The City Council has set a balanced budget and outlined bold plans for the year ahead at a special meeting last night.

The annual Budget Statement, which has been published in full, highlights a host of achievements over the last year and a number of key projects which will dominate the months and years ahead.

The budget and levels of council tax were formally approved by councillors during an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council at the Guildhall.

For those living in an average band D property in Exeter, there will be increase of £5 a year in the City Council’s slice of the bill from April - less than 10p a week. From the total bill of £1,909.39, the City Council gets just £160.05.

In his Budget Statement, Council Leader Phil Bialyk said: “Exeter is a fantastic place and I am proud of what the city has achieved and the role that everyone has played in our success.

“I think people will be surprised with what we manage to achieve with our small share of their hard-earned council tax.”

The Leader said laying the foundations for the city to become Net Carbon Zero by 2030 was the Council’s top priority, and he praised the work of key partner Exeter City Futures in developing a carbon neutral roadmap.

He said a lot of work was already taking place in creating energy efficient buildings, protecting green open spaces and encouraging biodiversity.

Cllr Bialyk revealed the Council is now working on how it can retrofit its entire housing stock to an ultra-low energy standard. It will also examine how homes in the private sector may also be able to benefit.

“We will need to be bold as we bring our plans forward, and there will be some tough decisions for us all to make, but the Council will be leading these decisions,” he said.

“We intend to build all our properties to Passivhaus standard, and we are embarking on a very ambitious retrofit scheme following a pilot of six council properties in Wonford.

“We are also protecting green open spaces and doing everything we can to increase biodiversity. I am committed to delivering a net biodiversity gain from all developments.”

Cllr Bialyk said additional land for had been purchased for the valley parks, and a wild arboretum is set to be created at the Northbrook Approach Golf Course.

The Budget Statement outlines plans to build hundreds of new council homes, and highlights the Liveable Exeter project, which will deliver 12,000 new homes for the city and its residents in a green setting that supports the need for a sustainable and active city.

The Leader welcomed the continued support for communities, highlighting the new Exeter Grants Programme, which has an annual budget of more than £1million - 127 community groups received grants in the last year.

Cllr Bialyk welcomed progress on construction of the new St Sidwell’s Point leisure complex and new Exeter Bus Station, which are set to be delivered on time and on budget in spring 2021.

He added: “Exeter City Council has the fourth lowest council tax in the country. But just like Exeter Chiefs, the only rugby club in the country that makes a profit, and our football club, with its unique trust model, we achieve remarkable things on modest means.

“This is a budget which builds on the good work by all to date, and is a budget that promotes a city with a vision.

“A city that welcome everyone and works with business, city that is healthy and inclusive. A city of literature and culture. A city of accessible education for all. A city that will become carbon neutral by 2030 - it is our city, and our future.”

* The full breakdown of a Band D Council Tax bill of £1,909.39 is:

Devon County Council £1,439.46

Devon & Cornwall Police £221.64

Exeter City Council £160.05

Devon & Somerset Fire £88.24

The full Budget Statement can be assessed via our document storage website.