Part of your local £15.7m Levelling Up project which includes the completion of the Dinan Way extension, ten years late!- Owl

Public drop-in event Today, Thursday 27 July, at LED Exmouth Leisure Centre.

www.devon.gov.uk

Devon County Council is proposing to improve walking and cycling facilities in the area around Exmouth railway station. By encouraging more active travel, particularly for shorter journeys, we can help reduce congestion on our busy roads and improve connectivity across the town. This will also help reduce carbon emissions by encouraging people to use sustainable modes of travel.

As well as increasing footfall, and bringing benefits to local businesses, the proposals are also designed to make the area a safer, more welcoming, and more pleasant place for all.

Background to the proposals

These proposals form part of the Destination Exmouth project, which is funded by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, Devon County Council, East Devon District Council and Exmouth Town Council. The project aims to create an Exmouth Gateway – a transport interchange that enables people to travel across town by bicycle, on foot or by bus more easily, reducing the town’s reliance on cars. Below is a concept drawing of the area, which was submitted as part of the original funding application and gives an indication of potential proposals we are looking at implementing.

Concept drawing of the area which was submitted as part of the original funding application (Click here to see the full PDF of the drawing)

About the proposals

A range of improvements are being considered, including:

• dedicated cycling space and wider footways to make it safer and easier to travel between the station, bus stop, estuary, town centre and seafront
• safer, more convenient crossing points, including raised tables to encourage slower vehicle speeds
• better signage, so travelling from the station to the town and seafront is more straightforward
• electric vehicle charging and e-bike docking, making it easier to use green modes of transport
• upgraded bus stop facilities for a better public transport experience
• closure of the existing subway, with the removal of the access ramps providing space for these improvements

Have your say

We would like to hear your views, so please complete the survey by Monday 21 August at 11:59pm.

When submitting your comments, please bear in mind that the funding we have received from central Government is specifically designed to help improve the area around Exmouth railway station, including making it easier to navigate on foot or by bike.

We are also holding a public drop-in event on Thursday 27 July at LED Exmouth Leisure Centre. Members of the project team will be available between midday and 4pm to answer your questions and to discuss your ideas for the area.

Following the end of the engagement period we will consider your comments. We are planning to hold a formal public consultation on more detailed and specific proposals later in the year.

At last the local Tory publicity machine has cranked into gear and formally announced the candidate who was selected last week. (Missing this week’s print edition of the Journal.)

Who is he, what does he stand for and what connections, if any, does he have with the constituency? 

This announcement is singularly uninformative. – Owl

Adam Manning www.exmouthjournal.co.uk 

David Reed has been selected to represent the Local Conservative Party for Exmouth & Exeter East constituency at the next general election.

A meeting was held on Thursday (July 20) at Exmouth Community College, local Conservatives met to elect a new candidate to stand in Exmouth and East Exeter.

Yesterday (July 24), it was announced that Liberal Democrat MP Richard Foord will stand for the new Honiton & Sidmouth constituency at the next election, promising to make local health services his main focus if re-elected.

David Reed is a former Royal Marine with strong family links to the area.

Mr Reed said: “I have a strong desire to make Exmouth & Exeter East the best it can be and I’m eager to engage with residents and address the pressing issues in the constituency.

“I am humbled and honoured to have been selected as the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Exmouth & Exeter East.

“With a strong work ethic and a commitment to long-term solutions, I am ready to serve the entire constituency diligently.”

Simon Jupp, the current MP for East Devon, who will be standing for the new Honiton and Sidmouth constituency in the next general election, has congratulated David and welcomed him to the team.

He said: “Congratulations to David on his selection as the Conservative candidate for Exmouth & Exeter East.

“I am looking forward to working with him to help build on my work to secure £15.7m to deliver the Dinan Way extension, regeneration around Exmouth’s train station and a brand new state-of-the-art police station for the town.”

“As David Reed prepares to take on this important responsibility, he is keen to collaborate with the community, build a strong foundation and work tirelessly to address the concerns and aspirations of Exmouth & Exeter East constituents.”

Suspended Devon and Cornwall Police chief investigated over claims of ‘serious sexual offences’

The suspended chief constable of Devon and Cornwall police is being investigated over “serious allegations of sexual offences”, the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland, Marie Anderson, confirmed.

Martha McHardy www.independent.co.uk 

Chief Constable Will Kerr, who previously served with the Police Service of Northern Ireland for more than 27 years, was suspended on Wednesday after just eight months at Devon and Cornwall Police, following a crisis meeting that began on Friday.

Police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, Alison Hernandez, said she had made the decision to suspend him following allegations of misconduct.

The Chief Police Officers Staff Association said Mr Kerr was co-operating with the investigation, which it said related to “legacy misconduct matters” for which he had not yet been interviewed.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed it is now investigating the allegations against Mr Kerr. Meanwhile, a criminal investigation into “serious allegations of sexual offences” has been launched by the Northern Irish Police Ombudsman.

A statement from Marie Anderson 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, using her own motion powers.

“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.

“Details concerning the precise nature of the allegations and any early investigative actions remain confidential at this time.”

In a statement, the office of PCC for Devon and Cornwall said: “Alison Hernandez, the police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, has suspended the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall police, Will Kerr OBE KPM, following allegations of misconduct.

“The commissioner has referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which has confirmed it will commence an investigation.”

Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed deputy chief constable Jim Colwell will become acting chief constable in the meantime.

Mr Colwell said: “I am keen to reassure the public that we will maintain our focus on delivering the best possible service to our communities.

“We have thousands of dedicated and professional officers, staff and volunteers within our force and strong leadership throughout which, when pulled together, mean we can continue to make improvements at pace to provide our communities with the highest levels of service they deserve.”

One senior source told the Guardian that Mr Kerr’s suspension raised concerns about the resilience of the force, which was placed in special measures by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary before he took over in December 2022.

Devon and Cornwall police came under fire after the Keyham shootings in Plymouth in 2021 in which five people were shot dead before the gunman killed himself.

Police were criticised after handing a firearm back to the gunman weeks before the shooting, having previously revoked his licence.

Mr Kerr was previously deputy chief constable of Police Scotland. In a statement, Police Scotland said: “Will Kerr left Police Scotland in 2022. These allegations do not relate to his time at Police Scotland and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

He served with the Police Service of Northern Ireland for more than 27 years and reached the rank of assistant chief constable there, leading on both serious crime and counter-terrorism.

In 2015 he was made an OBE, and he received the King’s Police Medal in the New Year Honours earlier this year.

For backstory see: Tory angry outburst mars attempt to reset Council

Paul Arnott Local Press 

A few weeks ago, I attended the Local Government Association (LGA) conference in Bournemouth. After the pandemic years, it’s good to mingle with other council leaders and officers, as well as the helpful folk from the LGA. It cemented my view that those challenging years maybe created a need for a refreshed way of doing some things.

So last week, the Democratic Alliance ruling group tabled a motion that would allow for wide external engagement with nationally-established bodies to have a look under the bonnet for us. They’d talk freely to councillors and officers to make sure we are in good shape, and if or where we are not optimal to suggest some good ways forward. It’s not a revolution, it happens everywhere and in fact the LGA Peer Review element is due this year anyway.

Sadly, the Conservatives seem to be on national election manoeuvres already and with a string of personal insults against me (very classy) voted against this process. With one very honourable exception it should be added.

So, what did they not like about our Deputy Leader’s motion? Cllr Paul Hayward’s deeply considered proposals had benefitted from independent external advice and looked at the ways that we could improve the quality of the decision-making within the Council. At the start of a four-year term, it seemed obvious to us that we should refresh the council and its priorities.

The Democratic Alliance (including Lib Dems, Independents and Greens) voted for, as did the Labour Group, and other Independents including the three fine members from Cranbrook. Plus, that not-to-be-whipped lone Tory – and good for him. The Tories just got into a familiar lather of impotent fury and in some chaos voted against.

East Devon is a big business with you as our shareholders. Like every business we are being buffeted by high inflation, the aftermath of Covid, the tail winds of Brexit and reduced income. Meanwhile, the demands on us grow, especially amongst those in most need.

Before everyone heads for the lifeboats, I’d better be clear East Devon is not in the least a bad council and we are not delivering bad services. It’s pretty flipping good. But being good is only part of what we want to be. We believe that it is our duty to try to become the best Council in the South West and have set in hand a series of activities to help us become that. Perhaps this is not an aspiration of the weary Tory Group.

We have not produced a scheme of improvement by chance. We are being advised on governance and organisational issues by the LGA. Our local body, South West Councils, is advising us on staffing and training issues. Our proposals will cost next to nothing because most of the costs will be met by the grants given to the LGA by central government. However, we always want to safeguard your cash and make sure it is properly used. So, we have asked the council’s Director of Finance to work with us to cost up the proposals and provide a time table for it. That report will come back for formal approval.

I am sorry that the East Devon Tories acted in the way they did. Getting things better should be a priority for all 60 councillors. Indeed, as part of our motion we have established a working group on which all the Party leaders will sit to move forward the transformation. I really hope that they will now change their mind and commit themselves to help.

Residents of a Cornish harbour town have raised £1m to save their beloved community hospital three years after it was closed by the NHS, raising fears it would be turned into holiday flats.

Steven Morris www.theguardian.com 

The former Edward Hain Memorial hospital in St Ives, which was founded more than a century ago by a local shipping family, is to be turned into a new hub for health and wellness.

It will provide accessible – and free wherever possible – services to residents of the town and west Cornwall.

Lynne Isaacs, chair of the Edward Hain Centre, said: “The loss of our hospital was devastating. We’re thrilled that we can bring much-needed health services back to the town.”

Charities and health groups will provide support for people with conditions such as Parkinson’s, dementia and offer wellbeing and preventive services like food quality awareness, yoga and exercise.

The memorial hospital was founded by Sir Edward and Lady Catherine Hain in memory of their son, Edward “Teddy” Hain, killed by shellfire at Gallipoli in November 1915, the morning he was due to return home.

Put into trust for the benefit of St Ives, the hospital was taken over in 1948 by the newly formed NHS. In 2016, the hospitals closed its in-bed wards.

Despite a series of protests by the community, including an eye-catching demonstration involving 600 people in dressing gowns, complete closure came in 2020 and the NHS announced its plans to sell the building. Such is the demand for holiday homes in St Ives that the town council and residents worried it would be turned into apartments.

But the hospital’s League of Friends, who had raised funds for it since the 1960s, decided to try to buy it. Supported by local businesses and the community, fundraising events including music gigs, balls, coffee mornings, afternoon tea and golf competitions were held.

Among the contributors was 92-year-old Enid Deeble, who was a nurse at the hospital in the 1950s and who took part in a sponsored walk to help save the building.

The Liberal Democrat Cornwall councillor and health campaigner Andrew George described the friends as “magnificent”. However he accused the Tories of closing it down. “As the hospital was a gift to the community most locals don’t understand why they are obliged to pay through the nose to keep it as a community asset.”

The fundraising will continue to pay off a £400,000 mortgage that helped reach the target and more renovations and upgrades are needed.

Teddy Hain was the son of politician Sir Edward Hain. The family ran the Edward Hain Steamship Company, which provided work for generations of St Ives families.

The centre will celebrate its launch with an open weekend on 9 and 10 September.

Row erupts at parish council over poll about whether it should be dissolved.

Asher McShane www.lbc.co.uk

A terse confrontation between has gripped viewers as bile and simmering anger came to the fore at a meeting of Thornton-Le-Dale parish council.

In scenes similar to the Handforth Council meeting that went viral, the North Yorkshire parish council saw angry scenes when one councillor challenged the authority of another.

YouTube link here

Cllr Sandra Kathleen Bell challenged current seat holder Cllr Marguerite Markham, when she was reading out the results of a poll of residents, the majority of whom voted calling for the parish council to be dissolved.

A fortnight ago, a poll was held to determine whether villagers wanted to dissolve the parish council and elect another.

244 people voted, with 180 in favour of dissolution and just 64 supporting the current council. However, the parish council chose to dismiss the result as “undemocratic”, because only 16% of the village electorate voted.

Cllr Markham, reading out the numbers of the poll, was interrupted by Cllr Bell, dressed in pink, who told her: No, no that is not how our elections work.

“Sorry, first past the post, there’s no way that is appropriate. The way it’s put here is nonsense.”

But she is given short shrift by Cll Markham, who tells her: “Sandra, you are not chair, be quiet.”

Cllr Bell replies: “No I’m not, but neither are you acting in any democratic manner. You cannot report the results of the election they way they have here. It’s ridiculous.”

A member of the audience then catches her ire – and she scolds him: “Sorry are you a councillor at all? No that’s right you’ve never stood, I remember now.”

After further exchanges, including an extended awkward silence, the council then hear the majority of people who voted want them dissolved, but Cllr Markham says they will continue to serve.

Then after one further angry back and forth, the whole council, save the clerk, storm out of the meeting.

The heated exchange came after Cllr Markham was forced to berate one person in the audience for noise from their phone.

In the 2020 Handforth Parish Council meeting, chairman Brian Tolver told stand-in clerk Jackie Weaver she had ‘no authority’ to take charge.

She kicked out the chairman – and was lauded for standing up to him – after he angrily told her to ‘read the standing orders’ in an infamous sound-bite from the meeting.

Jobs in once-loved British seaside towns have plummeted by 50,000 in just ten years, Labour reveal today.

Natasha Clark www.thesun.co.uk

Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves last night vowed to “make our seaside towns great again” by slashing and reforming business rates, stopping sewage being pumped into the seas, and boosting tourism.

Holiday homeowners will have to register before letting out seaside properties – or face fines under Labour’s mission to save them from ruin.

Ms Reeves promised Sun readers she will crack down on second homeowners who leave properties empty while pretending to rent them out to holidaymakers.

They will bring in a mandatory licencing scheme like in Wales – where owners will have to sign up and pay a fee to rent out their holiday homes – in a bid to help protect communities in rural and coastal areas.

She visited Haven Primrose Valley Caravan Park in Filey where she tried her hand at bingo and making pizzas.

The firm’s seaside resorts – with three million visitors every year bringing in hundreds of jobs for locals – are helping to buck the trend of seaside towns in decline.

Ms Reeves told The Sun: “I love our seaside towns. 

“I have such happy memories of seaside holidays in Gower as a child – everyone has their own stories too.

“There are no better beaches in the world – and wherever you live, you’re never far from one.

“I want to make sure they are thriving again.”

And she’ll be dragging her kids to Cornwall this summer rather than taking them abroad, she revealed.

New stats show how seaside towns from Falmouth to Scarborough are lagging behind in economic growth as young people flock elsewhere for work.

Almost all seaside towns in England and Wales had a fall in employment levels between 2011 and 2021 – with falls of over 10 per cent for some towns.

Most towns had a lower employment rate than their region.

There was a fall in employment levels of almost 50,000 from 2011 to 2021.

But all of England and Wales saw jobs boosted by 1.1million.

Aberystwyth in Wales saw a staggering 26 per cent drop in jobs, losing 1,600 in a decade.

Cleethorpes saw 2,700 jobs go, 2,600 from Bournemouth, and Blackpool lost 1,800.

On average seaside towns only grew 12 per cent between 2009 and 2019 – compared to the UK as a whole by 20 per cent, the ONS analysis revealed.

The growth per job in real terms (growth value added) increased by, on average, three per cent across 35 seaside towns, compared to five per cent across the UK.

Lytham St Anne’s was the town with the lowest growth, with GVA per job falling by 32 per cent over a decad.

East Devon voters in Honiton and Sidmouth heading for the polls in the next General Election will find two familiar names in the showdown to become the new constituency’s Member of Parliament.

eastdevonnews.co.uk

Two of Devon’s MPs will go head-to-head for the same seat at the next general election, writes local democracy reporter Ollie Heptinstall

Due to a shake-up of constituencies, Tiverton & Honiton MP Richard Foord has announced he’ll be standing for the new Honiton & Sidmouth seat when we next go to the polls.

It means the Liberal Democrat will be taking on his Conservative neighbour Simon Jupp, the current East Devon MP, who was selected to stand for Honiton & Sidmouth by party members in February.

Simon Jupp, left and Richard Foord will go head-to-head for the same seat at the next General Election.

The Boundary Commission recently published its final recommendations for a shake-up of England’s map for general elections, which aims to give each MP roughly the same number of voters.

The changes will give Devon 13 MPs – up one on the existing 12 – although one will be split across Devon and Somerset in a new ‘Tiverton and Minehead’ constituency, which replaces part of the current Tiverton & Honiton seat.

East Devon’s current constituency is also being scrapped. There will instead be new ‘Honiton & Sidmouth’ and ‘Exmouth & East Exeter’ seats.

Mr Foord was first elected to parliament last summer, overturning a Tory majority of 23,000 in a by-election weeks before Boris Johnson was ousted from office, and after a scandal in which the former Conservative MP Neil Parish resigned.

Mr Jupp was part of the 2019 intake of new Conservative MPs who won a large majority at Westminster.

Announcing his candidacy, Mr Foord said: “I believe that everyone deserves a strong local champion, acting as their voice in parliament. This is what I like to think I have been over the past year and want to continue being – because there is so much that needs fixing.

“In spite of the brilliant people who work in the NHS locally, too many people are stuck on a long waiting list, can’t access dental treatment, or face hours of waiting for an ambulance to arrive. We’ve also seen our community hospitals hollowed out, losing beds that could be helping get people out of the RD&E.

“I have been listening to what experts and local people say will help address this. That’s why I’ve been calling for a Community Hospital Fund, have pushed for NHS dental contract reform, and lobbied for more support to cut waiting times in rural areas like ours.”

He added: “I will continue to work every day for everyone in Tiverton and Honiton, while also being a voice for people in parts of east Devon who also feel they’re being let down and taken for granted by this out of touch Conservative government.”

Reacting to Mr Foord also standing for the seat, Mr Jupp said he was “proud to be a candidate standing in Honiton  and Sidmouth who is lucky enough to live in the new constituency,” adding: “I have a proven track record of delivering action, not just words.”

He said: “Since I was elected in 2019, I have successfully secured a new school to replace Tipton St John Primary, £15.7 million from the levelling-up fund, a new police station for Exmouth and the planned reopening of Honiton’s police enquiry desk, and a confirmed banking hub for Sidmouth.

“Following my recent debate in parliament on South West Water’s poor performance, over £35 million of investment was announced for Sidmouth, Tipton St John and Axminster to clean up our rivers and coastline.”

Mr Jupp says he has “continued to meet residents in our towns and villages over the last few months and I won’t be taking any vote for granted.”

In February, Mr Jupp said he was “delighted” to be selected for the new constituency, explaining: “As a resident of Sidmouth, home is where the heart is and I’m standing where I’m incredibly proud to live.

“Since I was elected in 2019, I have successfully secured a new school to replace Tipton St John Primary, £15.7 million from the levelling-up fund, a new police station for Exmouth, and multi-million-pound support for Exeter Airport during the pandemic.

“I have a proven track record and will continue to work hard for everyone I represent in East Devon.”

Multiple complaints have been made to the council that rewilded areas in East Devon pose a crash risk to motorists and have stopped kids from playing.

eastdevonnews.co.uk

Children in East Devon are finding it hard to play football because the local council is letting long grass grow in favourite play areas, writes local democracy reporter Guy Henderson.

And overgrown roadside verges are creating an accident hazard, it’s been claimed.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) is one of many councils nationwide to ‘rewild’ some open spaces, allowing grass and wild flowers to take over. Letting the grass grow is good for the environment, and encourages birds and insects. It also help council budgets, cutting cash spent on maintenance.

But last week, members of East Devon’s overview committee heard calls for a new policy following complaints from local residents.

Committee chair Cllr Anne Hall ( Lib Dem, Exmouth Littleham) led calls to create ‘a more balanced approach’ and give the right impression to residents and tourists.

It should be in place in time for the spring growing season in 2024, she said. Numerous complaints had been received about children’s play areas where children normally play football, but now can’t due to long grass.

She is concerned that there is not enough management of the ‘no-mow’ policy.

“These places need to be managed so there is a reason for it rather than just leaving it long,” she said. “So you haven’t just got everything growing five feet tall and looking untidy.

“It needs to be managed rather than just being left. I’m all for biodiversity, but it needs to be done correctly.”

Cllr Ian Barlow (Independent, Sidmouth Town) added: “People say it’s just the council being lazy and just giving up, but that’s not the case. We need to look at this very carefully.”

And Cllr John Heath (Independent, Beer and Branscombe) said grass cutting around road junctions and cycle paths should be managed better, and that Devon County Council’s highways department should be lobbied to deal with long grass verges better.

He went on: “I am getting a number of complaints that when people are coming to junctions, they can’t see around them.

Cllr Hall said health and safety should be paramount, and there had recently been a crash at Honiton caused by an overgrown verge.

The Bishop of Exeter will use his final speech in the House of Lords to tell the government to pull its socks up and sort out the housing crisis in rural and coastal areas.

Radio Exe News www.radioexe.co.uk

The Rt. Rev’d Robert Atwell is retiring in September after nine years as Bishop of Exeter and two years in the House of Lords.

Today [Monday] he will address parliament’s upper house during a debate on Monday afternoon, where he will accuse the government of falling “woefully short” of its own affordable housing targets.

He will also list second homes and Airbnb properties as among the reasons for the lack of housing for people on low incomes.

According to recent research by Middlemarch Team Devon, the amount of rental properties listed as available in the county has fallen below 700.

Devon County Council data shows that, at the current rate, it will take 32 years to clear the backlog of people waiting for social housing. 

Bishop Robert wants the government to get its act together. He also says the Church has a “significant part to play,” as highlighted in the Coming Home report by the Archbishop’s Commission on Housing. 

He will say “Without partnership and systemic change, the spiral of deprivation will become more acute. We need cross-departmental working and cross-party agreement to forge a coherent long-term strategy that will secure good housing and the flourishing of our rural and coastal communities.”

Michael Gove has announced a £24m package including ‘super squads’ and relaxing planning rules, including developing more brownfield and retail units to deliver new homes

Harriet Clough www.pbctoday.co.uk 

The plan to relax planning rules follows the Government’s assertion that they will meet the target of building one million homes between 2019-24, despite a recent report from the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee stating that the government would not deliver 300,000 net new homes per year by the mid-2020s.

Prime minister Rishi Sunak reiterated over the weekend that the government would deliver the much-needed housing and housing secretary Micahel Gove added to this in his speech on Monday(24 July 2023), where he outlined the scheme.

Relaxing planning rules is intended to speed up the housebuilding process

In a statement released ahead of his speech, the Housing Secretary said: “Most people agree that we need to build more homes — the question is how we go about it.”

Citing regeneration in east London in the 1980s by the Docklands Development Corporation, the housing secretary said his plans would kick-start a “21st century renaissance for our great cities”.

The proposals included:

• a £24m training fund to develop skills needed to increase housebuilding
• a renewed effort on developing and building homes in cities rather than “concreting over the countryside”; with an increased focus on brownfield
• creating an Office for Place, which would aim to ensure new homes are delivered to both high aesthetic and functional quality
• Reviewing and relaxing planning rules such as permitted development rights, which would allow retail units, takeaways and betting shops to be converted into housing without needing planning permission

Questions have been raised about the standard of conversions

Councillor Shaun Davies, chairman of the LGA, said: “Premises such as offices, barns and shops are not always suitable for housing.

“Further expanding permitted development rights risks creating poor quality residential environments that negatively impact people’s health and wellbeing, as well as a lack of affordable housing or suitable infrastructure.

“It is disappointing that the Government have ignored their own commissioned research that concluded that homes converted through a planning application process deliver higher quality homes than those converted via permitted development rights.”

The first of these projects, a new “urban quarter” in Cambridge, has already met with criticism

Gove also announced that he was appointing Peter Freeman, chair of Homes England, to lead a “Cambridge delivery group”, aiming to build on the strong research and innovation market in the area by providing housing for more professionals.

But local responses have ranged from angry to vehemently angry.

Cambridgeshire County Council leader, Cllr Lucy Nethsingha said she was “deeply angry and frustrated”, and Conservative MP for South Cambridgeshire Anthony Browne condemned the plans in light of the fact that natural resources in Cambridge were already overstretched.

He later described the plans as “dead on arrival”.

The opposition decried the announcement as more ‘empty promises’

Referring to the new speech and recent news that housing targets were rolled back to be advisory rather than mandatory, Lisa Nandy, Labour’s shadow housing secretary, said: “It takes some serious brass neck for the Tories to make yet more promises when the housing crisis has gone from bad to worse on their watch, and when housebuilding is on course to hit its lowest rate since the Second World War because Rishi Sunak rolled over to his own MPs.

“We don’t need more reviews, press releases or empty promises, we need bold action to get Britain building.”

Industry responses were slightly more optimistic- but clear that there is still a long way to go

Victoria Hills, chief executive of the Royal Town Planning Institute, said they would “make a significant contribution to alleviating the pressure placed on England’s planning services.”
The CEOs and chief executives of Mace, Kier and Persimmon all welcomed the proposed reforms of planning to decrease delays, and Verity Davidge of Make UK Modular said:

“Today’s announcement to manage the housing planning backlog through a planning skills delivery fund is a step in the right direction. Part of the fund should be dedicated towards ensuring planners have the knowledge and expertise of modular housebuilding too, which can help tackle the housing crisis we face in the UK.

“That said, these policies only begin to scratch the surface and we need to see more ambitious reforms to housing. Lowering stamp duty for EPC A rated homes and allocating a higher proportion of the affordable housing programme to modular housing would unleash the potential of a dynamic and innovative sector able to provide homes greener, faster and better.”

Tim posts a comment:

If you look very carefully at the David Reed selection photo you can see it is quite literally a stitch up! How else might they explain the two images of ex Tory MP and Whip Tim Wood occupying adjacent spaces? (yellow tie and light grey suit about 1/3rd in from left) . Stitching up might explain Angie’s question about Humphreys single leg.

With such low numbers gathered, a good few of whom are recent election losers or quitters, no wonder there doesn’t seem to be a single smile amongst them. If anything, one looks to have nodded off!

• T1, Oak : reduce left leader by approximately 3-4m; reduce the right leader by 5-6m. T2: Oak : crown raise by removing lowest two limbs. T3, Oak : reduce the whole leader by 3-4m. Woodstock West Hill Road West Hill Devon EX11 1TYRef. No: 23/1548/TRE | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Portal frame steel building with timber cladding and fibre cement roof for machinery storage Farwood Barton Colyton EX24 6DZRef. No: 23/1544/AGR | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1, Ash : fell T2, Ash : reduce height from 20m to 10 metres 22 Sherwood Drive Exmouth EX8 4PXRef. No: 23/1549/TRE | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use of two agricultural buildings to form a single dwelling unit and garages and ancillary storage with associated curtilage, plus demolition of other animal shed and pens Platts Farm Shute EX13 7QQRef. No: 23/1536/FUL | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of a single storey rear / side extension 35 Hulham Road Exmouth Devon EX8 3LARef. No: 23/1539/FUL | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Lawful development certificate for extension to existing dormerErvine Cottage Seaton Down Close Seaton Devon EX12 2JBRef. No: 23/1521/CPL | Validated: Thu 13 Jul 2023 | Status: Approved
• Conversion of double garage & loft over into additional residential accommodation. 40 Barnes Meadow Uplyme Devon DT7 3TDRef. No: 23/1533/FUL | Validated: Thu 13 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Certificate of existing lawfulness for dwelling (Use Class C3) Shepherds Park Bungalow Woodbury EX5 1LARef. No: 23/1517/CPE | Validated: Wed 12 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of new rear dormer window25 Churchill Road Exmouth Devon EX8 4DNRef. No: 23/1511/CPL | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Certificate of existing lawfulness for the demolition of an existing storage building (on the proposed site) for the purpose of implementing the planning application ref: 20/0369/FUL. Please refer to Lawful Development Certificate evidence document by Group Emmett Design Architects attached with this application, including appendices. Land Adjacent 3F Marcus Road Dunkeswell Devon EX14 4LARef. No: 23/1515/CPE | Validated: Wed 12 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed change of use of part residential curtilage to car parking area for adjacent garage Brooklands Lyme Road Uplyme Devon DT7 3UYRef. No: 23/1514/FUL | Validated: Wed 12 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Reserved matters planning application pursuant to Outline Planning approval 22/2115/OUT for the details of the layout, scale and appearance of the buildings, the means of access thereto and landscaping of the site; for the erection of a 2-bed bungalow and detached garage and demolition of existing shed and shed bases The Store Mill Lane Awliscombe Devon EX14 3PJRef. No: 23/1509/RES | Validated: Wed 12 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Rear single storey extension, enlarged porch, new roof to existing front and rear extensions, new rear balcony over existing extension, new windows and doors throughout. Woodstock House Shepherds Lane Colaton Raleigh EX10 0LPRef. No: 23/1518/FUL | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed single storey western / side extension and minor internal amendments to an existing (recently built) stud wall The Summerhouse Rousdon Devon DT7 3XURef. No: 23/1497/FUL | Validated: Tue 11 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed single storey western / side extension and minor internal amendments to an existing (recently built) stud wall The Summerhouse Rousdon Devon DT7 3XURef. No: 23/1498/LBC | Validated: Tue 11 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed revisions to brick wall & revised gated access Minors Venn Ottery Newton Poppleford EX11 1RYRef. No: 23/1503/FUL | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Removal of office / study building, and single story rear extension to bungalow along with enclosing covered areas 2 Hardys Court Hawkerland Road Colaton Raleigh EX10 0HLRef. No: 23/1502/FUL | Validated: Wed 12 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed revisions to brick wall & revised gated access Minors Venn Ottery Newton Poppleford EX11 1RYRef. No: 23/1504/LBC | Validated: Tue 11 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of a replacement conservatory following the demolition of existing Clock Tower Cafe Peak Hill Road Sidmouth EX10 8RZRef. No: 23/1491/LBC | Validated: Mon 10 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of a replacement conservatory following the demolition of existing Clock Tower Cafe Peak Hill Road Sidmouth EX10 8RZRef. No: 23/1490/FUL | Validated: Mon 10 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• General purpose forestry building Land At Woodhouse Lyme Road UplymeRef. No: 23/1489/AGR | Validated: Mon 10 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Rear two storey extension to existing house (amendment to approval 21/2677/FUL Brambles Yettington Budleigh Salterton EX9 7BNRef. No: 23/1476/FUL | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• 1. CRAB APPLE TREE – prune to 2.5m 2. HOLLY TREE – remove 3. LILAC TREE – prune to 2.5m 4. HAZEL TREE – coppice 5. CHERRY TREE – prune to 2.5m 6. FIG TREE – prune to 2.5m 7. GREENGAGE TREE – prune to 2.5m 8. PLUM TREE – prune to 2.5m Flat 2 6 Fortfield Terrace Sidmouth EX10 8NTRef. No: 23/1484/TCA | Validated: Wed 12 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of new boxing gym and community sport building with associated parking and landscaping Warren View Sports Ground Halsdon Avenue Exmouth Devon EX8 3DHRef. No: 23/1480/MFUL | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey rear extension and decking12 Prestor Axminster Devon EX13 5BRRef. No: 23/1479/CPL | Validated: Tue 11 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposal for a new building to house an Energy Substation with associated vehicle access, boundary fencing, external works, and infrastructure Land To The North Of Stuart Way Clyst St MaryRef. No: 23/1478/FUL | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• False Acacia – fell. Toad Hall (formerly East Grange) Toadpit Lane West Hill EX11 1TRRef. No: 23/1483/TRE | Validated: Mon 10 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of a single storey rear extension including external renovation. 4 Fremington Road Seaton Devon EX12 2HXRef. No: 23/1467/FUL | Validated: Wed 12 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of a single story home/garden office. Preston Farm Fiddles Reach Upottery EX14 9PFRef. No: 23/1468/FUL | Validated: Tue 11 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• TG1: Oak – fell. 17 Barrowdale Close Exmouth Devon EX8 5PNRef. No: 23/1473/TRE | Validated: Mon 10 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Cherry 1: fell. Cherry 2: fell. Woodstock West Hill Road West Hill EX11 1TYRef. No: 23/1469/TRE | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of a new detached single storey dwelling with garage and the relocation of two existing garages, including access and landscaping Land North Of Driftwood Close SeatonRef. No: 23/1456/FUL | Validated: Mon 10 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey front extension, reconfiguration of exterior pedestrian access, demolition of existing front extension. 28 Hamilton Road Exmouth EX8 2LTRef. No: 23/1458/FUL | Validated: Mon 10 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Extension to front entrance and render existing boundary wall. Seagull House 1 Morton Crescent Exmouth EX8 1BERef. No: 23/1451/FUL | Validated: Tue 11 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replacement of fixed roof window in north gable lean-to roof which lights the stair hall Castle Mount Victoria Place Axminster EX13 5NHRef. No: 23/1430/LBC | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Certificate of Lawful Development for a Proposed speed humps.Brambles Charmouth Road Axminster EX13 5SZRef. No: 23/1423/CPL | Validated: Thu 13 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey side extension to replace the existing conservatory. 3 Turners Cottages Broadclyst Exeter EX5 3HHRef. No: 23/1438/FUL | Validated: Wed 12 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Alterations to end of drive, flood alleviation works including formation of a new holding pond for stormwater. Stedcombe Lodge Axmouth EX12 4BJRef. No: 23/1410/FUL | Validated: Thu 13 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of two storey rear extension, insertion of first floor opening on North West elevation, and addition of partial weatherboarding on North East & South East elevations. South Meadow Broadway Woodbury EX5 1NRRef. No: 23/1404/FUL | Validated: Mon 10 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Modify existing South external steps including formation of tunnel to lightwell and underground services connection between plant room in Brewhouse and utility room in dwelling. Stedcombe House Axmouth Devon EX12 4BJRef. No: 23/1407/FUL | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Retention of 1no. window ground floor and lintel above door in back courtyard East facing wall; retention of 2no. windows on ground floor back courtyard North facing wall; retention of 2no. windows on ground floor and 2no. windows on first floor East facing wall Southcombe Farm Chapel Street Axmouth Devon EX12 4ANRef. No: 23/1395/LBC | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of an existing house and a proposed replacement dwelling with 4 bedrooms 191 Beer Road Seaton Devon EX12 2QBRef. No: 23/1355/FUL | Validated: Thu 13 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replacement of existing rear conservatory (2m x 4.5m) with new conservatory (4.5m x 4.5m) Beechcroft Green Lane Feniton EX14 3BPRef. No: 23/1312/FUL | Validated: Mon 10 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Repair of gable end; installation of flue for new gas boiler Ballymans Cottage Broadway Woodbury Exeter EX5 1NYRef. No: 23/1291/LBC | Validated: Thu 13 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Conversion of an agricultural barn to form a 1-bedroom dwelling. Land Adjacent Poppins Goldsmith Lane All SaintsRef. No: 23/1279/FUL | Validated: Mon 10 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of 2 x 3 bed two storey detached dwellings with associated parking and amenity space. Triphylla Cottage Membury Devon EX13 7AFRef. No: 23/1229/FUL | Validated: Mon 10 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use from operation block and office to residential dwelling, to carry out external insulation including fibre roof insulation, installation of solar panels and 5 roof lights. The Operations Block Dunkeswell Airfield Honiton EX14 4AJRef. No: 23/1048/LBC | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use from operation block and office to residential dwelling, to carry out external insulation including fibre roof insulation, installation of solar panels and 5 roof lights. The Operations Block Dunkeswell Airfield Honiton EX14 4AJRef. No: 23/1047/FUL | Validated: Fri 14 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed single storey rear extension. 8 Mill Street Sidmouth EX10 8DFRef. No: 23/0810/FUL | Validated: Thu 13 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• To install a garden room Lympstone Primary School School Hill Lympstone Devon EX8 5JYRef. No: 23/0599/FUL | Validated: Mon 10 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision

Background to Gove’s big announcement.

There is undeniably a housing crisis but it isn’t just a simple question of building for building’s sake.

We need the right sort of building in the right place.

From the Office for National Statistics:

There were 24,782,800 households in England and Wales on Census Day; the number of households increased by more than 1.4 million since 2011 (6.1%), when there were 23,366,044 households.

In 2021, there were 26.4 million dwellings in England and Wales, which has increased by 8.4% since 2011 (24.4 million dwellings) [an increase of 2.0 million]. This breaks down to 24.9 million dwellings in England and 1.5 million dwellings in Wales, which have increased from 23.0 million and 1.4 million dwellings respectively in 2011.

So, was EDDC right to pull out of Exeter Masterplan (GESP)? You bet! – Owl

Inner-city areas will be the focus of new housebuilding projects, Rishi Sunak has announced, in a move designed to signal sympathy with those struggling to get on the property ladder but avoid a backlash from Tory MPs.

Aubrey Allegretti www.theguardian.com

The prime minister promised not to “concrete over the countryside”, before a speech by the housing secretary, Michael Gove, who will set out changes on Monday to help homeowners extend their properties and streamline the planning process.

A new “super squad” of planners and other experts will be established, tasked with unblocking major housing developments.

Amid concerns that a lack of housebuilding is holding back economic growth and making younger voters less likely to support the Conservatives, Sunak said he was confident the 2019 Conservative manifesto pledge to build 1 million homes over the course of the parliament would be met.

Top of the priority list for development is a new urban quarter in Cambridge, with space for homes, art facilities, laboratories and green areas.

Sunak said progress had made been made but that “we need to keep going because we want more people to realise the dream of owning their own home”.

He added: “We won’t do that by concreting over the countryside – our plan is to build the right homes where there is the most need and where there is local support, in the heart of Britain’s great cities.

“Our reforms today will help make that a reality by regenerating disused brownfield land, streamlining the planning process and helping homeowners to renovate and extend their houses outwards and upwards.”

Stuart Baillie, the of planning at property firm Knight Frank, said the move was “unlikely to have meaningful impact on housing supply” and would only create hundreds of new homes instead of the thousands needed.

He added: “This policy will only paper over the cracks, instead of getting to the heart of the issue facing the UK’s overburdened and under-resourced planning system. In many instances, residential amenity would be compromised by a town centre location – particularly ground floor retail – meaning conversion or redevelopment would be limited to fringe and out-of-town areas.”

The announcement comes only two weeks after a cross-party committee ruled ministers were unlikely to meet the government’s pledge of building 300,000 new homes a year. That target was made advisory rather than mandatory by Sunak last year, in an attempt to see off a potential backbench rebellion.

Clive Betts, the chair of the levelling up, housing and communities select committee, said the prime minister’s decision was “already having a damaging impact on efforts to increase the building of new homes”.

On Monday, while Sunak is on a visit to the West Midlands, Gove will deliver a speech in London and promise to cut red tape. The changes will allow more shops and takeaways to be converted into houses, and are aimed at making it simpler for existing homes to be extended.

To unblock bottlenecks in the planning system, Gove will announce an intention to invest £24m in a planning skills delivery fund. In an interview with the Sunday Telegraph, the housing secretary said the proposals would start with Cambridge before spurring the creation of new homes in cities such as Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool.

Labour accused Gove and Sunak of exacerbating the housing crisis.

Lisa Nandy, the shadow housing secretary, said it had “gone from bad to worse on [the Conservatives’] watch” and that housebuilding was on course to hit its lowest rate since the second world war. She promised Labour would restore housing targets, change compulsory purchase rules and “take the tough choices to back the builders, not the blockers”.

Shaun Davies, the chair of the Local Government Association, said new homes were much needed but such places as shops, offices and barns were not always suitable for conversion.

“Further expanding permitted development rights risks creating poor quality residential environments that negatively impact people’s health and wellbeing, as well as a lack of affordable housing or suitable infrastructure,” he said.

David Reed, the Tory hopeful for the new constituency of Exmouth & East Exeter, chose to be photographed with Philip Skinner for the first post on his facebook page, following selection.

An “interesting” choice, given Phil’s record.

Are the Tories so demoralised that they couldn’t field a more significant “personality” to witness the selection? A County councillor, for example?

Party members at the selection meeting look from the photos to be thin on the ground, compared to 2019. It’s also a very low key event. (See images below).                  

Phil Skinner, former Tory group leader in EDDC, was rejected in May by the electorate in a straight fight with Lib Dem Cllr Richard Jeffries.

He had been a councillor for 24 years. One of the leading proponents of the pro-development “build, build, build” policy of the “Old Guard”, leading on the ill fated Exmouth Seafront “regeneration” taking little note of local opposition, and acting as the EDDC lead on the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan (GESP).

“Chapter and verse” on his record and exploits can be found by searching the copious East Devon Watch archive.

Phil was notoriously sacked by Sarah Randall Johnson in 2011 after sending her a “cheeky” Christmas Card. (He signed off: XX Phil – See below)

Owl wonders whether David Reed, apart from his time as a Royal Marine, has any real connection or “feel” for Exmouth.

In the May local elections he was active in his support for Pauline Stott and Richard Parr. 

Stott and Parr’s joint campaign, claiming that the pair will be “standing up for our environment” if elected and will “protect our seas and rivers”, reached the national news when it was revealed that Parr had paid £82,000 to a local environmental group after being found guilty of running an unpermitted landfill site on his farm, and running mate Pauline said “I don’t even know him”!

The electorate, wisely, rejected both.

Richard Parr is also a major developer around Exeter.

Owl recalls the old adage: “A man is judged by the company he keeps”.

Are Exeter Conservatives on board with all this?

Selection meetings 2019 and 2023 compared

The David Reed selection 2023 (actual selection but before confirmation which came two days later?)

Compare with Jupp’s selection 2019

XX Phil

Councillor ‘sacked’ over Christmas card comments www.exmouthjournal.co.uk

A COUNCILLOR has been sacked from his role as Rural Champion at East Devon District Council after he offended the authority’s leader with comments he wrote in a Christmas card.

Conservative Philip Skinner, who represents the Talaton area, sent the card to Sara Randall Johnson and headed it “My greatest adversary”.

He went on to write: “The rest I can demolish in my sleep, but you are in a class of your own.

“Despite our forever on-going spats, that I and I’m sure you enjoy, I do have a huge amount of respect for you.

“Roll on February.

“Hope you are well. Don’t take the world on, on your own, it’s not worth the personal cost.

“It’s business not personal.”

Councillor Skinner ended the letter with two kisses and two footnotes, the last of which stated: “If only things had turned out different, we’d have made one hell of a team.”

Councillor Randall Johnson informed councillors of her decision to sack Councillor Skinner in an email sent out on New Year’s Day.

She wrote: “I wanted you to know that I have reluctantly had to take the Rural Champion position away from Philip Skinner. We met on Thursday afternoon when I hoped he would have taken the honourable route, but he declined.

“The reason for doing this lay in a disagreement over a message he sent in a Christmas card. I was disappointed and concerned at its tone towards members of the council.

“Being called “my biggest adversary” is something I can well shoulder, but I am not prepared for all members to be so summarily dismissed. This is not tolerable and why I felt it necessary to take such a drastic step.”

Councillor Skinner declined to comment when The Herald contacted him.

The Tories could be locked out of power for a generation if supporters of other parties vote tactically at the next general election, the Liberal Democrat leader, Ed Davey, says on Sunday, after his party chalked up another stunning West Country byelection victory.

Toby Helm www.theguardian.com 

A massive 29% swing to the Lib Dems saw Sarah Dyke take the Somerton and Frome seat, overturning a Conservative majority of more than 19,200. Davey’s party now has a comfortable 11,000 majority of its own, the largest it has ever had over the Tories in the constituency.

In June last year the Lib Dems won Tiverton and Honiton from the Tories, overturning a 24,000 Conservative majority as Boris Johnson’s reputation reached its nadir.

Tactical voting clearly played a large part in the latest victory, with Labour’s share of the vote dropping sharply to just 2.6% compared with almost 13% at the general election in 2019, putting the party way back in fifth place.

The Lib Dems were themselves squeezed in the other two byelections held on Thursday: in Selby and Ainsty in North Yorkshire, where Davey’s party won only 3.3% of the vote compared with 8.6% in 2019, and in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, where it won only 1.7%, down from 6.3% in 2019.

As Davey hailed his party’s recovery in its traditionally strong territory of the south-west, he told the Observer that there was now a clear opportunity to remove the Tories from office at the next election and keep them out for the foreseeable future, if tactical voting occurred across the West Country and more widely.

“It is no secret that some Labour and Green party voters lent us their votes in Somerset and we are very grateful for their support,” he said. “In many seats across the south-west, voters at the next election will be faced with a similar choice between the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.

“My message to all voters who want to get rid of this out-of-touch Conservative government is clear: if the Liberal Democrats can win back our heartlands in the West Country, it could lock the Conservatives out of power for a generation.”

The Lib Dems, who suffered a near wipeout at Westminster after forming a coalition government with the Tories in 2010, are now rebuilding at national and local government levels.

Having returned only eight MPs to Westminster in 2015, they are now up to 15 after their victory in Somerton and Frome and have their eyes on 15 other Tory-held seats in the West Country alone, where the Conservative majorities are lower than in Somerton and Frome. They now run eight councils in the West Country, up from two in 2016.

Naomi Smith, chief executive of Best for Britain, which campaigns for better democracy and favours parties working together to remove the Conservatives, said her organisation would be providing guidance to voters ahead of the next election.

“In the absence of opposition parties standing aside for one another to defeat this failing government, progressive voters have little choice but to make tactical decisions come polling day,” she said.

“But voters can’t take for granted who the main challenger to the Tories is, so Best for Britain will provide constituency-level guidance. For as long as we have an arcane first-past-the-post system that structurally favours the right, such tactics will be necessary.”

Neal Lawson, the director of Compass, a centre-left pressure group, who is facing possible dismissal from the Labour party for encouraging people to vote tactically, said it had gained 250 members since his argument with Labour came to light last month, suggesting support for his argument. He added: “To translate big by election wins into a more widespread general election and deep political victory means Labour and the Lib Dems, and also the Greens, systematically squeezing the Tory vote and building an ideas agenda for lasting change.”

But Opposition councillors want money spent on families in need instead

Torbay councillors have been urged not to let the bay’s most needy families ‘go to hell in a handcart’ by keeping money in reserves rather than spending it on helping them.

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

“Don’t turn your backs on those in housing need,” urged Cllr Steve Darling (Lib Dem, Barton with Watcombe) as the full council debated its finances at a meeting this week.

But the bay’s Conservative administration insists that £400,000 left as a surplus from last year’s budget should go into capital reserves to help offset what they say is a “massive hole” in the capital programme.

Leader David Thomas (Con, Preston) said: “We are committed to having a strong grip on our finances, and the capital hole is absolutely massive.”

Opposition Liberal Democrats and Independents tried to persuade the administration to use the money to help families in need. Cllr Darling urged them: “The cost of living crisis is massively impacting many local residents. We want to address this immediately, rather than putting this money away for a rainy day.

“For many people in our community, it is already raining cats and dogs.”

Cllr Darling said the money could support people in their homes and help prevent them becoming homeless which increases pressure on council finances.

“We need to support our communities now, rather than leaving it to the future,” he added.

“Either we put the money in now, or we are going to have to find it somewhere else in the budget, or officers will be instructed by the cabinet to turn the taps off and let people go to hell in a handcart.”

And Cllr Nigel Penny (Lib Dem, Roundham with Hyde) said: “We are stashing away £400,000 into our pockets. People will say the council doesn’t understand them, and is lining its own pockets with this money.

“It’s a welcome windfall, but why should we keep all the luck? Why not share it with those in need? We can help people in genuine need now if we so choose.”

Cllr Darren Cowell (Independent, Shiphay) said the council must make sure it was supporting local families in need. “I don’t hear any words about social responsibility from this administration,” he said. “It’s all about pound signs.”

But Cllr Thomas insisted the council was still committed to supporting people in poverty and housing need, and added: “This money is not being squirrelled away into somebody’s deep pockets.”

And Cllr Alan Tyerman (Con, Churston with Galmpton) pointed out: “The financial position we have inherited is quite worrying.

“I am not unsympathetic to the argument that our residents need that help, but I still believe that this is the prudent way of acting at this particular time.”

The majority Conservative side of the council chamber voted down the Lib Dem and Independent amendment and agreed to put the £400,000 into council reserves.

Wrangling over?

Simon Jupp congratulates David Reed but, unusually for Simon, shows no selfie with him. 

Was Simon rooting for one of the others?

There has now to be a big question mark hanging over David Reed’s head. 

From David Reed’s facebook page, the only local Tory “Grandees” greeting his selection are Philip Skinner and Ben Ingham!

Looks a bit down market (second stringers) to Owl

Worth remembering how Ben Ingham described Simon Jupp at his selection meeting in 2019::

“If they wanted someone charismatic, which is what I think they tried to do, they would have been better off with Iggy Pop in my opinion. People would be able to relate to him more than a DJ from Plymouth.“

If it’s not the “wrong” people on the selection panel then it must be that Tory members “didn’t get the message”!

Take you pick – Owl

[Whatever happens now, the Tories are going to find it difficult to unite behind whoever does “emerge”.]