A special event at Knowle yesterday evening, involving the Parliamentary Outreach Service , was excellently organised by EDDC officers. Around 80 people attended the event, which had been advertised as an advice evening for prospective councillors. The session began well with a lively talk by Elizabeth Price of the Parliamentary Outreach service, who gave a quick overview of Parliament. The audience, including EDDC Leader Paul Diviani,listened attentively as she explained how its essential role is to hold government to account, represent the public, and to raise key issues. They also heard about parliamentary processes and, usefully, how to raise an issue in Parliament. The informal cross-party groups (All Party Parliamentary Groups, APPGs), may be of particular help to EDA as a member of Community Voice on Planning (www.covop.org). Ms Price also made a reference that seemed especially apt to the Knowle venue: she quoted Winston Churchill’s words, “We shape our buildings, and our buildings shape us”.

Julien Bassham of the Cabinet Office then described the Individual Electoral Registration (IER) reform which will be introduced in June 2014. It will concern only those people newly applying to register to vote, who will be required to give their Department of Work and Pension number along with their name. The aim is to prevent electoral fraud,largely in postal voting, where registration has sometimes been made by household. Questions from the audience showed some concern that this huge IT exercise could go awry (as with the NHS). We’ll soon see!

The high standard of presentations was impressively continued by George Downs and Alfie Weaver, speaking about the work of the Youth Parliament, the British Youth Council, and Devon Youth Service. George described various community action projects in detail, including the ‘Make Your Mark’ initiative to encourage young people to get involved, with the message that “Issues that matter, are politics in disguise”. Alfie stressed that the Devon Youth Service has no Party affiliation, but is “issue-affiliated”.

What a contrast this was, to the political mindset of the following speaker, EDDC Deputy Leader, Andrew Moulding. His closing talk was mostly based on trivialities (dogs harrassing political canvassers) and the implication that opponents’ leaflets (in this case, Councillor Douglas Hull’s) are only fit for the dustbin. No attempt was made to inform the listeners about what councillors do. This abysmal anti-climax to the evening provoked a sharp reaction from the audience. Further details reported here:http://www.claire-wright.org/index.php/post/sparks_fly_at_eddc_elections_event_this_evening

A new bus service via Skypark could cost £100,000 a year, confirm senior officers at Devon County Council.

Officers also confirm that the existing 4 service timetable would not permit it to be diverted into Skypark, due to time constraints.

At last month’s EDDC full council meeting, the conservative group voted in favour of starting detailed negotiations to buy land at Skypark for almost £1m and build new offices there.

Cllr Roger Giles (Independent – Ottery Town), who sought information from Dave Black (Head of Planning and Transportation at DCC) said: “The message shows that the claims made by EDDC cabinet member, Cllr Ray Bloxham – that an existing service will be diverted into Skypark – are wrong.

Cllr Ray Bloxham, EDDC Corporate Business Portfolioholder recently said that “a bus service currently passing Skypark will be diverted to serve stops within Skypark when it is completed”.

Roger Giles said: “In fact Mr Black demonstrates that it will be difficult and expensive to achieve a service into Skypark at all.”

Roger Giles also said: “The other great concern I have is that if a direct bus service to Skypark is achieved, is it will only provide a service for Cranbrook and Exeter residents.

“There would be no direct bus service for people living in the rest of East Devon.”

“By relocating from Sidmouth to Skypark on the edge of Exeter, EDDC will damage the economy of Sidmouth, and it will damage the economy of East Devon as a whole.

East Devon`s loss, will be Exeter`s gain.”

Concerns were expressed at EDDC’s full council by residents and councillors, that Skypark would be inaccessible for East Devon residents and EDDC staff who would have to relocate because of its location close to Exeter, and its lack of a direct bus service.

At the EDDC meeting on 26 February Cllr Roger Giles tabled a written question about the practicality of diverting the 4 (Exeter Cranbrook – Ottery – Honiton – Axminster) bus service into Skypark, because the tight timetable would probably not permit it.

Cllr Ray Bloxham in his written answer, and his answer to Roger Giles` supplementary question, was dismissive. He accused Roger Giles of “grandstanding”.

Subsequently Roger Giles wrote to Dave Black, about the matter. DCC is the authority responsible for bus services.

Dave Black also says: “Negotiations have been on-going with Science Park and SkyPark concerning contributions towards bus services. It is expected that these contributions would enable the funding of a new service between Cranbrook and Exeter, routing through Skypark and Science Park which would supplement the existing 30 minute frequency bus service.”