Just do it!
http://www.engadget.com/2015/08/18/a-farmer-built-his-own-4g-mast-to-fix-rural-broadband-issues/
Monthly Archives: August 2015
East Devon economy nose dives – who will buy all those houses?
Front page of today’s Midweek Herald – no link to story on website:
Retirees, probably …
Spin, spin, spin: DWP admits inventing quotes from fake’benefits claimants’ for leaflet
“The Department for Work and Pensions makes admission following FoI request from Welfare Weekly about leaflet featuring bogus sickness benefit claimants
The DWP made the admission in response to a freedom of information request from the news website Welfare Weekly. The leaflet was taken down from the DWP’s site and replaced with one that illustrated Zac and Sarah only in silhouette, along with a note clarifying: “The people in this factsheet aren’t real. We’ve used these stories to show how sanctions can work in practice.”
… In its response to the FoI request, the DWP said: “The photos used are stock photos and along with the names do not belong to real claimants. The stories are for illustrative purposes only.
“We want to help people understand when sanctions can be applied and how they can avoid them by taking certain actions. Using practical examples can help us achieve this.”
So, not real people and not real stories. Thank goodness for the Freedom of Information Act for revealing this!
Network Rail have their problems with a larger Cranbrook too
As a result of increased patronage [NOTE: WE HOPE THEY MEAN FOOTFALL!!], Network Rail could be forced to reduce train line speed in direct correlation to the increase in vehicular and pedestrian traffic using a crossing. This would have severe consequences for the timetabling of trains and would also effectively frustrate any future train service improvements. This would be in direct conflict with strategic and government aims of improving rail services. Therefore the location of proposed new development is an important consideration for Network Rail and should form part of any initial appraisal of future development sites. In this regard NR maintain their objection to any development being allowed north of the railway line as this would clearly result in additional traffic using the level crossing.
Skypark developers not happy about more employment land at Cranbrook – and they are none too keen on Gypsies and Travellers
Some snippets from their objection:
“Build out Rate
The Skypark site was granted outline consent in 2010 for a mix of B1 and B2 uses (06/3300/MOUT) with a significant number of conditions and major package of Section 106 obligations. The reality therefore is that it has taken 5 years to secure the first B1/2 occupier on the site suggesting the site will take at least 25 years to complete
Over Supply and Viability:
Should EDDC propose further employment land this will lead to an overprovision of space in the market. In simple terms, occupiers will go to alternative new greenfield sites instead of locating to Skypark. A key message that SDP wishes to deliver is the fundamental risk that over supply has on the market. Quite simply an over provision of sites will suppress values which in turn renders sites unviable and therefore undeliverable. This will stagnate the delivery of employment floorspace and lead to the loss of occupiers from the
District as sites will not be prepared, or speculative accommodation built. The addition of further land at Cranbrook will therefore further undermine delivery potential and the quality and sustainability of buildings. There is already significant employment land immediately available within the Cranbrook area. It has been demonstrated in several studies commissioned by EDDC that there is a substantial supply of employment land available during the plan period and beyond and therefore there is absolutely no need for further employment land for demand that could be met in a sustainable environment at Skypark.
Gypsy and Traveller Provision:
We note reference is made to provision of Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation within the DPD list of issues. SDP is concerned that if allocation of such provision within Cranbrook is explored then this would need to be considered carefully in terms gva.co.uk of impact on the commercial attractiveness of Skypark given the Council’s own objective of it being a high quality employment development.
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Crowd funding for village green challenge
Whose “bright idea” was it to have too little office space in Cranbrook? Whose even “brighter” idea was it to convert a new 3 bed house to get some?
Cabinet, 12th Aug 15, 5.30pm)
Click to access combined-final-agenda-120815.pdf
p.53 “planning permission would be required to change the use of a house to some form of office accommodation”
They are referring to a planning application to turn a newly-built 3 storey town house with no disabled access to upper floors into office space for which EDDC is prepared to pay out £25,000 for capital costs and £30K for revenue costs.
It appears that the very little amount of space available above the Younghayes Community Centre is already spoken for and the conversion of this house is EDDC’s answer to the underprovision:
http://www.exeterandeastdevon.gov.uk/retail-space-at-cranbrook/
With Cranbrook set to double, triple, quadruple or quintuple expand over the next few years, one wonders whether developers care about office provision.
Does it provide less profit than housing, perhaps? Why has the Local Plan not made adequate provision? Is this the first of many houses to be converted? Will any of this space be suitable for disabled access? Or was everyone expected to work at Skypark!
Another omnishambles.
The shape of things to come?
New York today, East Devon tomorrow?
Londoners have already been given permission to build extra storeys on their homes.
And here’s a suggestion: build affordable housing on top of EDDC’s new Honiton HQ! Money where mouths are or mouths where money is!
Secrets of The Owl
August, silly season, politicians living it up on holiday, not much news unless you have a view on Jeremy Corbyn or Donald Trump, so here is some light reading about the owl:
“Owls use ‘stealth technology’ to help capture prey –
Study reveals that owls’ flight feathers absorb aerodynamic sound and suppress vibrations, allowing them to swoop on their quarry in perfect silence.”
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2015/aug/17/owls-use-stealth-technology-to-help-capture-prey
Couldn’t have put it better myself: Owl
“The House of Lords is bust” says Electoral Reform Society
“What we’ve found:
The cost of the Lords – In the 2010-2015 parliament, £360,000 was claimed by Peers in years they failed to vote once. In the last Parliamentary session alone, over £100,000 was claimed by Peers who did not vote at all. At the same time, Cameron’s plans for an addition 50 Peers will cost at least £1.3m per year.
Independence – In the 2014-15 session nearly half (45%) of all Crossbenchers participated in 10 or fewer votes – compared to an average of just 8% of party political Peers, while a quarter of appointments to the House of Lords between 1997 and 2015 were former MPs.
Professional politicians – Over a third of Lords (34%) previously worked in politics. Just 1% come from manual backgrounds.
A supersized House – to rebalance the upper chamber strictly in line with the 2015 General Election results would require the appointment of an additional 723 members.
Out of date – 44% of Lords list their main addresses in London and the South East, while 54% are 70 or older.”
http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/blog/its-official-house-lords-completely-bust
Today’s housing quiz question?
What is the maximum income you can have to qualify for shared-ownership social housing in London?
Answer: £85,000.
Homes section, Sunday Times, page 4
Who ya gonna call? Pot-hole Buster DCC councillor Stuart Hughes!
According to the “Driving” section of today’s Sunday Times page 7), DCC Councillor Stuart Hughes (Highways portfolio) has trained to act as a Road Warden in Sidmouth.
“If there’s a pothole that people are concerned about then they can give me a call and I can do a temporary fill … “.
he is quoted as saying in the article.
Now, that should come in VERY useful if Sidford Fields is developed into an industrial estate, though he may not have time for the day job!
The dark side of political patronage and PR
Ms Mone, famous for modelling her saucy underwear, was made a Tory peer as a reward after she opposed Scottish independence and came out for the Tories at the election. She has been made ” business start-up czar by David Cameron. However, doubts are being cast on her business acumen by other Scottish entrepreneurs:
“… PRESSURE is growing on the UK Government to explain its appointment of Michelle Mone as its start-up czar after another leading Scottish businessman cast doubt over her suitability for the post.
The announcement that the lingerie entrepreneur would lead a review into encouraging start-ups in areas of high unemployment has caused controversy, amid claims that her high-profile owed more to skilful PR manipulation than meaningful success in the private sector.
… Despite achieving fame through the tabloids as the joint-founder of Ultimo bras and selling a rags to riches story having been raised in Glasgow’s East End, Ms Mone’s firm MJM International suffered losses of £780,000 in its last year, 2013, before passing its assets to its parent company, Ultimo Brands, which also made a loss, and ceasing to trade. Ms Mone has sold most of Ultimo Brands to a firm from Sri Lanka but remains a director.
An auditor’s report on MJM International accounts, for a period to the end of 2013, state that the company made “significant losses” over the previous 11 months and made a comment on a £135,000 transaction.
The report states: “With respect to one related party balance included within amounts owed to related undertakings of £135,000, the audit evidence available to us was limited because no confirmation of the related party balance was provided.”
A representative for Ms Mone, who is a Conservative Party supporter, said “no comment” after being offered the chance to respond to Mr Pirrie’s comments. …”
A glaring omission …
… to the press release about where to site gypsy and traveller accommodation in East Devon. Cranbrook and around the M5 and A30 suggested:
But there is another possible location not mentioned – the Blackdown Hills!
Wonder why? Surely gypsies and travellers would much prefer the countryside to suburban Cranbrook?
Anyone wishing to suggest any part of the Blackdown Hills as a suitable location can do so in writing to:
Planning Policy Section
East Devon District Council
Knowle
Sidmouth, EX10 8HL
Comments must arrive on or before: Monday September 21, 2015.
Perhaps with a copy to the councillor for the Blackdown Hills, Paul Diviani, Leader, East Devon District Council.
When is a Community Hospital not a Community Hospital?
Anecdotal evidence reaches us that some of our Community Hospitals are taking patients discharged from RD and E who are from places as far away as North Devon.
Can anyone confirm this?
It would make a mockery of the ethos of community hospitals if true and would mean that bed closures leading to bed shortages in other areas were being covered up.
Cost of Freedom of Information requests
A correspondent – “Jane Newman” – has taken exception to the number of requests people have made to East Devon District Council under the Freedom of Information Act. She suggests that the Taxpayers Alliance might wish to investigate this.
We doubt it, Jane. This is one of the latest FoI requests from the Taxpayers Alliance to the government’s Office of Manpower Economics, asking how many artworks the government possess, where they are displayed and how much the most valuable ones are worth:
Click to access taxpayers_alliance_FOI_reply_pdf_-_June_2015.pdf
and in February of this year the organisation complained that the Freedom of Information Act lacked teeth”:
“The Freedom of Information Act is toothless in the face of a local government ‘gagging letter’ – even if it is regarding alleged wrongdoing by a senior council manager – so says a recent judgment by a First Tier Tribunal. It is not good news for anyone investigating the use or misuse of taxpayers’ money by local government.”
http://www.taxpayersalliance.com/does_the_foi_act_have_enough_teeth
So, Jane, probably not the best organisation to complain to about those pesky people who ask for information to which they believe they are entitled by law!
Though they might well be interested in Information Commissioner v East Devon District Council where the Information Commissioner had to take the council to court to get information released that should have been in the public domain. The Council spent more than £10,000 on that case, which they lost.
Oh, and the judge called EDDC “unhelpful, discourteous and misleading”.
All is not well at Cranbrook
A recent social media exchange – reported verbatim:
Post 1
Found out today that contrary to prior media advertisement that the new school will have a floodlit AstroTurf, turn out there is no lighting there so cannot be used by the community for most of the year. So bad news for the local football club and bad news if anyone was hoping for kids sports teams to use it in the winter evenings. Again, contrary to the previous media articles regarding the new facilities there. Wonder what the reasoning is behind this. Will be approaching the school trust, east devon council and the fa for a reason why this has been skimped on or maybe even forgotten! (Surely worse?) I’m sure il be told this page isn’t ur correct outlet for this message but think people should be aware of this. Personally I feel very much conned and I know I’m not the only one
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Comment taken out of sinc I know for a fact that the Ted Wragg trust were awarded the running of the school on the strict understanding that their facilities would be made available for use by the community!
I presume that they never made the decision for it not to be floodlit, but surely even they would be bright enough (no pun intended)to see that the facility would be rendered useless for most of the year?
6 people like this.
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Sarah-Jane Edmonds Jon we have no issue with it being discussed here – however, these comments need to be also directed to the Cranbrook Town Council so they can help fight this issue. They won’t use this page for info etc so please copy your message also to them on their page …
https://www.facebook.com/cranbrooktowncouncil
19 hrs · Edited · Like · 1
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Jon Elstone I have messaged them
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Jon Elstone Doubt they will be able to do much now though, have been informed by a electrical person that it would cost a fortune to install them at this stage. Another cranbrook balls up but never mind
19 hrs · Like · 1
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Jonathan Martin I know for a fact that the Ted Wragg trust were awarded the running of the school on the strict understanding that their facilities would be made available for use by the community!
I presume that they never made the decision for it not to be floodlit, but surely even they would be bright enough (no pun intended)to see that the facility would be rendered useless for most of the year?
19 hrs · Like · 2
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Kelly Curran
Kelly Curran’s photo.
17 hrs · Like · 3
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Jonathan Martin If the shops and train station are anything to go by we should see some progress in 3 or 4 years time then?
Thanks for clarifying that Kelly!
17 hrs · Like · 1
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Gareth White So were going to get 2 all weather pitches?
16 hrs · Like
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Steve Barfe Looks like it Gareth White, which is great but doesn’t help us with a solution for somewhere to train in the meantime as all other facilities within a reasonable distance are not available to us for one reason or another!
15 hrs · Like
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Pamela Cowell Typical EDDC.
14 hrs · Like · 1
Post 2:
Dear All,
I will not send you anymore updates on this page but have sent this follow up to give you some idea of the nature of what is currently going on via propaganda and the Cranbrook Facebook page. The query over the football pitch was moved over to town councillors page and then a picture of a table tennis table being used at Cranbrook and a very quick response from the town council followed on the Cranbrook page- This page is being manipulated, edited and sanitised to create an entirely false picture of what it is like to be a resident at Cranbrook and as Jon says the town and its promised facilities is starting to appear to be ‘a bit of a con’.
Warmest wishes,
Debbie
Please see Jon and Sarah-Jane Edmonds comments below:(
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Jonathan Martin The problem with any sports activities in cranbrook at the moment is the lack of facilities!
We’ve recently found out that the new astro pitch at the school, has been built without any floodlights!
So this basically renders it useless in the winter mo…See More
23 hrs · Like · 1
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Jon Elstone Another example of a promise being made and advertised and then changed. Same as train station and a few other examples. I have the news article from 18 months ago saying how the new school would be open and aimed for community use and now turns out that the school don’t really want to be open for community use and someone has decided to skimp on the floodlights. Maybe people in future should take the developers promises and plans with a huge dollop of salt
20 hrs · Like
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Sarah-Jane Edmonds Perhaps this is something that could be fed into the town council and they can look into supporting the cause? If interested pop on their page and drop them a message as they don’t want any correspondence via this page as it’s too much time for them to manage both comments here and on their page.
20 hrs · Edited · Like · 1
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Jon Elstone Will do for sure but people who live here have a right to know that there is a huge amount of broken promises and delays which really are starting to make the town appear like a bit of a con.
20 hrs · Like · 2
Debbie Russell
News from Clyst St Mary
This is a little late – it got caught in our spam folder:
Just a quick update to let you know the progress and successes that the Save Clyst St Mary Residents’ group has made recently:
We have badgered BT and Openreach for more than five months to get our fibre broadband connected. We understand from BT that most of the village and Winslade Park now has fibre available. If you want the faster speed you will need to arrange an upgrade with your service provider. If, when you check, you find that your postcode can’t get fibre and you want it, please let me know and I will chase things up with BT.
The Solar Farm appeal – Oil Mill Lane was refused by the Planning Inspector.
Revised planning application – Land next to the Cat and Fiddle was refused by East Devon District Council.
Friends Provident Site – Planning decision still awaiting a decision. We understand that the developers are in discussions with East Devon District Council ref a revised plan.
Plymouth Brethren – Planning decision still awaiting a decision.
Our Neighbourhood Plan is progressing well and should be available for consultation in the autumn. One area that still needs work is the graphic design of the paper copy. If you are able to help, please can you email me and I will pass on you details to Rob Hatton( Chairman of Neighbourhood planning ).
Has EDDC changed its rules to make it easier to fire senior officers? If not, it must
“New regulations around how councils discipline and dismiss senior members of staff were brought in this May, with local authorities required to amend their standing orders no later than the first ordinary meeting of the authority falling after 11 May 2015.”
http://localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=23901:protecting-the-statutory-officers&catid=59&Itemid=27
Don’t recall this making the rounds of the council – can anyone point us to where it is – in location and/or time scale? And is our CEO taking charge of it – surely not !
“There were 94 staff managing the perception of Offices of Police and Crime Commissioners, including communications staff and lobbyists, with two OPCCs – Devon and Cornwall and the West Midlands – having as many as seven staff involved in public relations.”
Report on costs of al OPCCs here:
East Devon Watch 