Our final example taken from the very long list of questions at the 17 Dec 2014 Full Council (there were others from Cllrs Hull and Giles). Readers can decide for themselves whether the answers match the questions….

Question 11: Procedure Rule 9.2 to the Leader of the Council from Councillor Ben Ingham

With so many potential options open to EDDC regarding cost saving projects with other councils, does the leadership of EDDC not think it may be viewed as irresponsible to tie ourselves to one tri partied arrangement before the Members of EDDC have had an opportunity to consider the full range of options open to us with other authorities?

Answer:

It would be helpful if the Councillor could provide some examples of the potential options he considers we may be missing out on. Over the last few years we have actively tracked down all sharing and collaboration opportunities with other Councils and have reported major successes with Exeter, Mid Devon, Teignbridge and South Somerset. What we have found is that other Councils ‘talk the talk’ but don’t necessarily ‘walk the walk’. It has been my proud achievement that we have frozen the Council Tax for 5 years in succession, partly as a result of all the costs savings we have achieved through sharing with other Councils.