A leading UK infections expert has warned people in Devon and Cornwall to take Covid-19 precautions this summer.

BBC News www.bbc.co.uk

Prof David Strain, from the University of Exeter’s Medical School, said Covid rates in the South West were likely to increase over the summer holidays as more people came to the area and mixed with the population.

It comes as a new group of variants of Covid have emerged, collectively nicknamed as FLiRT, external.

Prof Strain said the Covid Medicines Delivery Unit (CMDU) in Exeter was running a “very active service” and “all the indicators say numbers were going up.”

‘Good barometer’

He said one of the ways data could be gathered on the increase in Covid cases was from high-risk patients contacting the CMDU.

“We are still running a very active service for many people who are vulnerable or who, if they caught Covid, would get a deterioration of other illnesses,” he said.

“We see our referrals going up and that is a really good barometer of what is going on in society.

“These people who are very aware of the risks contact us.

“Our referrals, when they go up from two a day to 20 a day, we know there is more Covid out there.”

Prof Strain said the “new variant” and “waning immunity” were also contributing factors to Covid spreading in the region.

“[FLiRT] escaped the immunity that antibodies from the initial vaccine has given us, which means, unless you had the updated vaccine in autumn last year, you probably don’t have the antibodies that will reduce your risk of catching it,” he explained.

The virologist added the old vaccine was “still giving really good protection against severe illness” but that protection was “starting to wane”.

He said he was not “suggesting we need to be back in masks” but advised people who were feeling unwell to “get a test and try not to go out if you can”.

‘Rates go up’

Prof Strain said: “In many regions of the country, Covid rates fall in the holidays.

“Paradoxically, we have seen in the last couple of summers rates go up here because of more mixing and people coming down, bringing virus from all over the country.

“Particularly the more vulnerable, mature adults are now presenting to hospital with Covid very similar to what we were seeing after the first and second waves. All the indicators say numbers are going up.

“I think all of us know somebody who has tested positive recently, and that’s only the people that are testing.

“The big issue is that we still don’t know how many people have got Covid without any symptoms at all.”

Latest from Geoff Crawford Escape (End sewage convoys and pollution, Exmouth), commenting on a letter from Budleigh District Councillor Henry Ridell’s latest letter to Susan Davey, CEO South West Water. This letter was written with the help of Peter Williams and the full text is reproduced below.

(That’s a 10 tonne road tanker very two hours 24/7 – Owl)

Full text:

Geoff Crawford

Cllr Henry Riddell, well written Henry and this suggests that you have a clear understanding of the Budleigh issues. It’s important that that is the case as SWW are adept at pulling the wool over people’s eyes who are not properly informed. Because you clearly understand the situation you are more able to counter the misinformation and call for real change and action as you have.

You should also be aware that EACAPE met with EA last week and we learnt that the outfall from Lime Kiln is actually pumped (one of only seven pumped overflows in the south west). What this means is that the repeated one minute overflows which seem quite short and insignificant are actually one minute every hour pressurised overflows that effectively empty the sewage tank into the sea. So one minute bursts of up to 61 litres per second (to be confirmed) every hour.

SWW seem to be deliberately doing this to empty the tank as the pumps up to Maer Lane cannot cope with the ingress and the tankers only suck out at a much lower rate. The interim solution (last six months) seems to be to pump out to the sea but not to inform bathers of the volume of that pumping.

If you meet with Susan Davey or more likely a subordinate, you should raise this with them also.

SWW are on their back foot at the moment, it’s important to keep the pressure so thanks for doing that and best of luck.

Original letter from Henry Ridell:

Susan Davy,  South West Water Limited, Peninsula House, Rydon Lane, Exeter  EX2 7HR       

25th July 2024          

Dear Susan Davy,

Thank you for your letter dated 7 July 2024, I have several points that need further clarification and action.

Your statement about reducing storm overflows by around 30% in 2022 is misleading and exacerbates the trust issues that many in our community have with SWVs’. The reduction in 2022 was largely due to lower rainfall, not operational improvements. This is evident from the 2023 figures, where discharges in Budleigh tripled in quantity and doubled in hours compared to 2022. Such statements do little to rebuild trust when the data suggests otherwise. It makes it challenging to believe claims of being on track to meet targets. Figures I have quoted can be found here: fightingpoolution.com.

Regarding the meeting with SWW colleagues on 2 July in Budleigh Salterton, there were several short-term actions discussed that require updates:

I. Emergency Overflow (EO) Actions:

O        Hazel was to confirm if there have been any discharges from the EO into Kersbrook since the end of July 2023.

O        The continued high E-coli levels in Kersbrook (27,000 on 3 May and 18,000 on 15 May 2024) suggest a persistent source of contamination. We need SWW to monitor these levels, identify the type (human, animal. etc.), and determine the source. Installing continuous-monitoring sensors should be considered to aid this investigation.

2. Resolving Water Ingress at Lime Kiln:

O        Immediate actions to fix major ingress sources in July were discussed, with a review to follow on the impact and disruption. We emphasized the importance of minimizing disruption during the peak holiday season and possibly pausing some works if necessary.

Proper traffic management plans need to be in place to avoid prolonged inconvenience. The sooner these actions commence, the quicker we can achieve a functioning sewage system, reducing sewage alerts and tanker traffic through the town, benefiting locals and visitors alike.

•         We also need confirmation on whether tanker lorries can be routed around the town to prevent regular blockages on our main high street.

3. Communication  Plan:

SWW agreed to provide regular updates to Budleigh residents on the actions being taken, including the rationale and timelines. A proposal was made for SWW to publish this information on an accessible web page. Confirmation on this is needed.

4. Sampling and WaterFit App:

o         We requested sampling of water quality at the Lime Kiln end of the beach, but were informed this is the Environment Agency’s responsibility. Given SWW’s role in discharging sewage near this area, we urge SWW to provide relevant sampling data.

o         We also suggested an improvement to the WaterFit app by including a ‘History’ button to display recent discharges for each overflow. While this feature is reportedly in development, we need clarity on when it will be available to the public.

Although the EO issues seem resolved, the ongoing CSO problems suggest that 2024 could be worse than 2023 without significant improvements. We are concerned that simply upgrading pumping systems to Maer Lane treatment works could result in larger volumes of sewage being discharged through SWW’s expanded outfall pipe during rainfall, potentially affecting Budleigh Salterton beach water quality.

To ensure the long-term plans meet the community’s needs, we request an independent review of the modelling data to confirm there will be no significant negative impact on Budleigh’s water quality, especially at Steamer Steps.

During subsequent meetings with SWW engineers, we have experienced inconsistent plans for dealing with the water ingress in the high street. Despite the promising discussions, I am not holding my breath for a timely solution. Just a week ago, SWW engineers dug up part of the bottom of the high street on a Friday afternoon and left it open all weekend, causing significant traffic problems. This kind of disruption further erodes trust and emphasizes the need for a more reliable and coordinated approach.

1 would like to invite you to visit Budleigh Salterton to meet me and discuss these matters in person. Your presence and engagement would demonstrate your commitment to rebuilding trust and addressing the concerns of our community. I believe this would be a significant step towards finding a solution that benefits everyone involved.

Thank you for your attention to these matters. I look forward to your prompt response and ongoing collaboration to address these critical issues.

Yours sincerely,

(Signed) Henry Riddell

East Devon District Councillor, Budleigh and Raleigh Ward, henry.riddellaeastdevon.gov.uk

What has happened to the “Coming soon” Topsham enterprise? – Owl

Celebrity chef Mitch Tonks has landed his plans to bring his Rockfish brand to Budleigh Salterton.

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

The restaurateur, who just weeks ago secured permission to turn Sidmouth’s Drill Hall into one of his trendy fish eateries, has now been given the go-ahead  for Budleigh’s Longboat Cafe site.

Mr Tonks plans to extend the existing building by way of a retractable roof and wall design between the cafe and the adjacent shelter.

The glass walls and roof panels that can be opened or closed will create an outside seating area .

While there were no objections from any formal bodies, one by Cllr Melanie Martin (Independent, Budleigh and Raleigh) meant the proposal had to be debated by East Devon District Council’s planning committee last week.

Cllr Martin said: “The cafe as it stands provides affordable refreshments for residents and visitors to Budleigh, and it is accessible to all.

“If the cafe was to be replaced by a chain restaurant, there would be a number of people who could not afford to eat here.”

She also feared there would be “an increase in odours, noise levels and disturbance to neighbouring residential properties”.

But her fellow ward councillors, Charlotte Fitzgerald and Henry Riddell disagreed and supported the proposal.

Cllr Fitzgerald said Rockfish “would fill a gap in the Budleigh Salterton tourism economy that would place it well to compete with other nearby seaside towns”, while Cllr Riddell said the design was “sensitive to the area” and that it would be an upgrade to the existing structure “which currently has an enforcement notice”.

“It is also nice to see that the original Longboat building is retained,” he added. “I am sure that Rockfish will be a welcome addition to our town.”

On the Rockfish website, the Budleigh plan is pitched as ‘coming soon’, and will be the chain’s first seafood cafe, as opposed to its other sites which are restaurants or takeaways.

A number of National Audit Reports were paused during the election “purdah”. The report on the NHS has just been released – it’s truly shocking. – Owl

NHS financial management and sustainability 2024 – NAO report www.nao.org.uk 

Downloads

• Report – NHS Financial Management and Sustainability (.pdf — 747 KB)
• Summary – NHS Financial Management and Sustainability (.pdf — 127 KB)

NHS finances so dire that whole service may collapse, says spending watchdog

The NHS’s finances are so dire that the whole health service may break unless it receives a massive cash injection, Whitehall’s spending watchdog has warned.

Denis Campbell www.theguardian.com 

Years of underfunding have left the NHS in England so cash-strapped that it cannot treat patients quickly enough, and the rising tide of ill-health will make matters worse, the National Audit Office (NAO) said.

The NAO does not specify how much extra funding the health service needs to get it back on its feet and ensure trusts that provide care can balance their books. But a leading thinktank recently put that figure at £38bn more a year by the end of this parliament.

Its grim conclusions raise serious questions about whether Keir Starmer’s government can fulfil its ambitious pledges to rescue the NHS, and again meet key waiting time targets on surgery and A&E care, without spending significantly more money.

A growing number of NHS bodies have overspent in recent years despite their best efforts to avoid doing so, the watchdog said in a strongly worded report published on Tuesday.

But it warned that, based on current funding trends, the situation is likely to get worse – and that the NHS needs a significant budget boost so it can cope with the increasingly sick population. Cases of cancer, heart disease, dementia and other killer diseases are due to rise sharply in the near future.

“When we consider how the health needs of the population look set to increase, we are concerned that the NHS may be working at the limits of a system which might break before it is again able to provide patients with care that meets standards for timeliness and accessibility,” the NAO said.

“There is a wider question for policymakers to answer about the potential growing mismatch between demand for NHS services and the funding the NHS will receive. Either much future demand for healthcare must be avoided, or the NHS will need a great deal more funding, or service levels will continue to be unacceptable and may even deteriorate further.”

Strikes by various staff groups over the last 18 months, rampant inflation, more staff sickness and the increasingly decrepit nature of much of the NHS’s estate have exacerbated it not getting the cash it needed to perform properly in recent years, the NAO added.

Health trust bosses have “enormous concern” at the likelihood that the service is likely to exceed its budget by as much as £3bn this year, because it was given too little money in the first place, said Matthew Taylor, the chief executive of the NHS Confederation.

“Despite their best efforts to balance the books, cuts to services and frontline clinical teams are now a reality in some areas. Unless the new government can act quickly, unfortunately these risks will grow and we will see a further deterioration in key areas, including waiting lists.”

The government blamed the previous Conservative administration for leaving NHS finances in such a parlous state.

“The NHS is broken,” said a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson. “Not only has this government inherited the worst economic circumstances since the second world war, but also an NHS in deficit.

“Getting the NHS back on its feet is our priority, but it will take time.”

The DHSC pointed to Ara Darzi’s urgent investigation into the state of the NHS, and 10-year “radical reform” plan that will follow, as proof of its commitment to improving the service.

As the Good Law Project walk around Devon (Exmouth) with a bottle of dirty water, asking locals their thoughts on water companies dumping sewage into our rivers and seas. These are the reactions.

[The Good Law Project are backing Jo Bateman in her case against South west Water]

Build houses now, fix pollution later, Labour to tell developers

Leave it to developers and it will never happen. – Owl

Developers will be able to start building housing projects that risk polluting rivers and work out how to deal with the problem during construction, under plans to unblock 160,000 homes.

Chris Smyth www.thetimes.com

Labour has begun the process of changing environmental protections after blocking Conservative attempts to rip up “nutrient neutrality” rules before the election.

Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, and Steve Reed, the environment secretary, have told environmental groups that current rules are “not working” and that they want to find ways of restarting housing developments that have been put on hold.

Natural England effectively imposed a moratorium on a string of projects two years ago by ruling that developments in designated areas would only be allowed if the builders could show they would not increase levels of phosphorus or nitrogen in waterways. These can reduce the oxygen in the water, causing the deaths of invertebrates, which in turn reduces food supplies for protected bird species.

Last year Labour defeated the Conservative government’s attempt to allow councils to set aside these rules, saying it would mean the loss of environmental protections. That prompted Tory accusations that the party would struggle to take the decisions needed to hit its target of building 1.5 million homes.

Now Reed and Rayner have written to environmental groups saying the rules need to change. “When it comes to the planning system’s role in providing the nature and housing we need, we know that the status quo is not working,” they said.

“We want to use the value gained from enabling development to proceed quickly and smoothly to support nature recovery — and to do so in a way that gives everyone involved greater certainty.”

Under the proposed model, developers would be allowed to begin work and agree mitigations during construction, rather than beforehand. This could see them, for example, agreeing to fund the creation of new wetland areas elsewhere to offset pollution from new homes.

Labour said new homes could only be occupied once the mitigations were in place, arguing that this would speed up development without compromising the environment.

“We will only legislate if we are confident that it achieves these outcomes,” Rayner and Reed wrote, insisting that they wanted proper consultation with environmental groups.

Changes to the nutrient neutrality rules are expected to come in the planning bill announced in last week’s King’s Speech. This is likely to become law next year and Labour ministers hope that this will kickstart the 160,000 homes that the Homebuilders Federation estimates have been put on hold because of the current rules.

“Nature recovery remains a top priority alongside the need to overhaul the planning system, grow the economy and reach net zero,” Rayner and Reed wrote. “This is not a matter of choosing one of these priorities over another. Sustained economic growth depends upon a healthy natural environment.”

The Conservatives are likely to accuse Labour of hypocrisy, but ministers insist that the Tory solution was defective and that they can find a “win-win” solution for home building and the environment.

Labour is relying on a housebuilding boom to kickstart the economy and allow more cash for public services, and has already announced the return of mandatory housing targets for councils. Detailed changes to planning rules are expected to be set out before the end of the month to ensure that new developments can begin immediately.

Lord Hogan-Howe, who faced repeated calls to resign when head of the Met., is now providing “strategic and tactical advice” to Devon and Cornwall Police. And her old buddy Mark Kingscote (see this 2017 EDW post) as Deputy Commissioner against the advice of a scrutiny committee, in a repeat of 2017. Although she eventually did a U-turn in 1017! – Owl

Lord Hogan-Howe is giving Devon and Cornwall Police “strategic and tactical advice”

Ben Woolvin www.bbc.co.uk

A former top police officer has been appointed as an adviser to Devon and Cornwall Police following the suspension of its Chief Constable.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Alison Hernandez told councillors at a Police and Crime Panel on Friday in Plymouth that Lord Hogan-Howe, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner from 2011 to 2017, would help in a strategic and tactical way.

She said the decision was taken after Chief Constable Will Kerr’s suspension in July 2023 when he was accused of serious sexual offences, which he denies.

Ms Hernandez added she was not expecting any result from the investigation into Mr Kerr “any time soon”, but was hopeful a decision would be made this year.

Last year, the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland said it was investigating “allegations of serious sexual offences” made against Mr Kerr, who used to be an Assistant Chief Constable for the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

In June, the Ombudsman said its investigation had been completed and a file had been submitted to the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland.

Ms Hernandez said Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland had told her they would give her another update in September.

Mr Kerr, who strenuously denied “any allegations of criminality” when the investigation was launched, has been suspended on full pay for nearly 12 months.

‘Gee things up’

Ms Hernandez said following Mr Kerr’s suspension, Devon and Cornwall was struggling with “all of the things you would expect to be the bread and butter of a police force”.

She reminded councillors of the concerns raised by inspectors about the quality of its investigations and the time taken to respond to calls and attend incidents.

Philip Hackett, an independent councillor at Torridge Council, asked the PCC to explain why taxpayers in Devon and Cornwall were “paying for someone who was suspended and may be suspended for some time”.

Ms Hernandez said she was expecting to make a decision regarding the role of Chief Constable “at some point this year”.

She said that Lord Hogan-Howe was giving “strategic and tactical advice” to her and the acting Chief Constable Jim Colwell.

“We want to see what we can do to gee things up, create that pace, and see what more we could be doing,” she said.

In a separate development, Ms Hernandez said she was making Mark Kingscote a Deputy Commissioner.

Mr Kingscote is a retired NHS mental health support worker who used to be a Conservative councillor in the same ward as Ms Hernandez in Torbay.

The panel voted to recommend the PCC did not appoint her chosen candidate as he did not meet the minimum requirements for the role, but Ms Hernandez said she would not accept the recommendation.

Defending her decision, Ms Hernandez said she felt it was the right move to bring in Mr Kingscote, especially during Mr Kerr’s ongoing suspension.

She said: “I’m excited to be able to appoint Mark Kingscote today and he will help me on developing my street operational focus on tackling anti-social behaviour.

“He’ll help build capacity in the leadership team while we’ve got the absence of a chief constable and the police are having their performance issues,” she added.

See also Radio Exe

Your weekend’s reading!

(See bottom of post for an interesting reference to Cranbrook) – Owl

Devon is “running out of housing options” and urgent action is needed to tackle the dramatic numbers of families priced out of markets having to be placed in temporary accommodation, a new report warns.

Kerra Maddern news.exeter.ac.uk

Members of the Devon Housing Commission say the housing crisis in Devon is having consequences for public services and the economy; and creating extra challenges for hard-pressed care and health services.

They have called for central and local government, with social housing partners, to redouble efforts to provide more truly affordable homes for the people of Devon.

In order to get more homes in the right places there needs to be better resourcing of planning departments, special measures for rural and coastal communities and a county-wide Development Corporation for major developments.

The report also recommends homebuyers over pension age should get an exemption from Stamp Duty. This could also help solve issues in the county by helping older people find a “right-sized” property.

The Government should also introduce a new planning use class for all short-term/holiday lettings and local authorities should be able to limit them in areas where growth is proving detrimental to the community.

The Housing Commission – which has been established by the Devon Housing Task Force, is a partnership between the ten local authorities across Devon, including Torbay and the County Council – and is supported by the University of Exeter.

Their report calls for the Government to press ahead with the registration of short-term lettings and for district councils in Devon and Torbay Council to take advantage of the new opportunity to double Council Tax on second homes [following the lead taken by EDDC – Owl]. This extra Council Tax could help the funding needed to address housing challenges.

The report outlines how the housing emergency in Devon is caused by high house and rental prices and lower incomes in Devon. House prices are inflated by those moving from more expensive areas. Middle-aged and older people are moving in while younger people are leaving. This leads to employers having difficulties filling vacancies and key workers being unable to afford to live near their place of work.  

Lord Richard Best, Chair of the Commission, said: “There is a real housing crisis in this county. The problem is an acute shortage of homes affordable for the next generation. 

“Homeownership is beyond the reach of first-time buyers and it is virtually impossible for those on average incomes or less to obtain a rented home that is both available and affordable. Devon is simply running out of any housing options. 

“This is best illustrated by the dramatic rise in numbers of people, particularly children, that councils have had to place in temporary accommodation, and the consequent, alarming increase in costs borne by Devon’s local authorities. This represents a real emergency.” 

Commissioners found in some areas of Devon the amount of privately rented housing has declined by substantially more than elsewhere, partly because long-term lettings for locals have been switched to short-term Airbnb-style lettings for tourists. 

But the report says “significant inroads” could be made in easing shortages and delivering affordable homes at the scale required.  

The report calls for a new Devon-wide Housing Strategy that sets out goals and a roadmap to achieve them over the next decade and beyond. There should be a successor body to the current Devon Housing Task Force comprising representatives of Devon’s local authorities to monitor progress and work with the proposed Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (CCA). This new authority should sponsor a new Development Corporation to act as a Master Developer to acquire land and raise private finance, reducing reliance upon housebuilders.

Other recommendations include:

• Councils should make maximum use of the Rural Exception Sites model and demonstrate flexibility in enabling village schemes for local people, including by sometimes permitting a small minority of homes to be sold in return for a very modest land cost for the affordable housing.
• Government should permit the imposition of a stricter timetable for action where planning consent is granted but development has stalled.
• Local authorities should be given greater discretion to call in any significant development using permitted rights to avoid inferior standards, to impose stronger prior approval requirements, and to allow the levying of developer contributions.
• The Government should introduce the measures to improve the private rented sector contained in the earlier Renters (Reform) Bill including ending “no-fault” evictions and creating a landlords’ ombudsman.

Chair’s Summary    

The words “housing crisis” are not what the general public (or Westminster politicians) usually associate with the beautiful county of Devon. However, as the evidence accumulated by the Devon Housing Commission shows, there is indeed a real housing crisis in this county. The problem is an acute shortage of homes affordable for the next generation.    

This is not just about homeownership being beyond the reach of first-time buyers (even of those with incomes well above the average), the problem now covers rented homes as well. It is virtually impossible for those on average incomes or less to obtain a rented home that is both available and affordable. Devon is simply running out of any housing options.

This is best illustrated by the dramatic rise in numbers of people (particularly of children) that councils have had to place in temporary accommodation, and the consequent, alarming increase in costs borne by Devon’s local authorities. This represents a real emergency.

What has caused this dire situation?

Of course, there is a nationwide problem of acute shortages of somewhere to live that is decent, secure and affordable. However, affordability is a particular problem in Devon, where house prices are higher and incomes are lower than the national averages.

First, becoming a homeowner in Devon is particularly difficult because house prices are inflated by those moving from in more expensive areas, principally from London and the South East. Middle-aged and older people are moving in while younger people are leaving. This creates difficulty recruiting to vacancies across Devon and means key workers cannot afford to live near their place of work.

Second, the availability of affordable rented housing is more constrained in Devon than most places. The amount of social housing available from councils and housing associations is proportionately half as much as for England. Historically, Devon has not built enough affordable homes and current trends show that the position is getting worse. The county is not keeping up with national levels of affordable housing delivery. The already low level of social housing has been further depleted by Right to Buy sales at substantial discounts. While governments have hoped that sales of council housing will be replaced by new social housebuilding, in reality this has not happened.

Third, in some areas, the amount of privately rented housing has declined by substantially more than elsewhere, partly because long-term lettings for locals have been switched to short-term Airbnb-style lettings for tourists.

Fourth, Devon has an older population profile and more family-size properties are occupied by one or two people: the phenomenon of under-occupation is an even bigger issue than for England as a whole.

Fifth, rurality and the physical aspects of Devon make new building problematic in many places. The geography and topography of the county restrict opportunities. Narrow country roads and steep hillsides make construction more difficult. In addition, more of Devon than of most counties is protected by designations of National Parks, National Landscapes, and Sites of Special Scientific Interest.

Although new development is best suited to urban areas with brownfield sites, Devon is predominantly a rural county. This adds special obstacles to meeting housing need. Normal planning conditions present extra barriers to rural development. Moreover, existing residents often oppose any development, even where this is designed to meet local needs.

Sixth, Devon also contains many coastal towns which bring their own challenges. Properties designed for a tourist market of yesteryear can attract landlords who let sub-standard properties to those on Housing Benefit. The fashions for holiday destinations have changed, leaving a legacy that requires investment in regeneration.

Seventh, Devon is now unusual in terms of local government structures. Although our Commission’s work has not embraced the city of Plymouth, which is a unitary authority with a substantial population (265,000), the rest of Devon has eight District Councils and the Unitary Authority of Torbay, in addition to the County Council. These ten local authorities compare with the single authority for Cornwall and two, for example, for Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire.

Devon’s structures enable democratic decisions at a more local level but produce some logistical hazards. In relation to planning functions, it would be hard for every local planning authority in the County to employ a full complement of expert planning staff even if funding was sufficient (which it is not). Furthermore, many planning decisions cross adjacent local government boundaries.

How can all these issues be addressed?

This is a difficult moment to be calling for the building of more new homes to meet Devon’s acute shortages. Housebuilders are not keen to develop while market conditions are being hit by higher interest rates and increased costs; local authorities are facing severe financial constraints; housing associations are running out of capacity to expand their work. However, with an emphasis on affordable housing for rent and shared ownership (for those on average incomes and below), there are some positive steps that could make a significant difference.

At the strategic level, the Commission is recommending a Devon-wide Housing Strategy that sets out goals for the County with a roadmap to achieve them over the next decade and beyond. We recommend a successor body to the Housing Task Force comprising representatives of Devon’s local authorities to monitor progress and work with the proposed Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority (CCA). The CCA represents an important opportunity to coordinate Local Plans across the County, covering transport and infrastructure alongside housing provision. These arrangements would facilitate enhanced working relationships with central government and with its agency, Homes England.

We also recommend a county-based initiative for the recruitment, retention and career progression for planning staff across the County. This would assist the resourcing of planning departments and support cross-boundary working.

Central government could help ease the crisis in a number of ways: by allowing planning fees to fully recover costs; by taking forward measures in the previous Renters (Reform) Bill for greater security and higher standards in the private rented sector; by committing to an ongoing affordable housing programme through Homes England that prioritises social rented homes and allows flexibility between new builds and the regeneration of existing buildings; by sharing more of the cost of temporary accommodation in the short-term, by providing opportunities for councils to acquire and improve properties which will be available long-term for social rent; and by introducing the necessary measures for local authorities to limit further growth in short-term lettings.

For rural areas, greater use of Rural Exception Sites would make possible more affordable homes that revitalise local communities. Landowners may need incentives to make these sites available at minimal cost: to this end, developments (in some cases Community Land Trusts will be the solution to delivering homes), should be supported by local authorities and national government through a relaunched Community Housing Fund.

For coastal areas, refurbishment of outdated tourist accommodation can meet local needs. Proactive enforcement of standards can also drive up quality in the private rented sector.

As a major recommendation, the Commission would like to see the proposed Combined County Authority sponsoring a new Development Corporation. This would act as a Master Developer on behalf of the County, Torbay, and the District Councils. It would acquire land, capturing its value, raise private finance, and implement a Master Plan for all major, strategic developments. It would end the current reliance upon the volume housebuilders.

In conclusion, the Commission recognises the size of the task ahead. However, we believe that with the engagement of Devon’s local government and local communities (and appropriate input from central government), significant inroads could be made in easing shortages and delivering affordable homes at the scale required.

I wish all concerned every success in this endeavour and sincerely thank the Commissioners, Devon’s Housing Task Force, the County Council and our sponsor, the University of Exeter (in particular through the work of Matt Dodd and David Hancock) for making possible this worthwhile initiative.

Richard Best

Lord Best, Chair, Devon Housing Commission [Extensive careeer housing including, leading  the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust,  from 1988 to December 2006.] 

Interesting snippet on Cranbrook

Owl is still dipping into this 112 page report and has found this insight into Devon’s population and the significance of the “exception ward” of Cranbrook. Something the “Old Guard” Tories created by their “build,build, build” policy, then abandoned; but picked up by the “New Guard” (coalition).

Extract from chapter four:

Devon is also ageing at a faster rate than the rest of England. The average age in England increased by one year between the census of 2011 and the census of 2021 whilst, apart from Exeter (with no increase) only East Devon increased in line with the England average. The presence of the Cranbrook development has kept the rise in average age in East Devon in check: Cranbrook is a new town with a very low average age which impacts the overall East Devon profile. The average age in the Cranbrook ward in 2021 was twenty-nine compared to the average age of fifty in East Devon as a whole, making Cranbrook the “youngest ward” in the county. East Devon, with four of the top ten oldest wards, includes Sidmouth town which, with an average age of fifty-nine, is the oldest in Devon.

Devon’s population is older than England’s, but, crucially, it is also ageing at a faster rate. It is important to understand what is driving this before exploring the impacts on housing. During  2012 and 2020, the overall population of Devon rose at a faster rate than England and the South West, with the East Devon and Exeter populations increasing at the highest rate. This can be attributed to the growth of the university in Exeter during this period (see Chapter Three) as well as developments such as Cranbrook.

According to this report of a meeting between South West Water (SWW) and Teignbridge Council’s overview and scrutiny committee, SWW are trying to deflect the blame for the cryptosporidium outbreak.

It is being described by them as a “freak accident”, the responsibility of a “third party”.

Accounts suggest that the crypto bug got into the water through “a faulty valve in the network”.

We don’t know what sort of valve this is, but valves are mechanical devices that can fail.  So a fundamental consideration should be that they are installed in such a way, and situation, that they “fail safe”. They also need to be monitored and maintained. Surely these are SWW responsibilities?

SWW don’t look to have been any more transparent at this scrutiny meeting than with their meeting with EDDC in February.

Consumers need a much fuller explanation of what went wrong if confidence is to be restored. – Owl

Bug infection was ‘freak accident’ claims South West Water manager

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

Fault lays elsewhere, councillors told

An incident which led to thousands of South Devon households being told to boil their drinking water for weeks on end has been described as ‘an absolute freak accident’.

A faulty valve in the network between Brixham and Kingswear allowed cryptosporidium into the water system, exposing people to the risk of catching a bug which causes vomiting and diarrhoea.

Ian Lake, head of developer services for South West Water (SWW), told Teignbridge Council’s overview and scrutiny committee: “South West Water was not the reason for this. It was a third party.

“An investigation is being undertaken, but it was in my humble opinion an absolute freak accident that occurred.”

The alarm was raised in May, and 17,000 households across Brixham, Kingswear and parts of Paignton were advised to boil their water. SWW set up depots to distribute free bottled water to people affected by the incident, and delivered supplies to vulnerable households.

It was only a week ago – almost two months after the first reports – that the final ‘boil water’ notice was lifted for the last affected homes closest to the water works.

Mr Lake was among SWW officials attending the meeting to answer questions about water issues in Teignbridge.

Head of community engagement Alan Burrows said there had been “emotive conversations” around sewage spills and water quality, but SWW was on track to hit stringent targets to cut the number of incidents.

He pointed out that the water company was to blame for only 12 per cent of pollution spills, with the rest coming from sources including farms and factories.

His figures showed that fewer than half the storm overflows into the River Teign catchment area currently meet government standards, but millions of pounds is being invested to fix the others.

Cllr John Radford (SD Alliance, Kerswell with Coombe) said: “I don’t see any confidence going forward. A lot of promises have been made, but they have never been kept.”
 

Owl has been posting daily for four and a half years and will now pause to reflect on how East Devon Watch should respond to the new political scene.

It has been an eventful time with Owl covering key events including: 

the pandemic in all its phases; 

Ben Ingham’s “last stand” and the changing of the guard in East Devon including the eventual retirement of EDDC’s Chief Executive, Head of Paid Services, Director of Planning and Returning Officer, Mark Williams;

the “Rainbow” coalition inspired by Eileen Wragg and led by Paul Arnott;

Sasha Swire’s “Secret Diary”;

the First Million Hits; 

Alderman John Humphreys’ conviction and sentence for historic child rape, and “who knew what and when”; 

the fall from grace of “Tractor Porn” Neil Parish and the election of our first LibDem MP Richard Foord; 

the short, damaging, history of three Tory Prime Ministers and a lettuce; 

the funding crisis in local government;

Various “goings on” in other neighbouring councils;

the sewage crisis from denial to acceptance;

the 2024 election which saw Conservative reduced to the lowest number of MPs in the party’s history and the LibDems winning the most seats for 100 years.

sadly, Owl has also had to record the deaths of Val Ranger and Sandra Semple both of whom had been significant “agents for change” in East Devon.

East Devon Watch has now become a fantastic archive of more than 19,000 articles, dozens of which are read every day.

As a reader, if you have any views, email them to: eastdevon.owl@gmail.com

https://environment.data.gov.uk/bwq/profiles/

Alison Hernandez is still lagging rather than leading – how did she manage to get re-elected with such a miserable record? – Owl

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

The Devon and Cornwall Police service has been assessed as ‘inadequate’ at investigating crime in a critical report that says not enough offenders are being brought to justice.

The region’s police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez now says she will challenge its leaders to improve the poor outcome in such a critical function.

HM Inspectorate of Constabularies and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) says the standards of the force’s investigations “have deteriorated” because of understaffed and inexperienced teams investigating serious offences, while the service “still has work to do” in leadership and force management.

In a review of 66 cases, only 47 had an investigation plan, and it found some in which had “significant failings and victims had been let down”.

Inspectors also noted “serious concerns” about how the force manages investigations, adding that it is in “regular contact” with the acting chief constable on this issue.

Ms Hernandez welcomed the inspectors reports saying the service is good at preventing crime, and noted that data since the inspection showed improved performance in other areas, including how it manages offenders.

But she said she “shares HMICFRS’s concerns relating to crime investigation standards.”

She continued: “For several months, my recently formed accountability and standards team have been examining how files are prepared for court and how data is collected and used by the force,” she said.

“Their findings chime with those of His Majesty’s Inspector.

“The public must be confident that when they report crime the evidence and information they supply is correctly recorded and used so perpetrators are brought to book and victims receive the justice they deserve.”

She added that despite record investment in policing in Devon and Cornwall, she would be “challenging the force’s leadership to improve significantly in this area”.

In the report, Andy Cooke, HM chief inspector of constabulary, said he had “concerns about the performance of Devon and Cornwall police in keeping people safe, reducing crime, and providing victims with an effective service”.

However, the force hit back at some aspects of the report “due to the inspection being based on historical data, some of which is over a year old and does not accurately reflect improvements the force has made”.

They claimed positive feedback is evident in the force’s management of offenders and registered sex offenders, although this is still rayted as “requires improvement”.

The inspector said “considerable improvement” had been made in how the service treats people who contact it.

“Since our previous inspection, the force has made significant efforts to improve in the areas we highlighted as causes of concern or areas of improvement, which is recognised,” Mr Cooke said.

“However, despite those improvements, more is required to place the force in a position where it is consistently providing a good standard of service to its local communities.”

Acting chief constable Jim Colwell said: “I am pleased that the Inspectorate has acknowledged the good work that goes on in our neighbourhood teams every day, which is a reflection on the hard work of our officers, staff and volunteers.

“We are committed to delivering community policing with competence, compassion and common sense, which is why we remain the second safest force area in the country, and this has been clearly recognised by the Inspectorate.”

Ms Hernandez echoed this, saying the force has “one of the lowest crime rate areas.. But it is extremely disappointing that the force is letting too many victims down, whether with poor response times or a delayed investigation,” she added.

However, Mr Cooke said while aspects of crime investigation oversight had improved: “the force has understaffed and inexperienced teams investigating serious offences.

“There are delays in crime allocation and supervision, with many investigations lacking a detailed investigation plan or effective supervision.

“The force needs to improve in this area to achieve better outcomes for victims of crime.”

Decon and Cornwall Police said it has made considerable progress since the last inspection, such as review creating  more resilient teams to give more support to victims and ongoing work to address a national shortage of detectives.

“I fully acknowledge that we still have work to do to ensure that our investigations are completed to the high standards that the public would expect of us – particularly when it comes to serious and complex crimes,” acting chief constable Colwell added.

“We have made progress since the last inspection, but I recognise there is still much more to do if we are to deliver a better level of service to our communities and reduce some of the pressure on our colleagues.”

HMICFRS said it had altered its inspection process, meaning that this latest report could not be compared with the previous one.

The old system used to grade nine areas of policing, rather than eight under the new system.

Of those, two were rated inadequate (investigating crime and responding to the public), two require improvement (managing offenders, and leadership and force management), three are adequate (police powers and public treatment, protecting vulnerable people, and developing a positive workforce) and ‘preventing crime is ‘good’.

Mr Cooke praised the force for supporting neighbourhood policing teams, but raised a concern that they are “frequently being diverted to manage other demands, and this is affecting the service the force provides in this important area of policing”.

The inspector added that force now has the highest number of officers for some time.

“Although some of these officers will be less experienced, this presents a good opportunity for the force to make progress,” Mr Cooke added.

Instability at the top the force may also have been a factor in the outcomes of the report, with chief constable Will Kerr remaining suspended after more than a year.

Mr Cooke noted that operating with a temporary senior leadership team “hasn’t been easy”, and that the force is “one of the largest policing regions in England and Wales.

“The infrastructure of both Devon and Cornwall presents challenges in how the force can use resources to improve services in the areas we have identified,” he said.

Water companies are set to increase their bills across England and Wales by an average of £94 in the next five years, as the under-fire firms try to improve failing infrastructure.

Adam Forrest inews.co.uk

The water giants are under huge pressure to invest money in the creaking sewage system, following public outrage over the amount of waste getting pumped into the nation’s rivers, lakes and seas.

These companies are allowed to spill untreated sewage from storm overflows during periods of intense rainfall to prevent their systems from becoming overwhelmed.

i revealed on Wednesday that the Government will force the water firms to return money that is not spent on upgrading their sewerage networks to customers.

The bill increases approved by regulator Ofwat are less than a third of what the water companies had asked for. Water bosses had been keen to impose even larger hikes on customers to help pay for upgrades.

It comes despite huge bonuses for the companies’ chief executives over the last year – with some enjoying hundreds of thousands of pounds in top-ups, which took some of their annual pay packets to more than £1m each.

Here i has set out how each water company contributed to polluting rivers last year, how much bills are set to increase – and how much they have paid out in bonuses:

United Utilities

United Utilities performed worst out of any water company last year in terms of sewage pollution, according to the Environment Agency, with 45.4 spills per storm overflow and more than 650,000 hours of monitored spill events in 2023.

Customers’ bills at United Utilities are set to increase by 21 per cent by 2030, from £442 to £536 – up by £94.

The company’s chief executive Louise Beardmore got a £420,000 annual bonus in 2023/24 – part of an overall pay packet of more than £1.4m.

It is down slightly on previous chief executive Steve Mogford’s £426,000 bonus the previous year, which was part of his £2.2m pay packet.

BILLS: Set to rise by 21 per cent

CEO BONUS: Down by 1.4 per cent

South West Water

South West Water, owned by Pennon, had 43.4 spills per overflow and 317,285 total hours of sewage spills. The company is facing a legal challenge over spills on the Devon coast.

Meanwhile, South West Water bills are set to increase by 12 per cent by 2030, from £497 to £561, up by £64.

The company’s chief executive Susan Davy was in line to receive a total pay packet of £860,000 in 2023/24 – up from £543,000 the previous year.

But she opted not to take a bonus for a second year running, amid criticism of pollution levels. The £298,000 she received under a long-term incentive plan was diverted to a company scheme for shareholders.

BILLS: Set to rise by 12 per cent

CEO BONUS: No change.

Yorkshire Water

Yorkshire Water had the third highest level of spills in England and Wales last year, with 35.9 spills per overflow and 516,386 hours in total.

Yorkshire Water’s bills are set for a 25 per cent increase by 2030, from £430 to £537 – up by £107.

Chief executive Nicola Shaw saw her basic pay increase from £515,000 to £585,000 in 2023/24. She was awarded £371,000 as part of the company’s short-term “executive incentive plan”.

She had opted to forgo her bonus the previous year, amid criticism of the company’s performance over sewage.

BILLS: Set to rise by 25 per cent

CEO INCENTIVE: £371,000.

Welsh Water

Welsh Water had 35 spills per overflow in 2023 for its operations in England, according to the Environment Agency. They accounted for 23,354 hours of spills in total.

Bills are set to increase by 29 per cent increase by 2030 from £466 to £603 – up £137.

Welsh Water’s CEO Peter Perry received a £91,000 bonus in “annual variable pay” in 2023/24, part of his £489,000 pay packet. He had refused a bonus the previous year, amid public outcry over the state of Britain’s rivers.

BILLS: Set to rise by 29 per cent

CEO BONUS: Up from zero to £91,000.

Wessex Water

Wessex Water had 32 spills per overflow in 2023, with 372,341 hours of spills, watchdog figures show.

Customers are set for a 2 per cent reduction in their bills by 2030 from £508 to £497.

The company’s chief executive Colin Skellett decided to forgo any bonus in 2023/24, amid criticism over pollution. He received a £120,000 bonus the previous year. His basic pay of £290,000 remained unchanged.

BILLS: Set to decrease by 2 per cent

CEO BONUS: Down from £120,000 to zero.

Southern Water

Southern Water saw average spills of 30.7 per overflow in 2023, spilling for 317,285 hours in total.

Customers’ bills for the company, owned by the Australian conglomerate Macquarie, are set to increase 44 per cent by 2030, from £420 to £603 – up by £183.

The company’s chief executive Lawrence Gosden received a £183,000 bonus for 2023/24, having declined a bonus the previous year. His total pay packet – including base salary, bonus and pension benefits – rose from £427,000 to £764,000.

BILLS: Set to rise by 44 per cent

CEO BONUS: Up from zero to £183,000.

Northumbrian Water

Northumbrian Water recorded 30.1 spills per overflow over the course of 2023, spilling for 280,029 hours in total.

Customers’ bills are set to increase by 11 per cent by 2030 from £415 to £460, which is up by £45.

Chief executive Heidi Mottram received a bonus of £234,000 in 2023/24 – up from £215,000 the previous year. Her overall pay packet rose from £781,000 to £842,000.

BILLS: Set to rise by 11 per cent

CEO BONUS: Up by 8.8 per cent

Thames Water

Thames Water, the embattled giant of the UK water industry, is teetering on the edge of collapse, with negotiations with Ofwat still ongoing.

It saw 27.9 spills per overflow, for a total of 196,414 hours. Thames Water bills are set to increase 23 per cent by 2030 from £436 to £535, up £99.

Chief executive Chris Weston took a £195,000 bonus 2023/24, with his total annual pay packet being £437,000.

Previous boss Sarah Bentley opted to refuse her bonus last year, as the company was heavily criticised for sewage pollution.

BILLS: Set to rise by 23 per cent

CEO BONUS: Up from zero to £195,000

Severn Trent

Severn Trent performed second best of the water companies for average spills, averaging only 24.9 spills per overflow.

Earlier this year the company was fined £2m for allowing huge amounts of raw sewage to discharge into the River Trent.

The company’s bills are set to rise by 23 per cent by 2030, from £403 to £496, up by £93.

Bills for Hafren Dyfrdwy (Severn Dee) customers, part of Severn Trent in Wales, are set to rise by 32 per cent by 2030, from £396 to £524.

Severn Trent’s chief Liv Garfield was handed a £584,000 bonus for 2023/24, up from £358,000 the previous year. Her overall pay packet rose slightly to almost £3.2m.

BILLS: Set to rise by 23 per cent

CEO BONUS: Up by 63.1 per cent

Anglian Water

Anglian Water performed best out of any water company when it comes to sewage spills, averaging 22.2 spills per overflow, spilling for 273,163 hours in total.

The company charges for customers are set to increase by 13 per cent by 2030, from £491 to £557, up by £66.

The company’s chief executive Peter Simpson took bonus and deferred bonus payments of £455,000, down from £517,000 the year before.

BILLS: Set to rise by 13 per cent

CEO BONUS: Down by 12 per cent

---

Even if plans are eventually passed, caveat emptor!

An anonymous item in The Times on 7th July states:

“My daughters recently inherited a McCarthy Stone leasehold retirement apartment in Lancashire and need to sell it to get probate and distribute the proceeds according to the late owner’s will. Some of those waiting for their share are in urgent need. 

But this may take up to three years, my daughters have been told, as the new owners must be over 70 years of age, and demand from this age group is low. Until this is done they cannot distribute the assets, all the while incurring an annual service charge of about £8,500. What can they do?”

Anonymous

There is no time for a victory lap. There is far too much to do….

Richard Foord, MP for Honiton & Sidmouth www.midweekherald.co.uk

When former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stepped out into the rain on that fateful Wednesday in May to call the General Election, I think I heard many people across East Devon breathe a sigh of relief. Finally, after a period of chaos and decline, we had a chance to pass judgement on a Conservative government that had lost its way.

Like many MPs, I went into the campaign not knowing whether I would be returned to Parliament to keep on fighting for you. No one has a divine right to be an MP – it is a role that has to be earned through hard work and public service.

Throughout the campaign, I sought to demonstrate the difference having a hard-working Liberal Democrat MP can make. I put ‘demanding better’ in relation to NHS dental services, community healthcare services and the environment at the centre of my campaign.

There is no time for a victory lap. There is far too much to do – on these and other causes that I discussed with thousands of residents on doorsteps in recent months.

We do not know what to expect from the Labour government in Westminster. The Labour Party’s manifesto did not contain many pledges, so in the weeks ahead we will see what their approach to governing will be.

My promise to you is that I will do all I can to make sure our communities get the fair hearing and the attention they deserve. I will hold Ministers to account firmly – and I will challenge them. I won’t provide opposition for its own sake; I will seek instead to advance causes that matter to you.

The first thing I did after being elected on Friday was write to Wes Streeting, the new Health Secretary, to invite him to visit Seaton Hospital and discuss how we can save the community-funded wing from being ripped away from the community that paid for it.

As your MP, I promise to work night and day to repay the trust placed in me – whether you voted for me or not. If you’d like to contact me, then you can write to me at Richard.Foord.MP@parliament.uk or through my website: http://www.RichardFoord.org.uk

My team and I will be held to the highest standards. I’ll aim always to play it straight, roll up my sleeves, and I won’t forget that I was elected to serve you.

Water companies will be forced to return money that isn’t spent on upgrading their sewerage networks to customers under new plans being unveiled by the Government, i can reveal.

Lucie Heath, Richard Vaughan inews.co.uk

In his first intervention on Britain’s sewage crisis, Environment Secretary Steve Reed said water companies will no longer be allowed to divert infrastructure funding to pay for bonuses, dividends or salary increases.

It comes ahead of a draft decision by the regulator Ofwat on Thursday over how much it will allow bills to increase to tackle to sewage crisis. Firms have proposed bill increases of up to 72.87 per cent, meaning some customers could be paying up to £726.64 on their annual water bill by 2030.

Mr Reed also revealed plans to double the compensation households receive when their water supply is disrupted and to set up new panels for customers to hold the utility firms to account.

“We will never look the other way while water companies pump sewage into our rivers, lakes and seas,” he said.

“This unacceptable destruction of our waterways should never have been allowed, but change has now begun so it can never happen again.”

Water companies are already forced to return money to customers if they fail to meet separate targets linked to environmental performance and leakages. This is done via deductions to bills in the following year, rather than cash back.

It is understood that it will be up to regulator Ofwat to decide how exactly customers will be refunded if water companies do not spend their allocated infrastructure funding. Ofwat is the sector’s independent economic regulator but takes policy direction from ministers within the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Campaigners are likely to welcome the early intervention from Labour during the party’s first week in power.

However, it remains unclear when the new Government plans to set in motion some of the other proposals in its manifesto to clean up the UK’s waterways, including prosecutions for water bosses and automatic fines for firms.

Labour is also yet to commit to all the policies outlined in i’s manifesto to Save Britain’s Rivers and waterways, including increased funding for the Environment Agency and for farmers so they can reduce agricultural pollution, plus a “green duty” on regulator Ofwat to place greater emphasis on the environment when making decisions over water companies’ business plans.

Tomorrow afternoon, Mr Reed will hold a meeting with water company chief executives to set out his plans for the sector, which has faced intense scrutiny for the dumping of sewage into Britain’s rivers.

The meeting will take place on the same day that the Ofwat, publishes its highly-anticipated decision on water companies’ business plans for the next five years.

The draft decision will set out how much water companies will be allowed to increase customer bills by to pay for the upgrades needed to reduce sewage pollution.

Firms have proposed bill hikes between 13.6 and 72.87 per cent over the five-year period, meaning households would be paying up to £726.64 per year for water by 2030.

Ofwat is expected to allow water firms to increase bills, and only by slightly less than they are demanding.

Mr Reed has outlined four policies the Government would introduce “to clean up the water industry to cut sewage pollution, protect customers and attract investment to upgrade its crumbling infrastructure”.

This includes plans to write to Ofwat to ask them to make sure funding for infrastructure investment is ring fenced and cannot be spent on bonuses, dividends or salary increases. This will include infrastructure investments to prevent sewage spills, among other things.

Any promised infrastructure funding that is not spent on upgrades should be refunded to customers, he said.

Last year, 11 of the 16 water companies in England and Wales were forced to give money back to customers. However, water bills have continued to rise despite firms being penalised, for example in the 2023/4 financial year, bills increased by an average of 7.5 per cent despite water companies being penalised for missing targets.

Water companies have been heavily criticised in the past for failing to spend money on their infrastructure, while paying large dividends to their investors.

In its most recent performance report for the sector, Ofwat found water companies had failed to spend £587m set aside for improving their assets between 2020 to 2023.

Meanwhile, water companies in England paid £2.5bn in dividends in the two financial years since 2021, analysis by the Financial Times found.

Alongside restricting infrastructure spending, the Government will consult on doubling the amount of compensation customers will receive when their basic water services are affected. Depending on the circumstances, customers are typically entitled to £20 in compensation if their water supply is disrupted for 24 hours, followed by £10 for each additional day.

Ministers will also look to expand the circumstances under which customers receive compensation to include ‘Boil Water Notices’, which are issued when there are contamination concerns over drinking water in a region.

The move is likely in response to the recent parasite outbreak in Devon that saw over 100 people reporting a diarrhoea-type illness and around 16,000 homes and businesses being ordered to boil their water, with some homes affected for almost two months. South West Water was forced to pay out around £3.5million to affected customers.

Mr Reed will also order water companies to change their governing rules to make the interests of customers and the environment a primary objective.

New customer panels will be introduced with the power to summon board members and hold water executives to account, the Secretary of State said.

However, Mr Reed stressed that change will “take time” to improve Britain’s waterways and said the Government will outline further steps over “the coming weeks and months”.

It’s currently unclear when Labour will set in motion the other policies in its manifesto, including bringing criminal charges against water executives that break the law and introducing automatic and severe fines for polluting firms.

It is possible that more detail will be provided in the King’s Speech, which is scheduled for next week.

While Labour’s proposals are likely to be welcomed by campaigners, the Government is yet to commit to some of the other changes groups have been calling for to end the sewage crisis and restore our waterways.

Does Ofwat deserve to survive? – Owl

Water bills to rise by average 21% over next five years, regulator rules

James Sillars news.sky.com

Water companies in England and Wales have been told they will not be allowed to impose the hikes to bills they have demanded, the industry regulator has said in an interim verdict on their business plans for the next five years.

Ofwat declared that it was minded to slash, by a third, the combined increases that the 16 companies had submitted.

It left the average bill, the watchdog said, set to rise by £19 a year or 21% over the period.

Ofwat chief executive David Black said: “Customers want to see radical change in the way water companies care for the environment.

“Our draft decisions on company plans approve a tripling of investment to make sustained improvement to customer service and the environment at a fair price for customers.

A final ruling will be made in December.

As Ofwat’s report suggests, their wishes – including the 42% hike demanded by crisis-hit Thames Water – are unlikely to be fully met following final consultations on the plans at a time when the industry is under such heavy fire from many sides.

It said companies’ business plans proposed increases averaging £144 over five years.

Thames Water’s proposed increase of £191 by 2030 had been reduced to £99, Ofwat said, while Severn Trent’s proposed increase of £144 had been reduced to £93.

The industry has long been accused of prioritising bonuses and shareholder dividends over investment in key infrastructure, systems that widely date back to the Victorian era.

Sky News revealed on Wednesday that the new environment secretary Steve Reed had summoned bosses for an urgent meeting, when his plans for tougher regulation will be spelled out later on Thursday.

These “initial steps” include customer panels to hold company boards to account and significantly higher financial penalties for failures.

This is what the water companies are asking for:

• Southern Water: 72.87% increase to £726.64 by 2029/30
• Wessex Water: 35.73% increase to £690 by 2029/30
• Thames Water: 43.96% increase to £627 by 2029/30
• Dŵr Cymru: 29.06% increase to £602 by 2029/30
• South West Water: 19.97% increase to £596.04 by 2029/30
• Anglian Water: 16.75% increase to £573.06 by 2029/30
• Yorkshire Water: 32.27% increase to £569.40 by 2029/30
• Hafren Dyfrdwy: 41.21% increase to £560 by 2029/30
• United Utilities: 25.21% increase to £554 by 2029/30
• Severn Trent Water: 35.70% increase to £546 by 2029/30
• Northumbrian Water: 13.60% increase to £471.47 by 2029/30

• T1: Oak – prune back secondary & sub- lateral branch growth by removing approximately 2m from branch tips to achieve a 2-3m clearance from the property. Pruning wounds will not exceed 40mm in diameter. 16 Higher Spring Gardens Ottery St Mary EX11 1HWRef. No: 24/1318/TRE | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T16, Oak : Reduce lowest northern lateral branch by 2m. Land South Of Bulverton Barn Station Road SidmouthRef. No: 24/1319/TRE | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed south/east and south/west single storey extensions, new front porch and changes to fenestration Rydon Chase Rydon Lane Woodbury EX5 1LBRef. No: 24/1314/FUL | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of condition 6 for 24/0382/VAR : Condition 6 (exploratory works for ground and first floor layout) Eldin House Fairfield Road Exmouth EX8 2BLRef. No: 24/1316/DOC | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of Condition for 21/0936/MRES: Condition 7 (Tree Pits and Soil Volumes) Land At Old Tithebarn Lane Clyst HonitonRef. No: 24/1313/DOC | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Alterations to fenestration and construction of deck and stairs to provide ancillary accommodation on first floor and study/ home office on ground floor of the existing garage/study home office building Asher House Gerway Lane Ottery St Mary Devon EX11 1PWRef. No: 24/1310/FUL | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erect agricultural building Bridge Meadow Whitford Road Kilmington EX13 7NSRef. No: 24/1306/FUL | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of conditions for 23/1355/FUL : Condition 3 (habitats licence), Condition 5 (materials and finishes) 191 Beer Road Seaton Devon EX12 2QBRef. No: 24/1303/DOC | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development for garage conversionOrchard House Talaton EX5 2RLRef. No: 24/1300/CPL | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Application for a Lawful Development Certificate (CLUED) for the change of use of first floor of building to single dwelling at unit 19b, Flightway Business Park, Dunkeswell, Honiton EX14 4PB Unit 19B Block 19 Flightway Dunkeswell Business Park Dunkeswell Honiton EX14 4PBRef. No: 24/1290/CPE | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1, T2 – x2 Rowan – to dismantle as close to ground level as possible. 1 Upland Chase Honiton EX14 2FTRef. No: 24/1287/TRE | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Provision of car park and use of existing field access to serve proposed suitable alternative natural green space (SANGS) (under separate application) Land South Of Parsons Lane RockbeareRef. No: 24/1292/FUL | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Yew: remove. 4 The Hills Sid Road Sidmouth Devon EX10 9AQRef. No: 24/1296/TCA | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use of land from agricultural to suitable alternative natural green space (SANGS) Land South Of Parsons Lane RockbeareRef. No: 24/1291/COU | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1, Oak: dismantle the tree to ground level. 72 Byron Way Exmouth EX8 5SARef. No: 24/1286/TRE | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of Condition for 23/2376/LBC: Condition 4 (Materials) Copplestones Ridgeway Sidbury Devon EX10 0SFRef. No: 24/1281/DOC | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Unknown
• T002. Copper Beech. Crown lift for a ground clearance of 3m to enable vehicles to park in allocated bays. T003. Cherry. Fell to a 1.3m stump as tree is in decline Sidmouth Victoria Hospital Sidmouth EX10 8EWRef. No: 24/1258/TRE | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use of existing garden annex into dwelling Richardhayes Dalwood Devon EX13 7DYRef. No: 24/1254/FUL | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction and operation of a micro energy storage project Land At Blackmore Road Clyst St MaryRef. No: 24/1239/FUL | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Oaks (T5 and T7 of 23/0006/TPO): T330 and T326 – reduce branches by 3m from nos. 6 and no. 7. 6 Oak Tree Gardens West Hill Ottery St Mary EX11 1FRRef. No: 24/1232/TRE | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed rear extension and new front porch 76 Foxholes Hill Exmouth EX8 2DHRef. No: 24/1226/FUL | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Variation of Condition Number 2 (approved plans) on planning permission 23/1310/FUL (Proposed two storey extension and relocation of garage) amendments to fenestration, cladding and render. 2 Springfields Colyford Colyton EX24 6RDRef. No: 24/1227/VAR | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Loft conversion including front and rear dormers. Partial conversion of garage with first floor extension. Addition of PV panels to roof. 18 Flint Field Way Tithebarn Exeter Devon EX1 3XNRef. No: 24/1216/FUL | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey forward facing extension Glebe Cottage Higher Way Harpford Devon EX10 0NJRef. No: 24/1211/FUL | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use from agricultural to flexible commercial use (Class B8) Vacant Chicken Shed Rosamondford Farm Perkins Village Exeter EX5 2JGRef. No: 24/1203/COU | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Single storey porch extension 19 Underhill Crescent Lympstone Exmouth EX8 5JFRef. No: 24/1201/FUL | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• First floor extension, change roofing material to slate, and addition of external cladding Barnfield Shepherds Lane Colaton Raleigh Devon EX10 0LPRef. No: 24/1206/FUL | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Extend the existing garage to provide additional space to park a motorhome The White House 3 Northview Road Budleigh Salterton Devon EX9 6BYRef. No: 24/1207/FUL | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolish garage and lean-to, construction of single storey extension incorporating existing outbuilding. Internal repairs including re-plastering, layout changes, removal of wall & associated works. Remove areas of external cement render and replace with lime render, selected lintels and windows to be replaced Higher Salston Lodge Ottery St Mary EX11 1RQRef. No: 24/1209/LBC | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed loft conversion including construction of 2no. dormers on front elevation and 5no. rooflights on rear elevation Sunbeams Rhode Lane Uplyme Devon DT7 3TXRef. No: 24/1192/FUL | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed single storey wooden outbuilding in garden Bramleys The Orchard Brampford Speke Exeter EX5 5HWRef. No: 24/1186/FUL | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed construction of an earth banked agricultural slurry store. Land Off James Lane YarcombeRef. No: 24/1185/FUL | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of outbuilding, construction of rear dormer window and construction of rear and side single storey extensions resubmission of 22/2709/FUL. Colestocks Farm Cottage Colestocks Payhembury EX14 3JRRef. No: 24/1161/FUL | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed dwelling with associated driveway and private garden Roseleigh Church Road Colaton Raleigh Devon EX10 0LHRef. No: 24/1150/FUL | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed new barn for storage and housing ponies, with hardstanding and extended track. Munchkins Barn Colyton Hill Colyton EX24 6HXRef. No: 24/1050/FUL | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing buildings and redevelopment of site to provide two replacement employment buildings, new accesses and associated infrastructure and landscaping South West Metal Finishing Ltd Exeter Airport Business Park Clyst Honiton Devon EX5 2ULRef. No: 24/1049/FUL | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposal to replace the roof covering over the main hall and Billiard room with Kingspan KS1000RW 100mm thick insulated composite panels in Goosewing grey Whimple Victory Hall School Hill Whimple Devon EX5 2TSRef. No: 24/1040/FUL | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of new dwelling. Bowling Green Plymtree Devon EX15 2LFRef. No: 24/0985/FUL | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of two storey rear extension and rear dormers. 10 Oak Tree Close Upottery EX14 9QGRef. No: 24/0966/FUL | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed construction of open fronted and steel framed agricultural barn Frontfish Uk Ltd Colyton Devon EX24 6SPRef. No: 24/0951/AGR | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Allowed
• Demolition of conservatory and erection of rear single storey extension with raised patio area. 2 Littlefields Seaton EX12 2BZRef. No: 24/0944/FUL | Validated: Fri 28 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of new detached dwelling and detached garage. Appletreewick Muttersmoor Road Sidmouth EX10 8RHRef. No: 24/0929/FUL | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed first floor side extension 17 Meadow Road Budleigh Salterton EX9 6JLRef. No: 24/0776/FUL | Validated: Wed 26 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Ground Floor extension on North and West elevations including extension to garage and first floor extension on South West corner. Hayne Lodge Plymtree Devon EX15 2LDRef. No: 24/0743/FUL | Validated: Tue 25 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erect two detached bungalow dwellings, provision of parking and vehicular crossovers, and all associated works. Land At Anson Road ExmouthRef. No: 24/0729/FUL | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replacement of the Main Building roof and rainwater goods, replacement of the switch room building roof and rainwater goods, installation of external metal staircase to allow maintenance access into the roof void and installation of bird wires Honiton Hospital Marlpits Lane Honiton EX14 2DERef. No: 24/0580/FUL | Validated: Thu 27 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition of existing agricultural buildings. Proposed housing scheme for 6no. CLT owned affordable homes for rent, and 3no. Estate owned open market houses Land Adjacent To Town House Gittisham EX13 8AJRef. No: 24/0514/FUL | Validated: Mon 24 Jun 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision

Now the mist has cleared, a correspondent sends Owl dramatic pictures.

According to DevonLive, the landslide came as large swathes of Devon were battered by heavy rainfall overnight and into this morning [yesterday]. One such affected area was Budleigh Salterton, between Exmouth and Sidmouth, where the cliff collapsed. The collapse will cut off parts of the beach to the west at high water, according to an eyewitness.

The coastal town was under a blanket of rain for most of Tuesday morning, up until around lunchtime and it seems it was too much for its striking red sandstone cliffs, which tower above the 2.5-mile stretch of pebble beach.

The cliff collapse took place at 11.40am, leaving behind a huge mound of sandstone with dust swirling through the dark skies and over the choppy waves crashing against the shore.

Thankfully, the beach was deserted at the time due to the adverse weather, save for one passer-by who snapped the photographs after the event. He said that the cliff collapse attracted a lot of attention after it had happened, with a number of people venturing close to the site to check out the rock fall.

Labour has appointed one of the country’s foremost climate experts to lead a “mission control centre” on clean energy.

Eleni Courea www.theguardian.com

Chris Stark, the former head of the UK’s climate watchdog, will head a Covid vaccine-style taskforce aimed at delivering clean and cheaper power by 2030.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said the centre would work with energy companies and regulators and would be the first of its kind in Whitehall, following Keir Starmer’s plan for mission-driven government.

According to this model, ministers will focus on tackling five of the biggest challenges facing the country, one of which is clean energy.

Stark said: “Tackling the climate crisis and accelerating the transition to clean power is the country’s biggest challenge, and its greatest opportunity. By taking action now, we can put the UK at the forefront of the global race to net zero.”

Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, said: “Years of underinvestment has left our country suffering energy insecurity, with working people paying the price through their energy bills and a cost-of-living crisis. That cannot happen again.

“This new mission control centre, benefiting from the expertise and experience of Chris Stark’s leadership and bringing together the brightest and best in the national interest, will have a laser-like focus on delivering our mission of clean power by 2030.”

Stark was head of the UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) for six years until January. He was director of energy and climate change in the Scottish government between 2016 and 2018.

During his tenure the CCC recommended a UK net zero target for greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which is now in law.

Stark won praise for his management of the CCC at a difficult point, when the government was briefing against many of the statutory watchdogs. Some on the right of the Conservative party would have liked to dismantle the 2008 Climate Change Act, under which the committee was set up with the mandate to advise on meeting the five-yearly carbon budgets.

Throughout his six years as chief, he maintained his steady insistence on telling the government truths it did not want to hear – on how far off-track the UK was straying from its climate goals, and how much more it would cost to delay action than to take it now.

Stark clashed with Conservative ministers at the time of his departure from the CCC earlier this year. He warned that the concept of “net zero” had turned into a political slogan used to start a “dangerous” culture war over the climate.

He said sensible improvements to the economy and people’s lives were being blocked as a result and that he would be “intensely relaxed” about losing the term.

Shaun Spiers, executive director of the Green Alliance thinktank, said the appointment would help Labour attract much-needed international investment for its plans. “This shows the government is ambitious and serious about delivering on its clean energy promises, and is really reassuring,” he said. “It’s been a very good few days [since the election] in action from Labour showing they want to get things done quickly.”

Reforms to the UK’s planning system have been a focus so far, including the lifting of an effective ban on onshore wind turbines in England, but Spiers said the government would have to look across a much wider range of issues to be successful in decarbonising electricity by 2030. “Planning is important, but it’s not the whole problem – grid connectivity is key, and there’s a need to build supply chains [for green equipment], building up skills, looking at the cost of borrowing, and attracting international investment. The appointment of Chris Stark will help with all of that.”