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Daily Archives: 22 Apr 2014
Free speech for councillors is an important part of our democratic process says Eric Pickles today
Over on claire-wright.org the popular Independent councillor is being given a very hard time by Tory Whip/Not the Tory Whip Phil Twiss for daring to disagree with him and his party as he smarts from having to defend the indefensible when one of EDDC’s leading Conservative lights (Councillor Bloxham) attempted to bring in complex bureaucratic rules to gag the public at Development Management Meetings (rules so complex and comprehensive it took him 27 minutes to explain them).
He would do well to note the pronouncement of HIS boss and Whip, Eric Pickles, who has today said in an article about how he is thinking of prosecuting five councils for using the council newspapers for political purposes:
Eric Pickles said:
“Localism needs robust and independent scrutiny by the press and public, and municipal state-produced newspapers suppress that. ‘Town Hall Pravdas’ not only waste taxpayers’ money unnecessarily, they undermine free speech.
“I have given written notice to councils most clearly breaching the Publicity Code, noting that Parliament has passed new laws to tackle this abuse. We are prepared to take further action against any council that undermines local democracy – whatever the political colour.”
He added: “We have changed the law to protect the free speech of councillors. If councillors and political parties want to campaign and put out political literature, they are very welcome to do so, and it’s an important part of our democratic process. But they should be using their own money, rather than taxpayers.”
News from Cranbrook
A few snippets from the Cranbrook Herald for April 2014:
GP surgery COULD (not would) be open by “the end of the year”
There will be a meeting for “sponsors” of the new education campus
The local PCSO has been set a target of 350 “likes” on his Facebook page
Concerns raised over SkyPark bus service
Children at the Primary School have opened a sweet shop which has generated more than £200 in profit
When asked what they would like to see in Cranbrook, a selection of three residents said:
“I would like to see the park up and running soon as the children really have nowhere they can go and play. I would also like to see the shops built as I don’t drive and it is difficult for me to get my essential shopping every week”.
“I would like to see a few shops and a few takeaways. As far as my children are concerned … they can’t wait for the playground to be open. I also think a skatepark would be a really good idea so that he could play with his scooter somewhere instead of the pavements.”
“As a dog owner it would be nice to have some bins … a pub would be nice … as would a cashpoint and a local shop”.
Cranbrook … sustainable … reduce dependency on cars …
Front Page Headline in the “Cranbrook Herald” April 2014:
What do we want? Buses on Sunday! Residents urged to petition Devon County Council
The article goes on to say thatLena Wilding, sales negotiator for Persimmon Homes, said that potential house buyers interested inb a move to Cranbrook have enquired about the Sunday public transport situation in the town.
Residents have been urged to write to Devon County Council requesting a Sunday bus service.
Would that it were so simple! If it were, buses would already be planned for Skypark from all over the district!
It all depends who ends up with the power and the influence …
Tread carefully and do not make the mistakes of your predecessor …
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/communications_and_consultation.htm?newsid=1076
… and who represents the National Farmers Union (past representative Disgraced Ex-Councillor Graham Brown, now airbrushed out of history at EDDC).
… and who represents local developers …
… and who represents EDDC!
East Devon Watch 