A few days ago a correspondent raised questions on the curious set of priorities which seems to underlie the announcement on money for sewage improvements.

“Exmouth has over 2,000 hours of outfall into Lyme Bay and the Exe. Sidmouth just over 1,000 hours. I, therefore, would have thought that Exmouth should be prioritised.

“(The Lib. Dems list of the 5 worst beaches in the country which lists Sidmouth ahead of Exmouth Revealed: Worst beaches for dumped sewage – is your nearest beach on the list? YES two! | East Devon Watch did worry me. Exmouth beach having less pollution than Sidmouth beach didn’t seem right. However, if the surrounding outfalls from the town are included Exmouth has twice the sewage outfall than Sidmouth)

“And why choose Tipton St. John with 22 spills lasting 48 hours of pollution in 2021 into the small River Otter when upstream Honiton’s 2 main sewer storm overflow sites spilled 222 times for a total of 4759 hours, discharging into the River Otter?

The report below suggests investment is coming from taxpayer money not SWW which makes the priorities even more curious.

Who is claiming credit for what? Are elections underway?

Does Cllr. Philip Skinner (Local Tory group leader) know what he is talking about? – Owl

Cash to cut East Devon sewage

But Cranbrook misses out

Rob Kershaw, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk

The government is investing in sewage works in East Devon following continued problems in the district.

South West Water (SWW), is often criticised at East Devon District Council’s planning meetings. But this week, water minister Rebecca Pow confirmed £70 million of cash to improving sewage systems in Sidmouth, Tipton St John and Axminister, as well as Falmouth in Cornwall .

East Devon’s share of the cash, part of a £1.6 billion water infrastructure investment by central government, will help prevent sewage overflows in Sidmouth and Tipton St John, as well as water pollution in Axminster.

Independent Cllr Mike Howe described the scheme as “great news” for his district, but was disappointed to learn the money does not cover areas such as Cranbrook, which despite being a new town, has faced issues since residents moved in.

“I’m struggling to understand the long-term plans for South West Water – even the medium-term plans for South West Water,” he said. “And although this money’s great for some areas, it doesn’t seem to have addressed the major concerns where development is happening.”

Cllr Howe lamented SWW’s approach of running more sewage through limited pipes as more housing is constructed,

“Cranbrook originally was designed with sewage works, but then they decided they didn’t need it,” he added. “And you’re sort of sat here thinking ‘that was a silly decision’ to put it mildly.”

Conservative leader Cllr Philip Skinner who, along with Cllr Howe, sits on the planning committee, praised East Devon’s MP Simon Jupp for his efforts to secure government funding, and welcomed the news.

“We’ve been driving this agenda as a district and also Simon has worked really hard on it from his angle and has applied lots of pressure,” he said. “Because the sewage issue in East Devon at the moment is massive; we’ve got awful problems with sewage – particularly in areas like Clyst St Mary where we get the flooding, and particularly in and around Exmouth where we get flooding. We’ve had all sorts of issues, but other areas as well.

“So, to hear this news – the funding coming for South West Water to tidy up their act really to be fair as pollutants – is really good news for us. So all credit really all round to ourselves in East Devon in applying the pressure that we have been, and also to Simon Jupp who has particularly pressured from his angle as well.”

Addressing concerns that not all of East Devon will benefit from the money, Cllr Skinner said: “Let’s not have a race to the bottom here. Let’s be very pleased for the bit that we have got. Let’s start with this bit and get this done, but Clyst St Mary – around there and Exmouth in particular – this is really good news. So let’s get this bit over the line and let’s get on and get everywhere else as well.”

Liberal Democrat Cllr Eileen Wragg, however, feels public money should not be spent on what she believes is an underdelivering private company.

“Water privatisation took place under the Thatcher government,” she said. “I therefore believe that taxpayers’ money should not be spent on supporting private companies, but rather the shareholders should be financially supporting improvements to the sewage system.

“Last year, SWW made a profit of £137.5 million and paid £213.1 million to its parent company Pennon. There is no justification for charging the public to pay for improvements, they already pay some of the highest water bills in the UK. Morally, it is unacceptable.”

Pennon, SWW’s parent company, has been contacted for comment.

What better way to start your Easter weekend than with a light spot of trolling? Nigel Farage has been caught hook, line, and sinker by the latest ‘Led By Donkeys’ prank, which duped the controversial politician into endorsing their campaign.

ALSO READ: Mhairi Black shreds Dominic Raab after Led By Donkeys sting

Tom Head www.thelondoneconomic.com

Who are Led By Donkeys?

Led By Donkeys are a group that routinely holds the government and far-right figures to account, through their viral stitch-ups. Last week, a group of Tory MPs were caught out by one of their stings, in which they offered second jobs to the likes of Matt Hancock and Kwasi Kwarteng.

The pair of former ministers were the highest-profile victims of the ruse, requesting fees of up to £1,500 an hour. Gavin Williamson, meanwhile, rejected the offer of a side-gig, politely declining a potentially lucrative (but totally falsified) offer.

Led By Donkeys add Nigel Farage to victim list

However, you don’t have to be in the Conservative Party to find yourself in the firing line. Led By Donkeys are staunchly anti-Brexit, which means the biggest Brexiteer of them all is considered fair game.

Nigel Farage runs his own Cameo account – a video service where you can record messages for people who request them. At around £70 per message, getting an earful from Mr. Farage doesn’t come cheap. But we’d argue this is money well spent.

Nigel Farage stitched-up by ‘Elbie Dee’

The former UKIP leader is tricked into calling LBD – cleverly disguised as ‘Elbie Dee’ on the request message – ‘very brave’. He then accidentally asks viewers to support their latest fundraiser, saying that change ‘needs to happen’.

For once, Nigel, we agree with you…

“Now, LBD is very brave. She isn’t going to get funding for her new film from the Hollywood wokerati. They’re all mad, looney, crazy liberals. Can all of you pony up for LBD’s fundraiser? We need to make change happen, and LBD needs your support.” | Nigel Farage

Watch on Twitter here

Nine new rapid electric vehicle chargers are now ready to use in a quartet of communities in East Devon.

eastdevonnews.co.uk 

They have been located in car parks in Sidmouth, Colyton, Axminster and Beer.

And more are set to follow in Cranbrook, Lympstone, Honiton, Budleigh Salterton and three locations in Exmouth.

The Rapid Charging Devon scheme is part of a roll-out of 30 chargers in a dozen locations across the district.

Brand-new chargers have been installed at Roxburgh Car Park in Sidmouth, Dolphin Street Car Park in Colyton, West Street Car Park in Axminster and Central Car Park in Beer.

They take around 40 minutes to charge an EV battery to 80 per cent full at a cost of 55 pence per kWh. Payment can be made through the Wenea app.

Councillor Marianne Rixson, East Devon District Council’s portfolio holder for climate action and emergencies, said: “I am delighted to see that EV chargers in these four locations have been installed and will be operational in time for the Easter holidays, which is very good news.”

Jose Contreras, from Wenea, added: “The East Devon rapid chargers are part of a wider charging network being rolled out across Devon, providing EV charging for local people as well as supporting the important tourism economy in the area.”