EDDC Asset Management Meeting,
Thursday 7 April, 9.30a.m,
includes an update on the ‘green space strategy’….. could be a prelude to all sorts of things.
Agenda:
Monthly Archives: April 2016
Hinkley C – French union threatens strike action
PARIS (Reuters) –
“One of EDF’s (EDF.PA) unions has threatened to launch a strike if the French utility decides to go ahead with its project to build two nuclear reactors in Britain.
Force Ouvriere (FO), one of EDF’s smaller and more radical unions, said in a statement it would call a strike if EDF management schedules a board meeting to decide on the 18 billion pound Hinkley Point project before the May 12 EDF annual general shareholders meeting.
“If a board meeting is scheduled, we will launch a strike to demand that the Hinkley Point project is delayed,” FO union leader Jacky Chorin told Reuters. …
… Strikes at EDF typically reduce France’s power output by several gigawatts – one gigawatt corresponds roughly to the output of one EDF’s 58 nuclear reactors – but the utility can import enough power from neighbouring countries to offset this.”
Tonight’ Cabinet 5.30 pm – a humdinger?
Relocation … devolution … Cranbrook …
Fireworks? Red faces? Mumbling? Bumbling? Anything could happen …
Agenda here:
Boo- hoo, Bovis still too poor to provide affordable housing in Seaton, and yet …
Poor, poor Bovis – literally.
Their housebuilding is going too slowly in Seaton and time is running out on their S106 agreement that reduced affordables on the 300+ housing site from 40% to 25% to 0%. So, they have to put in another submission showing that they simply cannot afford them and EDDC’s “independent valuer” agrees. Officers agree too and it just remains to be rubber-stamped at a forthcoming DMC.
BUT
In the meantime, councillors on and off the DMC, particularly in Seaton might want to think about it before jumping on that ” too poor” bandwagon:
Guardian 16 February 2016:
“Bovis Homes predicts further growth after record profits
Housebuilder increases annual dividend by 14% to 40p a share after pre-tax profits for 2015 jump 20% to £160m”
Bovis Homes has predicted another year of growth after reporting record profits, which were helped by rising house prices and the government’s help to buy scheme.
http://gu.com/p/4hxx3
Yesterday, it was considered a “Buy” stock by Hragreaves Landsdown and Dautsche Bank and HBSC agreed:
Goldman Sachs agrees too:
Terrible to be so poor isn’t it …
More News on a Dorset and Devon national park
“We welcome the 8-Point Plan for England’s National Parks published by the Government on 23 March 2016.
The Plan sets out the Government’s ambition to put National Parks at the heart of how we think about the environment and rural economy in the future.
The Plan sees National Parks as:
Inspiring natural environments, which connect young people with nature
Thriving natural environments, which showcase the benefits of designated landscapes
Drivers of the rural economy, which generate income for local businesses, and support local communities, skills and employment
Landscapes and heritage which promote recreation, health and wellbeing, and encourage involvement and volunteering.
The Government’s Plan reflects our aims for the Dorset & East Devon National Park to promote a strong and sustainable local economy, thriving communities, and a healthy natural environment.
We look forward to Dorset and East Devon having the advantages and opportunities which other National Park areas already enjoy.
Based on evidence from the South Downs National Park, we estimate that the Dorset & East Devon National Park would bring additional funding of around £10m pa from central government, and further funding from other sources. Working fully in partnership with local people – communities, businesses, farmers, landowners, local authorities, voluntary organisations – and the Local Enterprise Partnership, the National Park Authority would invest and spend resources to benefit the local economy.
In addition to the direct economic benefits of National Park funding, wide-ranging economic opportunities would be available to businesses and communities within and around the National Park.
The area’s fine natural environment is its greatest economic asset. A recent report for Dorset County Council confirms this. A Dorset & East Devon National Park would help the area to make the most of its natural assets.
We look forward to working with Dorset & East Devon stakeholders, including Local Authorities and communities, and with Natural England and the Government, to make these ambitions a reality.
We ask Dorset councils to ensure that a National Park is included in Dorset’s bid for local government re-organisation and devolution in early 2017.”
Still time to comment on NPPF failings
“Last week, the Local Plans Expert Group (LPEG) established by the Communities Secretary, Greg Clark MP and the Minister of Housing and Planning, Brandon Lewis MP, in September 2015, to consider how local plan making can be made more efficient and effective, published their report which is available here http://lpeg.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Local-plans-report-to-governement.pdf
The Department for Communities and Local Government is inviting comments on the recommendations by 27 April 2016. We are concerned that this is yet another manifesto written by developers and property investors and does not reflect the needs and desires of the residents of our green and pleasant land. If you have any comments which we should include in our response please send them to us as soon as possible. Please also consider sending a response of your own.
Responses can be sent via https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/WRN6HHV and representations can also be sent to LocalPlansExpertGroupReport@communities.gsi.gov.uk
Thank you
Community Voice on Planning
A National Alliance to provide communities with an effective voice on planning
http://www.covop.org”
EDDC councillors slammed for voting like sheep
“A district watchdog has called for evidence-based decision-making after the conduct of some council members was called into question.
Councillors admitted being swayed by ‘powerful speakers’ when they agreed on last-minute changes to the draft East Devon Local Plan against the advice of officers and on the basis of claims that later proved unfounded.
Votes taken in the final stages of developing the document – which sets out a planning blueprint for the region – saw Dunkeswell and Chardstock added to a list of villages classed as ‘sustainable’ and thus suitable for further development.
Both decisions have now been overruled by the Planning Inspectorate, but members of East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) scrutiny committee have criticised the process that allowed the controversial votes to be taken without any evidence being checked.
Speaking before the committee on Thursday, March 17, Chardstock parish councillor David Everett said: “Chardstock is now – as far as the East Devon Local Plan is concerned – unsustainable.
“But the damage has been done because we now have five houses we should never have had.”
The meeting heard how Councillor Andrew Moulding had spoken out in support of a developer and proposed Chardstock be classed as ‘sustainable’.
An extraordinary meeting of the full council days later saw Dunkeswell added to the list with voters swayed by claims that a school was due to be built in the village – information that was later found to be erroneous.
Scrutiny chairman Councillor Roger Giles asked if members should have been debating and making major changes to the Local Plan at such a late stage without any evidence and against the recommendations of the chief executive.
Committee members argued that this should not have been allowed, but officers at the meeting said it is down to elected councillors to make decisions and, if there is not enough evidence, they should have declined to vote.
It was recommended that all councillors in future should beware of taking claims at face value and make decisions on the basis of factual evidence.”
http://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/make_decisions_on_basis_of_factual_evidence_1_4483591
Swire gives us his views on just about everything – except East Devon
To print it all here (all 2,600 words) would be mind-bogglingly irritating as Hugo puts the boot firmly into Iain Duncan Smith big time and says how incompetent he is/was (though Owl finds it hard to understand how George, Dave and Hugo let it all go on so long if they thought IDS wasn’t up to the job.)
He then covers bad Labour, bad Lib Dems, capitalism, Jeremy Corbyn, cuts, socialist traps, why it is ok for the rich to get richer, Europe, the “northern powerhouse”, tradition, the next leader of the party, and how blessed disabled people are – with help on housing, transport, employment and higher education – all, it seems created only by his party.j
He does admit to a ” patch of difficulty (!) in his own party but he seems confident that, somewhere in those 2,600 words is some sort of solution to its problems but poor Owl can’t work out exactly what that is!
If it were an essay written by an A level Politics exam, Owl would have given the rant a well-deserved FAIL!
http://www.hugoswire.org.uk/news/blog-resignation-iain-duncan-smith
Axminster regeneration
A number of correspondents have pointed out that one part of Axminster that DOESN’T need regenerating is the 400 dwelling Millwey Rise estate, constructed by Bovis, built on land originally owned by Axminster Carpets and adjacent to Cloakham Lawns Sports Centre. Axminster Carpets was an enthusiastic member of the East Devon Business Forum.
Cloakham Lawns Sports Centre Ltd now pays a pappercorn rent to Bovis and benefits from sponsorship.
Directors of Cloakham Lawns Sports Centre Limited are:
Nicholas Alexander Yool
David Allan Pike
Andrew Timothy Moulding
There was a bitterly fight about the development, detailed here:
http://www.viewfrompublishing.co.uk/news_view/10297/21/1/axminster-the-big-cloakham-housing-debate
NOTE: AS PER THE COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE THIS IS NOT THE PAUL ARNOTT OF EAST DEVON ALLIANCE – IT IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT PERSON WITH THE SAME NAME!
Here is how the pros and cons development were explained at the time (Owl has no idea how these panned out and would appreciate an update):
““Affordable housing will be provided at 40 per cent of the overall dwellings developed on the site, with 70 per cent will be rented and 30 per cent shared equity or similar intermediate housing unless otherwise agreed between the parties. The agreed mix of houses are: one bed dwellings 10 per cent; two bed dwellings 53 per cent; three bed dwellings 35 per cent; four bed dwellings two per cent.
• Each new resident at the proposed Cloakham Lawns site would receive a Travel Pack including a free two week taster ticket for local bus services and a £100 voucher to buy a bicycle.
• Axminster Primary School would face a shortfall of 83 places caused by the extra 100 primary aged pupils generated from the proposed 400 new houses. The extra 60 secondary aged pupils generated would mean The Axe Valley Community College, which in Autumn 2009 was already 17 pupils over capacity, would also be oversubscribed.
• A report confirmed there were some Roman archaeological features in the eastern part of the site, which lies in an Area of Archaeological Potential adjacent to the Roman Foss way.
• EDDC recommended the existing recreational facilities at the Cloakham Lawn Sports Club would be transferred to the Cloakham Lawns Association, with new occupants receiving 12 months free membership of the Cloakham Lawns Association.”
Details of the planning application are here:
http://www.cpredevon.org.uk/issue/cloakham-lawns-axminster-400-dwellings-permitted/
There is currently an acrimonious dispute with developer Bovis concerning a “temporary” footpath diversion in the area of the sports centre and the Bovis development.
Councillor Moulding declared a personal interest as President (and director) of Cloakham Lawns Sports Centre Limited.
So, now western Axminster and Cloakhan Lawns seems sorted (except for the footpath problems) councillors can turn their attention to other areas needing their input.
Our LEP needs you!
Much as it pains Owl, it must reluctantly attempt to do our LEP’s work for it – after all, it is Owl’s money that is invested in this venture – though Owl, of course, had no say in the matter.
The LEP’s “business cafe” venture is currently woefully undersubscribed.
http://www.heartofswlep.co.uk/heart-south-west-pop-business-cafes-0
The one in Ivybridge tomorrow has 28 slots of which only 9 are so far taken
The one in Barnstaple for 12 April has 18 slots of which 2 have been taken
The one in Bideford on 13 April has 15 slots of which none are taken
The one for Tavistock on 18 or 19 April (it is hard to be sure as the heading says 19 April but the body of the page says 18 April though it is a Tuesday so probably 19 April) has 23 slots and 1 taken
The one originally advertised for 6 April in Exeter 2016 but now changed to 27 April without any explanation has 35 slots, none of which are taken
This is a total of 119 slots with only 12 taken – leaving around 90% of the slots to be booked up.
Come on, there are experts out there to be paid with our money – where are all those businesses that desperately need these (unnamed) experts to tell them what they should be doing and how they can link in to the exciting prospects available at Hinkley C – one day … maybe?
Reminder: Who cares what you think? conference
“One year on from the May 2015 elections, East Devon’s Independents are giving feedback to the general public on what they’ve been doing, and on the wider picture of big changes coming to the South West.
An open conference is being held at the Knowle (Sidmouth) on Saturday 23rd April 2016, in the Council Chamber, with speakers from the East Devon Alliance of Independents and colleagues from across the South West.
The morning session (11:00 – 12:30) will focus on East Devon issues such as flooding, rural broadband, and inappropriate development, with reports from some of the Independent Councillors now serving on EDDC.
The first afternoon session (13:30-14:15) is ‘Local Policing in crisis?’, with guest speaker Bob Spencer, the Police and Crime Commissioner candidate standing as an Independent in this May’s election.
The final session (14:30-16:15), looks at ‘Devolution- a democratic deficit?’, with guest speakers from across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.
Admission is free, but places limited, so please reserve by e-mail to conference@eastdevonalliance.org.uk. indicating if you’d like the light buffet lunch. (Small charge for the refreshments.)”
Stop complaining, residents of a Dorset town are told!
Residents in a Dorset town have been told to stop writing to their council about its decision to reduce a speed limit – because the complaints are ‘stressing out staff’.
Ferndown Town Council, Dorset, received an influx of letters and emails after residents in the neighbouring parish of Longham felt their views had been ignored about plans to reduce the limit on a stretch of main road which runs between the two communities.
In response, the council’s traffic working party chairman Cathy Lugg, wrote to residents to explain the decision but also asked them to stop writing to the town council and instead write to her directly as the volume of letters was ‘causing extra stress for staff’.
But the response left some residents feeling even more exasperated. Mandy Willis, from Longham, said: ‘It’s just ridiculous – our council tax rates are going up and yet as residents we are being told to stop hassling the council because the staff are stressed.
‘Surely the job of the town council is to communicate with residents who are there to hold them to account for its decisions.
‘If we can’t write to the town council where are we supposed to turn to get issues in the town sorted?’
In her letter to residents Councillor Lugg wrote: ‘The town council is working on a skeleton staff due to sickness and holiday at present and the large number of emails has caused extra stress for the staff.
‘If you wish to respond further, may I request that you contact me directly through the town council website.’
The town council employs six members of office staff – a town clerk, an assistant clerk, a part-time finance officer, an administration officer and two customer services assistants.
It is one of the largest Town Councils in Dorset and includes the main community of Ferndown, plus the distinct communities at Longham, Hampreston, Stapehill West and Tricketts Cross.
Residents were encouraged to write to the town council by East Dorset District councillor George Russell, asking it to resubmit the request to Dorset County Council to lower the speed limit along a further stretch of Ringwood Road through the village.
Councillor Russell even provided advice on how to make sure the letters had the ‘desired impact’, informing residents that ‘the town council is obliged to acknowledge your letter’.
Hinkley C: China sets up 7 London-based companies
Hinkley Point: China incorporates seven London-based firms:
Beijing’s growing confidence in its plans to help build new reactors at Hinkley in Somerset and Bradwell in Essex has been underlined by the recent incorporation of seven new Chinese nuclear-related firms in London.
It appears, however, that an agreement between China and its partner EDF of France to develop the first new reactors in Britain for 20 years has still not been signed.
Beijing’s creation of so many new businesses could further alarm those concerned at the degree of complexity surrounding the £18bn Hinkley scheme.
“Documents from Companies House show the recent listing of General Nuclear System Limited and Bradwell Power Holding Company alongside more opaque entities such as Libra International and Sagittarius International.
All seven companies use the same Stratton Street address in Mayfair, west London used by the state-owned China General Nuclear Power Corporation. They also have the same director, Zhu Minhong, the public face of China’s nuclear power business in Britain.
Zhu appeared with Vincent de Rivaz, the chief executive of EDF Energy, before parliament’s energy and climate change committee 10 days ago, and stressed China’s optimism about building nuclear power plants in Britain.
A spokesman for China General Nuclear Power Corporation, where Zhu is a general director for the UK, said he could not immediately explain why so many new UK-based businesses had been established or their exact purpose.
The Chinese company announced at a highly publicised signing ceremony in London last October that it would be taking a one-third share in Hinkley Point C alongside EDF, and that it also planned to construct and operate its own locally designed reactors at Bradwell.
Despite heads of agreement being signed off during the visit of the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, EDF and China Nuclear had still not completed the final legal documents in February as the wider Hinkley go-ahead remained stalled while the French power company demanded more financial support from Paris.
EDF declined to spell out exactly what the current situation was, but referred to the statements Zhu made at the select committee when he said: “We have agreed the package deal in terms of the heads of terms. We then spent our time to translate the heads of terms into long-form. What I can say today is that our discussions [are] practically completed.”
Peter Atherton, a utility analyst at Jefferies investment bank in London, expressed concern about the complexities of the wider Hinkley programme, noting that EDF had spoken of having “thousands and thousands” of pages of legal documents to be signed off with it Chinese counterparts.
“Complexity is itself a warning that this project is likely to run into some kind of problem. Often when you have a major infrastructure project that runs into problems, say the [London] tube PFI, complex contracts have added to the risk and uncertainty over who bears the responsibility for which costs.
“I would be staggered if anyone in government could tell you where exactly the risk lay [with regard to Hinkley].”
The Department of Energy and Climate Change said: “Hinkley Point C is a major infrastructure project which will boost our energy supply and our economy, bringing in billions of pounds of investment into the UK and creating 25,000 jobs during construction.
“A deal of this scale is by its nature complex, but we are clear on the construction and financing risks, which fall firmly on the developer rather than bill payers.”
Consultants! Don’t we just love them!
(Couldn’t give) ATOS fired from health assessment work, contract awarded to “Maximus”.
Cost doubled to £579 million
1 in 10 reports “below standard” compared to 1 in 25 with (Couldn’t give) ATOS
That’s the way to improve things!
(Sunday Times, page 18)
Dept for International Development audit firm awarded contracts at the same time!
KPMG led a consortium that received £10 million to ensure overseas aid was spent effectively.
At the same time they were awarded contracts worth more than £25 million to scrutinise departmental spending.
KPMG and the Government insist there is no conflict of interest, KPMG insisting that most of the aid money was channelled through its office to groups abroad.
Sunday Times, page 17
Well, that’s ok then.
No wonder our LEP has no qualms about its board members who have nuclear interests!
“MPs face block on employing spouses”
Possible bad news for our MP Hugo Swire, and maybe even worse news for his wife to whom he pays around £35,000 a year for services linked to his office:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmsecret/sponsor-05.htm
She is not designated as his secretary (Suzanne Townsend) nor as his assistant (Toby Young).
Apparently, the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority was “taken aback” by the number of MPs elected last May who immediately put their spouses on their payrolls and they are braced for a furious response from said MPs.
18 MPs have employed “connected parties” in their offices, in a practice that was expected to “wither on the vine” after it was widely disparaged by all parties prior to the election. Eight Conservatives, three Labour and seven Scottish Nationalists appear immune to the advice, including Mr Swire it would seem.
It also appears that MPs who receive extra money for putting up their children in their second homes occasionally enjoy “widespread agreement” that this is a “necessary” extra expense. MP Simon Danczuk was recently ordered to repay £11, 583.20 after an investigation concluded that two of his children had not stayed often enough to merit his claims.
Question: has anyone seen Mrs S with Mr S recently in the constituency, or even at all? Owl recalls no sightings of her during the last election campaign, though Mr Swire did bring his very personable dog to the constituency in the final few weeks.
As they do not live in the constituency, preferring Mid-Devon, alas it seems we are unlikely to see her in Sidmouth Waitrose any time soon.
Exmouth: development stays on hold as court case continues
This article has not yet appeared on the website – the text is shown below the image:
“Family tourist attractions on Exmouth seafront are set to trade for another summer, after obtaining a legal stay of execution.
Owners of the businesses – Exmouth Fun Park and the neighbouring Arnold Palmer mini-golf course – say they look forward to welcoming back their loyal customers – but East Devon District Council (EDDC) faces its seafront redevelopment plans being delayed for several months.
The businesses had been due for eviction in May, having lost a county court case against EDDC in January. However, Chris Wright, tenant of the fun park, and his mother Maureen, joint tenant with Mr Wright of the golf site, continued their court fight, and in a statement have now said that with their next court hearing scheduled for November, the businesses will keep trading until then – giving them at least one extra summer season.
The statement reads: “We have enjoyed over 40 years’ trading on the seafront and have applied to renew our leases so we can continue our businesses here, where we have built up a loyal customer base.
“EDDC has opposed the renewal of our leases in favour of a redevelopment of the seafront.
“The legal process is ongoing and an application for permission to appeal the first instance judgement will be heard in November 2016.
“Until the hearing of that application, the fun park and golf course will be open as usual and we hope you will continue to support our businesses on the seafront over the summer period.”
The tenants are making an ‘oral application’ for an appeal hearing, having had a previous appeal application turned down by the Court of Appeal.
EDDC is planning new buildings and leisure facilities on Queen’s Drive, between the old lifeboat station and The Maer.
Reacting to the latest development, an EDDC spokesperson said: “The original court judgement made in January required the tenants to leave in May 2016, which would have enabled the council to move on to the site this year.
“This latest action now means that the development of the road, car park and water sports centre will not begin for some period of time until the tenants’ next application is heard.
“The tenants’ application for leave to appeal is listed for November. However, the council is applying to bring the hearing forward.
“For the regeneration of Queen’s Drive to continue, the remaining tenancies on the site need to be ended. The judicial system has twice found in favour of the council that the tenants do not have the right to remain on site as their leases have expired. “While the legal process continues, areas of the seafront will remain boarded up and the multi-million-pound all-year-round development – starting with the national watersports centre is being stalled.”
Also this week, East Devon returning officer Mark Williams has confirmed that a parish poll will take place in Exmouth on April 20, between 4pm and 9pm, asking whether Exmouth Town Council should write to EDDC calling for additional independent consultation on its plan.
There will be no polling cards or postal votes. More details will be listed on the EDDC website and at Exmouth Town Hall on 13 April”
Thousands of council workers gagged
“Figures showed 17,571 settlement deals had been signed between 2010 and 2015, many including confidentiality clauses.
Cardiff Council has issued the most settlement agreements, with nearly 3,000 employees signing one since 2010. …
… The 5 live Investigates programme made a Freedom of Information request to all 433 district, city, county and regional councils in the UK. 70% responded. The responses revealed that 17,571 workers had signed a settlement agreement between 2010 and 2015.
Staff often received an enhanced pay-out for signing such an agreement. But it is unclear how much these enhanced arrangements are costing the public purse because the figures include money that staff would have been entitled to under their normal terms and conditions.
But the 17,571 settlement agreements resulted in pay-outs totalling £226.7m. …”
A3052 – the road to nowhere?
As EDDC, Exeter City Council and the LEP pursue their push for economic growth and housing provision, our local infrastructure is already showing signs of strain. Traffic increases inexorably along the A3052, with no improvements to the road scheduled for the foreseeable future.
There have always been traffic jams during rush-hour on the approaches to the Sandygate roundabout, but a comparatively new phenomenon is the enormous queues leading back along the A3052 from the Clyst St Mary roundabout. Three-mile tailbacks to Greendale are now commonplace.
The problem is caused by increased traffic from the Sidmouth direction, that is unable to access the roundabout due to large numbers of commuters coming into and out of Exeter and turning right towards Exmouth.
By 2030, East Devon may well have an additional 40-50,000 residents, and Exeter will have also grown considerably, with traffic on the M5 also having increased. Nearly all commuters will drive cars. Yet the authorities, and the LEP, with their ambitious targets for growth, appear to have no proposals for road improvements in our area whatsoever.
The LEP Pop up cafe in Exeteron 6 April 2016 just popped down
Originally advertised for 6 April 2016 at the Fresha cafe in Sowton, Exeter, the link now takes you to a completely different date (Wednesday 27 April). No explanation – no notice of how or why the date has had to be changed.
However, rather than 28 slots for “business advice” of which two had been taken last week, there are now 32 – with extra slots with a taxation expert. All 32 slots are currently available for booking.
Come on you businesses, get that advice from these unidentified experts, otherwise this will look like a very expensive (6 experts each being paid for at least a morning’s work) damp squib on the part of the LEP.
East Devon Watch 