Daily Archives: 28 May 2014

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

28 May 2014

Posted under

Democracy, Local Plan

Comments

1 Comment

“Non Metropolitan England” – your views sought

The non-political and independent commission will be chaired by Sir John Peace, who is also the Chairman of Standard Chartered PLC, and Burberry, as well as Chairman of Nottinghamshire’s local Growth Board. Sir John has been asked by the Local Government Association, which represents almost 400 councils, to lead this major review alongside a panel of leading figures from business, the voluntary and public sectors.

They will explore the unique characteristics of non-metropolitan economies and their drivers, as well as what more can be done to free up their public services to promote growth and deliver better outcomes for residents. By the autumn, it will make recommendations for reform to shape the way economic growth and public service transformation are supported in the future.

As part of the review, the commission wants to hear from everyone who has a stake in non-metropolitan areas. It is calling for evidence from business leaders, voluntary and faith groups, community and public service leaders. It has today launched a public Call for Evidence.

– See more at: http://www.local.gov.uk/web/guest/media-releases/-/journal_content/56/10180/6207801/NEWS#sthash.xVcbVUsa.dpuf

Yet another big businessman whose personal and public agenda is “growth” to decide the fate of people he probably rarely meets.

 

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

28 May 2014

Posted under

DCC, Democracy, EDDC

Setback for council austerity cuts

http://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18655%3Aadmin-court-quashes-decision-by-council-over-provision-for-three-year-olds&catid=54&Itemid=22

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

28 May 2014

Posted under

EDDC, NPPF

Letter on Express and Echo website: listen to the people

IS it so surprising that the electorate is disaffected and is rejecting the traditional parties? Had there been more elections in rural districts last week there would surely have been an even greater protest vote.

And it is interesting to note that last Friday a non-party-political Community Action Group in Formby, Lancashire, campaigning against over-development, convincingly won a councillor seat from a “safe” Labour councillor.

And why is this? Since the inception of the National Planning Policy there has been a relentless attack on our countryside, on our small towns and villages and our green belt, by developers in league with local politicians pursuing housing policies promoted by the main political parties.

The result has not been “affordable” homes nor housing for social need, in which large developers are not interested, but a rash of expensive and unsustainable housing development, much of it sold as second-homes or investment properties.

This, encouraged by the Right-to-Buy scheme, has only increased the price of housing and created a housing bubble.

And whatever happened to the coalition Government’s vaunted “localism”?

It is now exposed as a sham because individual communities have, in fact, ended up with less power and restrictions on their democratic freedom of speech; while there are fewer checks on the rapacity of greedy developers, and the myth of inflated housing figures goes unchallenged.

Our advice to all the main parties is to listen: the people who gave power to politicians will soon have the chance to take it away. We need and deserve representatives who will protect our environment and heritage.

Michael and Beryl Temple , Sidmouth
Read more at http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Reader-8217-s-Letter-Protest-votes-surprise/story-21153254-detail/story.html#GAk2u6uiSy9s3m7i.99

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

28 May 2014

Posted under

EDDC, Honiton/ Gittisham

EDDC finally bites the bullet on the Thelma Hulbert Gallery – or does it?

Thank you an eagle eyed reader for pointing out that the Cabinet Agenda for 4 June 2014 also seals the fate of the constantly loss-making Thelma Hulbert Gallery in Honiton.

On page 92 of the 93 pages of the agenda and under the part where discussion is in private it recommends:

That Cabinet agree in principle to a transfer of the Thelma Hulbert Gallery to the LED Leisure Trust, and that the transfer takes place

subject to 

(i) successful grant applications which mean the Gallery can still function with a reduced financial support package from the Council.

 (ii) satisfactory detailed transfer arrangements being agreed between the Council and LED, with delegated authority being given

to the Chief Executive, in conjunction with the relevant portfolio holder to approve them, and subject to further legal, financial and

valuation advice as required.

Questions to be asked:

Why is EDDC still subsidising this little-used facility?  Perhaps its collection could be moved to the new Beehive Community Centre (which EDDC has so generously funded).  Or perhaps to Skypark!

LED is itself subsidised by EDDC so surely this is simply removing the subsidy to a less transparent area (though we have not been allowed to see the operating figures for this gallery on which EDDC decisions have been made).

What exactly does LED have in mind?

What will be the basis of the Trust?  Will EDDC still be underwriting its losses?

If LED cannot make a go of it, what happens to it then?  Who “owns” it in those circumstances?

The people of Honiton might well wish to ask a few questions.

The report ends with this sentence  “The Gallery helps achieve the priorities under Enjoying this Outstanding Place in the Council Plan as well as supporting the economic objectives of the Council”

Oh that the council REALLY understood what “Enjoying this outstanding place” REALLY means!