Sale of Knowle HQ ‘inevitable’, says EDDC Chief Executive

So reads the headline of a report in today’s Sidmouth Herald, about Mark Williams’ recent talk to the Sidmouth Men’s Forum. The EDDC CEO is also quoted as telling the group, “It is very nice to be (at the Knowle) but it is too big for what we need”.  A pity he hasn’t looked carefully at the research by Robin Fuller ….http://saveoursidmouth.com/2013/08/16/serious-questions-over-size-of-modern-offices-at-knowle/ , nor considered properly costing the option of ‘staying and improving’ , as prudent householders do in times of austerity.

In his presentation, Mr Williams dropped some hints about the future reorganisation of local government, possibly towards one large unitary authority for Devon. This chimes with what EDA has heard from those in the know, who believe East Devon is likely to merge with Exeter and Teignbridge.  Could this be more than a rumour….?

3 Dorset councils to merge

They will keep the same number of councillors as before but only one administration service with one Chief Executive.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-29944622

Watch now for East Devon merging with one, two or three councils around us – after spending more than £250,000 of our money in 2007-11 telling us that this was not a good idea and resisting a Devon unitary authority.  And when one of the first things that the new Coalition government did was to stop all talk of such a deal saying it would not be beneficial to us

Truly, a year is a long time in politics!