The self employment rate in East Devon is high and stable by national standards but new business formation rate is very low, ranking in the bottom 20%.

A key role for the Economic Development team is to create the conditions for more businesses to develop across East Devon and to retain the workforce in the District (Draft Council Plan, 2015). The benefit will be more jobs, money in circulation and business rates income to the Council. The towns to the east of the District have seen less growth than the west end and this presents an opportunity to the Council to assist in delivering this growth.

A key driver behind our regeneration interventions is the improvement of the visitor economy in visibility and mix of facilities and infrastructure. East Devon has much to offer tourists with its world heritage status coastline, beaches, AONBs, attractive towns and villages and numerous attractions that bring people to the district. However, tourism numbers have been in decline in recent years as evidenced in the South West Regional Tourist Board data (2011). This indicated a fall in visitors to East Devon from 800,000 visitor trips per annum in 2005 to 472,000 visitor trips in 2011. The income from overnight stays also fell from 3.7m to 1.8m in the same period.

Click to access combined-final-cabinet-agenda-060116.pdf

Posted by

East Devon Watch

Posted on

26 Dec 2015

Posted under

Cranbrook, EDDC, Local Enterprise Partnership

Cranbrook “Enterprise Zone”: Local Enterprise Partnership to get business rates for next 25 years?

Another highlight from the Cabinet Agenda for 6 January 2016:

“Further details will need to be presented and debated by Council and although the benefits of an Enterprise Zone meet our Economic growth agenda, the implications of committing business rate income from the Zone for the next 25 years to LEP needs to be understood. Particularly as business rates is now seen by Government as the core funding mechanism for councils.”

Click to access combined-final-cabinet-agenda-060116.pdf

Posted by

East Devon Watch

Posted on

26 Dec 2015

Posted under

EDDC

What councillors don’t like, what councillors want

From Cabinet agenda fot 6 January 2016:

… “Feedback from Councillors standing down in May 2015
When Councillors retire, they are invited to complete a survey on their councillor experience and asked to advise what improvements could have been helpful. The summary of the seven responses was included with the agenda. Amongst the standard reasons for retirement, including moving out of the ward, ill health and age, councillors noted reference made to Government-imposed budget cuts and the growing reliance on modern technology. The survey had asked for aspects of the councillor role most enjoyed and those that had not been enjoyed. Negative comments included the political aspects of council life, limited opportunity for backbench involvement and being held back due to lack of IT skills. Members noted that it was important that modern technology was used as a valued tool and not allowed to become a barrier to councillors carrying out their council work. The importance of good IT training and support was essential.

General feedback comments included:

Councillors who are not members of the majority group should be allowed to represent the Council on outside bodies/organisations. Allocation of places should be based on the Councillor’s knowledge and experience and not on their political party. “

Click to access combined-final-cabinet-agenda-060116.pdf

Posted by

East Devon Watch

Posted on

26 Dec 2015

Posted under

EDDC, Exmouth, Moirai Exmouth project

What is going on at Queen’s Drive Exmouth?

From Cabinet Agenda papers for meeting on 6 January 2016:

“Queen’s Drive update

“AH [Alison Hayward, EDDC] gave an update on the Queens Drive development. She reported that she had been involved with a litigation process in Court in Exeter and Bristol which had lasted 10 days. This was regarding obtaining vacant possession for two sites at Queens Drive that were essential for the delivery of the scheme. This litigation had slowed the delivery process for the development. There was also an issue of using car parking spaces for compounds for the work as these would be needed in the summer months for car parking spaces for visitors.

The Board noted that the decision from the court case would not be available until January 2016. However, Grenadier Estates were moving their reserved matters planning application forward for the road, car parks and compound

The Board wished to thank AH for the work she had carried out at Queens Drive on behalf of the Council and also the amount of time she had spent in the witness box. ”
…..
AH would pick up all the relevant items for a press release. It was acknowledged that the Communications Department needed to be strengthened to avoid problems of misinformation and improve the Council’s marketing of the Regeneration agenda. “

Click to access combined-final-cabinet-agenda-060116.pdf

Posted by

East Devon Watch

Posted on

26 Dec 2015

Posted under

DCC, Developers/ Development, EDDC, Environment (local)

10 years to register footpaths and rights of way from 01/01/2016

Get walking and registering – especially as EDDC will allow developers to build on ANYTHING where there might be a loophole to exploit!

“Thousands of footpaths, alleys and bridleways across the UK face being lost forever within a decade under a clause in right-to-roam legislation, campaigners have warned.

From 1 January, walkers, horseriders – and even those taking regular shortcuts to the shops in towns – will have 10 years to apply to save any rights of way that existed before 1949 but do not appear on official maps.

Experts on land access rights say the clock is ticking to save routes that many people take for granted as public highways but that do not appear on official records.

… urban alleyways were of greatest concern, with shortcuts behind houses under threat from homeowners extending their gardens, or fencing off paths that have existed for decades.

… Time was of the essence, he said, as cash-strapped local authorities faced huge backlogs in processing applications. “We have a rights of way network which is really historic and has been around for hundreds and hundreds of years,” he said. “We do take an awful lot for granted.”

Ferwins said it was essential to legally protect that network of routes to preserve “history, culture, heritage, convenience, and a way of making your life happier and healthier”.

… Anyone wishing to register a right of way can seek advice from their local authority, the Open Spaces Society, the British Horse Society, and The Ramblers, who all have volunteers with expert knowledge.

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/dec/25/countdown-begins-to-prevent-loss-of-thousands-of-footpaths-and-alleyways

Posted by

East Devon Watch

Posted on

24 Dec 2015

Posted under

Devolution, Local Enterprise Partnership

Group which may eventually run Devon and Somerset is not representative

Lack of women on enterprise board – Letter to Sidmouth Journal 10 Dec 2015

“Many of you may not be aware that there is a move for Devon and Somerset county councils, Torbay and Plymouth to work together to bid for devolved powers.

The bid is being run by something called the South West Local Enterprise Partnership, which has set itself the task of determining the future of the two counties for the next generation.

So who is on the board of this partnership and how representative of the people are the members? Of the 21 board members, three, yes, only three, are women. Even the boards in the City of London aspire to 33 per cent female membership, double that.

However, the following are well represented: the defence industry; consultants; further education and, of course, property consultants. There is no representation from agriculture, the countryside or from our diverse heritage, which is the very essence of Devon and Somerset.

One also wonders how many of the board were born in the two counties and also at the lack of any representation from ethnic minorities.

DR NICOLA DANIEL
Via email.”

Posted by

East Devon Watch

Posted on

24 Dec 2015

Posted under

Devolution, EDDC

East Devon Alliance criticises secret devolution talks

DEVOLUTION TALKS CRITICISED Journal 24 Dec 2015
By Harvey Gavin : harveygavin@archant.co.uk

“A district council decision to discuss a `multi-billion-pound’ transfer of cash and powers to the South West in private has been branded ‘disgraceful’ by the independent East Devon Alliance (EDA).

The Heart of the South West (HOTSW) devolution deal could eventually see East Devon District Council (EDDC) and 16 other local authorities in Devon and Somerset gain more independence from Whitehall.

Supporters say that power over spending on things like growth, infrastructure and health and social care would boost the region’s economy and help create 163,000 new jobs by 2030.n

But critics have raised concerns over a lack of public consultation and that the project could end up ‘devolving powers to big businesses’.

EDDC convened last week to consider the latest draft of the bid.

The item was heard after the press and public had been excluded from the meeting.

The council says that, although the exact details of the bid are confidential at the moment, it is committed to keeping members fully informed through the process.

But the EDA has condemned the way EDDC handled the discussions.

Its chairman, Paul Arnott, said: “It is unacceptable that councillors of any party are only being provided with information on this multi-billion-pound devolution proposal after insistently demanding it from the council clique.
“Then, when it does arrive, its platitudes and unevidenced waffle are marked `confidential’, which misnomer is then used later to close down public debate on grounds of ‘confidentiality’.

“[Last week’s] handling of this matter was disgraceful – an insult to the free press and the council tax payers alike.”

An EDDC spokeswoman said: “Despite the confidential nature of discussions surrounding the devolution deal, we are committed to ensuring that councillors are kept fully informed as the bid goes through further development.

“In January 2016, another draft of the proposal document will be produced and then agreed among the 20 organisations (including 17 local authorities) who are working in partnership in response to the Government’s offer to devolve power and budgets from Westminster to local authorities.”

Posted by

East Devon Watch

Posted on

24 Dec 2015

Posted under

Democracy, West Dorset

Only the district has been changed ….

Letter in Independent 24 December 2015

POWER TO THE VOTERS

Some of us here in Dorset have laboured for a year raising a petition to put an end to the “cabinet rule of law”‘ that reigns supreme in West Dorset District Council (WDDC). We now have enough signatures to force a referendum giving the electorate an opportunity to vote for a change to “committee” governance.

In 2011, from 43 per cent of votes cast, Conservatives were elected to 67 per cent seats of seats available in WDDC. Seven of these councillors occupied all of the executive seats. The national figures at the last general election were worse; the Tories were elected on about 25 per cent of eligible votes. In essence, West Dorset’s main towns are unrepresented politically; not one of their elected representatives sits on WDDC’s executive committee.
What sort of democracy do we live in when it has become necessary for citizens to demand that their representatives have a voice in decision-making?

Politicians talk only in ideological “tongues” but invariably display an insatiable hunger for power. Unless we pull together for proportional representation and make politicians listen not only to us, but more importantly to each other, party politics will continue to divide and betray us.

Mike Joslin
Dorchester, Dorset

Posted by

East Devon Watch

Posted on

23 Dec 2015

Posted under

Rural communities

“Labour is now the party of rural England”

Triatram Hunt (Labour) writing in the Daily Telegraph:

” … Once, Conservative politicians believed in conservation; in defending the institutions that helped preserve our national character. Well not this lot. In the last Parliament, they came for the forests; now they have our national parks, green belt and marine environment in their sights.

So enraging is this casual disregard for England’s loveliness that it makes you question the health of our democracy itself. What allows a government with so paltry a majority the mandate to ride roughshod over something so ingrained within our national psyche? We in the Labour Party have a responsibility to hold this Government to account more effectively and to present a new vision of conservation, rural prosperity and stewardship. Because it is our bequest, as a great governing party of the 20th century, that is now in jeopardy.”

https://t.co/RErUZ4y8bz

Posted by

East Devon Watch

Posted on

23 Dec 2015

Posted under

Exmouth, Hugo Swire, Moirai Exmouth project

Comments

2 Comments

Swire’s views on Exmouth seafront development … …

“Following a meeting on Friday 19 December on the proposed re-development of Exmouth Seafront with Cllr Andrew Moulding, local MP Hugo Swire said:

‘I am grateful to Cllr Moulding for giving me an up-to-date briefing on the proposed Queen’s Drive development.

As I have said before, change and development is always contentious but often necessary. Any redevelopment of the seafront must provide Exmouth with the modern facilities that it requires whilst also preserving the character and beauty of the town.

I think that this is an exciting moment for Exmouth as the town has long been in need of investment and regeneration. It is to be welcomed that these proposals aim to extend the holiday season in Exmouth, boost the number of small businesses in the town and generate more jobs for local people.

However, I stressed to Cllr Moulding the importance of any development being affordable for local people as well as visitors. Cllr Moulding assured me that, under the plans, there will be a number of free facilities for the people of Exmouth and new attractions for younger people.

I also highlighted the importance of a genuine consultation with the people of Exmouth, their elected councillors and local businesses. I am particularly keen on the idea of a 3D model of the plans so that my constituents can get a better idea of what this proposed development will look like’.

http://www.hugoswire.org.uk/news/exmouth-seafront-statement

Posted by

East Devon Watch

Posted on

22 Dec 2015

Posted under

Developers/ Development

Land owners avoid capital gains tax on EU farm subsidies by registering land ownership in tax havens

“A GREEN party activist has labelled Lord Bathurst a hypocrite for not paying Capital Gains Tax while collecting almost £370,000 in farming subsidies.

Bob Irving, who stood for the party in district elections on May 7, said he was “mostly ambivalent” about the 2,350 home Chesterton development planned by Bathurst Development Limited but felt it was unfair the land was not subject to UK tax laws.

Lord Bathurst is set to make millions from the Chesterton development if it goes ahead, but the land is registered in Bermuda and so he does not have to pay the government tax on assets. …

… A spokesman for Bathurst Development Limited said: “The majority of The Earl Bathurst’s estate is managed in trust for future generations. In 1996, as part of the ongoing management of the estate’s assets, the trustees transferred the land at Chesterton into an offshore trust.”

http://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/14155639.Lord_Bathurst_a__hypocrite__for_avoiding_tax_while_collecting_almost___370_000_in_farming_subsidies__says_green_party_member/?ref=fbshr
d

Posted by

East Devon Watch

Posted on

21 Dec 2015

Posted under

Austerity cuts

Comments

1 Comment

Happy Christmas tax credit claimants

credit: Steve Bell, Guardian online today

Zero- hours contract where your employer doesn’t employ you for more than 16 hours a week, so you can’t take another job to make up the hours? Tough – have you and the kids eat less or turn off the heating, perhaps? Your choice.

Posted by

East Devon Watch

Posted on

21 Dec 2015

Posted under

Austerity cuts

Comments

3 Comments

EDDC doesn’t just charge vulnerable elderly people for falls! Oh, no …

Should you (unwisely) think that EDDC has not stooped so low as to charge £26 to pick up elderly people – think again – it has MANY more charges than that! Here is a list of the EXTRA charges that EDDC plans to charge its elderly, vulnerable people in private housing from April 2016 (there is no similar list in this document for what it currently charges or will charge its own sheltered housing residents).

The table in the link below compares EDDC’s charges to those of Exeter City Council and Torbay Council, and, by and large, the EDDC charges are mostly slightly lower than those of both councils. However, all the councils make extra charges of some kind. Do note that, in the case of EDDC, it appears that there is no personal visit involved in all these services:

“Activate the alarm in an emergency and one of our operators will respond within 60 seconds. They will assess the situation and call for help from a contact or emergency service when necessary.”

http://eastdevon.gov.uk/housing/housing-support-for-elderly-disabled-and-vulnerable-residents/home-safeguard-alarm-services/how-the-home-safeguard-system-works/

Here are the extra charges from April 2016:

Additional Pendant £1.00/week
Smoke alarm £0.50/week
Heat detector £0.50/week
Extreme temperature £0.50/week
Carbon monoxide £1.00/week
Flood detector £1.00/week
Falls detector £1.00/week
Pill dispenser £1.50/week

Click to access the-knowledge-18-december-2015-issue-32.pdf

On a different site, it appears that, for the basic service (and what would that be!) EDDC charges “less than £5 per week” from which we can gather that vulnerable people pay around £250 per year for the basic service.

If one adds ALL the extra services to the basic amount, vulnerable people will be paying an extra £338 – a total cost of around £558 per year if all services are taken.

Careline itself will provide a basic service for £125 per year (current special offer) or a basic plus falls service for £195 per year.

https://www.careline.co.uk/order-careline/

Just one small query: modern alarms mostly combine smoke, heat, carbon monoxide and extreme heat sensors in one alarm – why would one pay for four?

For those vulnerable people who have relatives, they might prefer to look into one of the mobile phones and/or pendants that calls relatives and/or the emergency services immediately, such as this one from Amazon that includes a pendant for a one-off charge of £29:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lifemax-672-Home-Safety-Alert/dp/B001CIPW0M/ref=pd_cp_364_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=1MFDF2R0JY2XN84C9YXB

or this one with a fall monitor for £150
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0186FP8RU?psc=1

(though there are MANY others at similar or lower prices and neither of these have been personally verified nor are any of these personally endorsed or recommended by Owl being simply for comparison purposes) nor do these pendants go through to a 24 hour control centre (though these are available from providers other than EDDC, see above).

For those vulnerable people who do not have relatives – tough, you are old and you must pay for it.

This is Austerity.

Posted by

East Devon Watch

Posted on

21 Dec 2015

Posted under

EDDC, Rural communications, Rural communities

“Prohibitively expensive” to connect remaining rural broadband not-spots

“The most recent figures showed that 3.3 million homes and businesses have been connected since 2010 – taking superfast broadband from 45 per cent of premises to 83 per cent.

However, ministers admit that it may be “prohibitively” expensive to connect the remaining premises, because of “demanding terrain and increased distances”.

Seven trial schemes have been set up to try to reach the “final five per cent”, using new solutions including fibre optic, satellite and wireless.

Ministers, who cut funding from £10 million to £8 million, say the results of those trials will be “published soon”, but there is no date for putting in the technology in rural areas.

Instead, David Cameron announced he would explore a Universal Service Obligation, the right to demand 10Mbps wherever you live, by 2020.

Some areas of London, Birmingham and Manchester are also projected to have large blackspots, but commercial operators are expected to plug those gaps by 2017.”

http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Homes-parts-Westcountry-missing-superfast/story-28400169-detail/story.html

Yet EDDC maintains that it can connect remaining rural areas in East Devon itself more cheaply than the Devon and Somerset Consortium.

Owl sees expensive consultants on the horizon … though no doubt the new HQ in Honiton will be super, super fast!

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: