights to Amsterdam with KLM which began in March.
Addressing staffing concerns at the airport, which directly employs 230 people, he said: “We’re not anticipating any change from the leadership team or on the ground at all, so it’s business as usual as far as the staff and our customers are concerned.”
The deal, set to close later this month, will see ICG support airport operator’s Regional & City Airports (RCA) “expansion across its airport, cargo, and executive aviation operations”, said ICG.
“Now is the right time for the next phase in RCA’s growth,” said Steve Rigby, co-CEO of Rigby Group.
Airlines which operate from Exeter Airport include Ryanair, KLM, Aer Lingus and TUI.
The site was used by fighter planes during World War Two, including the Polish Air Force’s 307 Squadron in 1942.
The airport has grown in size, with a new arrivals building being opened by the Princess Royal in June 1999 before a £950,000 departure lounge opened four years later.
In January 2007, Devon County Council sold the airport to Regional and City Airports – a specialist airport investment and development group run by Balfour Beatty – in a deal worth £60m.
A spokesperson from the OVA says: Unfortunately, SWW have informed us that they do not plan further changes to their 5 sewage treatment plants that affect the River Otter until 2035 at the earliest.
On the left is a section of the Otter River near its source with clean sparkling gravel. On the right is a picture of the lower Otter (see below) with a thick layer of slimy algae covering, what should be, clean sparkling gravel. Gravel that should be teeming with insect life – not smothered./
The spokesperson continues: Peter Williams, OVA lead analyst, summarises the quality issues: “ The data shows the Otter has the highest phosphate levels of any major river in Devon and Cornwall, and goes some way to explaining why it’s the only river system in the area classified as ‘poor’ by the Environment Agency. High levels of phosphate cause slimy algal blooms on the riverbed and decreased oxygen levels, leading to severe consequences for plant life, wildlife and fish populations ”.
As a result of this, we have decided to run a publicity campaign that highlights the ailing river and to ask local communities to support this – as a way to bring pressure to bear on South West Water (first) and then the agricultural community (second).
Community action gathers momentum to #ReviveTheRiverOtter
Press Release Otter Valley Association with endorsements from:
Richard Foord, MP for Honiton
Councillor Jess Bailey, Devon County Council (Otter Valley)
Sam Bridgewater, Director of Environment Strategy and Evidence, Clinton Devon Estates
Howard Furnival, of Tracey Farm
Martin Davies, Secretary of the Ottery Fly Fishing Club
Bruce McGlasham, Secretary of the River Otter Fisheries Association
Councillor Ian Simpson, Otterton Parish Council
Councillor Dean Stewart, Chair of the Community Infrastructure Committee of Ottery St Mary Town Council
Councillor Susan P Tribble, Chairman Newton Poppleford & Harpford Parish Council
Budleigh Salterton Town Council
Iorwerth (Yog) Watkins, Westcountry Rivers Trust
Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council
Notable by their absence from this list are South West Water! – Owl
The OVA Action group ORCA (Otter River Catchment Action) is mobilizing local volunteers, anglers, civic organizations, and environmental advocates from Budleigh Salterton, Otterton, Newton Poppleford, Harpford and Ottery St. Mary to combat two major sources of pollution: Sewage-related pollution, including discharges of untreated sewage and high levels of phosphate in treated effluent from sewage works, by South West Water (SWW), and unsustainable land management.
Haylor Lass, Chairman of the Otter Valley Association, is calling on the local community to sign-up and help: “We’re a passionate civic charity and are now calling on local communities, farmers, anglers, businesses, and like-minded organisations to join forces with us to encourage SWW to take the action it needs to prevent their incessant pollution on the middle to lower reaches of the River Otter – namely to stop untreated sewage discharges and also to reduce phosphate levels in their continuous treated discharges”.
A team of 48 dedicated volunteers signed up and have been monitoring the river’s health every two weeks at 12 strategic locations stretching from Honiton to the sea. Sadly, in July 2025, the Phosphate levels are averaging 4x the upper safe level for a thriving ecosystem, and peak at 6x this limit just below the main sewage treatment works. These values have been steadily increasing as the water level drops, predominantly caused by high concentrations of phosphate in treated effluent discharged by sewage treatment works. High levels of phosphate cause algal blooms, eutrophication, and decreased oxygen levels in the water, leading to severe consequences for plant life, wildlife and fish populations.
Further plans are in place for River-fly (or invertebrate) testing to determine the state of life within the river and its tributaries, as well as working to reduce invasive species that are prevalent along long stretches of the river.
Local councillors, anglers, farmers, associations and businesses are behind this campaign, including:
• Richard Foord, MP for Honiton says “Momentum is already building to #ReviveTheRiverOtter; people-power can convince water companies to do the right thing by way of investing in our sewage treatment works here. I look forward to seeing those photos of the River Otter”.
• Councillor Jess Bailey, Devon County Council (Otter Valley) says “have long campaigned against South West Water treating our beautiful River Otter as an open sewer. As part of this I have been pleased to help fund water testing with my DCC locality budget. The River Otter is special not only locally but nationally. It is the first river in the country to have seen the re-introduction of beavers into the wild, beavers having previously been hunted to extinction. Improving water quality is crucially important for the survival and wellbeing of the beavers and other cherished wildlife. I am excited to be part of the Revive the River Otter campaign. This is exactly what is needed, galvanising pressure on SWW and helping restore the River Otter to its former glory.
• Sam Bridgewater, Director of Environment Strategy and Evidence, Clinton Devon Estates says: “This is a brilliant initiative. Community-led and bringing together a broad alliance of the willing, it addresses an issue of great concern for wildlife and for society. Clinton Devon Estates is delighted to be involved.”
• Howard Furnival, of Tracey Farm, says “We would be keen to be involved with this project with the OVA and their campaign ORCA. As a family who have lived for 7 generations, we are saddened to see how the river has been abused and mistreated. We hope this project will be the catalyst for change”.
• Martin Davies, Secretary of the Ottery Fly Fishing Club says “Anglers spend a lot of time on rivers and develop a close affinity with them and all the wildlife there. To witness, first-hand, the river Otter being degraded so badly is both shocking and depressing”
• Bruce McGlasham, Secretary of the River Otter Fisheries Association says “We are delighted to be working with OVA and the ORCA campaign to improve the quality of the river Otter. This will benefit not only local habitats and the natural environment for all, but also fish and all the other life that lives within or by the river””
• Councillor Ian Simpson, Otterton Parish Council, says “ Having grown up in the local area and lived in Otterton for 25 years, local residents and I find it extremely saddening to see the present state of the river Otter. As a child I fished and swam in this river and as an adult some 20 years ago me and my family along with many locals swam and used the river for recreation. The decline has been dramatic and devastating. Dogs that paddle in the river, including my own have become ill with vomiting and stomach issues. People swimming have become ill to the point that we warn people how polluted it is. Fish stocks have dwindled, and some species almost disappeared. I welcome the efforts of the OVA, and its ORCA campaign, to hopefully change the downward path of this once beautiful river and I feel that those polluting it should hang their heads in shame.”
• Councillor Dean Stewart, Chair of the Community Infrastructure Committee of Ottery St Mary Town Council, says “Ottery St Mary Town Council have been concerned for many years about the condition of the River Otter and other local waterways and beaches. We have questioned SWW in detail and both financially and politically supported local community groups such as the Tale Valley Trust and Tipton Eager Beavers. We very much welcome the formation of the ORCA campaign by the Otter Valley Association, and we hope we will be able to meet with them, support them and amplify their campaign for lasting and significant change.”
• Councillor Susan P Tribble, Chairman Newton Poppleford & Harpford Parish Council, says Newton Poppleford and Harpford Parish Council are concerned that poor water quality in the River Otter is impacting parishioners in multiple ways. These include reduced access to the river, diminished recreational and amenity value, and broader concerns over public health and environmental quality.
• Budleigh Salterton Town Council says that “it remains deeply concerned about the continued decline in the quality of water in the locality. The Council has been working closely with the Environment Agency, East Devon District Council, South West Water, and the Otter Valley Association (OVA) in an effort to address this issue. As a result of these collaborative efforts, the Environment Agency has confirmed that it will double its water testing along Budleigh Salterton’s Blue Flag-awarded beach throughout 2025. Budleigh Salterton is the only town situated within the East Devon National Landscape, and it forms part of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town’s natural environment – including its coastline, the River Otter and its resident beaver population, and the award-winning Lower Otter Estuary – is a significant attraction for visitors and a vital part of the local economy. Maintaining the ecological health of these areas is therefore of paramount importance. Regular water testing, carried out both by the ORCA arm of the OVA and by the Environment Agency, plays a crucial role in providing transparent and independent data. This evidence is essential in maintaining pressure on South West Water to review and revise its current practices, and to prioritise the restoration of the River Otter’s water quality. Budleigh Salterton Town Council will continue to advocate for the protection and enhancement of the town’s unique natural assets on behalf of its residents and future generations”.
• Iorwerth (Yog) Watkins, Westcountry Rivers Trust, says “I’ve been working on the Otter for many years and have seen significant improvements in farm management on many farms, but there is still more that needs to be done. SWW have contributed to my work though the Upstream Thinking project (UST), helping farmers use their nutrients more efficiently and avoid losses to both the River Otter and the aquifer. Unnoticed by many, there is also the contribution from private septic tanks that haven’t been maintained properly.”
• Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council, says “The river water quality of the River Otter is in a shameful decline. We all need to work together from residents, farmers, landowners, fertiliser and chemical companies, highways and sewage infrastructure providers, councils, government bodies and volunteers to all combine our knowledge, and best practices to return this river to its rightful place as an amazing river teeming with wildlife. This is a wonderful positive step in the right direction!
How to Get Involved
The OVA invites everyone to join in. Whether through volunteering, sharing resources, or amplifying the message, there’s a role for all who care about clean water, thriving wildlife, and resilient communities. To join the campaign or simply understand what if going on, please join the ORCA Facebook group at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/otterrivercatchmentaction/ and share your experiences. Please also use the hashtag #ReviveTheRiverOtter when sharing on social media.
For press inquiries, interview requests, or to learn how to participate, please contact the Otter Valley Association, or the ORCA campaign team via:
The bold plan – that could cost around £100 million – has been unveiled by East Devon District Council as part of its bid to create more affordable housing in the district.
Members of the council’s housing review board (Thursday 31 July) were told about the plan, and how it might be funded if it were to be pursued.
No decision on whether to progress was made at the meeting, but it was endorsed by the housing review board to be progressed to cabinet and full council.
“The report does contain some big numbers, but we are not seeking budget approval today,” said Liam Reading, assistant director for investment and development.
“Rather today is about setting out what is possible in headline terms and explaining the viability.
“It is an aspirational target and we are setting the bar very high, but it is important to be ambitious.”
East Devon has more than 4,100 social housing properties at present, meaning that if stock levels remained the same and 500 more were built or bought, it would be above 4,600.
That compares to around 3,000 in neighbouring Mid Devon.
Mr Reading expected around £60 million of the predicted £100 million would need to be borrowed, with hopes for the remainder coming from the likes of government grants from Homes England.
In spite of the potential additional borrowing, though, Mr Reading asserted that the increase in its housing stock would not negatively impact its housing finances.
The aim would be for the rent from the new properties to cover the payments on the borrowing it had used to build or buy them.
Councillor Dan Ledger (Independent, Seaton), the cabinet member for sustainable homes and communities, said the build and buy plan was part of “looking to the future”. “If you look at every single plan for the council, it all points to building and buying social homes for our tenants that are secure, comfortable and easy to heat, and this ticks to many boxes,” he said.
“It is a long time coming, but it is great to see.” Councillor Chris Burhop (Independent, Newton Poppleford and Harpford) said he had previously “ranted and raved about where the ambition was”.
“Well, here it is,” he said.
“Congratulations to the team on such an ambitious plan, something which we have heard for so many years we can’t do, but actually now we are showing a way forward where we can achieve things, and it will be fantastic for the community of East Devon if we can see this commenced and underway.”
Cllr Burhop added that he was actually concerned the finances being proposed could be “too small” given he had built a house and costs always exceeded expectations.
But Catrin Stark, director of housing and health, said the potential for higher levels of external funding and the economies of scale the council could achieve, were factors that could alter the cost per property to the council.
“I’m conscious, too, that we have got Cranbrook and the second new town coming, but what are we doing in the communities we currently serve,” she said.
“There are some areas that, in terms of regeneration, haven’t been forgotten but are a little left behind and so this is an opportunity to look at places with the most need and to serve communities that already exist rather than always concentrating on the shiny new places.”
The board heard that the majority of any new homes built or bought would be available under social rent, and that the council was not planning on creating its own development company.
Any new properties would also sit outside of Right To Buy legislation for 10 years, meaning they cannot be purchased under that scheme’s discounts until they are a decade old.
A “major cliff fall” was also reported in Seaton on 1 March and another landslip forced the closure of a footpath at Salcombe Hill near Sidmouth in November last year.
East Devon District Council, the coastguard and Clinton Devon Estates urged people to avoid affected areas.
East Devon’s coast is made up of soft rocks including sandstone and conglomerate, which authorities said made them particularly prone to erosion, especially following periods of heavy rain or dry weather.
Projects have been set up by the council to protect parts of the coastline, including a £1.4m scheme to reduce erosion and reduce the risk of cliff falls at Seaton Hole.
The council said work on the project was due to begin on 26 August and it would help protect 41 nearby homes, including a care home.
A joint statement from the council and Clinton Devon Estates, which owns some of the coast, said cliff falls were a “natural and unpredictable occurrence”.
They urged anyone visiting the coastline not explore recent cliff falls and to call 999 if they witnessed an incident.
“Following a cliff fall at Budleigh Salterton beach on Saturday, we want to remind residents and visitors to avoid the affected area and to follow all warning signs, safety barriers and instructions,” it said.
‘Move well away’
Martin Freeland, station officer at Exmouth Coastguard Station, said a general rule to follow was to work out how tall the cliff was and then stay the same distance away from the cliff edge.
“Everyone likes a day at the beach, but it’s just being mindful about where you set yourself up for the day,” he said.
“The temptation of course is to go up and have a look and get a bit closer when a fall has happened.
“But the advice would be to move well away and seek advice from 999.”
The river Otter is now so contaminated with sewage related pollutants, that it is classed in the bottom 20 per cent of rivers in England for water quality.
“The data shows the Otter has the highest phosphate levels of any major river in Devon and Cornwall.”
Richard Foord MP pays “tribute to the remarkable work of volunteers” at the Otter Valley Association, noting that their water quality testing was “very impressive”.
Owl’s view is that all development in the Otter catchment (as has been the case with the Axe) should stop until South West Water has solved the problem.
Claire Wright writes:
#ReviveTheRiverOtter: Local people urged to take action in new campaign to restore “sick” watercourse
Richard Foord MP with a member of the #ReviveTheRiverOtter campaign(Image: Richard Foord)
A Devon MP has joined forces with a community activist group, in a powerful new campaign to restore the health of an ailing local river, currently rated ‘poor’ by the Environment Agency.
The middle and lower reaches of the River Otter are now so contaminated with **sewage related pollutants, that it is classed in the bottom 20 per cent of rivers in England for water quality.
Figures from local environmental groups suggest that the River Otter has the highest phosphate levels of any major watercourse in Devon and Cornwall.
70 per cent of phosphate levels in the Otter come from the sewage system
The Environment Agency considers that around 70 per cent of phosphate levels in the Otter come from the sewage system.
In 2024, South West Water discharged untreated sewage into the River Otter for over 15,000 hours, and there are high levels of phosphate in the treated discharge, pumped into the river 24 hours a day, every day, from their treatment works.
Local people are being urged to join the campaign
Local people are being urged to join the campaign, which is spearheaded by the Otter Valley Association (OVA), and aims to persuade South West Water to adequately invest in local sewage infrastructure, to allow the river to flourish once again.
The campaign is strongly backed by Richard Foord, MP for Honiton & Sidmouth, who met with OVA representatives in May to observe water quality testing on the river. Mr Foord then called a meeting with South West Water, which took place last month and was attended by the OVA, representatives from the Environment Agency, and the River Otter Fisheries Association, whose members are also concerned about the river’s pollution levels.
South West Water has no plans to invest in local sewage infrastructure to stop the pollution in the river
South West Water representatives stated at the meeting that they have no plans to invest in the sewage infrastructure that discharges into the middle and lower sections of the Otter, for at least the next five years and most likely much longer.
The lifeblood of our landscape
Haylor Lass, Chairman of the Otter Valley Association, said: “This river is the lifeblood of our landscape, and it’s been neglected for far too long. We are standing together—locals, anglers, experts, and nature lovers—to give the Otter back its sparkle.”
Richard Foord, added: “The river Otter should be crystal clear and teeming with fish and invertebrates, but instead, the middle and lower sections are murky, slimy and sick. This is largely due to untreated or inadequately treated sewage being endlessly discharged in the river, by South West Water.
“We felt we had no option to but to launch #ReviveTheRiverOtter to stop SWWs appalling use of the River Otter as a free extension of their sewage infrastructure. This is just the start. We’ll keep going until we succeed in getting the investment the River Otter desperately needs to thrive once again.
“I want to pay tribute to the remarkable work of volunteers at the Otter Valley Association. Their data, expertise, clear objectives and mobilisation of the local community for water quality testing is very impressive. I was taken aback by their efforts when I met them, and I am backing them to the hilt in their endeavours.”
Forty eight volunteers test the Otter’s quality every two weeks
For the last four months, the Otter Valley Association has mobilised forty-eight dedicated volunteers who have been monitoring the river’s health at 12 strategic locations stretching from Honiton to the sea, measuring 10 different indicators of ecological health.
Water quality testing takes place every two weeks, forming one of the most comprehensive citizen science efforts in the region. In the latest round of testing, Phosphate levels were found to be over four times the ecological ‘upper safe limit’, peaking at six times just downstream of the major sewage works.
Peter Williams, OVA lead analyst, summarises the quality issues: “The data shows the Otter has the highest phosphate levels of any major river in Devon and Cornwall, and goes some way to explaining why it’s the only river system in the area classified as ‘poor’ by the Environment Agency. High levels of phosphate cause slimy algal blooms on the riverbed and decreased oxygen levels, leading to severe consequences for plant life, wildlife and fish populations.
“According to the Environment Agency, approximately 70 percent of the phosphate entering the Otter is a result of discharges from South West Water’s sewage infrastructure.”
#RevivetheRiverOtter is urging residents to take photos of the river
The first stage of #ReviveTheRiverOtter campaign asks residents to take photographs of their most and least favourite parts of the Otter over the summer and post them on their social media channels, using the hashtag #ReviveTheRiverOtter.
For impact, local people are asked to also tag Richard Foord on Facebook and Bluesky, the Otter Valley Association on Facebook and South West Water on Instagram, Facebook and X.
Stage two of the campaign will take place in the autumn
The OVA and Richard Foord have plans for stepping up the campaign in the autumn, if they do not see commitments from South West Water to invest in the local sewage treatment works that serves to prevent raw and inadequately treated sewage being discharged into the River Otter.
Sign up for updates on the Otter
Sign up for updates on the campaign to #ReviveTheRiverOtter
East Devon District Council bagged a C2 rating, one rung down from the top C1 rating for consumer standards, in the first official scrutiny by the Regulator of Social Housing.
The regulator assesses four aspects including the quality of the council’s housing, tenant safety, and its transparency and accountability to residents.
East Devon was deemed to be performing well in terms of housing quality, health and safety compliance, tenant engagement and complaints handling and learning.
This result comes as the council has just concluded a survey of its social housing properties to fully understand the scale of repairs needed across the estate.
A total of 93 per cent of its more than 4,500 homes secured a pass rate in line with the Decent Homes Standard, compared to an average of 89 per cent for councils nationally, according to its stock condition survey.
Just over 6 per cent of the homes in East Devon failed to secure this standard, predominantly due to inadequate heating or insulation.
Councillor Dan Ledger (Independent, Seaton), the cabinet member for sustainable homes and communities, said the positive review from the regulator was “one of our biggest achievements”.
“Only 21 organisations have secured a C2 rating or higher, so we are right up there,” he said.
“I can’t thank Catrin [Stark, the director of housing and health] and the senior directors enough, they’ve done such great work”
In terms of health and safety, the council said it was “broadly compliant” and has, by working with the UK Health and Security Agency, actively addressed areas of elevated radon risk.
It said it was also improving its oversight of health and safety issues, and is improving the process used for reporting issues with properties..
The council also said it had revised its procedures for dealing with complaints and looked at how it reports data on the likes of improvements and repairs to tenants.
Cllr Ledger added that inspection confirmed the progress the council’s housing team was making, including investing in better data to engaging tenants and addressing areas of improvements.
“The Regulator of Social Housing’s judgement provides a strong platform for further progress and helps us focus on where we can do better,” he said.
“We’ll continue working closely with the regulator as we move towards meeting C1 standards, while keeping our tenants at the heart of everything we do.”
A spokesperson for the council said work was occurring in all the areas that the regulator assessed, which helped it secure the C2 rating, and that it was now working on a plan to try and reach the highest C1 level.
The RSH began its inspection programme of inspecting large social landlords – housing associations and councils with more than 1,000 homes – on 1 April 2024.
The inspections are planned to take place every four years and are one of the key changes to RSH’s approach resulting from the landmark Social Housing Regulation Act.
Devon and Cornwall Police has been removed from enhanced monitoring by the police inspectorate, nearly three years after being placed under special measures.
Two areas of concern remained open, crime recording standards and the overall quality of investigations.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) confirmed the decision, citing improvements in several key areas including emergency call handling, crime recording, and the management of sexual and violent offenders.
At the time, HMICFRS identified significant failings in how the force responded to emergency calls, recorded crimes, and supervised registered offenders.
Inspectors found that crimes, particularly those involving vulnerable victims, were not always recorded, and that too many emergency and non-emergency calls were either delayed or abandoned.
The watchdog also raised concerns about the force’s ability to identify repeat and vulnerable callers, and its failure to provide timely advice on preserving evidence or preventing further crime.
‘Work to do’
Additionally, the management of registered sexual and violent offenders was deemed inadequate, potentially increasing the risk of further offending.
In a statement His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Andy Cooke, said the force had made “good progress” and would now return to routine monitoring.
“I am pleased with the good progress that Devon and Cornwall Police has made so far,” Sir Andy said.
“While there is still work to do, I have recommended removing the service from our enhanced level of monitoring, known as Engage, and return it to routine monitoring.”
Among the improvements noted were better governance of the force control room, a reduced 101 call abandonment rate, improved management of sexual offenders, and increased confidence in frontline officers’ understanding of crime recording principles.
The force has also made strides in using investigative plans and conducting supervisory reviews.
However, HMICFRS said two areas of concern remained open, crime recording standards and the overall quality of investigations.
“It needs to demonstrate further improvements before we can close these causes of concern,” said Sir Andy.
The police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall Alison Hernandez should be “considering her position”, after she incorrectly told a crime panel that the remains of multiple bodies had been found in a Cornish woodland, says its chair.
Cllr Sally Haydon (Lab, St Budeaux), who heads the Devon and Cornwall police and crime panel, said the blunder was a “yet another serious mistake” by the commissioner, who came under criticism last year for going against the wishes of the panel and appointing a deputy, who later resigned due to ‘personal circumstances’.
Alison Hernandez told a panel meeting on Friday that “dead bodies” had been found in woodland at Sticker in Cornwall.
She said that police were “trying to establish how many” bodies may be at the site, which is at the centre of a murder investigation.
She later apologised after leading investigators said the woodland search only involved the human remains of a single person, not several.
Detective Superintendent Jon Bancroft said: “We currently have three separate murder investigations being conducted in the Cornwall area.
“I have oversight of all of these investigations at this time, and can confirm they are being carried out independently of each other and are not believed to be linked.
“I can categorically state that we have recovered remains believed to be those of Daniel Coleman only from an area of woodland in Sticker. No other remains have been located at this scene to date.”
Cllr Haydon, who is also Plymouth City Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “It’s extremely disappointing that the commissioner shared such seriously flawed information at the panel.
“It’s a serious mistake which not only created a period of real worry for people but is deeply unhelpful when we need to do all we can to help restore confidence in our police force.
“It’s extremely worrying that Ms Hernandez made such a serious public statement without the full facts on what was clearly an operational matter, particularly when she has repeatedly told the committee that she does not get operational.”
At the meeting Ms Hernandez also failed to answer questions regarding a ‘golden handshake’ deal struck with chief constable Will Kerr – who she picked for the role – before his recently-announced retirement. She told panel members they could find the information in the statement of accounts published next year.
It follows an unsettled two-year-period within the Devon and Cornwall Police which saw its substantive chief constable suspended and later its acting chief constable.
It is the role of a police and crime commissioner to hold the chief constable to account for the police’s performance and be the public’s voice in policing.
Last year Ms Hernandez appointed a deputy commissioner Mark Kingscote, who later resigned after just five months in post, despite being recommended not to by the panel because they felt he didn’t have enough experience.
Cllr Hayden continued: “All of this, coupled with the apparent chaos at senior levels of the force and the interventions required following inspection and the continued need to improve means there are very serious concerns over whether she is capable of continuing in this role and I believe she should be considering her position.”
During the panel meeting Councillor Julian German, who represents the Roseland on Cornwall Council, quizzed Ms Hernandez about how the investigation was progressing. He said: “Since your written update, the force has requested mutual aid and it’s been granted. Before mutual aid was granted the whole of the front line of the force was reorganised to cope with the pressure it is experiencing primarily due to incidents in Cornwall.
“So would you like to update the panel on that, why the mutual aid was requested and granted and what’s the ongoing situation?”
Ms Hernandez replied: “Some of the elements of that operation I can’t speak about but some of the things are very obvious. As you know there is a large crime scene that has been identified in Cornwall that is requiring a lot of effort to even scene guard the area.
“The level of expertise, some of the mutual aid we’ve brought in, is expertise in specific types of investigations that we didn’t have. The National Crime Agency is supporting the organisation at the moment.
She said: “I know there’s been some information in the media. We’ve got a huge forensic tent down there. Lots of forensics officers, obviously we’ve found dead bodies in that wood. We’re just trying to establish how many there may be at this point in time and whether we are aware of who they are or what might have happened to them.”
She later apologised saying: “The police have operational primacy over these matters. Any investigation will unfold rapidly and I was not in possession of all the facts at that time.”
The largest town in Devon still doesn’t have a public enquiry office despite Alison Hernandez pledging two years ago that public access was “non negotiable”.
Here is what Alison Hernandez said in August 2023 about the project to sell off part of the old station and redevelop the remainder with costs estimated at £5 million, now increased to £6 million.
“This project makes sense from every angle. Exmouth is Devon’s largest town and sees a huge increase in its population in the summer months. The teams based there, and the community they serve, deserve a station which is fit for the 21st Century, less harmful to the environment and cheaper to run.
“As with other police station building projects, I am insisting that a significant proportion of the public monies that we are investing in this project go to local people so that money benefits the local economy. The release of brownfield development land means additional housing can be provided in the town without greenfield sites being developed.”
She said improving public access to the force was a ‘non negotiable’ part of the project, adding: “When I carried out a public survey to determine which of the 58 possible locations the public would most like to see, a police enquiry office opened once again in Exmouth came eighth. People love the idea that they can walk into a station and talk to a real human being to report crime, receive advice on crime prevention and seek help for victims, so there is no way I am going to miss the opportunity to give this town back its front desk.”
A new police station in Exmouth is off the cards as estimated costs have risen to £6 million.
Police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez told a police and crime panel on Friday that she would prefer to find “another place” to put the police.
She said: “I’m not happy as it only cost £2 million to build the new Liskeard station and what we would be building in Exmouth is smaller. The costs have gone up dramatically.”
Exmouth and Exeter City police stations were both set to get public enquiry offices (PEOs) this year after Ms Hernandez made it her mission to reopen many across Devon and Cornwall which were closed to cut costs more than ten years ago.
But the panel heard that neither would be happening “at this point”.
Exmouth is dependent on new premises and concern over the public bringing weapons into the city centre building the police share with Exeter City Council has put the brakes on that one.
The commissioner said the city council had refused permission and she understood the challenges of not wanting council staff to be “at risk”. But she added to open an enquiry office somewhere else would mean moving all the policing staff so it wasn’t happening.
More than 90,000 residents accessed PEOs during 2024-25, “a clear sign of the value placed on face-to-face policing”, said the commissioner in her update to panel members.
She has reopened or opened 17 PEOs, bringing the total to 26 with Ivybridge, Liskeard and Tavistock the latest stations to open their doors to the public again.
The ageing police station complex in North Street, Exmouth, includes a disused magistrates court and a mothballed civil defence shelter. Plans were in the pipeline to sell off part of the site for redevelopment and a two-storey police station building built on the rest.
Exmouth is the largest town in Devon and the police station building is occupied by around 60 officers, but the public cannot enter without an appointment.
Answering a question about whether the recently opened police enquiry offices had resulted in a drop off in 101 calls as people could now walk into a police station and report crime, the commissioner said “no” and that 101 was “unrelenting”.
“The more channels you open the more people come,” she said. “Access is increasing for more people to report crime. That is positive because it allows us to understand what is happening in our communities. It is really making a difference to people coming forward and needing a face to face contact rather than one over the phone.”
A performance report to the panel showed that 12.3 per cent of calls to 101 were abandoned in the 12 months to May 2025 due to long waits compared with 37.4 last year. Latest data shows that 88 per cent of 101 calls are answered within ten minutes – the commissioner wants to get to 90 per cent.
The report shows that the public’s opinion of the 101 service has improved, with correspondence down from 42 to 4 in the last financial year and the only person to give feedback during 2025/26 so far was focused on praising the assistance they received.
Devon and Cornwall’s police and crime commissioner has failed to disclose the details of a deal struck with chief constable Will Kerr before his retirement.
At a police and crime panel meeting on Friday, Alison Hernandez was asked on two occasions if Mr Kerr, who was suspended for two years on full pay, was given “a golden handshake”.
She said: “Mr Kerr and I have mutually agreed an arrangement for him to leave and I have done it in a pragmatic and rational way.
“The information will be published in a statement of accounts next year if people wish to go and look at that, but it is not something to be discussed today.”
An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) in England is continuing into gross misconduct, although this is not related to criminal allegations made against the officer investigated in Northern Ireland that have since been dismissed.
Ms Hernandez said in her experience “this could go on for years”.
She said was “disgusted by the inefficiency and ineffectiveness” of the Independent Office of Police Conduct and was asking the Home Secretary to scrutinise the body.
She would not be drawn on the “arrangement” which was raised by panel members Cllr Mandy Ewings, leader of West Devon Borough Council and Cllr Julian German of Cornwall Council.
Cllr Ewings said the public deserved to know if there was “a golden handshake” and how much it had all cost the taxpayers so far in council tax rises.
Mr Kerr was suspended shortly after he joined the Devon and Cornwall Police as chief constable in 2023 over “serious allegations of sexual offences” which he has always strenuously denied .
It was not until April this year that the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in Northern Ireland confirmed it was not going to prosecute Mr Kerr with regards to the allegations.
Meanwhile Jim Colwell, the deputy chief constable brought in to cover for Mr Kerr, was also suspended in November for alleged “professional standards breaches”.
He has returned to duties as deputy this week having been given a written warning after a hearing determined he breached the force’s “notifiable associations” policy. It is understood he failed to declare that he had exchanged messages with a journalist on social media.
Jim Vaughan, a former chief constable for Dorset, came out of retirement to take up the post of interim chief constable in December.
Earlier this year when there were effectively three chief constables in post, two of whom were suspended, the monthly cost to the taxpayer was £63,913.
Ms Hernandez said interim chief constable Vaughan was now driving performance in the force with “such pace” and personal attention, having met 4,000 of the 6,000 officers, and she was not in a rush to replace him but intended to recruit in the autumn.
“I am not pleased that we have been in this position in terms of having multiple leaders of the organisation and temporary leaders of the organisation because they cannot really act as a full chief constable and set the strategy and direction quite as they should.”
She said she had agreed with Mr Kerr that retirement was the best option for him.
“He does have the interests of the people of Devon and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly at heart because he does recognise how difficult it has been for me to support the organisation with all these individuals we have had to have in to help.
“He is allowing me, by retiring, to get to the point of a stable and substantive chief constable and that is for the benefit of all us so I am thankful to him.”
Mr Kerr said in a statement: “Having been cleared in relation to what I believe were malicious criminal allegations in Northern Ireland, I have decided that it’s now in the best interests of my family and the force that I retire as chief constable.
“After nearly 36 years of public service, this is not the way I would have chosen to retire but the force, and communities across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, deserve stable leadership in policing.”
There was a large cliff fall in Budleigh Salterton Saturday (July 26).(Image: Mark Newton)
A huge dust plume fell across Budleigh Salterton Beach after a cliff fall [Saturday] (July 26) around 3:50pm.
People were trapped after being stranded on the wrong side of yesterday’s cliff fall. Sidmouth Lifeboat, along with other lifeboat crew members, helped safely return people to Budleigh Beach after the fall.
Shortly after the incident, police were on the scene and taped off the area, with the South West Coastal Path closed at points, resulting in no access.
A police helicopter was also spotted in the skies after the cliff fall.
East Devon cliff fall leaves huge dust plume by the beach yesterday (Saturday July 26). (Image: Beer Coastguard)
A spokesperson from Sidmouth Lifeboat said: “Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat was tasked by Solent Coastguard after a significant cliff collapse at Budleigh Beach.
“The crew’s primary objective was to search for anyone caught in the fall zone and to support Beer and Exmouth Coastguard teams already on scene.
“Upon arrival, lifeboat crew members discovered several people stranded on the wrong side of the cliff fall. Two individuals were safely transferred back to Budleigh Beach.
“Thank you to all volunteers and agencies involved for their swift response and teamwork.
“Please remember: cliffs along this stretch of coastline are unstable. Keep a safe distance from the base and the edge, and follow all local safety warnings.”
Yesterday’s cliff fall comes just five months after the East Devon County Council inspected the cliffs at Budleigh Salterton Beach.
The council is actively working on coastal protection schemes to mitigate cliff falls, particularly in areas like Seaton Hole.
These schemes involve strengthening defences at the base of cliffs, such as adding rock armour and repairing seawalls and gabions – like the £1.4 million project at Seaton Hole, which is due to start in August 2025.
“In trying to be helpful I responded to an operational question at the police and crime panel, however, I was not fully up to date with the facts of the investigation.
“I apologise for any alarm this may have caused. The police have operational primacy over these matters.”
Our “selfie girl” is shooting from the hip. She needs to stay focused as she faces choosing the next Chief Constable – Owl
A police and crime commissioner has apologised for claiming that multiple human remains had been discovered in woodland in Cornwall at the centre of a murder investigation.
Alison Hernandez told a meeting of the Devon and Cornwall police and crime panel that “dead bodies” had been found at Sticker, near St Austell, and investigations were continuing to establish exactly how many.
Devon and Cornwall police said in response that the body of one man had been recovered from woods and no other remains had been found.
Police and forensic experts have been carrying out extensive inquiries in the woodland since the discovery of the body of 43-year-old Daniel Coleman.
James Desborough, 39, is accused of murdering Coleman, from St Austell, between 2 June and 7 July. He is due back before Truro crown court next month.
Hernandez said on Friday evening: “In trying to be helpful I responded to an operational question at the police and crime panel, however, I was not fully up to date with the facts of the investigation.
“I apologise for any alarm this may have caused. The police have operational primacy over these matters.”
Det Supt Jon Bancroft, with Devon and Cornwall police, said: “We currently have three separate murder investigations being conducted in the Cornwall area.
“I have oversight of all of these investigations at this time, and can confirm they are being carried out independently of each other and are not believed to be linked.
“I can categorically state that we have recovered remains believed to be those of Daniel Coleman only from an area of woodland in Sticker.”
Police are also investigating the discovery of the body of Lee Hockey, 50, who was found in separate woodland between Truro and Probus on 1 July.
A third murder inquiry is under way after a fatal fire at a residential property in Newquay on 22 July.
The body of a man in his 30s was found in the property, with a 33-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder.
Chaos? An unfortunate series of events? Or business as usual?
Reporting on the leadership of Devon and Cornwall Police over the past few years has been like watching a high-budget Netflix drama.
A long list of colourful characters; a barely believable plot; and at the end of every episode, you’re left with absolutely no idea what’s going to happen next.
Back in 2022, a group of journalists were invited to police headquarters in Exeter to meet with Will Kerr, the South West’s new chief constable.
He came with an impressive CV, having served in Northern Ireland for 27 years, eventually moving up the ranks and leading on serious crime and counter terrorism.
We joked that if he could find a way to navigate the bitter ‘jam or cream’ debate, which has divided our two countries for centuries, it would put all his previous accomplishments in the shade.
None of us could have imagined that just six months later, Mr Kerr would be gone, and we would never see him again.
Will Kerr joined Devon and Cornwall Police in 2022.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) began an investigation into serious allegations of sexual offences. The Independent Office for Police Conduct launched its own inquiry.
Mr Kerr was suspended and his deputy, Jim Colwell, moved up the ladder to fill in as temporary Chief Constable.
As the months dragged on, and it became clear the PSNI inquiry was moving at a glacial pace, that word “temporary” began to feel slightly more “permanent.”
But then came the next twist. Jim Colwell himself was facing gross misconduct allegations, for misuse of his work mobile phone.
Another suspension, and another vacancy at the top of the tree which needed to be filled as soon as possible.
Enter James Vaughan, former Chief Constable of Dorset Police. Like a grizzled old copper lured out of retirement for one last job, Mr Vaughan agreed to step in as caretaker until everything was resolved.
‘We haven’t had chaos’
This week, just as the audience was beginning to wonder if this slow-moving drama would ever reignite, things began to race to a sudden conclusion.
On Tuesday, Jim Colwell was found guilty of misconduct – apparently for failing to declare that he had messaged a journalist on social media – but was allowed to return to his role as Deputy Chief Constable with a written warning.
Wednesday brought news of Will Kerr announcing his retirement, having seen the PSNI criminal investigation dropped, but with a police watchdog inquiry still ongoing.
Alison Hernandez denied she has presided over a ‘chaotic’ period.
On Thursday, I sat down with Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez, who is responsible for hiring and firing Chief Constables and holding the force to account.
I asked her whether she takes responsibility for the “chaos” of the past few years.
“We haven’t had chaos,” she replied.
“We’ve just had some individuals who have had misconduct allegations against them, and I’ve dealt with them appropriately.
“This force right now has got really strong leadership in James Vaughan and I am very happy.”
Ms Hernandez said she believes the IOPC is not fit for purpose and that she wants commissioners to have “more power” to take control of disciplinary matters and speed things up.
This is unlikely to happen, as a key principle of policing is that forces do not mark their own homework.
Ms Hernandez is about to begin the recruitment process for her fourth chief constable in the space of two years.
She, and everybody concerned with Devon and Cornwall Police, will be hoping the scriptwriters opt for a period of calm after an action-packed series.
Between May and July 2025 10,000 tests for water pollution at the Environment Agency’s Starcross laboratory in Devon were cancelled.
“When is a regulator not a regulator? When it’s the Environment Agency,”
“With impeccable timing the Environment Agency reminds us all of exactly why they to should be added to Sir Jon Cunliffe’s bonfire of the quangos [the Water Commission]. Institutionally incompetent, complacent and discredited.” Feargal Sharkey told the BBC.
Jonah Fisher, BBC environment correspondent. www.bbc.co.uk
Thousands of water tests to identify potential harmful pollution in rivers, lakes and estuaries in England have been cancelled in the last three months due to staff shortages, the BBC has learned.
The Environment Agency confirmed the cancellations after campaigners showed us internal emails and documents with plans for extensive cuts to monitoring programmes.
The cancelled tests are for so-called inorganic pollutants – substances such as nitrates and phosphates that can indicate sewage or agricultural pollution.
The EA says its testing programme “remains robust” but this week a landmark report said it had “struggled to effectively oversee and manage the water system”.
In the three months from May to July the water regulator says that 10,000 scheduled tests at its main laboratory at Starcross in Devon did not take place due to staff shortages.
Others were combined with other tests or postponed in what the EA says was an “optimisation” process.
The Environment Agency said seven national inorganic testing programmes had been completely “paused”. They include programmes that track chemical pollution in rivers, lakes and estuaries as well as one that monitors the regulator’s plans for dealing with drought.
Jo Bradley, who worked at the Environment Agency’s water quality team for more than 20 years, told the BBC: “Some inorganic substances, such as copper and zinc, are directly toxic to aquatic organisms, including fish and insects,”
“Others, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, are nutrients and they can affect river health when they are present in high quantities.
“These substances must be tested routinely, at many hundreds of locations, so that we can see trends in river chemistry and quickly identify problems.”
The EA said it “paused” 17.5% of its inorganic testing at the Starcross Laboratory from May to July.
Over the entire year it said it was expecting to operate at 15% below capacity.
A spokesperson blamed the reduction in tests on “fluctuations in staffing capacity” and could not say when the laboratory would be working at full capacity again.
Staffing problems are nothing new at the EA. In 2023 its chairman Alan Lovell told parliament that it had “struggled with recruitment and retention of staff”.
Internal emails obtained by campaign groups Greenpeace and Desmog through freedom of information requests were shared with the BBC. They show EA officials discussing the impact of staff departures on testing and saying that others planned to leave.
One senior official, writing an email to her colleagues, said it was “not good news I’m afraid” adding “this isn’t where we want to be (again)”.
Helen Nightingale, who worked at the Environment Agency as a catchment planner, analysing data from its water quality programme until 2022, says that while she was there she saw a shift of focus away from serious investigation to trying to find “successes”.
She also said that morale was low: “The pay is not great – we didn’t have pay rises for years due to austerity,
“But a lot people are in it [the EA] because they want to make a difference – and when you’re not even getting that – well, what’s the point?”
Documents seen by the BBC show that the work affected by the cuts to testing this year included investigations into the water industry in various parts of the country, and monitoring of protected areas including the River Wye, which is currently facing a pollution crisis linked to intensive chicken farming.
Stuart Singleton White from the Angling Trust which has been running its own citizen scientist testing programme., said: “This spring, while the EA cut 10,000 water samples, our Water Quality Monitoring Network collected its 10,000th.
“Our latest annual report showed that 34% of sites breached “good ecological status” for phosphate, and 45% showed signs of nitrate pollution. Pollution is out of control, and extensive testing is key to addressing the problem.”
Singer-turned-campaigner Feargal Sharkey said the cancelled tests are further confirmation of the EA’s limitations.
“When is a regulator not a regulator? When it’s the Environment Agency,” Mr Sharkey told the BBC.
“With impeccable timing the Environment Agency reminds us all of exactly why they to should be added to Sir Jon Cunliffe’s bonfire of the quangos [the Water Commission]. Institutionally incompetent, complacent and discredited.”
This week, Sir Jon recommended that a single water regulator be created, with the EA handing over responsibility for monitoring water pollution.
A spokesperson for the EA said: “We are committed to protecting the environment and water quality testing remains a top priority having received an extra £8m in funding.”
“Our water quality testing programme remains robust and prioritised on the basis of need – only a small proportion of tests were impacted by this issue, with no impact on pollution incidents and bathing water testing.”
The work is designed to reduce erosion and lower the risk of cliff falls, helping protect the coastline and nearby homes.
The project is being managed by a partnership of East Devon District Council and South West Flood and Coastal.
Work will include adding more large rocks (known as rock armour) at the base of the cliffs, refurbishing and removal of wire baskets filled with stones (gabions) that support the cliff base next to Check House seawall and carrying out repairs to Check House seawall.
These planned improvements are set to strengthen defences between Seaton Hole and West Walk Promenade, making the area safer to the effects of the sea. The scheme is also expected to deliver nearly £5 million in long-term benefits.
Cllr Geoff Jung, East Devon District Council Portfolio Holder for Environment – Operational, said, “While there may be some minor disruption over the summer, this work is essential. It will make Seaton Hole safer and more accessible for everyone, and help protect properties on the clifftop.
“Please keep a safe distance from the work area and don’t climb on the rocks or near the cliffs, as they are unstable and pose a serious risk.”
Cllr Paul Arnott, Leader of the Council, added, “This part of the coast has seen repeated landslides and ongoing erosion. It’s vital that we act now to protect local homes and ensure this beautiful area remains safe for future generations.”
Discharge coming from a burst at a South West Water pumping station has led to a pollution spilling into the sea, making bathing hazardous at some of the most beautiful and popular beaches in North Devon.
The discharge of harmful waste into the sea comes in the week that schools are breaking up for the summer holidays.
The incident has affected the water quality at beaches in Woolacombe and Combesgate, with the Environment Agency (EA) telling people not to bathe in the water.
North Devon Council said that signage was placed on the beaches warning locals and tourists of the incident and the danger to people’s health.
An EA spokesperson said: “Our specialist officers have attended this incident in North Devon to investigate and take samples.
“We have also issued advice against bathing at Combesgate Beach and Woolacombe Village bathing waters.
“We advise that swimmers and beach users stay updated via Swimfo for the latest information.
“Members of the public can report environmental incidents to us via the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline: 0800 807060.”
South West Water later confirmed that the incident was caused by a burst at the Castlerock Pumping Station, north of Combesgate Beach.
At 9.30pm, Monday, July 21, a burst at the pumping station was identified.
South West Water said: “We are utilising tankers to move flows away from the pumping station to reduce any environmental impact.
“We are very sorry for the disruption while our teams are on-site tonight working around the clock to manage the situation.”
The discharge was stopped at 1am this morning, Tuesday, July 22, but work to repair the burst is ongoing.
South West Water told Devon Live: “The discharge was stopped at 01.00 hours today and our teams are still working hard to fix the main.
“The Environment Agency have issued an alert and we are taking samples to assess water quality.”
It is currently unclear how long it will take for the pollution incident to be resolved.
To keep up with our live blog on the incident, click here.
The Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, Will Kerr, who has been suspended from his job for the last two years, has announced he is to stand down.
In a statement issued by the Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez they have said that he will retire by mutual consent.
Mr Kerr has been under investigation in Northern Ireland but has not been charged with any offence.
An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct in England continues although this is not related to criminal allegations investigated in Northern Ireland that have since been dismissed.
Alison Hernandez said: “Suspension from duty is a neutral act and there is always a presumption of innocence until proved otherwise.
“I have now agreed Mr Kerr’s departure from the force to allow processes for new and stable leadership to take Devon & Cornwall Police forward as this is now in the best interests of all parties.
“I remain frustrated at the amount of time this investigation has taken and the way that cross jurisdictional issues have lengthened the process during separate investigations by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland and now the IOPC.
“His departure does not signal guilt, but instead a deep appreciation of the need for Devon & Cornwall Police to move forward with stable leadership from a substantive Chief Constable.”
James Vaughan, who came out of retirement to run the force will continue as Interim Chief Constable until a new recruitment process is complete.
In accordance with police misconduct regulations, the investigations will continue despite Mr Kerr’s departure.
Mr Kerr said: “Having been cleared in relation to what I believe were malicious criminal allegations in Northern Ireland, I have decided that it’s now in the best interests of my family and the Force that I retire as Chief Constable.
“After nearly 36 years of public service, this is not the way I would have chosen to retire but the Force, and communities across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, deserve stable leadership in policing.
“I remain a strong advocate for effective accountability in policing, but that accountability process must be fair, timely and proportionate. Sadly, like too many other officers, that has not been my experience over the past two years.
“I continue to wish all of the highly committed officers and staff in Devon and Cornwall Police well and, despite the personal challenges of the past few years, I remain proud of the value of community-focussed policing, and a firm supporter of the people within its ranks.”
The Deputy Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police has been found guilty of misconduct by a police disciplinary tribunal.
Jim Colwell has been given a written warning after the hearing determined he breached the force’s “notifiable associations” policy.
An IOPC spokesperson said: “He has been sanctioned with a written warning, to last for 18 months, after the misconduct tribunal found that his actions breached professional standards relating to orders and instructions and discreditable conduct.”
ITV West Country understands Mr Colwell failed to declare that he had exchanged messages with a journalist on social media.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: “DCC Colwell has now returned fully to his duties in his substantive rank of Deputy Chief Constable and will be supporting Chief Constable James Vaughan and working with the executive in focusing on delivering policing services to our communities by driving continued improvements in performance, returning additional officers to the front line by reducing senior ranks and rolling out a clear focus on the Government’s neighbourhood policing guarantee to communities across Devon & Cornwall.”
Last year, Mr Colwell was suspended after allegations he used his work mobile phone to exchange personal messages.
The IOPC cleared him of gross misconduct and said he had no case to answer.
Cunliffe’s report said there was no “single, simple change, no matter how radical, that will reset the water sector and restore the trust that has been lost”. As a result, his report contains a total of 88 recommendations
Households must be prepared to accept a decade of above-inflation bills to fix Britain’s “failing” water system and cope with extra demand, the architect of government reforms has said.
In a warning to ministers who have pledged to hold down bills Sir Jon Cunliffe said that costs were “rising” in the water system and suggested the government needed to be honest about who would pay.
Compulsory water meters will be introduced and regulator abolished – key recommendations from landmark report into ‘broken’ water industry
Major recommendations also include the ability to block company takeovers and taking a more interventionist approach to regulation. But nationalisation was excluded.
Feargal Sharkey: “We were promised champagne, what we got was a glass of sour milk”.
Surfers Against Sewage said the report “utterly fails to prioritise public benefit over private profit”.
The system for regulating water companies in England and Wales should be overhauled and replaced with one single body in England and another in Wales, a once-in-a-generation review of the sector has advised.
The report, which includes 88 recommendations, suggests a new single integrated regulator to replace existing water watchdogs, mandatory water metering, and a social tariff for vulnerable customers.
The ability to block companies being taken over and the creation of eight new regional water authorities, with another for all of Wales to deliver local priorities, has also been suggested.
The review, the largest into the water industry since privatisation in the 1980s, was undertaken by Sir Jon Cunliffe, a career civil servant and former deputy governor of the Bank of England who oversaw the biggest clean-up of Britain’s banking system in the wake of the financial crash.
The government confirmed at a news conference on Monday that Ofwat will be abolished as part of an overhaul of a “broken” water regulation system.
Environmentalist Feargal Sharkey told Sky News, “we were promised champagne, what we got was a glass of sour milk”.
Final recommendations of the commission have been published on Monday morning to clean up the sector and improve public confidence, as bills rise 36% over the next five years. Here are its nine key recommendations:
• Single integrated water regulators – a single water regulator in England and a single water regulator in Wales. In England, this would replace Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and water-environment related functions from the Environment Agency and Natural England. In Wales, Ofwat’s economic responsibilities would be integrated into Natural Resources Wales.
It’s hoped this will solve the “fragmented and overlapping” regulation, and more stable regulation will improve investor confidence. Communications regulator Ofcom was given as an example of how combining five existing regulators into one worked.
• Eight new regional water system planning authorities in England and one national authority in Wales to be responsible for water investment plans reflecting local priorities and streamlining the planning processes.
The new authorities would be independent, made up of representatives from local councils, public health officials, environmental advocates, agricultural voices and consumers. The aim is they could direct funding and ensure accountability from all sectors impacting water.
• Greater consumer protection – this includes upgrading the consumer body Consumer Council for Water, into an Ombudsman for Water to give stronger protection to customers and a clearer route to resolving complaints. Advocacy duties are to be transferred to Citizens Advice.
• Stronger environmental regulation, including compulsory water meters. Also proposed by Sir Jon are changes to wholesale tariffs for industrial users and greater water reuse and rainwater harvesting schemes. A new long-term, legally binding target for the water environment was suggested.
• Oversight of companies via the ability to block changes in ownership of water businesses when they are not seen to be prioritising the long-term interests of the company and its customers, and the addition of “public benefit” clauses in water company licences.
To boost company financial resilience, as the UK’s biggest provider, Thames Water struggles to remain in private ownership, the commission has recommended minimum financial requirements, like banks are subject to. This could mean utilities hold a certain amount of cash. It’s hoped this will, in turn, make companies more appealing to potential investors.
• The public health element of water has been recognised, and senior public health representation has been recommended for regional water planning authorities, as have new laws to address pollutants like forever chemicals and microplastics.
• Fundamental reset of economic regulation – including changes to ensure companies are investing in and maintaining assets to help attract long-term, low-risk investment. A “supervisory” approach has been recommended to intervene before things like pollution occur, rather than penalising the businesses after the event.
• Clear strategic direction – a long-term, 25-year national water strategy should be published by the UK and Welsh governments, with ministerial priorities given to water firms every five years.
• Infrastructure and asset health reforms – companies should also be required to map and assess their assets and resilience.
Nationalisation of the water industry was not in the Independent Water Commission’s terms of reference and so was not considered.
Sir Jon said the report has “tried to attack the problem from all sides”.
He warned that bills are going to rise by 30% over the next five years.
“There are some inescapable facts here,” he said.
“The cost of producing water and dealing with our wastewater is going up.”
How has the report been received?
In a speech responding to Sir Jon’s report, Mr Reed said he was abolishing Ofwat.
The water industry lobby group Water UK said “fundamental change has been long overdue”.
“These recommendations should establish the foundations to secure our water supplies, support economic growth and end sewage entering our rivers and seas,” a spokesperson said.
“The Independent Water Commission has written a comprehensive, detailed review of the whole sector, with many wide-ranging and ambitious recommendations.
“Crucially, it is now up to government to decide which recommendations it will adopt, and in what way, but the commission’s work marks a significant step forward.”
Campaign group Surfers Against Sewage said the report “utterly fails to prioritise public benefit over private profit”.
“This is not transformational reform, this is putting lipstick on a pig - and you can bet the champagne is flowing in water company boardrooms across the land,” said its chief executive, Giles Bristow.
“Only one path forward remains: a full, systemic transformation that ends the ruthless pursuit of profit and puts the public good at the heart of our water services,” he said.
“We welcome Sir Jon’s calls for a national strategy, enshrining public health objectives in law and regional water planning. But we won’t be taken for fools - abolishing Ofwat and replacing it with a shinier regulator won’t stop sewage dumping or profiteering if the finance and ownership structures stay the same.”
Environmentalist Feargal Sharkey told Sky News, “we were promised champagne, what we got was a glass of sour milk”.
The regulator Ofwat said, it will now work with the government and the other regulators to form the new regulatory body in England, and “to contribute to discussions on the options for Wales set out in the report”.
“In advance of the creation of the new body, we will continue to work hard within our powers to protect customers and the environment and to discharge our responsibilities under the current regulatory framework. We will also work collaboratively with all our stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition.”
East Devon Watch 