Monthly Archives: July 2023

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

31 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Comments

1 Comment

Breaking: Claire Wright roots for Richard Foord to win Honiton & Sidmouth

Claire Wright, the three-times Independent parliamentary candidate for East Devon, is backing Liberal Democrat MP, Richard Foord, to take the new Honiton & Sidmouth constituency at the next general election.

Philippa Davies www.midweekherald.co.uk

Running against Conservative candidates, Claire achieved second place in the last three general elections, gaining almost 26,000 votes and over 40 per cent of the vote in December 2019.

She has now revealed that she has been talking with Richard over the last few months about how she can best support his campaign to win the newly formed constituency, which includes Claire’s home town of Ottery St Mary.

Richard spectacularly won the Tiverton and Honiton seat last year in a shock 6,144 majority by-election result, after disgraced Conservative MP, Neil Parish was forced to stand aside. It had previously been a safe Conservative seat.

Claire said: “I remain as fascinated with politics as ever and have been following Richard’s work since his election. What I have observed over the past year is a dedicated, hard-working, thoroughly decent man who cares very much about his constituents, so I contacted him to pledge my support.

“Richard’s priorities are very similar to my own, which were established after surveying hundreds of people and listening to thousands of others during my role as a county councillor for many years.

“Richard has already demonstrated that he is a committed champion for our precious NHS, which has been eviscerated after years of deliberate neglect by a government that doesn’t appear to believe in the welfare state.

“He also cares very much about, and is active on, environmental issues, including working to prevent sewage in our rivers and coastal waters and most recently speaking at a parliamentary debate to save our migratory birds from extinction, following the submission of a petition signed by over 100,000 people.

“Richard argued in favour of creating a new ‘swift brick’ policy – a simple and cheap option to help the birds nest, that ministers (and other local Conservative MPs) have disgracefully dismissed.

“He has also demonstrated that he cares very much about people who are desperately struggling in society, speaking out on local decisions to remove funding from the most vulnerable people, including those who are homeless.

“This is the man I want to be my MP.”

“Unfortunately, the government and its local representatives are attempting to hoodwink us by claiming that they will fix the very things that they have so badly and knowingly broken, while blaming other events and people for what has gone wrong.

“I really hope that local people will see through the hackneyed lines and lies and turn their backs on this endless deceit, instead supporting a conscientious and hard-working man, who cares far more about his constituents than he ever would about the slippery career pole and desire to divide and rule, that appears to motivate other local parliamentary representatives.

“By-elections are very different beasts from general elections and last year Richard was supported by thousands of Liberal Democrat activists from across the country. This time, he will need the support of a large number of local people to win the seat.”

Anyone interested in helping the campaign to get Richard elected is asked to contact Niamh Purvis at organiser.tivhonlibdems@gmail.com

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

31 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Planning applications validated by EDDC in week beginning 17 July

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

31 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

40,000 shotguns in Devon! Highest in the country.

Yet Owl still flies!

The licence fee to keep a shotgun in Devon and Cornwall is to go up – although it hasn’t been agreed to what level, or when.

Nearly two years after the tragic shootings in Plymouth, the rise was endorsed by members of the region’s police and crime panel as they were told of measures to reduce the risk to the public.

Alison Stephenson, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk

Five people in Keyham died at the hands of gunman Jake Davison in August 2021, and earlier this year significant failings were found in the police’s handling of the initial shotgun licence given to him.

Speaking to the police and crime panel in Plymouth, police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez, whose job it is to hold the chief constable to account, said she was assured that appropriate steps were being taken to respond to risk since the shootings.

Ms Hernandez said another £500,000 on top of £750,000 of additional funds had been invested in the force’s firearms and explosives licensing team to train offices in handling licence applications. Staff numbers have also  increased from 44 to 99.

An alliance with Dorset Police has also been scrapped so the force can concentrate on the issues it faces.

Devon and Cornwall Police manages the highest volume of firearms certificates and licences in the country – 40,000. It is claimed this is because of the rural and agricultural nature of the region.

Members of the panel raised concerns over the cost of processing licence applications and pleaded for temporary licences to be scrapped to save money.

“Temporary licences should be stopped and people should have their guns confiscated until they have the appropriate licence,” said Cllr Mandy Ewings (Ind, Tavistock South West).

Cllr Laura Wright (Lab, St Thomas, Exeter) said administrators were vital when it came to tightening up procedures but, at under £15 an hour, they were not coming into the service. More money needed to be made from the licences to pay for the cost of issuing them, she said.

“I pay a licence fee to watch BBC which is £159 a year and I’m happy to pay this but is it right that someone can own a potentially lethal instrument for £79?”

Miss Hernandez said the £79 was not just for one year but for five years: “It’s absolutely out of kilter with public feeling. It cannot be justified that’s it only that over a five year period. For people who don’t use guns in their day to day lives, it doesn’t feel right anyway, and gun users accept it’s got to change. The licence cost has not been reviewed since 2012.”

She said that she would support a fee which was rational but was not supporting “full cost recovery” which drove inefficiencies and put the burden on the customer.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary said that although Devon and Cornwall had made significant progress, concerns remained over a backlog in processing licence applications and the improper use of temporary permits.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

31 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Tory support collapse leaving rural voters ‘politically homeless’

Rural voters are becoming increasingly “politically homeless”, ministers have been warned, as polling suggests that support for the Conservatives in the countryside has rapidly declined.

Aubrey Allegretti www.theguardian.com

Labour is the main beneficiary but must “up its game” to see the change translate into votes at the next general election, said Jonathan Roberts, the director of external affairs at the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

Fears about a drop-off in support across traditionally Tory-leaning rural areas have been compounded by a string of byelection losses, most recently in Selby and Ainsty, the North Yorkshire seat in which Labour overturned a mammoth Conservative majority.

Concerns that rural communities have been neglected by Westminster stretch back much further and are the fault of governments of all colours, argued Roberts.

“It’s very difficult for rural people to fully understand who is championing way of life,” he said. “There hasn’t been a robust and ambitious plan to grow the rural economy, and create good jobs and strengthen those communities and allow rural businesses to grow.”

Polling conducted by Survation found that support for the Conservatives among voters in the 100 most rural constituencies had dropped by 18 points to 41% compared with the 2019 general election. The party narrowly stayed out in front of Labour, whose support rose by 16 points to 35%. The Liberal Democrats fell by three points to sit on 13%.

The cost of living, a lack of growth and building more homes were among the most pressing issues highlighted by those surveyed.

Too often, Roberts said, the countryside is viewed “a place for people to go and to visit, rather than a fundamentally important part of our society and economy”.

The Lib Dems have performed well at byelections in rural seats such as Tiverton and Honiton, Somerton and Frome, and North Shropshire, but Roberts argued that at a general election voters are “less likely to cast their vote as a protest and looking at more seriously who is likely to form the next government”.

The CLA, which represents 28,000 rural businesses across England and Wales, fears that the divide between cities and the countryside has been widening. If closed, the productivity gap in the rural economy could raise the economic output of England alone by £43bn, according to the group.

A 28-page strategy for “unleashing rural opportunity” was published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in June.

Roberts acknowledged that the government had shown “some signs of responding” to the CLA’s concerns. But he cautioned: “There’s a question as to whether that’s going to be a little bit too late.”

A more longstanding failure by multiple governments to unlock the potential of the rural economy “has led to a political homelessness of many people in rural areas”, he said.

Jim McMahon, the shadow environment secretary, is among those Labour sources have suggested could be moved in a reshuffle. Roberts also hinted at dissatisfaction with his performance, saying that support for Labour among rural voters in the polls “belies the effort that they’re making to engage with rural communities”.

He added: “I think where the Labour party does need to up its game is on engagement with rural communities.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

31 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Environmental groups accuse Rishi Sunak of playing ‘political football’ with the climate crisis

Leading environmental groups have accused the Government of using the climate as a “political football”, as they warned they will “not stand by” if Rishi Sunak waters down the UK’s green commitments.

Poppy Wood inews.co.uk 

The National Trust, the Woodland Trust, Greenpeace and the RSPCA are among a handful of organisations who have written to Mr Sunak voicing their alarm that the Prime Minister appears to be poised to downgrade the Government’s green policies.

They demanded an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss the climate crisis, as they called for “public reassurances” on his plans to take action.

It comes as Mr Sunak has signalled he could delay or even abandon green policies that impose a direct cost on consumers, as the Conservative party looks to create a clear dividing line with Labour ahead of the next general election.

The Prime Minister has hinted he will look again at measures that will carry additional expense to consumers, with sources insisting that protecting households from rising costs is his number one priority.

The move follows the Tories’ surprise win in last week’s by-election in Uxbridge, with support for Labour dented by plans to expand London’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) expansion, due to come into force next month.

It has prompted a rethink of the Government’s green policies, with the Prime Minister saying earlier this week that the drive to reach the UK’s net zero targets should not “unnecessarily give people more hassle and more costs in their lives”.

Downing Street also confirmed that the Government will “continually examine and scrutinise” measures including a ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, phasing out gas boilers by 2035, energy efficiency targets for private rented homes and low-traffic neighbourhoods.

But environmental groups said it was “with deep alarm that we have read reports over the last few weeks of your government considering watering down its commitments on almost every front of environmental policy”.

“We will not stand by whilst politicians use the environment as a political football,” they wrote.

“It is courage and leadership that we need now. In the past, we have mobilised many of our members collectively with extraordinary results, and our resolve to stand firm now against any and all attacks on this critical policy agenda remains absolute.”

The groups, which claim to represent more than 20m people in total, warned Mr Sunak that he does not have a “public mandate” for delaying the UK’s climate targets.

They also said the prospect of abandoning climate targets was “baffling” considering the economic benefits that green commitments will deliver.

Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, told i: “The climate and nature crises can’t be a matter for negotiation – they demand our urgent, unswerving attention. Political differences must be set aside if we are to safeguard our economy and food supply, and secure jobs, homes and health for future generations. Ambivalence sends all the wrong signals to the market.”

Ms McGrady warned that wavering on the climate agenda could cost both parties at the ballot box.

“A general election is coming and poll after poll shows that voters are resolute in their commitment to the environment. Instead of being gradually erased, robust green policies should be inked into the manifestos of every political party hoping to form a future government,” she said.

“Only a few years ago, UK leaders set world-leading targets and promised the public good green jobs, cleaner air and seas, and a restored natural environment. Now is the time to double down on those commitments.”

Darren Moorcroft, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said it was “incumbent” on environmental groups to express their concerns as political parties set out their stall ahead of the next general election, expected in late 2024.

“We will make our voices heard with regard to how people should view any political party as it runs into the general election on what it is doing for the environment,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“So instead of backtracking on environmental policies, we believe every political party that’s serious about winning should be setting out plans to get those good green jobs, to get cleaner air and seas to restore our natural environment.”

Labour also faces a reckoning over its green policies, after leader Sir Keir Starmer laid the blame for the party’s failure to take Boris Johnson’s old seat in Uxbridge on the London mayor’s Ulez policy.

At Labour’s National Policy Forum (NPF) in Nottingham day after the by-election, Sir Keir told his party: “We are doing something very wrong if policies put forward by the Labour party end up on each and every Tory leaflet.”

However, party figures have insisted Labour is still committed to its green policies, and sees it as an opportunity to create a clear ideological division between the Conservatives at the next ballot box.

A senior Labour source told i earlier this week that the clean energy target – one of Sir Keir’s five missions – “absolutely” remained in place and that there was no contradiction between pursuing policies to tackle climate change and reducing the cost of living for people.

“There is no circle to square. All our policies are about reducing bills, providing energy security and creating jobs,” they said. “So everything we’re proposing helps with the cost of living.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

31 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Sewage puts a quarter of people off swimming in the sea

“No one should have to go for a swim or build a sandcastle next to raw sewage. This Conservative government needs to stop letting water companies off the hook and finally ban these disgusting sewage discharges and defend our tourism sector.” – Tim Farron

Around a quarter of UK sea swimmers are being put off their hobby because of the levels of sewage, according to a new poll.

Matt Drake www.independent.co.uk

Just over 30 per cent of UK adults said they go sea swimming during the summer, and of these, 23 per cent said they will not do so this year because of sewage dumping by water companies.

The poll, carried out by Savanta with 2,272 UK adults between July 21 and 23, found 43 per cent of regular beachgoers said they were less likely to visit the British seaside this summer because of the sewage discharges.

Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson Tim Farron said: “Sewage dumping by water companies is ruining the British beach holiday.

“Coastal communities are at the mercy of water companies who unapologetically discharge raw sewage into popular swimming spots.

“If this continues, tourists will turn away from British beach holidays, leaving small businesses and local tourism to suffer from their mess.

“No one should have to go for a swim or build a sandcastle next to raw sewage. This Conservative government needs to stop letting water companies off the hook and finally ban these disgusting sewage discharges and defend our tourism sector.”

An analysis by the party earlier this year showed there were 1,504 sewage discharges in 2022 on beaches with a blue flag rating – a standard that is supposed to signify that a beach is free from such pollution.

They want sewage dumps on blue flag beaches to be banned and have warned that tourists may decide not to visit beaches at all, which would deprive coastal communities of revenue.

The government has recently said it will allow the Environment Agency (EA) to impose unlimited fines on water companies that pollute unnecessarily.

Current penalties are capped at £250,000, making it cheaper to pay than to fix the pollution issue, environment secretary Therese Coffey told MPs earlier this month.

Thames Water’s interim chief executive, Cathryn Ross, recently described many of her company’s pipes as “ageing assets” that should have been replaced.

The utility firm gathered a £14bn debt pile, with many critics blaming shareholders for taking too much money out of the company over the previous 30 years without investing enough in infrastructure.

Many other water companies have faced similar condemnation. They are only supposed to release raw sewage after heavy rain to stop sewage from backing up the system and flooding homes and businesses, with the most recent data showing they had collectively dumped sewage 372,533 times in 2022.

A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokesperson said: “Banning discharges overnight without any plan to fix storm overflows is reckless and would see sewage backing up into people’s homes and the street.

“The secretary of state demanded action plans on every storm overflow in the country and our Storm Overflow Discharge Reduction Plan requires water companies to spend £56bn to eliminate the harm from storm overflows – the largest infrastructure investment in water company history.”

An online interactive map of sewage discharges, using information taken from water companies, showed on Friday afternoon dozens of live pollution alerts along the English and Welsh coasts.

A Water UK spokesperson said: “Just one out of every 10 beaches achieved an excellent water standard in the 1990s.

“Thanks to water company investment, that has increased to seven in 10 beaches today. The majority of remaining pollution comes from other sources.

“Nevertheless, we recognise that more should have been done sooner to tackle the harm to our seas caused by sewage overflows. We have listened and have an unprecedented plan to start to put it right.

“Over the next seven years, water and sewerage companies plan to spend £10bn – a tripling on current levels of investment – in the biggest transformation of our sewers since the Victorian era.

“As part of this, bathing waters will be prioritised and among the first to receive funding.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

30 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

By-election victories for Labour in Plymouth

Labour wins city by-elections (One gain from Conservatives, one seat held)

Labour is celebrating after by-election victories in the Plymouth City Council wards of Plymstock Dunstone and St Peter and the Waterfront.

Alison Stephenson, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk

Stefan Krizanac gained Plymstock Dunstone from the Conservatives, winning 1,072 of the votes with Tory candidate Julie Hunt in second place with 919.

The seat had been held by political veteran Vivian Pengelly, a former leader of the council, who had represented the ward for the Conservatives since Plymouth became a unitary authority in 1997. She died last month after a battle with cancer.

Labour held St Peter and the Waterfront following the resignation of Sue McDonald, with seasoned politician Alison Raynsford winning a conclusive victory. She gained 1,126 votes, leaving Conservative Ian Fleming way behind with 488.

Mrs Raynsford, (nee Seabeck), was Labour MP for Plymouth Devonport from 2005 to 2010 and for Plymouth Moor View from 2010 to 2015.

Labour, which controls Plymouth City Council, now has 33 councillors.

Following the result in the early hours of Friday morning, Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans (Lab, Ham) Tweeted: “What a pair of ceiling smashers. Plymouth Labour now have 33 councillors, the highest we’ve had this century, thanks to a brilliant hold in St Peter by

Alison Raynsford and a stunning gain off the Tories by Stefan Krizanac in Dunstone.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

30 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Devon village becomes extension of Exeter as population soars – Broadclyst Neighbourhood Plan

Broadclyst is the biggest parish and the fastest growing parish in East Devon. And it has been growing whether locals liked it or not.

Daniel Clark www.devonlive.com 

The population is estimated to have increased by two thirds over the past ten years. And that growth isn’t going to stop, with around 4,000 more homes set to be built in Westclyst and Tithebarn near its borders.

Historically, the main settlement and largest population was in Broadclyst Village, with smaller settlements at Westclyst, Budlake and Beare along the B3181, Columbjohn and Westwood in the rural north, and settlements at Broadclyst Station and Blackhorse along on the old A30. In the future, both Westclyst and Tithebarn will be where the largest communities of Broadclyst reside in the near future.

Once a rural haven mainly covered by forest and woodland, the rolling green countryside with wooded hills and broad floodplains, has been replaced by homes as the village becomes an extension of Exeter, where high density and new strategic development is being built. But the parish is trying to at least wrestle back some control.

A Neighbourhood Plan aims to change the community’s position from reactive to proactive, creating a Plan for the parish, as a clear mandate from the community and a proactive way to move forward was created. Local say they have been unable to stop the large strategic development allocated as part of the East Devon Local Plan, and ‘remains at the mercy of the District Council’s decisions who do not necessarily address local needs’.

When they went to the polls on it, 88 per cent of voters were in favour of the Broadclyst Neighbourhood Plan. That plan outlines the vision for Broadclyst, the infrastructure demands they are making, and sites for small scale development to occur within the parish itself. Having been agreed by East Devon District Council’s cabinet, it now become part of the development framework for the region.

THE PARISH

Broadclyst Parish is located around 3km (1.5miles) to the north east of Exeter City Centre. The western boundary lies next Pinhoe while the south-eastern boundary abuts to Cranbrook. There is coalescence between the Parish and Exeter, making it difficult to known where one boundary stops and the other starts.

It is the biggest Parish in East Devon and is the biggest growing Parish in East Devon with the population estimated to have increased by two thirds since 2011. It has an attractive rural setting and landscape character with the majority of the land belonging to the Killerton Estate owned and run by the National Trust.

The Killerton Estate houses are clearly identified throughout the Parish due to the recognizable vernacular of cream limewash / cream and brown sepia in combination with red brick, tile and local sandstone.

Historically the main settlement in Broadclyst Parish was Broadclyst Village with smaller settlements at Westclyst Budlake and Beare along the B3181. In the rural area lie the settlements of Columbjohn and Westwood. There are two further settlements at Broadclyst Station and Blackhorse both of which are in the south of the Parish lying close to the old A 30 road to London.

But new major strategic development at East Devon’s West End will continue until completion, to dramatically change the natural environment of this area of the Parish.

These developments bring forward new centres of population and commercial enterprise and the residential developments (projected number of 4,050 new houses) at West Clyst, and Tithebarn will result in a large population influx. Historically the main settlement and largest population was in Broadclyst Village, however both Westclyst and Tithebarn will be where the largest communities of Broadclyst reside in the near future.

Broadclyst Neighbourhood Plan’s Vision Statement says: “Our vision is for the parish to continue to develop and thrive, meeting the changing and diverse needs of our rapidly growing community and its responsibility to tackle national and global issues including climate change, whilst preserving and enhancing our distinctive character and landscape.”

HOUSING

Strategic Development sites, which are already allocated for development and not subject to the Neighbourhood Plan, will bring forward yet more new houses in the Parish. This will see the biggest centre of population move away from Broadclyst Village to the two new settlements of Westclyst and Tithebarn.

At Westclyst, 466 homes at Pinn Court Farm are allocated for development, (with 196 still to be built). There are 956 allocated for Old Farm Park (380 still be to build), 71 at Taveners Field, at 35 at Moonhill Copse, with the Tithebarn Green/Mosshayne site allocated for 1,500 homes (362 still to be built). A further site for 150 homes at the Blackhorse Science Park is also in the planning process.. However, the Neighbourhood Plan allocates several smaller sites within the parish whereby development will be supported.

A site at Blackhorse Gardens in Blackhorse is allocated for homes, land at Broadclyst Station for 24 homes, of which 12 will be affordable houses and five self-build plots, and a children’s play park, and provision of land for a 5m pedestrian and cycle lane for the Cranbrook to Exeter Cycle route.

Land on the edge of Broadclyst Village is allocated for a small scale development to include the following: 16 Houses, while further land allocated to provide a new residential development for the Killerton Estate to 20 homes.

Proposals for new dwellings on allocated sites in the Neighbourhood Plan will be required to provide 50 per cent affordable housing for those with a local connection.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Historically, Broadclyst was a rural Parish where the main employment was farming, cider making and businesses supporting the rural population. But the Broadclyst Neighbourhood Plan says that it wants to promote economic development across the Parish and to provide new economic sites and mixed development sites across the Parish and to support specific economic growth and opportunities.

Broadclyst parish is a commuter settlement for Exeter with commuting by car being the predominant travel choice, but this choice has resulted in road capacity and safety issues, and with the construction of 5,000 new houses, the existing road networks are struggling to cope with movements in and out of Exeter and north to south across the Parish.

The Plan provides support for less commuting to work and to provide more employment within the Parish, and for regeneration of sites for business or mixed development and support for new business provision across the Parish, for work hubs and work live units, for food/ drink production businesses, an increase in provision of holiday accommodation and an increase of tourism related businesses.

The Beare Farm site is allocated to be regenerated to provide flexible commercial space for offices, food and/ or drink production, and small light industrial workshops, but proposals for Class B2 and B8 industrial uses will not be supported.

And an area of Elbury Farm is to be regenerated to provide a new mixed development for the Killerton Estate. This would include 10 new dwellings and the conversions of existing brick buildings to provide residential accommodation, a Nature Reserve visitor reception and facilities, and the demolition of agricultural buildings will facilitate a car park for visitors and residents and business units.

TOURISM

Broadclyst has long been regarded as a popular visitor destination attracting around 300,000 visitors a year, with the main attraction being is the Killerton Estate owned by the National Trust.

Ashclyst Forest and Danes Wood, both on the Killerton Estate, are also popular, with Ashclyst is one of the largest woods and a known haven for butterflies, bluebells and birds, with waymarked trails for exploring the wood and surrounding countryside.

But the plan says that visitor accommodation is very limited and does not cater for all sectors of the holiday market, as there are no public camping and caravan sites, no hotels, but there are very few bed and breakfast establishments, Airbnb and selfcatering holiday cottages, with the total accommodation provision is of 8-12 properties within the Parish.

The plans says: “The community recognises the contribution tourism makes to the local economy and is keen to promote an increase in visitor numbers and accommodation particularly outside the main holiday season but reflects that growth must be balanced against protection of the very features and attractions which appeal to visitors.”

Development of sustainable tourism in the Parish will be welcomed and supported throughout the Parish including provision of sustainable tourism promoting visitors’ enjoyment and understanding of zero carbon living, nature recovery, high quality local food and drink and local character, history and custom

New small-scale low-impact high-quality built holiday accommodation will be supported but proposals will need to demonstrate that such uses are in character in landscape, heritage and design terms and do not adversely impact the setting.

New holiday accommodation will be approved subject to the following condition in order to ensure the accommodation remains in holiday use and prevents its use for residential purposes or second home ownership.

Applications for the development of sustainable tourism- related camp sites would be welcomed & supported by the parish, particularly if they are sympathetic to the surrounding countryside, the plan says, adding: “Development proposals for the use of land for small-scale sustainable high-quality touring caravanning and /or camping sites offering a range of styles, types and qualities of camping (to include Yurts & Shepherd Huts, Pods & Lodges) will be supported.”

INFRASTRUCTURE

The Broadclyst Neighbourhood Plan supports the development of a route providing safe and direct access for pedestrians and cyclists between Broadclyst Village and Broadclyst Station in order to facilitate residents of Broadclyst Station to as: Clyst Vale Community College, Broadclyst Primary school, Killerton House, and Ashclyst Forest and to facilitate residents of Broadclyst Village travelling southwards to Cranbrook Town Centre, Cranbrook Train station, Blue Hayes Primary School, and the Cranbrook Education Campus

A bridge over the Waterloo – Exeter Railway line is also supported by the Plan for cyclists and pedestrians to enable people to safely access Broadclyst Station, Cranbrook, Cranbrook railway station from the north and centre of the Parish.

Station Road is the most direct route from Broadclyst village, to Broadclyst Station and onwards to the A30. With the Build out of Cranbrook Blue Hayes phase this will be an even busier route and this route is unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists, the Plan says, adding: “To minimise the impact of the Cranbrook Western traffic and to satisfy the community’s evidenced aspiration, a bridge over the railway is supported.”

Proposals for the development of a bridge to take into consideration that the route to and from the bridge must connect into Cranbrook Western expansion cycle and pedestrian infrastructure, the bridge must be within easy walking distance to Cranbrook Railway Station and the bridge and associated infrastructure must provide safe access for residents.

The benefits of the bridge could include reduced traffic congestion for Broadclyst Parish residents by being able to access rail and bus at Cranbrook without using cars, increased use of road by Broadclyst Station and Cranbrook residents walking and or cycling to Clyst Vale Community College, provision of infrastructure which provides an environmentally friendly, reduced carbon emissions options due to reduced vehicular traffic, healthier lifestyle by encouraging station access by bicycle and on foot, facilitating access to Cranbrook Blue Hayes Country Park for Broadclyst village residents, and to provides a safe non-vehicular option for Cranbrook residents to access Broadclyst village and onwards to Killerton, Silverton Mill and Ashclyst.

Councillor Olly Davey, EDDC’s Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning, said: “Neighbourhood Plans are an excellent tool for communities to express their vision and aspirations for the future development of their area. They can influence where development takes place, and the type of development they wish to see. They can give communities control over the design and appearance of new developments, and the infrastructure they should contain or support, to ensure that the whole community benefits from them.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

30 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Plan to ‘reinvent Exmouth’ gathers pace as the focus falls on town centre improvements

Derelict and unoccupied buildings in Exmouth could be used as part of a plan to make the town centre more attractive to visitors, workers and residents.

An ambitious scheme to ‘reinvent Exmouth’ is gathering pace, writes local democracy reporter Guy Henderson. eastdevonnews.co.uk 

It follows a ‘placemaking plan’ launched last year, which aims to make the seaside town a better place for residents and visitors.

Its mission, according to East Devon District Council (EDDC) and consultants WSP, is ‘understanding and harnessing the value of Exmouth’s assets through a set of interconnected actions that reimagine and reinvent Exmouth as a cohesive place where people choose to live, work and spend time’.

In practical terms, the new study will explore ways to diversify Exmouth’s economy by looking beyond tourism, and improving the town centre.

Unoccupied and derelict areas will be targeted while maintaining the town’s character to continue to attract visitors.

Workshops will be held to talk to residents and other stakeholders before the proposals move to the next stage.

At a meeting of the council’s ‘placemaking in Exmouth town and seafront group’ this week, project manager Gerry Mills paid tribute to the local team who had secured 56 events for the seafront area as well as the return of a big wheel, which went up last week.

“They are extremely hard-working,” he said. “And they deliver so much more than we actually see.”

Council leader Paul Arnott (Lib Dem, Coly Valley) said it was ‘excellent’ to see the town so busy, but Cllr Olly Davey (Green, Exmouth Town) said the town’s transport links continued to be a problem.

“It would be good if people didn’t all come in their cars and we had a much better connection between the train station and the seafront,” he said.

“The words look great, but it will all be about what it looks like on the ground. Something has got to change, something has got to be built, or un-built, or re-built.”

Exmouth Town Council member Graham Deasy (Lib Dem, Littleham) urged the ‘placemakers’ to examine the long-term impact of climate change. He said: “I would like to see it included from the start, to accommodate what we are seeing and the potential effects on us as a tourist destination.”

Mr Mills replied: “Climate change strategy is at the core of this. It came across loud and clear during the consultation that the environment was considered to be an extremely high priority.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

29 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Comments

2 Comments

Second homes and holiday pay neither business or council tax

Dear Owl,

I thought you and your readers may not be aware of this fact about second homes and holiday lets.

Real estate firm Colliers estimate that in Cornwall 12,065 holiday let properties DO NOT PAY either business rates or council tax.

Local authorities miss out on millions as holiday let crackdown backfires (telegraph.co.uk)

You can bet that Devon figures are not far behind!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

29 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Simon Jupp meets with South West Water in Sidmouth

Simon Jupp urges South West Water to move swiftly on their £30 million investment plans for water infrastructure in Sidmouth & Tipton St John.

Owl suggests a re-read of:

More hand wringing from Jupp on Sewage

Richard Foord: Tory fanfare sewage announcement with two faces 

“Trusted source” throws doubt on Jupp and Skinner sewage claims for Sidmouth

Adam Manning www.sidmouthherald.co.uk

The MP for East Devon met with South West Water’s Chief Executive, Susan Davy, in Sidmouth on July 26.

Visiting their Wastewater Treatment Works (STW) site and storm overflow at The Ham in Sidmouth, Simon Jupp MP welcomed South West Water’s investment plans which were signed off for acceleration by the government earlier this year to reduce storm overflow spills and improve water quality in the area. Prior to the announcement of these plans, the East Devon MP had called for further investment from South West Water during a debate he led on the company’s performance in Parliament.  

As part of the investment package, sites in Sidmouth and Tipton St John are set to receive £30 million from South West Water for infrastructure upgrades. On top of this, the Axminster-Kilmington water treatment site is set to receive £7.3 million from South West Water. This work is to help reduce nutrient pollution to further protect East Devon’s waterways.

During the meeting, Simon Jupp MP also raised his concerns over the ongoing Ofwat investigation into South West Water’s wastewater treatment works and leakage reporting as well as the company’s overall performance. Whilst its performance has improved, South West Water’s Chief Executive acknowledged that there is more to do moving forward.

This followed a meeting between the East Devon MP and Chief Executive of Ofwat, David Black, on July 19th in Parliament to discuss the stronger powers granted to regulators by the government to hold water companies to account. Ofwat has enforcement powers to fine up to 10 per cent of company turnover for breaches of its license or other relevant requirements of the law.

Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, said: “We are so lucky to live in East Devon’s beautiful environment and I am passionate about protecting it. I am working hard to get South West Water to go further and faster in cleaning up our water. The multi-million-pound accelerated infrastructure investment in Sidmouth, Tipton St John and Axminster announced earlier this year was a positive step towards this, but I urged the Chief Executive to get works completed as swiftly as possible during my meeting in Sidmouth. In the meantime, I will continue to work with regulators – now armed with additional enforcement powers by this Conservative government – to protect our precious countryside, coastline and waterways.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

29 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Plymouth shooting victims’ families make heartbreaking statement

The families of those who died during the Keyham shootings have spoken of their disappointment that the police force which gave the killer his shotgun certificate back weeks before the massacre continues to place the public at risk.

[IOPC has: “Concerns about the force’s backlog of applications for licences, which had been caused by inefficient processes, inadequate IT systems and the force not taking legitimate opportunities to reduce demand. And they highlighted the force’s inappropriate use of temporary permits, which should only be used in exceptional circumstances.

They found temporary permits were being used to help manage volumes, which they said is against statutory guidance and must stop.”]

See: Hernandez tells Police and Crime Panel gun licensing department “working safely”

Sarah Elmes www.plymouthherald.co.uk

In just eight minutes, Jake Davison, 22, killed his mother Maxine, 51, and then shot dead three-year-old Sophie Martyn, her father Lee, 43, Stephen Washington, 59, and Kate Shepherd, 66. He then turned the weapon on himself as he was confronted by an unarmed police officer on August 12 2021 in Keyham, Plymouth.

A review by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services said improvements have been made to Devon and Cornwall Police’s firearms licensing unit but concerns remained over a backlog in processing applications and the improper use of temporary permits.

Lawyer Patrick Maguire, who represents the Martyn, Washington and Shepherd families, said: “We are extremely disappointed that, despite the jury at the inquest concluding that there were catastrophic failures within the firearms licensing unit of the Devon and Cornwall Police, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary flag issues that the force continues to place the public at risk.

“When the descriptors used by HMIC include words such as ‘inefficient, inadequate, improper and inappropriate’ it should be obvious to everyone that more work needs to be done to prevent anything like this happening again. We are disgusted that Devon and Cornwall Police have not implemented all of the coroner and Independent Office for Police Conduct’s recommendations.

“How many more people need to needlessly die before they do things properly?

“We had hoped that our loved ones’ deaths would not be in vain and that the force would do absolutely everything they could to prevent future deaths from happening. This does not appear to be the case.

“Nobody should be reassured by vague indications of progress having been made by Devon and Cornwall Police. The public want actions and not words. Until then, firearms licences will continue to get into the hands of unsuitable people.

“As families, we are united in calling for more fundamental change to the way firearms licences are granted in this country so that no other family has to endure the torment and grief we have been and are still going through.”

The police inspectorate was commissioned in April to undertake an urgent review of the force’s progress in implementing recommendations made by the IOPC and comments made by a coroner in their prevention of future deaths report.

Earlier this year an inquest jury criticised failings within the force’s firearms licensing unit, which handed the apprentice crane operator his shotgun back. Meanwhile, Ian Arrow, the senior coroner for Plymouth, called for a “root and branch” reform of the UK’s gun laws to protect the public.

He said the 50-year-old Firearms Act was at “odds with public safety and the fundamental principle that owning a gun is a privilege and not a right” and called for the legislative distinction between Section 1 firearms – such as rifles – and shotguns to be ended.

Inspectors said the force had made positive changes in several areas to improve its ability to assess a person’s suitability to possess firearms, including introducing a new management structure, hiring more staff and delivering extensive training. They said the force had implemented four of the five IOPC recommendations and made substantial progress on the comments made by the coroner.

But they had concerns about the force’s backlog of applications for licences, which had been caused by inefficient processes, inadequate IT systems and the force not taking legitimate opportunities to reduce demand. And they highlighted the force’s inappropriate use of temporary permits, which should only be used in exceptional circumstances.

They found temporary permits were being used to help manage volumes, which they said is against statutory guidance and must stop.

Devon and Cornwall Police have invested £4 million in the firearms licensing unit since the tragedy, with 100 staff handling the highest number of gun licence applications of any force in England and Wales.

Assistant Chief Constable Jim Pearce, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “I am pleased the review recognises that the force has now fully implemented four of the five recommendations and highlights positive areas such as leadership, a clear governance structure and decision making and investment in training and new systems. I acknowledge that there is still work to do, particularly in our backlog of renewal of firearms licences and our use of temporary permits.

“The safety of our communities across Devon and Cornwall remains our priority and we are absolutely focused on delivering a safe, efficient and sustainable firearms licensing service.”

Luke Pollard, Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: “To prevent a tragedy like Keyham and Ford’s from ever happening again, we need root and branch changes to gun laws.

“I welcome the progress made, but it is unacceptable that Devon and Cornwall Police have such a large backlog and a high reliance on issuing temporary permits. Temporary measures do not build confidence.

“The government must review gun laws and make licence holders pick up the bill for the full cost of firearms applications so that the police have the resources they need.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

29 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

PCC: Gun licensing department ‘working safely’

Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez has told councillors the force’s gun licensing department is “working safely.”

BBC News www.bbc.co.uk

(Not the usual selfie – Owl)

Ms Hernandez was briefing the Devon and Cornwall police and crime panel on Friday as the force was told it still needed to improve following the Keyham shootings.

“We have invested large amounts of money and have challenges, still, around efficiency – but I am reassured that it is now much safer,” she said.

She said she would support a rise in gun license application fees.

Labour councillor Chris Penberthy asked the commissioner to provide data to show the extent to which gun licensing is being subsidised by taxpayers in Devon and Cornwall.

He said the current difference between income generated and the cost of processing each licence meant money was being diverted from other areas of policing.

Mr Penberthy added: “People have a choice of owning a gun, and if they choose to have a gun they should be covering costs.”

Ms Hernandez said she would provide the data after the meeting, adding: “The fees issue is a really interesting one – it has been one of my upsets – I’m very happy to get that data.”

The commissioner said she supported an increase in gun licence application fees, but did not support so-called full cost recovery.

She said: “The challenge we’ve got is how can it still be £79.50 for five years when the gun costs more than that.

“I think gun users accept that it’s time for change…but I’m not into full cost recovery, because that drives inefficiencies and puts all of the burden on the applicant.”

While the BBC does not have figures for Devon and Cornwall, Freedom of Information data showed that some forces are spending up to £500 processing each licence.

Ms Hernandez also told the panel she will support Plymouth City Council with its attempts to get the government to pay its costs for holding the inquest in to the Plymouth Shootings.

Labour councillor Sally Hayden told her it had cost the council £400,000.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

29 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

PCC says ‘jurisdictional issues’ delayed police chief’s suspension

A police and crime commissioner has blamed “jurisdictional issues” for delays in suspending a chief constable who is accused of a serious criminal offence.

(Owl feels none the wiser.)

www.bbc.co.uk

Will Kerr was suspended by Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez following allegations of misconduct.

The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has also launched a criminal investigation into “serious allegations of sexual offences“.

Mr Kerr has “strenuously” denied any allegations of criminality.

Ms Hernandez told the Police and Crime Panel on Friday she first referred the allegations made against Mr Kerr to the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) on 23 March.

On April 20 the IOPC closed the referral saying it did not consider it had jurisdiction over the issue.

The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has been investigating serious allegations of sexual offences since 16 June.

Ms Hernandez told the panel that on 19 July, after new information came to light, the IOPC told her that it had reviewed its position and asked her to submit a referral.

On 24 July Ms Hernandez suspended Mr Kerr.

The commissioner said her decision-making had been hampered by a “distinct lack of clarity” about which board was responsible for overseeing a complaint of this nature.

Ms Hernandez said she was “frustrated” that she had not been “presented with any evidence to support the case made against Mr Kerr”.

The ombudsman said it “would not, however, share evidential material pertaining to an investigation” and that it was aware Ms Hernandez had been briefed of the allegations in March.

‘Move swiftly’

An IOPC spokesperson said there were complications in situations that involved two jurisdictions but that it had “regularly and appropriately” briefed and updated Ms Hernandez from the outset.

The IOPC said that when the initial referral was received from the commissioner it was limited to the allegations of criminal conduct, which was something it did not have the authority to investigate as it was alleged to have happened outside its jurisdiction.

It said it subsequently requested a second referral from the commissioner so it could investigate the alleged misconduct issues which did fall under its remit.

Ms Hernandez added: “The delays caused in this case are less than ideal for all concerned. I hope now that all agencies will move swiftly to bring this case to a resolution.”

On Wednesday, Mr Kerr said: “In relation to the statement from the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland… I strenuously deny any allegations of criminality.

“I recognise and respect the fact that accountability and due process are vital to any investigation, regardless of rank or position,” he continued, in a statement reported by PA.

“I will continue to co-operate with any investigation. I hope that all matters will be expedited so that they will be concluded without delay.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

28 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Teignbridge Lib Dems accused of ‘control-freakery’

Yah-boo!

Lib Dem Teignbridge Council has been accused of ‘control freakery’ after changing the way council officers deal with more than £9 million in government cash earmarked for Newton Abbot’s town centre redevelopment.

Guy Henderson, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk

Councillors have voted to stop delegating decisions on projects for the centre cinema and market hall to officers, and bring them back under the control of the executive committee.

But opposition councillors claim it could lead to more delays.

The government has earmarked £9.2 million from its Future High Street Fund to projects including Queen Street and cycle route improvements, as well as the controversial cinema and market hall elements.

Queen Street and the cycle route projects are underway, but the others have missed important milestones and there is a deadline to spend the money by March next year.

A motion by council leader Martin Wrigley (Lib Dem, Dawlish NE) said: “Progress on the market hall regeneration and the cinema has been disappointingly slow for a variety of reasons. It is likely that changes to these projects may be required due to cost inflation and economic changes since 2019 and the delays since November 2022.

“The cinema has yet to obtain planning permission after nearly four years of the project. The council is concerned that the projects are progressing without detailed oversight.

“It is not the intention to stop the work, but to deliver the projects in a timely manner.”

Cllr Wrigley said covid and the economic crisis means the situation is ‘almost unrecoverable’, but the new arrangement would allow the council to be more flexible.

“We have a very different world out there now,” he said. “We have not delivered where we imagined that we would, and time is short going forward.”

But Conservative group leader Phil Bullivant (Bradley) said he was ‘embarrassed’ by the motion which ‘drove a coach and horses’ through council procedures.

“The people of Newton Abbot deserve better,” he said. “We should be supporting our officers rather than seeking to hand the keys of the institution to the inmates.”

Cllr Andrew MacGregor (South Devon Alliance Independent, Bishopsteignton) said making officers report back to the council more often, as would happen if Cllr Wrigley’s motion succeeded, would only cause more delays.

And, he added: “It is not clear how any of this is going to work. What we are talking about is control freakery on the part of the executive.”

But Cllr Wrigley hit back: “There have been no delays as a result of indecision. The executive has not messed this up.

“We need to do something differently to achieve the delivery of a project that has not been delivered over the past four years.

“Circumstances have changed substantially, and we need to be able to change the approach we are taking.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

28 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Britain loses 6,000 retail outlets in five years as shops close

Britain has lost 6,000 storefronts in five years, new figures show, with financial pressures forcing shop owners to close their stores and leave cities with undesirable “gap-toothed high streets”.

www.theguardian.com 

Covid, the cost of living crisis and “crippling” business rates are causing businesses to desert retail spaces, and local councils must come up with a “cohesive plan” to invigorate shopping areas, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) warned.

The overall vacancy rate increased to 13.9% across Britain in the second quarter of this year, a 0.1 percentage point drop on the first quarter but 0.1 points up on the same period last year, according to the BRC’s Local Data Company (LDC) vacancy monitor.

Shopping centre vacancies remain unchanged from the first quarter at 17.8%, but high street vacancies increased 0.1% to 13.9%.

Greater London, the south-east and the east of England maintained the lowest vacancy rates, with London improving over the last quarter due to new flagship stores as well as a rise in office workers and tourists.

The highest vacancy rates were in the north-east and the Midlands, followed by Wales and Scotland.

The BRC chief executive, Helen Dickinson, said: “The past five years saw Britain lose 6,000 retail outlets, with crippling business rates and the impact of the Covid lockdowns a key part of decisions to close stores and think twice about new openings.

“To inject more vibrancy into high streets and town centres, and prevent further store closures, government should review the broken business rates system.

“Currently, there’s an additional £400m going on retailers’ bills next April, which will put a brake on the vital investment that our towns and cities so desperately need.

“The government announcement earlier in the week about making changes of use to vacant units easier is welcome but it’s important local councils have a cohesive plan, and don’t leave gap-toothed high streets that are no longer a customer destination and risk becoming inviable. Government should go one step further and freeze rates bills next year.”

Lucy Stainton, commercial director at the LDC, said: “Across all location types, vacancy has reached critical levels, highlighting an ever-increasing need to redevelop units to breathe life back into retail destinations.

“With the continuing trend in mind, we do not foresee any improvements to vacancy rates in future. However, given that the latest rises in vacancy have not been particularly significant, we anticipate that any increases in the near future will be gradual.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

28 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Sovereign breaks ground on eco-friendly and affordable homes near Exeter

A new development of 69 affordable and eco-friendly homes is underway near Exeter. Councillors from East Devon District Council (EDDC) and Broadclyst Parish Council joined housing association Sovereign to celebrate work starting on new affordable and sustainable homes this week.

Lewis Clarke www.devonlive.com 

Ground was broken by Cllr Olly Davey, portfolio holder for strategic planning at EDDC, alongside the chair of Broadclyst Parish Council, Henry Massey.

The homes at Moonhill Rise will be the first built to the highest rating in Sovereign’s Homes and Place Standard for sustainable homes, which was created alongside Sovereign customers.

James Gibson, regional development director at Sovereign said: “We are delighted to celebrate the beginning of what is designed to be a thriving community for many decades. It’s always an exciting moment as work gets underway on a place that will become people’s home, but this is even more exciting as these will be the first homes built to match our bold new sustainability and customer wellbeing ambitions.

“We know that many people need an affordable place to live, so we’d encourage anyone who may have a place that could become new homes to contact us. In doing so, and by working with us, they’ll be part of a growing legacy which is delivering more affordable, sustainable homes for people who need them.”

Cllr Olly Davey, portfolio holder for strategic planning at EDDC said: “I’m pleased to have been invited to see the start of this new development of high quality affordable homes which will make an important contribution to the need for more homes in the housing association rental and shared ownership sector.”

Mat Vye, associate director at E G Carter and Company Ltd said: “We are delighted to have commenced another highly sustainable land led development on behalf of Sovereign and we look forward to welcoming residents to their new homes”.

The completed homes will include one and two-bed maisonettes, bungalows and two-four bed houses. Once completed, the homes will be available for either shared ownership or social rent. The development is expected to complete by summer 2026.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

27 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Delay in suspending Chief Constable questioned

“The Conservative police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Devon and Cornwall, Alison Hernandez, knew about the allegations since at least April, but did not suspend Kerr.”

“Prior to the announcement, senior policing and Whitehall sources had told the Guardian they were concerned that failing to suspend Kerr could damage confidence, and believed a more junior officer would have been suspended if allegations of a similar gravity had been made against them.”

Devon and Cornwall police chief investigated over serious allegations of sexual offences

Vikram Dodd www.theguardian.com 

The chief constable of Devon and Cornwall police is under criminal investigation over serious allegations of sexual offences, the police watchdog for Northern Ireland has announced.

Will Kerr has been under investigation for several months over allegations dating back to his time as a senior officer in the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). He has “strenuously denied” any wrongdoing.

Kerr was suspended from duty by the police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall on Wednesday, and the police watchdog for England and Wales announced an independent investigation into him.

There are now multiple criminal and disciplinary investigations under way. Initially, the public reason given for his suspension was for misconduct issues. But the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland later confirmed that it was investigating allegations of sexual assault against Kerr. Sources have told the Guardian these include rape.

In a response on Wednesday night, Kerr said: “In relation to the statement from the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland in which she named me as being the subject of a criminal investigation into serious allegations of sexual offences, I strenuously deny any allegations of criminality.

“I recognise and respect the fact that accountability and due process are vital to any investigation, regardless of rank or position,” he continued. “I will continue to cooperate with any investigation. I hope that all matters will be expedited so that they will be concluded without delay.”

Before the announcement by the ombudsman, rulings made by judges on privacy had left news organisations unable to report the allegations of sexual assault against a serving chief constable.

Kerr, whose suspension comes eight months after he became chief, has not been arrested.

The Conservative police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Devon and Cornwall, Alison Hernandez, knew about the allegations since at least April, but did not suspend Kerr.

Prior to the announcement, senior policing and Whitehall sources had told the Guardian they were concerned that failing to suspend Kerr could damage confidence, and believed a more junior officer would have been suspended if allegations of a similar gravity had been made against them.

Solicitor Debaleena Dasgupta, of the Centre for Women’s Justice, said the failure to suspend Kerr for months after the criminal investigation began was a betrayal of the promises policing had made to change after the David Carrick case and other scandals.

“I think that women’s confidence in the police is at its lowest point ever,” she said. “What they have been promised when issues arise was that they will be tackled immediately and as a matter of urgency.

“The failure to suspend and waiting four months, is a betrayal of that promise from the police.”

Stephen White, former chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, and also the former acting PCC in Durham, said: “Suspension is a neutral act. Regular officers get suspended in relation to misconduct frequently. It beggars belief that there is a different rule for a chief constable facing a serious criminal allegation.

“Junior officers will feel, as may the public, that not suspending a chief constable facing serious allegations is hypocrisy. Public trust in the police is dependent on the public believing that when things go wrong, they will be dealt with properly.”

Lord Paddick, a former deputy assistant commissioner in the Metropolitan police and the Liberal Democrat spokesperson on home affairs in the House of Lords, said: “This raises questions about whether the system of police governance is really working.”

PSNI started investigating the allegations earlier this year, but last month the watchdog in the province, the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, used its legal powers to take over the criminal inquiry. It has also decided to investigate whether PSNI mishandled the allegations of sexual assault when they were first made in 2016.

The allegations date from Kerr’s 27 years serving in PSNI, which he left having reached the rank of assistant chief constable.

Sources have told the Guardian that one issue referred by the PCC to the police watchdog that directly led to the decision relates to vetting. The other reason was any potential discipline issues that come from the criminal investigation into the alleged sexual assaults, which could see disciplinary charges even if there are no criminal charges.

An IOPC spokesperson said: “Following assessment of a referral from the police and crime commissioner, we have decided to investigate allegations of misconduct against the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall police, Will Kerr.”

The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland said: “The Police Ombudsman commenced a criminal investigation into serious allegations of sexual offences against a former PSNI senior officer, currently the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall, on 16 June 2023 …

“The ombudsman will also consider the circumstances under which the allegations were investigated by PSNI.

“The office has been engaging with the IOPC on cross-jurisdictional issues in recent weeks, as well as with the office of the Devon and Cornwall police and crime commissioner.”

Kerr has been the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall since December 2022, having been headhunted by Hernandez for the post.

He took over the Devon and Cornwall force after it was placed in special measures by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, the policing inspectorate. It was criticised over the Plymouth shootings in 2021 in which five people were shot dead, with the gunman then killing himself. Police had handed a firearm back to the gunman weeks before he went on the rampage, having previously revoked his licence.

Kerr joined from Police Scotland, where he was deputy chief constable. Before that he served at the National Crime Agency, as well as spending more than two decades in the PSNI, where he reached the rank of assistant chief constable.

For any other rank, the appropriate authority to decide on whether an allegation merits suspension would be the chief constable of the force. But the authority when the allegation is against the chief constable is the police and crime commissioner.

Another senior source told the Guardian that Kerr’s suspension raised concerns about the resilience of the force.

Kerr took leave after the allegations against him first surfaced. He returned to work and in May chaired a disciplinary panel convened by his force, where he sacked an officer for lying about the GCSE grade he got in a maths exam when a teenager.

A fortnight ago he represented his force at the annual police bravery awards in central London, surrounded by his fellow chief constables, some of whom knew of the allegations he faced.

Jim Colwell, the acting chief constable of Devon and Cornwall police, said: “I am keen to reassure the public that we will maintain our focus on delivering the best possible service to our communities.

“Public trust and confidence are at the very heart of our ability to police effectively and we are incredibly proud that in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly we have the support of our communities.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

27 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Plans to scrap homelessness budget in Devon to be discussed Today

Cutting a £1.5m homelessness budget in Devon could lead to the closure of five homeless hostel services, charities have claimed.

By Miles Davis www.bbc.co.uk

The possible scrapping of the budget will be discussed by Devon County Council members on Thursday.

Charities said losing the money could also lead to the closure of a service working with people to prevent them becoming homeless.

The council has previously said it “simply” cannot afford the fund.

A special meeting has been convened to assess the impact with a final decision by the council on 23 August.

Charities said homeless numbers were increasing in the county.

Exeter homelessness charity St Petrock’s is leading a coalition of organisations opposing the proposed cuts.

The charity’s CEO, Peter Stephenson, said the council was correct in saying it did not have a statutory duty to prevent homelessness but Mr Stephenson said this “sidesteps the key issue”.

He said: “This funding provides support for people in huge need facing acute disadvantage, many of whom will otherwise need Adult Social Care intervention at Devon’s expense if this support is stripped away.

“Furthermore, if they lose this support, those teetering on the edge of needing Adult Social Care will experience a dramatic downturn in their wellbeing.

“It’s hard to see how these cuts represent any financial saving overall.”

‘Dangerous and short-sighted’

Homeless Link, the national membership body for frontline homelessness services, said the council’s own impact assessment found about 250 people received support through the funding.

Peter Smith, Homeless Link’s director of sector development, said cutting the funding would be a “dangerous and short-sighted decision”.

He said: “Not only will it cause a sharp rise in rough sleeping, it will also be placing additional strain on valuable health and social care services, meaning the proposed savings represent a false economy.”

Devon County Council did not respond to a request for comment ahead of the meeting on Thursday.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

27 Jul 2023

Posted under

Misc

Plans to ‘reinvent’ Exmouth

An ambitious scheme to ‘reinvent Exmouth’ is gathering pace. 

It follows a ‘placemaking plan’ launched last year, which aims to make the seaside town a better place for residents and visitors.

Guy Henderson, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk

Its mission, according to East Devon District Council and consultants WSP, is ‘understanding and harnessing the value of Exmouth’s assets through a set of interconnected actions that reimagine and reinvent Exmouth as a cohesive place where people choose to live, work and spend time’.

In practical terms, the new study will explore ways to diversify Exmouth’s economy by looking beyond tourism, and improving the town centre.

Unoccupied and derelict areas will be targeted while maintaining the town’s character to continue to attract visitors.

Workshops will be held to talk to residents and other stakeholders before the proposals move to the next stage.

At a meeting of the council’s ‘placemaking in Exmouth town and seafront group’ this week, project manager Gerry Mills paid tribute to the local team who had secured 56 events for the seafront area as well as the return of a big wheel, which went up last week.

“They are extremely hard-working,” he said. “And they deliver so much more than we actually see.”

Council leader Paul Arnott (Lib Dem, Coly Valley) said it was ‘excellent’ to see the town so busy, but Cllr Olly Davey (Green, Exmouth Town) said the town’s transport links continued to be a problem.

“It would be good if people didn’t all come in their cars and we had a much better connection between the train station and the seafront,” he said.

“The words look great, but it will all be about what it looks like on the ground. Something has got to change, something has got to be built, or un-built, or re-built.”

Exmouth Town Council member Graham Deasy (Lib Dem, Littleham) urged the ‘placemakers’ to examine the long-term impact of climate change. He said: “I would like to see it included from the start, to accommodate what we are seeing and the potential effects on us as a tourist destination.”

Mr Mills replied: “Climate change strategy is at the core of this. It came across loud and clear during the consultation that the environment was considered to be an extremely high priority.”