A council-backed company has been wound up, a business centre faces an uncertain future and a new chief executive has arrived at Exeter Science Park as Exeter City Council published its latest review of organisations linked to the authority.
A report due before councillors on Tuesday, June 16 provides a six-month update on companies, alternative delivery models and charities connected to or controlled by Exeter City Council. The authority said the review was part of a commitment made in 2025 to keep members informed about the activities and financial performance of the organisations.
The report states there are no significant issues to highlight across the organisations in which the council has an interest. It also confirms a review of Exeter Business Centre has been completed, with a further report recommending a way forward expected to be presented to councillors in July.
Among the organisations covered is Strata Service Solutions, the council’s jointly owned information technology company with East Devon District Council and Teignbridge District Council.
According to the report, Strata continues work on a transformation programme, including local government reorganisation preparation projects, cloud infrastructure migration and improvements to customer-facing digital services. The company underspent its budget by £936,000 during 2025-26 and delivered £1.25 million of capital improvements. Draft accounts have been delayed because of year-end pension reporting issues.
The report also notes that a new chief executive joined Exeter Science Park Limited on Friday, May 1 and will work alongside the current chief executive until the end of June. The council said it was not aware of any issues affecting the organisation.
Exeter City Group Limited and Exeter City Living Limited now operate primarily as property-holding companies managing six residential flats at the Guildhall Shopping Centre. Increased tenant turnover affected rental income during the year, although this was partly offset by reduced operating costs. Draft accounts for Exeter City Living show a loss of £101 and net assets of £117,156.
South West Audit Partnership, which provides internal audit services to public sector organisations, continued to expand and welcomed another partner in April. Exeter City Council said it remained only a small shareholder and was not involved in the company’s day-to-day management.
The report confirms DextCo Limited, which had been established to help develop district heat network proposals in Exeter, was dissolved on Tuesday, May 5 after plans did not proceed. Directors had recommended that shareholders voluntarily wind up the company.
Exeter Business Centre, based on Marsh Barton Industrial Estate, reported a profit of £12,838 and net assets of £1,187 in draft accounts for 2025-26. A review of the company has now been completed, with recommendations expected to be considered by the council next month.
The report also covers Monkerton Heat Company Limited, which remains dormant, and Exeter Canal and Quay Trust Limited, a charity managing and improving properties around the Quay. The council said it was not aware of any significant issues affecting either organisation.
Councillors are being asked to note the contents of the report.
