Monthly Archives: July 2014

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

6 Jul 2014

Posted under

Misc

Local government and transparency: the rules

In advance of the controversial meeting of EDDC that will attempt to curtail public speaking, and bearing in mind the increasing secrecy in which decisions are being made at EDDC, it is perhaps timely to remind everyone of the requirements that councils must adhere to in these circumstances:

Click to access Your_councils_cabinet_-_going_to_its_meetings_seeing_how_it_works.pdf

and to note this comment from that document:

It is a criminal offence if, without a reasonable excuse, a person who has in his or her custody a document10, which the national rules require to be made available to the public, refuses to supply the whole or part of the document or intentionally obstructs any other person/s from disclosing such a document.

If a person is found guilty of such a criminal offence, he/she can be fined up to £200.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

6 Jul 2014

Posted under

Democracy, EDDC, Voting

Comments

2 Comments

The missing 6,000 (some of) the evidence

Electoral Commission give evidence on voter engagement

http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/political-and-constitutional-reform-committee/news/voterengagement9/

Is East Devon one of the 6% of local authorities failing to reach targets for registration? We must await the response to a Freedom of Information request (see below)

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

5 Jul 2014

Posted under

Democracy

Comments

1 Comment

Press 1 for Yes and 2 for no: Carphone Warehouse millionaire Tory Party donor in line for top Ofsted job with concerns about “transparency” in the choice

David Ross, 48, co-founder of Carphone Warehouse, is understood to be a leading candidate to take over the watchdog.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2681326/Millionaire-Tory-donor-friend-David-Cameron-favourite-Oftsed-job.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

5 Jul 2014

Posted under

DCC, Democracy, EDBF, EDDC

Hugo Swire, MP, calls for transparency – but only about DCC closing residential homes

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/East-Devon-MP-calls-transparency-Devon-County/story-21333137-detail/story.html

Perhaps also look a little closer to home, Mr Swire, and let us know your views on EDDC’s secret meetings, curtailment of public speaking and its refusal to allow the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to investigate the role of the East Devon Business Forum in the Local Plan.

THEN criticise others.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

5 Jul 2014

Posted under

EDDC, Exmouth, Tourism

Comments

1 Comment

Exmouth seafront traders fear for their future as EDDC ignores their concerns

A seafront trader whose family-run attraction faces closure after 40 years has blasted council bosses for not considering his plans to develop his business.

East Devon District Council wants to transform part of the seafront into the Queens Drive Leisure Area – and say it will be the last season for the attractions. But Chris Wright, whose family run Exmouth Fun Park, the Arnold Palmer Putting Course, and Jungle Fun, says he has submitted detailed proposals to improve his business, writes David Beasley. For 10 years he has urged the district council to grant him a longer lease so he can invest.

Outline permission for a water sports centre, hotel, gardens, indoor leisure, restaurant, shops and car park has been granted. Mr Wright told the Journal: “They said that they would work with the existing tenants and opportunities would exist for those who submitted suitable proposals.

“We submitted our own detailed proposals. Indeed, elements of the outline design are based on our suggestions. “Regrettably, we have heard nothing substantive from the council, save that it will be delivered by developers, rather than local existing businesses.

“It is disappointing for me that my suggestions have been adopted but I am not being considered. It is also very disappointing for the town that local businesses are not being given the opportunity to participate in the new development.”

He said businesses had not been kept up to date and information had been ‘vague’, adding: “It is extremely distressing to the traders, staff and their families whose livelihoods are at stake.”

Mr Wright called for a meeting with the project manager, and said: “Our lease has not ended, and does not end this year. We will continue to operate and entertain visitors and residents alike.”

A council spokeswoman confirmed it had received proposals from Mr Wright and others. “All discussions are ongoing and, clearly, confidential due to commercial sensitivity. “We have always said that we would like to include some opportunities within the new development for local businesses such as shops, cafes and leisure activity provision. “Further details of these will evolve throughout the development process.”

She added that they had been in regular contact with their tenants: “Negotiations for developments of this size take time so we can ensure the best possible outcome for the residents of and visitors to Exmouth.”

There are two responses to the article:

Transition Town Exmouth, is keen that the development on Queen’s Drive is to the highest standards of sustainability and hope that the EDDC chiefs in their closed-door negotiations are making the same point to the potential developers and not assuring them that the cheapest options will suffice. Experience shows that investment for quality at the design stage is repaid over the long life of the facilities. Adrian Toole Interim Chair

And from”Cecil”:

I cannot beleive we are losing all those brilliant outside activitys down the sea front,we spend hours at the beach park,it’s ideal for my 3 year old and 6 year old,hours of fun Why we need another restaurant to sit empty 10 months of the year and more indoor attractions is beyond me We have indoor attractions,there’s going to be nothing for the under 5s down the sea front A splash water zone is great for half an hour but then kids get cold ,it’s also to busy for my 3 year old They built one of these further up the road and closed it due to many complications! The beach park is brilliant hours of fun,this town hardly listens to the peoples views,rolle college,Elizabeth hall,the strand,we are always being told it was wanted but I haven’t met any one who wants the beach park etc to go,but no doubt it will and the town will spend a fortune on something un used and parents and children will go else where for what the children really like!

http://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/give_us_seafront_traders_a_look_in_1_3666233

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

4 Jul 2014

Posted under

Budleigh Salterton, Democracy, EDDC, Tourism

Comments

23 Comments

Budleigh parking: a resident’ perspective

According to the Journal EDDC has announced plans to turn the free car park by the Public Hall in Budleigh Salterton to one for permit holders only. If so, this is surely the worst of all outcomes. Not only is the car park no longer free but would only be available to permit holders i.e would exclude visitors and those attending events in the Hall! There is no nearby alternative of this capacity.

The plans were due to be decided on by EDDC’s cabinet on Wednesday — however, there was hope that a last-minute compromise could be found.
Councillor Tom Wright, a member of Budleigh Salterton Town Council and EDDC’s deputy cabinet member for environment, is reported as saying: “We hope that the cabinet will arrive at a compromise which will allow flexible, low cost parking, for residents of Budleigh and our visitors.”. But the Town’s fate may already be sealed.

The saga of the car park began in 2012, when the town council, which had rented the car park for £500 a year, was told EDDC wanted to increase this to £35,000. The town council made a counter offer of £6,500, which was rejected, and heard no more about the matter until now.

An EDDC spokesman said: “Our district-wide car parks review found that it was not reasonable for EDDC to subsidise ‘free’ town centre car parking for just one town in East Devon.

But as Cllr Wright pointed out: “EDDC is trying to say it’s a free car park. It’s not free. The people of Budleigh Salterton have been paying for it through their precept levied by the town council.” (Town ratepayers have been paying for maintenance and no costs fall on other East Devon ratepayers.)

In fact the land was “given” to the people of Budleigh in the shape of the then Urban District Council by Clinton Devon Estates on a peppercorn long lease. Ownership, unfortunately, had to be transferred out of local hands to EDDC when the district council was formed in 1976.

Both the Chamber of Commerce and Budleigh in Business, as well as the Town Council, are opposed to the introduction of charging because of the damage it will do to business and social events such as the series of local festivals.

Wasn’t one of the principles of localism to encourage local communities to make these sorts of decisions to suit local needs? Or are we witnessing another example of “one size fits all” policy making aimed at destroying local identity and creating a degree of conformity that one used to see in the USSR?

Seaside towns like Budleigh and Exmouth have large car parks with good access to the sea but far away from the town centres. They need all the help they can get to encourage visitors into the towns themselves.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

4 Jul 2014

Posted under

EDDC, Exmouth

Exmouth and Development: an elector’s view

Councillor Tim Wood asks “Why so negative?” in his letter of June 26. Perhaps I can enlighten him, since he is a member of a Tory group which stumbles around in the dark about how to “redevelop” our town.

Rolle is empty. The opportunities to develop it for public use are great, but this is not Tory policy – they want it sold and to reap the income for EDDC coffers.

They must be rubbing their hands with glee at the extra community charge EDDC now gets from all of the halls of residence which have been converted into flats.

Use of the old college library to relocate and expand the existing sounds logical, yet Pauline Stott thinks that Exebank would be a good location! Ridiculous! It is too far from the centre of population.

The Tory group think the rugby ground is perfect for a supermarket to rival Tesco. Ridiculous, it is too far from the centre of population.

Some £450,000 was wasted at the end of Queens Drive, and what for? A flat spiral of paving which leads nowhere. Exactly what has been gained by it?

There are many examples of towns which have bucked the trend of blandness by developing individuality and encouraging small, independent businesses to open. Why can Exmouth not be one of them?

Yes, Mr Wood, there is a lot of negativity about, and the reason lies with your blinkered approach to “development”.

Nick Crane did a series on BBC2 called Town and it showed how towns could evolve in the 21st century.

I emailed Councillor Diviani and the other movers and shakers in EDDC over a year ago, and not one of them was polite enough to respond. Too busy sitting around a table no doubt, blue sky thinking!

Take off your blinkers and look around, and encourage your fellow councillors to do the same. We do not want what a Tory EDDC is offering, or what it has already given us!

Mike Fairclough

http://www.devon24.co.uk/news/take_a_look_tim_1_3666667

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

4 Jul 2014

Posted under

Democracy, EDDC, Voting

Comments

1 Comment

It’s official: MILLIONS of missing voters is an omnishambles of the first order

In fact, as I write, there is a Parliamentary Select Committee grilling the Electoral Commission on Voter Engagement in the UK – MILLIONS of voters appear to have been missed due to changes being made to how voters are registered – how convenient as many of these voters will be those who might vote for minority parties and it could drastically affect the results of the next General Election.

Write to Chris Ruane, MP  for Vale of Clwyd, if you want to tell this commission what you think – he’s the MP who seems to have a total grip on exactly what a scandal this is.

Currently they are talking about the performance of Electoral Registration Officers.

Fabian Hamilton, MP for Leeds North is also asking some very pertinent questions on this aspect of the scandal.  Apparently, it is the responsibility of EROs to arrange house to house visits and some 6% of local authorities are not doing this as some lack skills and capacity and because they don’t understand the law!   They are even talking about a “special measures” scenario for such situations …

http://www.chrisruane.org/

http://www.leedsne.co.uk/contact_information

There is a way(apparently) of highlighting where Electoral Registration Officers are underperforming!

They are also covering electoral fraud:  30% of people believe that fraud is taking place.  Phil Thompson, Research and Evaluation Manager of the Electoral Commission says it is hard to find the true figure … er, but that’s his job!  There are 16 local authorities which are “at risk” and most likely to happen at local government elections usually in specific wards.

Hello, EDDC Electoral Registration Officer (Mark Williams, solicitor and CEO?).

 

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

4 Jul 2014

Posted under

EDBF, EDDC, NPPF

Comments

1 Comment

“NPPF fails to make a significant impact” on the percentage of planning permissions granted in the last two years

The National Planning Policy Framework has “failed to make a significant impact” on the percentage of planning permissions granted by local authorities in the two years since its introduction, according to new research.

Analysis of more than 1.7m planning applications and 16,000 appeals over four years by planning consultancy Turley shows approvals and rejections have remained broadly the same at 80 per cent and 20 per cent.  There has, however, been a significant increase in the success of some types of planning appeals, with rates for public inquiries climbing by as much as 50 per cent since the introduction of the NPPF.  There has only been a modest increase in successful appeals by hearing and no change in those through written representations.

Rob Peters, executive director at Turley, said: “There are a range of factors that can influence planning outcomes and the decision to approve or refuse applications is not solely related to national policy. However, it is a reasonable assumption that the combination of less guidance and a strong presumption in favour of sustainable development would result in more planning applications being approved.  This has not been the case.”

He added that the variations in the success of different forms of planning appeals could be partly explained by “the failure of local authorities to formulate and adopt local plans to the timescale envisaged in the NPPF”.  “To date, the Planning Inspectorate reports that just 14.6 per cent of development plans have been found sound and adopted since the NPPF was published,” Peters said.

“Given the importance of having an up-to-date local plan, especially one that deals with an area’s objectively assessed housing needs and the duty to cooperate with adjoining authorities, it is perhaps not surprising that major residential schemes are enjoying greater success at appeal.”

http://www.localgovernmentexecutive.co.uk/news/nppf-has-little-impact-planning-approvals

So, one has to ask, what was the NPPF actually FOR and how come it has made a very significant impact in East Devon yet not elsewhere.

Now, that reminds us – the East Devon Business Forum Task and Finish Group …

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

4 Jul 2014

Posted under

Budleigh Salterton, Democracy, Environment (local), Ottery St Mary

Beavers on the River Otter – will the public be able to have its say?

Beavers are a native species, hunted to extinction 500 years ago. Re-introductory trials (at some expense) are taking place in Scotland but it seems that Nature is taking is taking her own course here in the river Otter.

beaver 2014 mod

The photo above was taken very recently in Otterton. Defra, whose first response to most problems seems to be to cull, wants to get rid of them.

Devon-based wildlife consultant Derek Gow, who was responsible for three imported beavers destined for an animal sanctuary in Scotland, is a long-standing campaigner for the animals to be returned to the wild. He is reported as saying: “At the moment they [Defra] are ringing all the zoos and asking them if they will take the beavers. “What Defra should do is look at a more informative project where by the beavers are left and studied – it becomes an English beaver trial.”

He blamed angling groups for demanding the beavers be removed [beavers are vegetarian]. “Why should three beavers be three beavers too many?,” he said. “This will be the first time in history that we have exterminated a native mammal twice, setting an extraordinary historical precedent”.

Only recently have Otters returned to the lower Otter. The water vole has been in decline nationally attributed partly to the American mink, an aggressive predator of the vole, together with unsympathetic farming and watercourse management which destroyed parts of the water vole’s habitat. The water vole, an important indicator of a healthy environment, has not yet returned to the lower Otter.

American mink are a non-native, carnivore species, introduced to Devon so that they could be farmed for their fur. Over the years escapees have naturalised and there are still mink in the Otter. EDDC Countryside Service monitored the mink rafts in the Otter, owned by Clinton Devon Estate, for many years because of the threat that they posed, but this has now stopped due to budget cuts. The Axe, which belongs to EDDC, has priority for funding and monitoring continues there.

Some believe that beavers make a positive contribution to flood prevention and river quality. With the Environment Agency expressing concern over the bathing water quality in Budleigh Salterton, and flooding a well-known vexation, one wonders whether we have got our priorities right.

More information, including reference to two “save the beaver” on line petitions, can be found here:
http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/petitions-Devon-beavers-remain-large/story-21312530-detail/story.html#comments
http://www.claire-wright.org/index.php/post/beavers_found_living_wild_in_devon_countryside_to_be_sent_to_the_zoo

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

4 Jul 2014

Posted under

Budleigh Salterton, Tourism

Another major threat to tourism in Budleigh: water quality

From an article in today’s Budleigh Journal it is clear that the Environment Agency (EA) believes that Budleigh beach will be among the ten or so beaches in Devon, out of nearly two hundred, likely to fail to meet the more stringent bathing water quality standards being introduced next year. If it is, then there will have to be “no swimming” signs posted along the sea front with devastating implications to tourism. Add to that the strong possibility of the free parking being withdrawn (see below) and Budleigh could be in real trouble.

It appears that water quality was excellent until about 2010 when something changed. Extensive monitoring of the beach and all the rivers and brooks that empty into the sea at Budleigh is ongoing.

What on earth could have changed in five years?

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

4 Jul 2014

Posted under

EDDC, Knowle/Honiton/Exmouth relocation, Sidmouth/ Sidford/ Sidbury, Skypark

Knowle village green application rejected – removal vans booked?

http://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/news/breaking_knowle_village_green_status_bid_rejected_1_3668298

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

4 Jul 2014

Posted under

Democracy, EDDC, Voting

Missing voters – a Freedom of Information request

Good to see that one of our readers has put in a Freedom of Information request to East Devon District Council about the missing 6,000 plus voters missing from the electoral roll:

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/electoral_role

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

4 Jul 2014

Posted under

Cranbrook, Voting

More than 700 homes now built in Cranbrook – are their residents on the electoral roll?

From an article about Cranbrook in the Mid Devon Star:

… “It is exactly two years since the first turf was cut on site at Cranbrook and in Phase One of the town there are now over 700 completed homes, 276 children in the first primary school, a half hourly bus service and a well-used community centre.”

One wonders if all these residents are reflected in the electoral roll.

This statement comes from an article in which EDDC Councillor Andrew Moulding boasts about how many of Cranbrook’s properties have been bought under the Help to Buy schemes. However, he neglects to inform us how these purchasers will fare if there is an interest rate rise.

Phase Two of Cranbrook will see a further 2,380 homes being built.

http://www.middevonstar.co.uk/news/11311564.Cranbrook_is__Help_to_Buy__hotspot/

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

3 Jul 2014

Posted under

Democracy, Voting

Comments

1 Comment

Labour Party financing and lobbying

As promised in the interests of balance, here is a story of Labour Party lobbying to pair with the one on Tory lobbying below

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2678759/Yes-Tories-rum-friends-But-dont-pull-strings-like-Eds-union-paymasters-says-STEPHEN-GLOVER.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

3 Jul 2014

Posted under

Democracy, Misc

Comments

1 Comment

Scrutiny – the reality: officers answer on Chair’s behalf without telling her!

“THE woman chosen by councillors to scrutinise their decision-making processes has complained she felt “undermined” in her role.

Cllr Jenny Roach, who represents Silverton told a meeting of Mid Devon District Council said she had been shocked to find that questions asked by another councillor last month had been answered on her behalf by council officers without the courtesy of the responses being sent to her first.

The council leadership said to try to improve the “smooth running” of council business, officers would regularly answer technical questions which elected chairs of committees were unable to answer themselves.

Cllr Roach told members: “As chairman of the scrutiny committee, I have felt several times I have been undermined. I didn’t expect to answer the question myself but I did expect that the answer would be run past me before it was sent out in my name.

“The scrutiny committee is a very important role, sadly I have felt undermined and alone. This sort of situation should not be happening in a democratic and well-run council. ” Cllr Linda Holloway said she was shocked that question to a chair of a committee could be answered without the response going through the chair of that committee. “What else do our briefing papers say that isn’t true?”, she queried.

Cllr Mel Lucas who chairs the council managing the environment policy development group said the way Cllr Roach had been treated reflected poorly on the council. He said: “I am annoyed and dismayed at the conduct of this council I have seen in the last few years a great deterioration in our conduct. This is possibly the last straw. People should not put down answers to questions without even having the courtesy to let the person they are answering for see it first.”

Council chief executive Kevin Finan said the scrutiny had a wide remit and could be asked questions on a wide range of subjects. He said there were tight deadlines in which to respond to questions and committee chairs had to rely on officers for information.

He said; “We are only trying to help the smooth running of the council by answering the questions put to us.

The scrutiny committee exists to consider and review issues relating to the council’s policies and service delivery and can “call-in” decisions made by the council cabinet for further examination. The questions which had been answered without Cllr Roach’s knowledge were raised by Cllr David Pugsley and related to the version of the council’s constitution available to view on the website.

Cllr Pugsley did not attend the meeting of the full council held on Wednesday, July 2 in Tiverton Town Hall, but he did put forward a motion that the council abandon its decision to adopt a ‘strong leader’ governance model which he believed was undemocratic.

Cllr Mary Turner said she did not believe Cllr Pugsley had “chickened out” of presenting his motion to the meeting, reasoning that he liked “stirring things up”.

Cllr John Berry who chaired the meeting said Cllr Purgsley had had not one but two opportunities to discuss this motion but not attended the meetings in question, and he accused him of “bringing the council into disrepute”.

The motion was brought forward in Cllr Pugsley absence but was defeated.

Read more: http://www.middevongazette.co.uk/Councillor-felt-undermined-staff-answered/story-21318520-detail/story.html#ixzz36M6qPerV

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

2 Jul 2014

Posted under

Democracy

Comments

2 Comments

Tory summer party drew super-rich supporters with a total wealth of £11 billion

Takes lobbying to a whole new level:

… The precise amount raised from the 2013 event cannot be quantified, but Electoral Commission filings show that since the ball those present have donated a total £5m, £1.1m of which was registered in the week after the event. Table sales raised at least £250,000, with the cheaper tickets going for £400 a time. …

… The summer party is the Conservatives’ second largest fundraiser after the winter “black and white ball”. Altogether, guests at the event have donated an estimated £22m to the Conservative party since records began in 2001, either in a private capacity and through companies of which they are directors. …

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/jul/01/-sp-tory-summer-party-drew-super-rich-supporters-with-total-wealth-of-11bn

The article goes on to detail the presence of numerous international billionaires and Russian oligarchs including Vladimir Putin’s judo partner.

In the interests of political neutrality, we will be happy to receive and publish similar current information about other political parties or individuals.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

2 Jul 2014

Posted under

Democracy, EDDC, Voting

Another reason to have a correct electoral roll

As a correspobdent has pointed out: if you are not on an electoral roll it can stop you getting credit for things as simple as changing phone or broadband suppliers to getting a mortgage.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

2 Jul 2014

Posted under

EDDC, Skypark

Comments

1 Comment

Surprise, surprise: Skypark has a new building “coming soon”

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Second-Skypark-building-coming-soon-says-St/story-21318214-detail/story.html

Now what does St Modwen (owner of the site) know that we din’t know?

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

2 Jul 2014

Posted under

Democracy

Comments

7 Comments

Any psephologists out there? Or, failing that, good mathematicians?

Here is the data about the missing 6% of voters. They appear to form an almost perfect bell curve with the largest losses concentrated in the middle-size areas in percentage terms. Page 1 is a frequency chart, page 2 is the raw data by area and page 3 is an analysis of the raw data.

EDDC electors