Author Archives: East Devon Watch

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13 Jun 2019

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Accountability, Developers/ Development, Greater Exeter, Housing (local), Infrastructure, Land Supply, Local Enterprise Partnership, Local Government Finance

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Is our Local Enterprise Partnership attempting to hi-jack housing and infrastructure funding and control?

Yet another attempt by this unelected bunch of conflicted business people to suck up funding meant for local councils:

“…
Recommendations
2.1. 1.
That the Joint Committee pursue an area-based package to accelerate housing delivery which, at headline level, should include:

a. Resourcing of a strategic delivery team (capacity funding)
b. A major infrastructure delivery fund to unlock growth
c. A small schemes liquidity fund to bring forward stalled sites

2. That the proposed package as set out in appendix 1 is agreed as an
appropriate package to accelerate housing delivery across the HotSW
geography.

3. That the proposed package as set out in appendix 1 is used by officers as
the basis for future engagement with central government and its agencies in seeking to secure a bespoke deal for the HotSW area to structurally embed collaboration with central government on housing delivery.

4. That the Task Force seeks to now engage with senior figures within both Homes England and the MHCLG Growth and Delivery Unit to understand their appetite for driving growth and willingness to work with the Joint Committee on some kind of housing deal.

5. That the Task Force brings back any updates or progress to the Joint Committee to consider in due course.”

Click to access HotSW%20JC%20-%20Housing%20Task%20Force%20report.pdf

The appendix on pages 5 and 6 is particularly worrying.

And where does this leave the (stalled due to political changes) Greater Exeter Strategic Plan?

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13 Jun 2019

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Austerity cuts, Police (local)

Police advertise for (unpaid) forensic service volunteers (criminal record not a barrier)

“West Midlands police have defended their decision to use volunteers for forensics work after being warned that it was “a disaster waiting to happen”.

The force was criticised after advertising unpaid roles in its digital forensics team, with an advert that warned volunteers would “routinely come across distressing imagery including indecent images, fatal road traffic accidents, live CCTV footage recovery of incidents”.

The force said it was looking for people to commit at least 16 hours a month to the role and said that a criminal record was not a barrier to volunteering. …”

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jun/13/police-force-defends-use-of-volunteers-to-do-forensics-work?

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13 Jun 2019

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Accountability, Hugo Swire

Swire “hated maths”

Well, you don’t need to be numerate or literate or even moderately intelligent to be a Tory MP … just have a party to fund you …

https://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/mp-hugo-swire-praises-cranbrook-school-s-maths-teaching-1-6105463

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13 Jun 2019

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Accountability, Cranbrook, EDDC, Exmouth, Regeneration

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Why is Exmouth Regeneration Board chaired by a Cranbrook councillor?

Exmouth Regeneration Board
Membership

Councillor Megan Armstrong (Vice-Chairman [Exmouth Halsdon]
Councillor Kevin Blakey (Chairman, Cranbrook)
Councillor Susie Bond [Feniton]
Councillor Nick Hookway [Exmouth Littleham]
Councillor Chris Wright [Exmouth Littleham]

https://democracy.eastdevon.gov.uk//mgCommitteeDetails.aspx?

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13 Jun 2019

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Accountability, Affordable and Social Housing, Developers/ Development, Help to Buy, Housing (local)

“Help to Buy: ‘Most users did not need help report finds’ “

“Almost two-thirds of homebuyers who used the government’s Help to Buy scheme could have bought a home without it, an official report has said.
However, they may not have been able to buy the house they wanted without the help, the report from the National Audit Office (NAO) found.

It also found that one in 25 of participants had household incomes of over £100,000.

The scheme did help boost the profits of building firms, the NAO said.

It was too early to determine if the scheme had delivered value for money for the taxpayer, the report said.

“Help To Buy has increased home ownership and housing supply, particularly for first-time buyers,” Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said.
“However, a proportion of participants could have afforded to buy a home without the government’s help.

“The scheme has also exposed the government to significant market risk if property values fall, as well as tying up a significant public financial capacity.

“The government’s greatest challenge now is to wean the property market off the scheme with as little impact as possible on its ambition of creating 300,000 homes a year by 2021,” he said.

By 2023, the government will have invested up to £29bn in the scheme, tying up cash which cannot be used elsewhere,” the NAO said.

Bigger firms made the most of the scheme.

Between 2013 and 2018 more than half the sales in England made by Redrow, Bellway, Taylor Wimpey, Barratt and Persimmon involved Help to Buy.

‘Housing bubble’

Persimmon is the biggest beneficiary, with almost 15% of the sales made under the Help to Buy Scheme.

Persimmon saw its annual profits top £1bn last year.

Mike Amey, managing director of global investment management firm Pimco, has told the BBC that profit on a house sold by Persimmon had trebled since Help to Buy was introduced, “roughly from £20,000 to £60,000”.

Fran Boait, executive director of campaigning body Positive Money, said: “It’s now beyond clear that rather than helping those who can’t afford to buy a home, Help To Buy has mainly been a subsidy for a housing bubble, benefiting property developers and existing home owners.”

The government’s investment is expected to be returned from the scheme by 2032 after it closes in 2023. However, the size of the loans mean it is very much exposed to the performance of the housing market.

From April 2021, the scheme will be restricted just to first-time buyers.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48610977

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12 Jun 2019

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AONB, Blackhill Quarry, EDDC, Environment (local), Woodbury

EDDC Development Management Committee agrees industrial expansion in Woodbury AONB

“Details of industrial business expansion plan for Woodbury Common site agreed.

he first phase of expansion plans for an industrial business at the former Blackhill Quarry in Woodbury Common has been approved.

Last year, East Devon District Council’s development management committee gave the go-ahead for outline plans for 35,000 sq ft of additional industrial floor space at the quarry, operated by Blackhill Engineering, in Woodbury.

Tuesday’s meeting saw the committee approve the details of the first of those buildings, which will become the first part of a four-building development for Blackhill Engineering Services.

The site lies in the open countryside, this part of which is designated as an AONB and lies adjacent to the Pebblebed Heaths SAC, where development should be strictly controlled.

Cllr Tom Wright proposed that the scheme be approved, saying that the buildings would be less intrusive than the cranes and the movements to and from the quarry beforehand.

He added: “We also have to take into account the CDE management of the pebblebed heaths and no other organisation is more committed to retaining the high quality wildlife.” …

Cllr Olly Davey said that the ecological measures go some way to mitigating the effect of this, but said it was such an incongruous place for such a development to actually be taking place and that it was unfortunate it is here.

Cllr Nick Hookway added that he also had a real problem with the application. He said: “I understand the need for jobs but I am at a loss as to how the outline permission was passed by the previous DMC as this doesn’t seem to fit in at all here.

But Cllr Wright said that Blackhill have been there for decades and there are time limits of when they can operate.

Councillors voted by nine votes to two, with two abstentions, to approve the scheme.

Outline permission was granted last year despite calls for the former quarry land to be returned to heathland.

Concerns had been raised by parish and district councillors in Woodbury and the Otter Valley Association about the continued industrial use of a site in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Outline permission was granted last year despite calls for the former quarry land to be returned to heathland.

Concerns had been raised by parish and district councillors in Woodbury and the Otter Valley Association about the continued industrial use of a site in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/details-industrial-business-expansion-plan-2970387

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12 Jun 2019

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Budleigh Salterton, Coastal communities, Environment (local), Exmouth, Health and Safety

Surfers Against Sewage warn bathers to avoid Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton after recent heavy rain

“Pollution Alert: Storm sewage has been discharged from a sewer overflow in this location [Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton] within the past 48 hours.

https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/urgent-warning-not-go-sea-2969102

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12 Jun 2019

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Accountability, EDDC, Environment (local), Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site

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(Former) EDDC accused of “corporate vandalism” – paint cliffs wrong shade of red!

“Sightseers and geologists have slammed a council for painting historic sandstone cliffs in a “weird” red.

Sidmouth rocks are a famous feature of the Devon coast, noted for their natural earthy colouring.

But the decision to paint a section in the “wrong red” during recent stabilisation work has left experts and tourists bemused.

A councillor said reinforcing concrete had been dyed to “help it blend in with the surrounding stone”.

During the works, completed at the end of April, large bolts set in concrete were installed into the cliff to stabilise a large piece of rock.
The work was completed at the end of April.

Geologist Dr Alasdair Bruce said he could only describe East Devon District Council’s effort as “corporate vandalism”.

“They have sprayed most of the cliff. It’s almost like an Eric Sykes film,” he said.

“I’ve seen councils do some strange things with cliffs but this clanger really is at the top of the pile.”

The cliffs at Sidmouth are thought to date back about 220 million years to the Triassic period, which came before the Jurassic period.

Bill Shaw, a metal sculptor from Bideford on holiday with his wife, Peach, said: “It’s a bit weird. It just looks fake.

“It’s the wrong red as well, it should be more of a terracotta colour or would be better just left as it was.”

Geoff Jung, the council’s portfolio holder for the environment, said: “The concrete was dyed to help it blend in with the surrounding stone as opposed to leaving it as a plain concrete finish.”

He said the stabilisation work allowed the council to keep the walkway under the cliffs open and the public safe.”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-48613244

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12 Jun 2019

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Accountability, Democracy, East Devon Alliance, East Devon Independent Group, East Devon Tories, Independent Councillors, TiggerTories

REAL independence in politics – when ALL independents are in one group

“… As with all the independents I meet, they insist that orthodox party divides have no relevance to politics at the most local level. “If you look at our 16 candidates, we have got leftwing people and we have got a supporter of the Brexit party,” says another DIG councillor, Ged Yardy. “We have not been elected on the basis of our previous politics. Party politics is not in the room.”.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jun/12/how-to-take-over-your-town-the-inside-story-of-a-local-revolution?

BUT party politics IS in the room when, as in East Devon, Independents from one group appoint Conservatives into positions of power and/or influence in order to give that pairing a majority rather than appointing other independents whose origins differed from theirs.

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12 Jun 2019

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Accountability, Austerity cuts, Hugo Swire

Swire: obsessed by Raab and Brexit – no time for East Devon

And if you believe this, you will believe anything. Remember, Swire’s party (with Lib Dems and DUP support) has been in power for NINE years – they CREATED the problems they now say should be solved!

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11 Jun 2019

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Accountability, Hinkley C, Local Enterprise Partnership

Why is the south-west (particularly our LEPs and press) backwards at coming forward on our behalf?

We are reading an awful lot in the press about how the north of England is being discriminated against compared to the south-east and London.

For example:

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jun/10/northern-newspapers-demand-revolution-in-regions-treatment?

Why does our local press and LEPs in the West Country appear to lack the ambition and drive to do something equally bold for our region?

Aren’t we in danger of being left behind (again). Owl thought LEPs were supposed to be leading us somewhere …not just spending our money on vanity projects.

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11 Jun 2019

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Accountability, Clinton Devon Estates, Developers/ Development, EDDC, Newton Poppleford, TiggerTories

First test of Tiggers planning stance: a fudge on Newton Poppleford

No decision on Clinton Devon’s desire to replace GP surgery with 2 houses at Newton Poppleford – deferred for 3 months to “find a solution”.

One house and half a surgery, perhaps?

Not a good start.

https://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/controversial-newton-poppleford-application-for-three-months-1-6100848

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11 Jun 2019

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Accountable Care Organisation, Austerity cuts, Axminster, Dorset, Health and Social Care (local), Seaton/ Colyford / Colyton

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Cross-county working for health care: Axminster, Seaton, Lyme Regis

“Three towns are joining forces in a bid to improve healthcare provision in the Axe and Lym valleys.

Seaton, Axminster and Lyme Regis have formed a powerful alliance which will represent a combined population of some 40,000 residents.

Working together as the Axe Valley Health Forum the group believes it will have a stronger voice.

The new organisation will work with the NHS on the delivery of a health and care model that fits its demographic.

The vision is to establish a ‘place based system of care’ to meet the specific needs of the people of the Axe Valley where all voices within the community are listened to and everyone has an opportunity to participate in the design of services.

The aim will be to improve health and wellbeing for everyone living within the place identified as the Axe Valley – this includes Seaton, Axminster, Lyme Regis and the surrounding communities.

The Forum will consist of elected community representatives, health and social care providers and volunteers. …”

https://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/seaton-axminster-and-lyme-join-forces-1-6099018

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11 Jun 2019

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Austerity cuts, Education (local)

“Theresa May’s school faces shutting early on Fridays in ‘enormous’ budget strain”

“Theresa’s May former secondary school faces closing early on Friday afternoons due to “enormous” budget pressure, it has been revealed.

Wheatley Park School near Oxford is proposing to remove an hour-long period at the end of its Friday timetable.

The academy in Holton, which teaches 1,040 students, said the move would cut costs by reducing staffing requirements.

A letter sent to parents said: “School budgets are under enormous pressure and our own is no exception.

“The school currently has some reserves but will quickly tip into deficit unless we can find further ways to reduce costs significantly.

“Reducing the school week by one period would mean fewer lessons would need to be taught overall, which in turn would mean fewer teachers would be needed to staff the school.” …

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/theresa-mays-school-faces-shutting-16498450

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11 Jun 2019

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Accountability, Democracy, Hugo Swire, Sleaze

Swire’s choice for PM: EU says he is a liar, others weigh in with further criticism

One has to wonder (or at least Owl does) why Swire picked on Raab as his choice for Prime Minister. Raab has said that he is willing to override and suspend Parliament (our “sovereignty”) to get what he wants, is “probably” not a feminist as he thinks men get the rawest deal, has been accused of having zero emotional intelligence, has been branded a “dictator” by other rivals for the job, didn’t realise how important Dover was as a port – and many believe that a current aide (a woman who used to work for Michael Gove) was the person who leaked the Gove cocaine story:

Dominic Raab aide in the frame for ‘cocaine leak’

He has also been accused of being a bully by a member of staff, who had to sign a non-disclosure agreement to settle the claim :

https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/news/national-news/17697621.allegations-which-led-to-dominic-raab-signing-nda-brought-vexatiously/

Ah, on further thought, Owl can see exactly why Swire would back him!

“… Dominic Raab, is held in low-esteem in Brussels. During his four-month tenure as Brexit secretary, he lost trust of his EU counterparts. “He was seen to be working against his prime minister and making things up,” the first EU source said.

The European commission recently accused Raab of making “fraudulent” claims and spreading “pure disinformation” in a campaign video about the views of its secretary-general, Selmayr, on the future of Ireland.

Responding to unfavourable reports from Brussels, Raab told the BBC’s The Andrew Marr Show that it “probably tells you that I was doing my job in terms of pressing them hard and making sure that Britain’s interests were resolutely defended” ….”

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jun/11/eu-view-of-tory-leadership-candidates-deeply-critical-say-sources?

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11 Jun 2019

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EDDC, Local Government Finance, Privatisation

” Taxpayers ‘funding the outsourcing sector’ “

“A union has claimed taxpayers are propping up the outsourcing industry as local authorities spent £20bn on contracts in the last three years.

The GMB union said that local authorities should be focusing on services “not lining the pockets of private companies”.

Research conducted by Tussell – a data provider on UK government contracts – found that between 2016 and 2018 local authorities spent £20bn on outsourced contracts.

Of these Transport for London was the biggest outsourcer of services by value, with 253 contracts costing an estimated £2.3bn over the three years.

Harrow Council, the Metropolitan police, Northern Ireland Housing Executive and North Lanarkshire Council make up the rest of the top five outsourcers.

GMB found that Veolia was the top supplier of services with contracts worth £1.4bn, followed by IBM, Pennon Group, Amey and Amazon.

The most commonly outsourced service was facilities management on which £5.3bn was spent, followed by waste management, business and IT services.

Rehana Azam, GMB national secretary, said: “If we’ve learnt anything form the collapse of Carillion – it’s that outsourcing doesn’t work.

“At a time when local authority funding is already cut to the bone, this out of control outsourcing places even more risks and burdens on budgets and workers.

“Taxpayers’ cash shouldn’t be propping up an outsourcing industry descending into chaos as companies underbid each other for contracts in a race to the bottom, which will see a serious decline in public services.”

https://www.publicfinance.co.uk/news/2019/06/taxpayers-funding-outsourcing-sector