Two comments on the 330% increase in car parking fees in Eastern Sidmouth have queried: whose idea was this to begin with, which councillors had input into it and where is the paper trail? Add to that: why only Sidmouth and not similar car parks elsewhere in the district?

We know from correspondents that Councillors Hughes and Newth say they have no knowledge of the matter.

So – was it an officer (who parks for free at Knowle)? A councillor who doesn’t live in Sidmouth? A councillor who does live in Sidmouth? Or, as seems most likely, the secret (no published agendas, no public minutes) Asset Management Group***? Or maybe an “embedded”officer? The CEO?

Over to you …

***
It is impossible to work out who is on the Asset Management Group on the EDDC website. However, trawling through the list of councillors, it appears to be:

Bob Buxton – Honiton
David Cox – Ottery
Paul Diviani – Yarcombe
Graham Godbeer – Coly Valley
Andrew Moulding – Axminster (? Chairman)
Ian Thomas Trinity (Axmouth)

Maybe those pursuing EDDC’s lack of transparency might want to ask for OUR Asset Management Forum’s minutes, have the request refused and ask the Information Commissioner to take a look and decide …..