Exeter City council votes to adopt FOD transparency template
On Tuesday, 9th September 2025, Exeter City Council voted to follow the example set by South Hams District Council and adopt the Friends of the Dart Transparency Template. This decision marks a significant step towards holding South West Water (SWW) accountable for its management of the Exe Estuary and surrounding waterways.
The motion was proposed by Councillor Tess Read (Green, St Davids) and seconded by Councillor James Banyard (Green, St Davids), both of whom expressed concern about the levels of pollution in the Exe and the impact on residents, swimmers, rowers and wildlife.
Councillor Read noted:
“Exeter residents don’t want a river running through our city that is a potential public health hazard. They want, and deserve, a waterway that is clean and safe for people to enjoy and nature to thrive.”
The motion received broad support, though some members suggested the matter should be discussed further at the Council’s Scrutiny Committee rather than debated in full council. The Leader, Councillor Phil Bialyk (Lab, Exwick), recommended that the Transparency Template also be raised with other district councils across Devon in order to strengthen its impact.
Following the vote, Exeter City Council resolved to:
Request that South West Water complete the Transparency Template for all infrastructure projects.
Invite SWW to attend and respond at the Scrutiny Committee.
Initiate discussions with other district councils across Devon to explore collective adoption of the template.
We very much welcome this development. As with South Hams, the adoption of the Transparency Template in Exeter represents a vital step in creating consistency, openness, and accountability across the region. It provides councillors, residents, and community groups with the necessary information to assess progress and to challenge SWW where commitments are not met.
Friends of the Dart has consistently maintained that transparency is a precondition for trust. Without clear, accessible, and reliable information, meaningful accountability cannot take place. The decision in Exeter strengthens the call for South West Water to demonstrate genuine responsibility for its operations and to improve both the quality of communication and the quality of our rivers.
To continue fostering constructive and collaborative engagement, we call on SWW to prioritise the following key actions:
Building trust and respect with communities and their customers through full transparency: Providing detailed information rather than broad, ambiguous statements will help build credibility and confidence among stakeholders.
Ensuring prompt and professional communication: SWW should formally notify communities of planned improvement works. We propose the use of our Transparency Template to standardise and streamline this process.
Sharing real-time data: Making live water quality data reliably available will enable informed decision-making for both the public and policymakers.
By committing to these principles, SWW can enhance its relationship with communities and work towards cleaner, healthier rivers across Devon.
To read the article in Exeter Today click here.
To read about the South Hams District Council and its commitment to transparency click here.