See this interesting exchange of correspondence between Paul Arnott and Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, via a Freedom of Information request about the procedure followed by EDDC and the police after the front-page expose of Councillor Brown in the Daily Telegraph last year (“if I can’t get you planning permission no-one can, but I don’t come cheap”):
https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/police_protocol_d22_and_east_dev#incoming-538562
including this cracker:
“The Crime Department have asked if you can clarify what you mean by ‘joint statement’ to assist us with our searches. Are you referring to press statements? If you are unsure on the nature of the statement then we recommend you contact East Devon District Council to clarify what was stated in their minutes.
Therefore could you please provide further detail on the type of statement required or, if you wish, withdraw that question from the request so that the other questions can be progressed.
After receiving your reply, your request will then be considered.”
Er, sorry, they don’t understand what “joint statements” means and this is holding up the entire response from them?
Fortunately, with members of the EDDC Executive being ex-police officers, no doubt they can explain to their current and former colleagues what the phrase “joint statement” means!
Oh, and we haven’t forgotten the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Forum into the relationship between East Devon District Council’s first Local Development Framework Panel (Chairman, Graham Brown) and its relationship with the East Devon Business Forum (Chairman, Graham Brown) … EDDC may have attempted to kick it into the long grass, but we will keep mowing it!
East Devon Watch 