Skip to content

Exe Estuary Management Partnership

For people, for wildlife, for the future

Publications

Governance arrangements for the Exe Estuary Management Partnership (EEMP)


A review of governance of the EEMP was undertaken during 2017-18, to address a number of inefficiencies and overlap in the old arrangements. A new structure was formally adopted at the beginning of April 2018, to achieve an improved approach to the ongoing management of the Exe Estuary. The revised governance arrangements are outlined below:

 1. Partnership Committee2. Executive3. Stakeholder Forum
Summary PurposeStrategic leadOperational and technical leadCommunity lead and stakeholder engagement
Membership

All signatories to the MoA i.e. funding partners and statutory bodies, plus Forum/stakeholder representativesVoting Members

  • 4 Local Authorities: DCC, EDDC, ECC, TDC – councillor and officer support (1 vote per organisation)

  • 2 Town Councils: ETC, DTC – councillor or officer

  • 4 Parish Councils: SPC, WPC, CSGPC, BCPC – councillor or officer

  • 3 Statutory Agencies: NE, EA, D&SIFCA

  • 7 Other Interests: RSPB, LFHA, PE, RYA, BC, DWCA, EM, DB

  • 2 Forum reps: Chair and Vice Chai

Non-Voting Advisers


  • Exe Stakeholder representative

  • SEDHRP Manage
Key bodies responsible for management.
  • 4 officer representatives for Local Authorities: DCC, ECC, EDDC, TDC

  • 1 representative of funding Town and Parish Councils (normally ETC)

  • 2 representative from statutory bodies: NE, D&SIFCA

  • Partnership Chair

  • Forum Chair OR Vice Chair

  • Maximum 2 non-statutory Funding Partners to represent interest groups (1 nature conservation, 1 recreational or commercial

Open invitation to any group or member of the public who has registered in advance.Includes Partnership Committee, water and land based user, conservation interest, interested members of the public.

ChairPartnership Chair i.e. Councillor of Host Authority (DCC)Officer of Host Authority (DCC)Forum Chair – Community representative, elected by Forum
Key ResponsibilitiesAs set out in ToR:
  • Provide strategic overview

  • Approve Management Plan, Annual Delivery Plan and Annual Review

  • Set priorities for Management Plan implementation

  • Agree budget

  • Ensure resources are secured

  • Agree overall direction / approac
As set out in ToR:
  • Oversee budget

  • Advise on staffing issues

  • Agree work programme of Exe Estuary Officer

  • Draft Management Plan, Delivery Plan and Annual Review for approval

  • Monitoring of delivery

  • Guidance on projects and initiatives

  • Technical advice on planning and statutory requirements
As set out in ToR:
  • Provision of information

  • Consultative opportunity

  • Two-way communication and open discussion of estuary related matters

  • Consensus seeking in preparation of plans and strategies

Meeting FrequencyTwice yearly – September and MarchThree times per year – February, June and October

1 formal Forum annually – February1 informal Stakeholder Group – September or as required, for detailed discussion around specific issues or topics related to Exe Estuary management

TransparencyA representative of a group or public may request to attend and be allowed to speak, but not vote, at discretion of Chair. Agendas and Minutes publicly available on partners.devon.gov.uk/exe-estuaryClosed meeting due to sensitivity of staffing / budget discussionsOpen meeting. Agendas and Minutes publicly available on partners.devon.gov.uk/exe-estuary
Intended Outcomes
  • Reduction in number of meetings.

  • Representation of all partners in Committee.

  • Slight reduction in meetings.

  • Smaller group for operational guidance.

  • Enhanced role for stronger Forum now formally representing stakeholders.

  • Additional opportunity for wider engagement.

Acronyms

AbbreviationOrganisationAbbreviationOrganisation
BCBritish CanoeingETCExmouth Town Council
BCPCBishops Clyst Parish CouncilLFHALympstone Fishery & Harbour Authority
CSGPCClyst St George Parish CouncilMoAMemorandum of Agreement
D&SIFCADevon and Severn Inshore Fisheries & Conservation AuthorityNENatural England
DBDevon BirdsPEPowderham Estate
DCCDevon County CouncilRSPBRoyal Society for the Protection of Birds
DTCDawlish Town CouncilRYARoyal Yachting Association
DWCADevon Wildfowling & Conservation AssociationSEDHRPSouth East Devon Habitat Regulations Partnership
EAEnvironment AgencySPCStarcross Parish Council
ECCExeter City CouncilTDCTeignbridge District Council
EDDCEast Devon District CouncilToRTerms of Reference
EEMPExe Estuary Management PartnershipWPCWoodbury Parish Council
EMExmouth Marina