Following its recent front page report on the widespread local unrest, the Western Morning News today highlights a letter from EDA member Tim Todd. 
(Bigger version will be posted here shortly).
For those who missed it, here’s the WMN story: http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Grassroots-rebellion-arrogant-leadership-Devon/story-23044099-detail/story.html
“We have had enough. Since he came to power [he has] has undermined local democracy, contravened the local plan, and gone against the wishes of local people – enough is enough.”
Relax Mr Diviani – this is a petition circulating about the Mayor of Torbay who has sacked the majority of his Cabinet because they do not agree with him.
But today Torbay, tomorrow … who knows.
Anyone tried the “new” EDDC website yet – the responsibility for which can be laid at the door of the redoubtable Councillor Ray Bloxham – you know, the one who cut down public speaking so much at EDDC that it is now virtually non-existent and you can’t say anything until you have told EDDC in triplicate a year before what you intend to say …..
Well, he’s at it again – trumpeting the newly-designed EDDC website. Except that we hear it is generating lots of complaints. Unwieldy, not-fit-for-purpose, a step backwards rather than a step forwards, etc etc.
Trying to find out what is going on at meetings to come or meetings past is an absolute nightmare – minutes linked individually so that you have to go back and forwards many times to read them all, links that don’t lead anywhere, you name it, all in the name of “progress” so that EDDC can offer “more services” online.
Except that it is almost impossible to find the services!
However, see what Councillor Bloxham has to say here (if you can find it):
http://new.eastdevon.gov.uk/news/2014/07/open-for-business/
Well, yes, we do know that EDDC is open for business for SOME people who get unlimited access to REAL people – mostly developers. But for the rest of us are we to be subjected to “New-EDDC website lite beta” rather like “New Labour” or “New Fairy Liquid” … not always a step in the right direction!
….. 207 days to the next election on 7 May 2015
There are now very, very few “safe seats” if any.
There must be some current MPs who thought they had “safe seats” that would see them to their dotage (and even further) beginning to wonder if they will be having to go to the job centre next May.
Watch out for more silly stunts from them as they try to convince us that they are different to the rest whilst behaving the same way!
THIS is why:
A majority of 617. UKIP could have won if just another 1,000 or so voters had been registered.
Is this what our council is afraid of?
Well, we can aee how their CEO is attempting to wriggle out of his responsibilities. Will ours choose the same route? Will the Parliamentary Select Committee buy it?
As a commentator said – Devon is hardly the Sahara where canvassers have to chase tribespeople on camels to persuade them to register to vote!
And sparsely populated regions of Scotland seemed to manage registration too!
Looks like he follows the EDDC mode of public (non) engagement.
His last outing had ONE audience member – bet he gets more in Honiton!
Wonder if the Parliamentary Select Committee will agree with him on Monday?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27466042
Voter engagement in Mid Devon – not worth the money it seems. Wonder if he told councillors of his views and what they thought then and think now?
And if Mid Devon had done its homework too?
Well, here is what did happen in East Devon:
Click to access eu-elections-lro-declaration.pdf
Here is what happened in Mid Devon:
http://www.middevon.gov.uk/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=23530&p=0
Here is the result for the South West region
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_West_England_(European_Parliament_constituency)
Interesting – another few thousand votes could have tipped balances.
on the front page of View from Ottery, Hugo in Ottery Sainsbury’s getting instruction from staff in food hygeine with the headline “More cheese on mine, please, Hugo”.
We say “makes” as the pizzas in the picture appear to be ready-made and pre-packaged:
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/launch.aspx?pbid=ee7f26a7-0428-45aa-bd93-f815f1ec6808
and we can’t reveal whether he was on a zero hours contract or an unpaid intern.
Please let us know if you see Hugo shopping in our local Tesco or Sainsbury’s stores (Waitrose doesn’t count, obviously!).
He also apparently “worked” on the fish counter … no, no, won’t go there.
Unfortunately, he says “should” (advice which can be ignored) and not “must” (law which must be obeyed). So, no change in East Devon as green fields and Grade 1 and 2 agricultural land is swiftly turned into concrete:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/councils-must-protect-our-precious-green-belt-land
“Researchers for THINK! found that nearly a third of drivers in the region report having had a crash or near miss on a country road, while 42% have been surprised by an unexpected hazard, such as an animal on the road. Over a third also confess to taking a bend too fast.”
Read more: http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Campaign-launched-West-s-rural-roads-revealed/story-23063234-detail/story.html#ixzz3Fe4zeHZU
Follow us: @WMNNews on Twitter | westernmorningnews on Facebook
Read more at http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Campaign-launched-West-s-rural-roads-revealed/story-23063234-detail/story.html#7ztVpD8XHqYmxGyB.99
And yet EDDC proceeds to allow the building of 300+ houses in Gittisham: where the only route in and out is a very narrow country road with an even narrower point at an overhead main line railway bridge:
And still we build more and more. If people can’t afford them what happens next? If interest rates go up and put those in homes in negative equity where they can’t afford higher payments – what next?
I have written this evening to the Chairman of the O&S Committee, Cllr Tim Wood, and copied to his deputy, Cllr Graham Troman. My letter reads:
Dear Councillor Wood
I am a council tax payer living in East Devon, and my full details are below. I write to you in your role as Chairman of the EDDC Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
I would be grateful if you could answer the following questions urgently, as they relate to an event of unusual local concern on Monday in Westminster as well as to Full Council next Wednesday, when I and others will ask about your Chief Executive’s dismissal of sincere concerns put to him in July’s public question time by Mr Paul Freeman. I was in attendance, and can confirm that the minutes are correct, and that Mr Williams did tell Mr Freeman to get his facts right …
You will be aware that Mr Williams’ appearance before the Select Committee has only just become public knowledge, and that EDDC has given such an interesting occasion on the national stage no publicity at all. I and many others have to be grateful for the vigilance of other local people for any knowledge of this, and even the four district councillors I have asked about it had not been told.
Please advise:
1. If/when the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was appraised of the missing voters and lack of canvassing in the East Devon District.
2. If/when the Overview and Scrutiny Committee was made aware of the Returning Officer’s appearance before the Parliamentary Select Committee on voter engagement
3. If/when this matter will come before the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for discussion.
4. If it is not the intention of the Committee to bring this matter forward, please confirm this.
Yours faithfully,
Paul Arnott
cc Vice Chairman O&S Committee, Cllr G Troman.
d
Click to access EPE-LGE-Part-A-Returning-Officer-role-and-responsibilities.pdf
2.8 While you can appoint one or more persons to discharge any or all of your functions, you cannot delegate your personal responsibility for delivering the election. Further information on the appointment of deputies can be found in Part B – Planning and organisation.
2.9 You are also subject to breach of official duty provisions. This means that if you or your appointed deputies are, without reasonable cause, guilty of any act or omission in breach of official duty you (and/or they) are liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding £5,000.
Or will it get kicked into the (now very long) grass the same way the investigation into the East Devon Business Forum was?
East Devon Watch 