The leader of East Devon District Council (EDDC) has written to two MPs expressing disappointment that the district has not been granted anything from the government's Future High Streets Fund.

The £675million Future High Streets Fund was launched as part of the government's plans to revive local high streets in the 2018 Budget.

The aim of the fund is to renew and reshape town centres and high in a way that drives growth, improves experience and ensures future sustainability.

In a letter to East Devon MP Simon Jupp, and Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government, EDDC leader Paul Arnott says the district has been unsuccessful in securing any funds from this scheme.

In particular, he has expressed disappointment that Exmouth was not given the opportunity to engage with the bidding process fo the Future High Street Fund, despite being promised it would be included in December 2019.

On December 9 2019 - three days before the General Election - Simon Jupp, the Conservative candidate who subsequently became East Devon's MP, announced in a press release that Exmouth would receive a grant from the Future High Streets Fund.

His statement said that Mr Jenrick had confirmed that Exmouth would receive funding of up to £150,000 to help secure up to £20million from the fund.

Initial bid made for Axminster high street

The news surprised East Devon District Council, as they had submitted what turned out to be an unsuccessful bid for Axminster as part of the fund, and during the debate about which town to submit, Exmouth was not mentioned once during the discussions.

However, when the final announcement of the towns to receive funding was made on Boxing Day 2020, Exmouth was not on the list.

Cllr Joe Whibley, who represents the Exmouth Town ward, described the promise of money as "a complete fabrication and a carrot on a non-existing stick for East Devon", adding that it was only made to win the East Devon seat for the Conservatives.

In response, Mr Jupp told Nub News: "I spoke up for Exmouth last Monday in Parliament and asked when the next round of funding to improve high streets, towns and transport would be made available.

"The Secretary of State confirmed that new funding and the process to apply will be revealed very soon and he's looking forward to seeing Exmouth's application.

"Although the process will have been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, proper plans to boost the town will need to be submitted by East Devon District Council and the Secretary of State said he hoped the council will work with me to put together an application.

"I urge EDDC to grasp this opportunity for the good of our town."

In his letter sent this week, Councillor Arnott also queries the process of the fund, asks whether further Future High Streets Funding will become available, and why no reply has been received to the council's previous letter on this matter dated January 2020.

Councillor Arnott reinforces the council's ongoing commitment and its resolve to work positively and collaboratively with East Devon's MPs and the government as a whole on this matter.

In his letter he raised four questions on behalf of the council, after what he described as a "very passionate and engaged debate".

The four questions were as follows:

1. Why the announcement four days before a General Election was not followed with any communication, a firm process and confirmation of the next steps to be announced to East Devon District Council (the responsible authority for submitting such bids)?

1. Why no reply was received to the letter sent by the former leader of the Council in January 2020?

1. If there will be future iterations of Future High Street funding, even though the previous process was described as 'once in a lifetime' and a spokeswoman from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government has stated that the rest of the funding has been transferred elsewhere?

1. Was a unilateral decision taken by the Secretary of State anywhere else in the country to subvert the bidding process?

The letter continued: "Should there be confirmation that the Future High Streets funding is to continue, the council resolves to request a meeting with all local MPs to work together cross-party to prepare a bid for whichever town or community is, according to the grant criteria, and East Devon District Council's assessment, most likely to succeed in any such bid.

"I shall be most grateful if the contents of this motion with the four questions, and information regarding the further resolution, could be considered by you, and I look forward to a reply that I can submit to the next council meeting.

"As leader I wish to assure you of our council's ongoing willingness to engage positively with government and MPs in this matter."