From a Sidmouth correspondent:

“Yesterday through our letter box came a leaflet “in touch” which showed just out of touch the ruling party in EDDC is! It listed six of our seven Conservative Councillors so we must assume that Cllr Wale is not standing for re-election in May.

The East Devon Conservative Party’s Residents’ Survey listed nine issues which we are asked to suggest local councillors should be prioritising. But the biggest single issue which is raising voter anger across the district is not even listed!

The continuing lack of an approved Local Plan has resulted in a wave of large scale speculative planning applications which many local communities are having to mobilise to resist. These have been well publicised in recent months yet the “Listening” conservative councillors don’t think it worth mentioning.

No wonder it is top of the list for the emerging Independent candidates. Seems THEY really are listening!