Last week, the Leader of the Tories in East Devon District Council (EDDC), Mike Goodman, published a letter denigrating the conduct of Paul Arnott, the Council leader. Inevitably, Paul Arnott used his right of reply. Both letters are published below.

Owl recalls Mike Goodman’s chequered history both in Sidmouth and Surrey

He became leader of the Tory minority in EDDC after his predecessor, Phil Skinner, was kicked out in the May 2023 election. This seemed to Owl to be a surprising choice as he was a Surrey County Councillor as recently as 2022 but perhaps they had little remaining talent to choose from.

As Owl reported during the 2023 general election campaign, he was the publisher of a “fake” local newspaper, the “East Devon Echo”, receiving a formal rebuke from the Press Watchdog.

Mike Goodman has a history of previous “angry outbursts” in EDDC, and of provoking outbursts in others in Surrey (two fingers and the “f” word). 

Could his “robust” form of politics have contributed to the LibDem gain in his Bagshot patch of “True Blue” Surrey Heath in the general election?

Mike Goodman www.exmouthjournal.co.uk

Letter: Does the East Devon Council leader value democracy?

In last week’s paper, we had the leader of the Lib Dem-led East Devon District Council writing about the need to protect democracy and reminding residents about elections for Devon County Council in May.

We agree that democracy needs protecting, but I do wish he’d act in the same spirit as he writes.

However, we know he’s standing for the county and probably wants to present a good image.

Sadly, if you scratch the surface at EDDC, the good image tends to rot away – and it seems some have an eye towards the local elections in May, where both the leader and deputy leader of the council want to win more influence as part of Devon County Council.

I want to take this opportunity to highlight examples of how the leader of the council has tried to silence me as an elected representative.

Firstly, at the most recent cabinet meeting on March 5, I was called “discourteous” because I dared to ask a question.

I was elected to ask questions in a democracy.

They were two important questions, and despite both the directors and one of the portfolio holders being in attendance, they were silenced and stopped from speaking.

The first question was a clarification on the ongoing challenges and problems of the condition of council housing stock.

In November, the stock condition survey results were presented to councillors privately, and the intention was for the details to be made public.

I first raised this matter in January, and no answer has yet been forthcoming.

It doesn’t look good, does it?

The second question, which was first asked and not answered on February 25, was around the council’s plans to hike the price of some rugby and football pitch fees by up to 50 per cent.

At the budget meeting on January 15, I asked for this policy to be reconsidered.

However, when the item went to full council, the fees had not been amended, and no explanation was given.

No response to my concerns was forthcoming, either.

Democracy in action?

I think not.

This policy is totally unacceptable and goes against encouraging people to play sports.

It will hurt so many clubs in a cost-of-living crisis, and there is no justification apart from lining council coffers.

I can only hope the council reduces the fees and makes the survey of the stock condition of our council housing public, like they said they would.

Hundreds of tenants across the district know the truth, and it shouldn’t be hidden away with legitimate questions shouted down.

I agree that democracy matters, let’s see more of it within East Devon District Council.

Councillor Mike Goodman
Sidford

Cllr Paul Arnott www.exmouthjournal.co.uk

Letter: In response to Cllr Goodman’s ‘untrue’ letter

By Cllr Paul Arnott

In this week’s papers, the East Devon Conservative district councillor, Michael Goodman, who joined the Sidmouth Conservatives on relocating from Surrey to Sidmouth in 2022, mentions me. I would be grateful for the right to reply.

In essence, Mr Goodman states that officers “were silenced and stopped from speaking” when he asked two questions at a Cabinet meeting I chaired. This is untrue.

Both questions required complex answers, one confidential as he well knew, and instead of Mr Goodman being allowed to stage his own personal interrogation he was advised by me that he would receive written answers.

This is common practice, completely constitutional, and what is happening. It may be that as a Surrey councillor Mr Goodman was allowed to push officers with not a moment’s notice of his question to satisfy him. In East Devon it is more courteous than that.

I am sorry that Mr Goodman has taken your readers’ time with yet another ad hominem attack on me, and also sorry I have to bore them with a reply for the record.

Paul Arnott
East Devon District Council leader and councillor for the Coly Valley ward.