Cllr Roger Giles has recorded an interview with BBC Politics Show, expected to be broadcast this Sunday (16th Feb). It is about a housing development approved in Ottery St Mary some years ago, despite a strong objection from the Environment Agency. The site has flooded in recent years.
Author Archives: sidmouthsid
EDDC’s Skypark choice for office move, causes furore… Radio Devon reports
East Devon District Council is loudly being called to account, and to justify the need for its heady plans for office relocation. Spiralling costs of the project, before even one brick is laid, combined with the unpopular choice of a new location, have opened the debate for a pause and re-think.
Don’t miss the interviews on Radio Devon, with Independent Cllr Claire Wright from 7am, and with Council Leader Paul Diviani on just after 8am…..Should be broadcast tomorrow (Thursday, 13 Feb) ..or possibly Fri 14th.
“Is there an Audit trail for this?” Inspector asks EDDC
Planning Policy Manager, Matt Dickens, and IT support officer, Martin Lee, were alone to answer questions at today’s examination of the crucial topic of Housing in the new Local Plan. “We could have been crudely arithmetic”, stuttered Mr Dickens, as he struggled to explain why an extra 4,000 houses had been added to the 11,000 provision recommended in the Roger Tym report. Seeking clarity, the Planning Inspector suggested, “You have no evidential basis for 4,000, you just made it up.”
A pity that not a single Councillor from the ruling party, was interested enough in this fundamental topic, to attend the hearing. Matt Dickens’ senior colleagues were similarly conspicuous by their absence….presumably earning their keep elsewhere? Click here for a reminder of their responsibilities: http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/smt_structure_chart_2012_internet-_amended_nov_2012.pdf
Skypark choice for office relocation….the media take up the story
More and more angry councillors (of all parties), and local campaign groups, are objecting to East Devon District Council’s questionable plan to move their Head Office to a huge new business park next to Exeter airport. The Council’s own Scrutiny Committee have asked EDDC bosses to delay until estimated costs and options for refurbishing existing office buildings have been examined. But it seems that the Chief Executive has intervened to block this motion. A Radio Devon report is expected this week, including an interview with Independent Councillor Claire Wright, on Thursday or Friday’s breakfast show.
The issues have been widely reported in the local press, some as front page news. Examples at these links to the SIN blog:
http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/skypark-its-a-sell-out-says-honiton-councillor/
http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com/2014/02/12/the-move-to-skypark/
http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com/2014/02/07/sos-eda-and-skypark-not-an-ideal-menage-a-trois/
“Everything will be on the website, out in the open” , says Local Plan Examiner
The Inspector emphasised this, at yesterday’s first day of the Examination in Public at Knowle, Sidmouth.
Today’s hearing is on HOUSING. Starts 9.30 a.m.
The EDDC website link is: http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/localplan
“I don’t see that Strategy 3 does the job”, says Inspector, as he begins Examination of EDDC’s Local Plan
A flavour of the first day is reported here:
Anthony Thickett, the Government Inspector is now in Sidmouth, for the Examination in Public (EiP) of East Devon District Council’s new Local Plan. The first hearings took place on Tuesday (11th Feb), with the opening session on Procedure and Duty to Co-operate. Although the Deputy Chief Executive had prepared a presentation on Procedure, the Inspector swiftly said, “I don’t see the need”, and moved on to what he described as the “thorny issue” of “Duty to Co-operate”. “You have not been co-operating with Exeter, is one issue that has been raised”, he told Matt Dickens and Richard Cohen. And when EDDC’s spokesperson told him, “We have had meetings with West Dorset”, the Inspector reminded her that there had been “Only one”. To her following comment, “We don’t think this is a Duty to Co-operate matter”, he said, “You don’t. I might!”
More to follow on this website tomorrow….
Start of Examination of East Devon’s new Local Plan, tomorrow (Tuesday 11 Feb)
The hearings, to be held in public, begin at 10 a.m. this Tuesday, at the Knowle, Sidmouth. Venue is the Council Chamber, just past the newer Council offices (pictured).
There will be 19 sessions, over a period of several weeks. Only those people who have already registered can speak, but a public presence will nonetheless indicate to the Inspector, the strength of local concern.
A link to the additional responses required by the Inspector is given here: http://saveoursidmouth.com/2014/02/10/inspectors-examination-of-east-devons-new-local-plan-begins-tomorrow-11th-feb-10-a-m-at-knowle-sidmouth/
For complete Examination schedule, go to: http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/progofficer.htm
While you’re in Sidmouth for the hearings, you might like a short pleasant stroll through Knowle parkland, to the town centre, or to the seafront ..or perhaps both, if you have time. 
EDDC Cabinet makes a mockery of its own watchdog.
The minutes of last week’s Cabinet meeting (5th February) have now been published. There are three principle issues of great public concern:
1.Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) recommendation on delay of Skypark for further survey on Knowle was rejected
2.Cost of land at Skypark is £986,000 exc VAT
3.A further £88,000 has been agreed, for the Office Relocation Project Manager to continue the process
The next EDDC Full Council meeting is on the 26th February, starting of course with public question time.
‘Fuller’s Folly’, or ‘Diviani’s disaster’?
EDDC’s apparent miscalculations regarding the present Knowle buildings, are detailed in Robin Fuller’s paper (see links below). In an e-mail circulated to Councillors (16th August, 2013), EDDC Leader Paul Diviani brushed aside this research with just the facetious remark, “Fuller’s Folly?”.
What do you think? Is the following information worthy of debate?
1. http://saveoursidmouth.com/2013/08/16/serious-questions-over-size-of-modern-offices-at-knowle/
2. http://saveoursidmouth.com/2013/09/08/cost-of-making-knowle-offices-fit-for-purpose-eddcs-figures-challenged/
EDA deplores EDDC’s Skypark choice, as costs spiral in the office relocation fiasco.
The East Devon Alliance has today sent out this press release:
‘ANOTHER COSTLY HEAD OFFICE ERROR BY EDDC ?
Local residents, EDDC’s own watchdog committee, and own staff defied
The Cabinet of the East Devon District Council has selected Skypark as its preferred site for its headquarters. If the decision is approved by the full Council on 26th February, officers would carry out further research into the viability of the move. Marketing of the Knowle would begin “promptly”. A final decision would be taken in the summer. No financial details of the proposed move were announced to justify the decision to leave the Knowle in favour of a site which, currently, has poor transport links and certainly does not fit the Council’s claims that its District headquarters should be somewhere more central than Sidmouth.
The East Devon Alliance deplores this choice, and EDDC’s undemocratic insistence on a project which has no clear financial justification. As Head of the Relocation Team, Richard Cohen , admitted to the Council’s own Scrutiny Committee recently, he has not asked the Head of Finance for “a full breakdown of the costs”. And yet, in addition to the substantial expenses already incurred (well over £350,000), the Council plans to set aside a further £400,000 of tax payers’ money over the next two years, just for preparations.
EDA Chairman Ian McKintosh says, “Economically, this is not the time to rush ahead with a massive spending of public funds, on a move that is widely regarded as imprudent.” Coherent arguments in favour of retaining the Knowle have been ridiculed by the Leadership, without serious debate. Sidmouth resident Robin Fuller’s detailed suggestions for refurbishment of the existing purpose-built buildings, and possible sale or conversion of the historic former hotel, were patronisingly dismissed by Councillor Diviani in just two words, as “Fuller’s Folly?”.
Astonishingly, local voters are not the only people who have been ignored. EDDC’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) agreed last week that Councillors had not been properly informed of the cost calculations, resulting in serious reservations about the financial viability and even the necessity for office relocation. The OSC therefore voted that the Cabinet be asked to provide more precise details in order that Councillors could “make an informed decision” . The same committee also recommended that an independent survey of the Knowle buildings, particularly of the 1970’s offices, should be undertaken. No mention of this was made in EDDC’s announcement.
EDDC’s determination to move, whatever the evidence and the wishes of those who fund the Council, is confirmed in that they have also ignored their own staff. EDDC Chief Executive Mark Williams recently issued the results of a survey of EDDC employees, who were asked for their preferred location, other than the Knowle. Of the four sites named, Skypark was least favoured. Not for the first time, EDDC’s, mathematical abilities were challenged. The total of all the percentages for each location came to 149 per cent! ‘
Skypark and the Clyst valley floodplain
A problematic combination? Some thoughts here: http://futuresforumvgs.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/knowle-relocation-project-moving-to_1252.html
EDDC HQ at Skypark not ideal, as EDDC explains
The Save our Sidmouth website has details: http://saveoursidmouth.com/2014/02/09/disadvantages-of-skypark-site-for-their-hq-according-to-eddc/
An East Devon Alliance press release on the Skypark announcement, will be posted shortly.
‘Improvements’ at Exmouth seafront
The Premier Inn plans seem to be causing problems. Story here: http://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/whitbread_should_pay_graffiti_bill_1_3287470
“It’s time to have a second look” at EDDC office relocation plans
So said Conservative Councillor for Honiton, Mike Allen, at last week’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee. His view is shared by many, not least his fellow Councillor, Claire Wright, who has today taken further action. Details at this link:
https://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com/2014/02/07/independent-councillor-puts-motion-to-eddc-to-defer-decision-about-skypark-move/
Skypark unsuitable for EDDC office location…on many counts
EDDC’s announcement this week to relocate its offices to Skypark, has instantly met with ridicule.
For a useful map, and some initial commentaries, go to :
http://futuresforumvgs.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/knowle-relocation-project-moving-to_1956.html
http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/public-transport-to-skypark/
The Express and Echo has more on the relocation debate, at this link: http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/East-Devon-campaign-group-criticises-district/story-20581500-detail/story.html
Skypark choice ..another costly error by EDDC?
Today’s press release from EDDC announces last night’s Cabinet decision to select Skypark as their choice for a new HQ. No financial details are given.
This is in clear defiance of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s vote last week that Councillors should be properly informed about the cost calculations, based on real concerns that a move is neither financially viable nor necessary.
The O&S recommendation that an independent survey of Knowle buildings, particularly the 1970s offices, has also presumably been ignored.
This undemocratic decision completely ignores staff wishes,too, according to EDDC’s own survey: see http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com/2014/01/31/astounding-figures-re-knowle-relocation/
For text of EDDC’s press release, go to http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/eddc-to-sell-family-silver-to-move-to-skypark-how-will-you-get-there/
Feniton Super Inquiry has ended
Click here for report on today’s proceedings: http://susiebond.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/its-over-super-inquiry-day-11-final-day/
“The beneficial effect of heavy rainfall….
…is that more people work from home”, says Wainhomes’ spokesman . For the context of this topical quote, go to Feniton Councillor, Susie Bond’s blog : http://susiebond.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/groundhog-day-in-room-101-super-inquiry-day-10/
How Cranbrook puts strain on the area’s health services.
The Express and Echo explains this increasing problem, with reference to the current situation at Pinhoe and Broadclyst. See http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com/2014/02/05/putting-the-housing-cart-in-front-of-the-health-horse-in-east-devon/
Environment Agency’s flood funding reduced by one fifth
Extracts from Environment Agency report point to more havoc ahead, not least in the South West:
‘Costs are set to double but funding has already been reduced.
http://www.planningresource.co.uk/article/1048996/agencys-flood-funding-reduced-one-fifth
14 Jan 11
The Environment Agency’s overall budget is to be reduced from £829 million in the current financial year, to £708 million in 2011/12, falling to £652 million in 2014/15. Within this, DEFRA has decided that the agency’s budget for flood management will fall from £629 million in 2010/11 to £485 million in 2014/15 – a reduction of nearly 23 per cent.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/publications/108673.aspx
What does our long-term investment strategy tell us?
It sets out the best available evidence on the choices the people of England face about how much money should be invested in managing the increasing risk of flooding and coastal erosion due to climate change and asset deterioration over the next 25 years (2010-2035).
Our modelling shows that investment in building and maintaining of flood defences will need to almost double to £1billion a year (compared to £570million now) by 2035. This figure excludes the cost of managing the risk of surface and ground water flooding and other activities such as flood warning and development control.’
East Devon Watch 