Oh dear, the scent of desperation pervades East Devon District Council this week. It seems that councillors are in dire need some training (aka brainwashing?) about exactly how wonderful East Devon really is and how wonderful officers of East Devon are.

To that end, councillors are being bussed around the area, here, there and everywhere (as long as it is close to Exeter) where, no doubt, various developers and consultants will attempt to sell them snake oil. They are also being encouraged to attend meetings (or perhaps rallies?) to make them to understand just what the district is all about and to have some sympathy for the poor officers who have to deal with the snake oil salesmen on a daily basis.

Here is the crowded schedule:

30th September – all councillors requested to visit the “Growth Point” (you know, the one that doesn’t seem to be growing very much – if at all).

2nd October – all councillors again requested to join the “Exmouth and Cranbrook Countryside Service tour”, with the added perk of a free lunch AND a coach trip from Knowle!

6th October – a Development Management Committee training session open to all councillors on Highways (though lunch will be provided ONLY for committee members).

8th October – “Meet the Building Control Team” (the one having such a problem in Feniton and Cranbrook where developers are just not interested in talking to them).

9th October – WWorking together for the future of East Devon” “event”. The word “event” conjouring up to Owl the spectre of Powerpoint presentations and flip charts …

Click to access 250915-knowledge-issue-20.pdf

When do councillors get any time to WORK!