There’s been much speculation recently about what might happen to the structures of councils in Devon, and hopefully I can try to offer a little context here.
But before that, please may I take you back to the days before district councils even existed when the unknown Abba won the Eurovision song contest with Waterloo?
Until 1st April 1974, the area we now know as East Devon was the borough of Honiton, the urban districts of Budleigh Salterton, Exmouth, Ottery St Mary, Seaton and Sidmouth, Axminster Rural District, Honiton Rural District and a small part of the St Thomas area of Exeter.
Many of you will have heard folklore about who did well and who did badly out of this. The classic line, because the new 1974 district council was based in Sidmouth, was that Sidmouth prospered greatly while Seaton, for example, was neglected. Heaven knows where the truth lies. I was three years from doing O’ Levels back in 1974 so I have no idea.
However, like many East Devonians, I love both towns and visit often, so I was a little surprised to hear it being said the other day that Sidmouth was now the poor relation as far as the district is concerned! Hmm.
In fact, Sidmouth has a leisure centre with a pool, a theatre, a park café, the glorious Kennaway House, and the soon to be regenerated Ham area to the east of the town where a new Rockfish will soon open. All of these are gladly either owned or underwritten at the expense of EDDC.
This is just as it should be. Sidmouth is a nationally important town with an active and engaged council. Indeed, for many years the town has shared with the district much of the operation of the public toilets. District Councils are not obliged in law to run any toilets – which is of course potty – and as we progress with our public toilets review, we will be seeking many more such alliances with parish and town councils.
Indeed, public-spirited groups in Seaton are now picking up on the decade old trend from Sidmouth and is in active discussions with EDDC regarding how they may step in to run a prominent toilet block, and I thank them for that sincerely. Yet Seaton too is well backed by East Devon district, even if I really get why locals might not always think so.
For example, next year it is hoped that the fantastic Seaton Tramway organisation will take over the running of the Seaton Jurassic Centre, an EDDC endeavour conceived long before my time, the plan for which was always unlikely to be commercially viable.
Then, just to the north, the astonishing Seaton Wetlands runs two miles inland to Colyford Common. EDDC’s Wildlife Team run that. Taken together, this time next year Seaton will have a dual visitor attraction which will fully merit tourists spending a busy weekend and then enjoying a walk along the seafront. Or the increasing water-sports and paddleboarding offer.
Indeed, my favourite walk in Devon is to go from the west end of Seaton Hole around the headland to Beer. Warning: You need to check the tide times to achieve this, which can only be done when the tide is low. A crab sandwich or a cream tea awaits at Beer beach.
I believe that despite understandable grumbles, East Devon as a district ain’t broke, and there is no need to fix it. Together, Devon’s district leaders are as one in opposing a vast Unitary Devon Authority, which some local Conservatives who have lost all the district councils are now feebly promoting.
Communities lost quite enough of their identities back in 1974. Let’s make the best of where we are.
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