Perhaps an unfortunate choice of name but still supporting independents:
The movement is DEFINITELY growing – REAL localism in action!
Daily Archives: 9 Jun 2016
Two more Independent groups in the south-west
Plymouth Independents:
A group of independently minded people who have their own individual ideas, attitudes
and personalities.
“The object of the Party is to have a central point for the “Lone Voices” who regularly stand in local elections to gather, get advice and plan strategies for PLYMOUTH.
We want ORDINARY people to join us and get involved with local Democracy, we are not being told what to do by some remote CENTRAL OFFICE, our Central Office is the City and its residents.
Not all of us will agree, not all of us will even get on! But, and it’s a big but, we will ALL work for the City.”
and
North Somerset First Independents
“We believe that the current administration within North Somerset Council is not democratic or transparent due to its majority stronghold. We want to break down this stronghold to make it a fairer and more balanced democratic council. We aim to reinvigorate local politics and believe localism is the key to this. But above all we want to renew your trust within local politics.”
http://www.northsomersetfirstindependents.org.uk/FAQs
Who “owns” Seaton Heights?
Lyme Bay Leisure Ltd is usually quoted as the owner of the property and has a (somewhat optimistic) website where it is currently advertising “off plan” opportunities to purchase units for a £1,000 deposit:
http://lymebayleisure.co.uk/seaton-heights/
However, there are four charges outstanding on the site, the two most recent on 17 and 23 May 2016 to Simon Oliver Developments Ltd (debentures) and two earlier ones (also debentures)to Stonesby House Developers Ltd:
https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/08513325/charges
No details are given of the extent of the charges involved.
“MPs criticise government over flood protection plans”
Of interest to those in Sidford, who are being let down by flood protection by inappropriate development.
… “Labour MP Ms Creagh said: “We know that flooding is projected to get worse and occur more frequently because of climate change, so it just isn’t good enough for government to react to flooding events as they occur.
“Communities at risk deserve certainty from government.”
The committee found that funding for flooding fluctuates year-on-year. Funding was initially cut during the last parliament and only increased after the winter floods of 2013-14.
The government has committed to spending £2.3bn on building new defences and to protect spending on maintaining existing defences – but the EAC warned they were “sceptical” the government would reach its target of protecting 300,000 properties, saying it was based on an optimistic forecast that assumed the greatest efficiency in spending decisions.
The committee also said it was surprised to learn the extra £700m funding for flood defences announced in this year’s Budget was based on a “political calculation” and may not be allocated with the same strict economic criteria as the £2.3bn.
The report said that could lead to inefficiencies in flood investments, poor decision-making and outcomes that were potentially unfair to some regions. …
… The condition of critical flood defences is in decline, according to the committee.
Ms Creagh said: “The government needs to put money into the upkeep of existing flood defences as well as investing in new defences. Failure to do so can have terrible consequences for residents and businesses when defences fail.
“Any decline in the condition of critical flood defences represents an unacceptable risk to local communities in flood prone areas. We urge the government to go beyond its current target and aim to have virtually all its critical assets meeting the Environment Agency’s required condition by 2019.”
The committee said it was concerned the government does not know how prepared local authorities are for flooding, with Ms Creagh adding that local authorities “are not receiving the support they need to prepare for, and mitigate, the impacts of flooding”.
East Devon Watch 