Daily Archives: 28 May 2024

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28 May 2024

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Planning applications validated by EDDC for week beginning 13 May

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28 May 2024

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University of Exeter pilots “Law on the Beach” initiative at Exmouth

People can get legal advice at the beach this summer thanks to the University of Exeter.

In a new move the University’s Law School Community Law Clinic is setting up pro bono sessions at Exmouth and Teignmouth to provide free legal support to beachgoers in Devon.

Alex Whilding www.exmouthjournal.co.uk

The proposed “Law on the Beach” programme is the brainchild of Professor Sue Prince from the University of Exeter Law School.

The concept echoes a similar initiative by the University of Newcastle Law School in Australia and has garnered support from acclaimed law firms and the Teignbridge Citizens Advice Bureau.

The initiative aims to aid those affected by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis by offering legal assistance, and simultaneously offers practical experience to the students involved.

Kim McDonald, senior lecturer and director of the Community Law Clinic at the University of Exeter, emphasised on the importance of the access to justice and said: “Amidst the cost-of-living crisis, ensuring everyone has access to essential legal assistance is paramount.

“Too many do not have access to justice or legal aid.

“We hope Law on the Beach will empower individuals facing legal challenges intensified by the current economic climate and provide a lifeline to those navigating complex legal issues without adequate support.”

While participating students will benefit from professional supervision during the sessions, the initiative also offers them an opportunity to improve their expertise.

Dr Craig Newbery-Jones, associate professor in Law at the University of Exeter Law School, said: “This initiative not only addresses a critical societal need but also provides our students with invaluable practical experience.

“By working alongside experienced professionals and tackling real-world legal challenges, our students will develop the skills and empathy needed to be effective advocates for justice.”

In addition to providing advice, this initiative will also focus on researching the impact of pro bono legal help on communities and identifying their specific unfulfilled legal needs.

The “Law on the Beach” sessions are to be held from 10am to 3.30pm, starting on June 4 at Exmouth’s Ocean Club and on June 5 at Teignmouth Yacht Club.

For more details or to book an appointment, interested parties can visit https://law.exeter.ac.uk/community/communitylawclinic/ or email a2jclinic@exeter.ac.uk.

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28 May 2024

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Rishi Sunak faces struggle to get bitter MPs up for the fight

The only political party caught off guard by Rishi Sunak’s snap election decision is the Conservative Party itself. 

Sunak keeps claiming he has a plan. If he has, then he has yet to share it with his party which lacks a fully thought through manifesto. They are just flying “on a wing and a prayer”. – Owl

Steven Swinford, Matt Dathan www.thetimes.co.uk

Rishi Sunak has a problem. His decision to call a snap election may have earned him a political advantage, but many of his MPs — and members of his cabinet — are furious. They believe that it is a mistake and that they are more likely to lose their seats because of it.

The prime minister presented the July 4 election to his cabinet as a fait accompli, having already informed the King before he told them. The rationale behind it was simple — the fewer people knew, the less likely it was to leak. But there is bitterness in the Tory ranks.

“I can see the value in going early and surprising Labour, Farage and co,” one cabinet minister said. “But it was disrespectful and shows he clearly doesn’t trust us. Above all, it shows he didn’t value our opinion at all on the timing of the election. There’s not a chance we’ll win.”

The rancour on the backbenches runs just as deep. Many Tory MPs say they have not had time to raise enough funds for the battle ahead. They say they now find themselves in an existential battle for marginal seats without the resources to fight.

The concern is reflected on both sides. A leaked memo from Tory headquarters, seen by The Times, accused cabinet ministers and MPs of failing to “get behind” the campaign and refusing to knock on doors. Dwindling levels of funding were repeatedly flagged as an issue, while some ministers were refusing to co-operate with CCHQ.

The Conservative Party’s faltering start to the campaign — Sunak calling the election in the rain outside No 10, a visit to the Titanic quarter in Belfast — has also led to concerns. The challenge for the prime minister now will be how to retain discipline as Tory MPs fight for their futures.

Events of the weekend suggest that it could be challenging. Steve Baker, a Northern Ireland minister, has gone public in criticising Sunak’s flagship national service scheme. The scheme, he says, was drawn up by political advisers and “sprung” on MPs without any consultation.

Baker has a majority of just 4,214 in his constituency so feels he has little to lose by making his views public. He has effectively challenged CCHQ to sack him if they wish to censure him. Something they are highly unlikely to do given the proximity to the general election.

Sunak knows he needs to go hard if he is to have any hope of closing Labour’s poll lead. But doing so comes with its own inherent risks, as much within the Conservative Party as without.

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28 May 2024

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Unexploded WW2 bomb found in Devon garden

Devon and Cornwall Police and the Ministry of Defence were called to a Devon village this evening after an unexploded World War Two bomb was discovered. The bomb was found in a resident’s garden in Colaton Raleigh on Monday, May 27.

Maxine Denton www.devonlive.com

Police reportedly stopped people when entering the village as the incident unfolded. The bomb was detonated at around 5:35pm.

The force incident manager (FIM) for Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed officers attended the scene and said the bomb was successfully removed and detonated.

The FIM said: “Police were called to an address in Colaton Raleigh where (a) homeowner had found suspected ordnance. Police attended with Ministry of Defence (MOD) and removed the ordnance which was then detonated.”

The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for a comment. Details of the incident and size of the bomb have not yet been made clear.

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General Election announcement creates Devon devolution limbo

Devon’s planned devolution deal with Torbay has been thrown into limbo because of the surprise  announcement of the general election.

Bradley Gerrard, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk 

Devon and Torbay’s councils had both agreed to create a combined county authority (CCA), a so-called devolution deal that proponents believe would provide a better chance of securing government cash for projects linked to adult education, housing, transport, and green initiatives.

But prime minister Rishi Sunak’s plans for a poll on Thursday 4 July mean parliament will be dissolved next week, putting many planned pieces of legislation on ice.

Before the election was announced, it was hoped the parliamentary process would take place in or around October, but with uncertainty about who will be running the country then, it’s now unclear what will happen.

“We are seeking clarity from government officials on how the legislative process for setting up the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority will be affected following the announcement of the general election,” Cllr James McInnes (Conservative, Hatherleigh & Chagford), the new leader of Devon County Council said.

“We met….with Torbay Council and both organisations remain committed to bringing forward our agreed devolution arrangement as soon as possible, and we collectively await clarity from government officials.”

Cllr McInnes added that he had already contacted the Department for Levelling Up, Communities and Housing, which oversees the devolution process, to secure the previously announced £16 million agreed as part of the deal.

He and Torbay’s leader, Cllr David Thomas (Conservative, Preston), have selected 16 “excellent projects” to receive the money, a decision that now needs to be confirmed by a formal vote.

“These schemes span housing, skills, business support and green infrastructure and can have an immediate impact on our local economy,” Cllr McInnes added.

“There would be schemes in each district area with the potential to bring forward affordable homes, decarbonise existing properties, support more than 1,000 learners in green and net zero skills, and the creation of jobs and apprenticeships.”

Cllr McInnes added that as soon as he had any more information about the devolution process, he would update the council.