Anyone interested in knowing what restrictive covenants, etc are contained in Knowle Title Deeds can find the title document here
Monthly Archives: December 2014
Actual amounts of redundancy payments to senior staff must be published
Do we recall that EDDC recently refused to do this?
What ‘s in Santa’s Knowle sack?
East Devon District Councillors may be in for some surprises about the shaky foundations of the multi-million-pound office relocation project,at the Full Council Meeting this week, 6.30PM Wednesday 17th December, at Knowle Council Chamber,Sidmouth.
Just how many have asked penetrating questions about the figures presented for the costs? Have the questions been fully addressed? And how well-attended were the six opportunities we hear have just been offered for a last minute briefing?
The answers will no doubt become clear on Wednesday evening, to those in the public gallery, which is expected to be full.
Pity such an important agenda item comes in the extra busy-for-most week before Christmas….
Claire Wright on BBC Radio Today programme causes “EDDC Tory” Twit-terer to “choke on cornflakes” – and where should Knowle For Sale sign go?
East Devon Tory Party (?) -see below) Twitter comment following Claire Wright’s appearance on the BBC Today programme this morning (link to follow on at approx 8.10 am available via iPlayer Radio):
“Listening just now to @BBCr4 today caused us to choke on out tea and cornflakes as @ClaireWrightInd was interviewed as PPC. Whats going on?”
Does the Twitterer think only Tories should get air time? Does he or she not know what is going on? Is he or she REALLY a Tory?
Oh, and it’s just above a Tweet that says:
“Public Consultation: Where is best at Knowle EX10 8HL For Sale signs be located to maximum effect? Views welcome.”
At last public consultation!!!! But only on a For Sale sign!!!!!
But surely this cannot be a REAL East Devon Tory Twitter site? It’s just too hard to tell – especially as Councillor Twiss has proved they don’t understand irony!
I am confused, off for a lie down in a darkened room!
Government admits National Planning Policy Framework not working
The government has produced its long-awaited report on the National Planning Policy Framework. It reveals that even they now belive it is dysfunctional.
Summary:
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) has now been in operation for two and a half years. The simplification it has brought to the planning system is welcome and was acknowledged by many witnesses, but it needs more time to bed in, and the Government needs to collect more data, before a full assessment can be made of its strengths and weaknesses.
Nevertheless, the evidence to this inquiry has highlighted a number of emerging concerns: that the NPPF is not preventing unsustainable development in some places; that inappropriate housing is being imposed upon some communities as a result of speculative planning applications; and that town centres are being given insufficient protection against the threat of out of town development.
These concerns point to the need to strengthen, rather than withdraw, the NPPF. We have suggested a number of changes that should be made both to the NPPF itself and to the way it is applied.
First, we must take steps to ensure that the planning system delivers the sustainable development promised in the NPPF. We should ensure that the same weight is given to the environmental and social as to the economic dimension; that permission is only given to development if accompanied by the infrastructure necessary to support it; and that the planning system places due emphasis on the natural environment.
Second, all councils must move much more quickly to get an adopted plan in place: this will give communities increased protection against the threat of undesirable development. We call for a statutory requirement for councils to get local plans adopted within three years of legislation being enacted.
Third, we must address the complex issue of land supply. Provisions in the NPPF relating to the viability of housing land are leading to inappropriate development: these loopholes must be closed. There also needs to be clearer guidance about how housing need should be assessed. In addition, local authorities should be encouraged to review their green belts as part of the local planning process.
Finally, changes should be made to ensure the NPPF gives greater protection to town centres. The internet has changed the way we shop; town centre planning policy must therefore evolve too. We call for an end to permitted development that allows shops and buildings used for financial and professional services to become homes without planning permission, a policy which is undermining the local planning process.
The NPPF makes clear that importance of a plan-led system that delivers sustainable development. We trust that the Government will make the changes we propose to ensure that this principle is met and the NPPF becomes a document in which everyone can have greater confidence.
New council HQ to be surplus to requirements by 2020?
” … So what might English government look like by 2020?
… Free-standing smaller cities and counties (probably combined with their districts and smaller unitary councils) may still be waiting their devolutionary package.”
New council HQ now worth half what it cost to build
Something our councillors don’t talk about – depreciation in value:
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/local-news/new-rochdale-council-hq-worth-5848475
“Real Zorro and the Case of the Dangerous Trees”
Worthy of Sherlock Holmes? No, Jim Hacker of Yes Minister!
“Merry Christmas EDDC (very) senior officer(s)” from your boss Mr Pickles!
Local authorities could be required to set out how they appraise the performance of their highest paid staff, the Communities Secretary has said.
In a response to a select committee report on senior pay in local government, Eric Pickles said councils would also have to explain the reason behind bonuses and how they dealt with poor performance.
The minister said he had instructed officials at the Department for Communities and Local Government to examine how the Local Government Transparency Code 2014 might be amended to bring in the changes.
” … Pickles said: “When we came to power hundreds of directors, executives and strategists were lining their pockets with hardworking families’ cash. But this government’s focus on excessive pay grounded pay rises received by senior council staff which had soared out of control during the noughties.
“But there is still more to do and councils should be focusing resources on protecting frontline services and keeping council tax down rather than throwing away taxpayers’ money.”
The Communities Secretary added:
“Local taxpayers would be shocked to learn their council still has many highly paid staff on its payroll while pleading poverty and seeking to increase council tax. The gravy train is over and town halls must prove to hardworking families they are getting value for money from top earners.”
The DCLG claimed that more than 2,000 town hall staff in the UK were still taking home more than £100,000 a year. …”
Christmas rush for ‘East Devon Literature and Landscape’ !
Peter Nasmyth’s book, written in association with East Devon Alliance, is predictably appearing around the Christmas tree in homes around East Devon, and further afield! For those who missed the book launch, but might like a copy, the growing list of places where the book can be found locally, is currently:
The Curious Otter – Ottery St Mary
Otter Nurseries – Ottery St Mary
Paragon Books – Sidmouth
Winstones – Sidmouth
The Card Shop – Budleigh Salterton
Best Books – Exmouth
More about the book here, with SEE INSIDE link, here: https://eastdevonwatch.org/2014/12/14/east-devons-literature-and-landscape-celebrated-in-new-book-created-for-eda/
EDDC relocation omnishambles: Last chance for common sense to prevail
Wednesday 17 December, Knowle, full council meeting 6.30 pm
A common-sense amendment proposed:
How much of Knowle is up for sale? Do Councillors really know?
Doubts arose at last week’s Public Meeting with Sidmouth District Councillors (organised by the Sid Vale Association, 9 Dec 2014). Councillor Christine Drew certainly seemed unaware of the extent of historic parkland that would be lost to public ownership, as a result of EDDC’s present plan.Is she the only one?
For anyone unsure, the precise area being marketed is shown on these two pictures on estate agent Savill’s website.
Gittisham development to go ahead
Eloquent explanation of why this is a very bad idea here:
Tesco for Budleigh Salterton? Looks like it
Conservative Party ignores Electoral Commission on election spending
Ignoring recommendations they now have a £78 m war chest having changed the law on candidates’ election spending. The law passed without parliamentary debate, ignoring Electoral Commission recommendations that it would lead to “excessive spending to prevent the perception of undue influence over the outcome of the election”.
A Labour Party executive said: “[David Cameron] promised to take the big money out of politics … Yet he has now cynically changed his tune …”
Parties can now spend up to £32.7 m on elections, up from £26.5 m. The law was changed by Statutory Instrument, the terms of which were not debated in the House of Cards (sorry, Commons).
Of the £78m raised by the Conservative Party, more than £21m has been donated by hedge funds. George Osborne’s recent stamp duty changes gave a £145 m giveaway to hedge funds.
Dinner clubs and auctions have raised £6m – including a jar of Hugo Swire honey auctioned at £15,000:
‘Ministers get an extra £187,000 to go electioneering’
Sunday Times: With very little legislative work to do, MPs are being allowed to go back to constituencies on Thursdays, a day earlier than usual. It has been calculated that this means that current ministers are getting an extra £187,000 to go electioneering
Celebration of East Devon’s Literature and Landscape, at launch of new book created for EDA
Many thanks to the large audience who supported the genial and entertaining preview of this unique publication at Friday’s book launch and performance evening (12th Dec 2014 in Sidmouth). EDA is especially grateful to the author,Peter Nasmyth, and to his co-researcher on East Devon Literature, Mike Temple, who also organised the performance. Peter’s landscape photographs were a stunning backdrop to renditions by such notables as John Betjeman,Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Jane Austen, Ron Delderfield, and Sir Walter Raleigh…all much admired!
If you missed the performance, here’s some more about the book:
A correspondent writes, “I think this book would make a good Christmas present, better still keep it as it has lots of literary walks and a map included.” . Copies (£15.99) available from bookshops in Ottery St Mary and in Sidmouth, or from the publisher (see below).
As a first, full literary companion to the East Devon area, A4 in size and full colour, this beautiful book combines large photographs with serious research, quotations, observations on literature and landscape. Included also is a map, information on the writers, an index and bibliography, plus directions as to where the authors walked in the area so readers can follow in their footsteps. The aim is both to celebrate and draw attention to this unique and threatened part of rural England. Birthplace of Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Sir Walter Raleigh, a setting for stories and poems by Jane Austen, H.G Wells, John Fowles, C. Day Lewis, John Betjeman, Beatrix Potter, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, and others, East Devon remains as attractive to writers today as ever. The publication of this book aims to help keep it this way.
For SEE INSIDE page (Green and pleasant land) go to http://www.mtapublications.co.uk
‘Tis the season to be …
… putting in those controversial planning applications. Unpopular ones traditionally go in next week so developers have two less weeks of consultation to be concerned about (not worried, they never worry in East Devon) as people are distracted.
Maybe a controversial one for Budleigh Salterton where rumours abound of a big 4 supermarket wanting a foothold …? Or perhaps one of our old friends wanting to increase their landbanked sites with planning?
EDDC kicks it off with the full council meeting where the shepherds tell their flock of sheep to vote through another fantastical idea for an HQ move.
No wise men there.
Relocation…balancing the books
We are moving, it is claimed, from the Knowle in order to save £50,000 per annum in running expenses. This will require the selling of the family silver, i.e. the Knowle for something like £8 million, and the borrowing of £5 million. Plus huge additional costs, particularly in the form of officer and councillor time, plus staff compensation, etc. Cost neutral we are told.
Yet the Thelma Hulbert Gallery is costing an eye-watering £150,000 per annum to maintain.
So does that mean that if we closed the Thelma Hulbert Gallery that we could buy three Knowles for £24 million and put £15 million in the bank. And have more staff, give them a bonus…
Neighbourhood Plans: now even having a Local Plan doesn’t help
“The research found that in eight of the targeted rural authorities local plans which set out where homes can be built for five years were challenged after house building rates fell in the recession. It cited examples in Devon, Norfolk and South Cambridgeshire.”
East Devon Watch 