http://saveoursidmouth.com/2014/06/10/sos-update-we-are-determined-to-fight-on/
Author Archives: transparencyforeastdevon
Cranbrook has much to learn from Sidmouth, coos Council Leader
See extraordinary comments by Cllr Diviani and close colleagues, in today’s report at http://www.viewfrompublishing.co.uk/news_view/32635/12/1/sidmouth-cranbrook-has-much-to-learn-from
This, and EDDC Cabinet’s ‘ Vision for Cranbrook’ , raises many questions. Some prime examples are given on the Vision for Sidmouth website today, in the following blogpost: http://futuresforumvgs.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/last-weeks-district-council-cabinet.html
Your support needed for a new NPPF petition
The new petition for amendment to the NPPF can be accessed via http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/59376. We urge you to sign this, please.
Why sign it? See recent EDA post on important planning protections being removed http://eastdevonalliance.org/2014/06/08/updates-on-national-planning-regulations/
Lobbying Bill: the stifling of all political dissent begins – criticise the Government at your peril
The Lobbying Bill has done nothing to stop the lobbying of Parliament by big business nor has it stopped large donations to parties in power. What it is doing is stopping charities and the like from campaigning during the period prior to the general election:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-27783331
Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting tomorrow …. EDBF … TAFF …EDBF … TAFF
EDBF … TAFF … EDBF … TAFF …EDBF … TAFF ……EDBF … TAFF ……EDBF … TAFF ……EDBF … TAFF ……EDBF … TAFF …
Get the message?
6.30 p.m Knowle
Agenda HERE.
CPRE Cornwall attempts to unite countryside campaign groups
spokesman Orlando Kimber admitted that the group [CPRE Cornwall] had “lost its way” in recent times and had relaunched at the turn of the year with new trustees and a new constitution. …
“What we want to do is bring everyone together who feels strongly about these issues to create a single voice. “By bringing everyone together whether we are at the table with the council or at the House of Lords then we are much, much harder to deny.” Mr Kimber stressed the group were not “anti development” but wanted to make sure scheme were appropriately located. He added: “It is everyone’s best interests, commercially and otherwise, to protect what we have here.”
Neighbourhood Plans: financial support if you live in the Blackdown Hills
http://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/have_your_say_on_local_issues_1_3637319
Did councillors who live in or represent the Blackdown Hills declare an interest when funding from EDDC was agreed? Where does this leave all the other struggling towns and villages which would like to have support for their efforts to build up neighbourhood plans?
MP candidate’s survey
Claire Wright, Independent, contesting the East Devon constituency, has published a survey to find out what topics people in her constituency are interested in. Details HERE.
Exmouth seafront traders face uncertain future as EDDC continues secret talks with developers
Localism? Not in Cornwall!
Some background on the Hammersmith and Fulham situation (see post below)
This is, of course, the view from what was the opposition party at the time but which is, since the May elections, the majority party:
http://www.thecowanreport.com/2014/02/is-there-such-thing-as-free-lunch-h.html
Too little, too late or too much too late?
South West: low disposable incomes, high housing costs
“Affordable housing”? In your dreams!
as evidenced here:
http://www.westerndailypress.co.uk/Housing-demanded/story-21210221-detail/story.html
One reason why Tory flagship borough was a surprise win for Labour in May 2014?
SPECIAL MOTION NO. 3 – HOSPITALITY AND PUBLIC CONCERNS ABOUT THE “TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT” RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ADMINISTRATION AND PROPERTY DEVELOPERS DOING BUSINESS IN THIS BOROUGH
Standing in the names of:
(i) Councillor PJ Murphy
(ii) Councillor Andrew Jones
“The Council notes that its self-confessed “property-developer-friendly” approach has resulted in many controversial land development schemes being opposed by large numbers of Hammersmith and Fulham residents who have attended the Planning Applications Committee and expressed concerns that the Council’s relationship with many developers are “too close for comfort”.
The Council therefore regrets the decision of administration cabinet members and other Conservative councillors to enjoy “gifts and hospitalities” from property developers operating in the Borough. The Council notes that no minutes or records are kept of the conversations that take place during these generous social engagements and that meetings such as these do nothing to dispel residents’
concerns.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council resolves to tighten its protocols and halt councillors from accepting personal gifts and personal hospitality from businesses hoping to profit from decisions they might make or the influence they may be able to bring to bear on decision makers.
Furthermore, the Council agrees that agenda and minutes need to be made of all meetings its councillors, officials and representatives have with businesses, their agents or their lobbyist when discussing issues pertinent to the Borough and those businesses. Those records will be made available for public scrutiny”.
Police Commissioner employs consultants to find savings
Er, anyone see a problem there?
Governance and accountability for town and parish councils
http://www.slcc.co.uk/news-item/governance-and-accountability-for-local-councils/768/
A few of our town and parish councillors and clerks might need a refresher here – Ottery, Talaton and Newton Poppleford spring to mind.
An interesting case in Wales of judicial review of cuts without specific consultation
“Whose fault is it that the public are pessimistic about modern politicians?”
Seaton: East Devon’s largest “God’s Waiting Room”?
Osborne to offer developers “incentives” to build on “brownfield” land
Er, couldn’t he just use the law. Why offer carrots when what may be needed is big stick?
Developer: should I build on a brownfield site and sell my houses for £250,000 each and take 3 months per home to sell them or should I build on greenfield or AONB and sell them for £500,000 each and sell them immediately?
If the “incentive ” is less than £250,000 per house in those circumstances, why bother?
East Devon Watch 