The House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee has published a report including a call for state funding of political parties to be linked to their progress in improving their own diversity.
http://www.markpack.org.uk/148026/state-funding-candidate-diversity/
Owl loves the EDDC description: “there were no costs to the taxpayer because they were all ‘internal’. Everything that happens at Knowle obviously costs us absolutely nothing!
“East Devon Council is to publish previously confidential documents relating to the sale of its HQ.
The action follows the authority’s decision to drop its appeal against a ruling by the Information Commissioner which ordered it to release the documents.
The information relates to the bidding process for the council site at Knowle, Sidmouth, and its contract with the buyer Pegasus Life.
The appeal followed requests for the information from Jeremy Woodward of the Save Our Sidmouth campaign group.
The council is planning to move its HQ from Sidmouth to sites in Honiton and Exmouth.
In December last year East Devon councillors rejected plans from Pegasus Life for 113 apartments for older people at the Knowle site.
The move has been opposed by Sidmouth town council and residents’ group who want to protect the land from development.
The commissioner criticised the council in 2015 over the way it had handled a Freedom of Information request from Mr Woodward made in 2013, relating to the proposed £7.5m sale. The council refused, Mr Woodward appealed, and the commissioner ordered the documents to be released.
The council said in a statement in November last year it lodged appeals for a second time against the Information Commissioner’s order to release information about the sale process because of the sensitivity of the information at that time.
It said: “With the PegasusLife planning application having been refused, it is considered that this sensitivity has now been reduced and that publication of the information is acceptable.
“In addition, the ICO, through the appeal process, has clarified that the council was right to question the way the decision was made and, as such, the council has now obtained much needed clarity on the position relating to the confidentiality of tendering processes, not just for Knowle, but for all its commercial activities.”
The council added paperwork relating to the sale up to September 2016 would be available on the relocation section of its website soon.
It said there had been no cost to East Devon taxpayers from the appeal process.
The statement said: “The council would like to reaffirm its commitment to publishing information relating to the relocation project as and when it is appropriate to do so. The next tranche of paperwork, which covers up to September 2016, should be available online very shortly.”
The recent report in The Exeter Express and Echo (13 January 2016) on the treatment by EDDC of one its tenants, Chris Wright whose family run Exmouth Fun Park, raises serious concerns about the veracity of the Council’s version of events, as well as its competence.
Alison Hayward, EDDC’s Regeneration and Economy Manager sent a document to all councillors on 25 April 2016 which gave the clear impression that Mr Wright had refused to accept a generous offer to extend his family’s lease as part of the EDDC’s Queen’s Drive Regeneration. She says his refusal provoked an expensive legal process which caused delays and threatened to “blight the seafront”.
This version was later repeated by Cllr Phil Twiss in an email to councillors in which he added that Mr Wright had also failed to reach an agreement with Moirai Capital Investments, the council’s “preferred developer” for the regeneration of the seafront.
But, as the Express and Echo reports, it seems from EDDC’s answers to a Freedom of Information request, that Mr Wright did NOT refuse the council’s offer, but that the council withdrew it unilaterally while negotiations were still continuing.
This is serious because it suggests allegations that Mr Wright, by his obduracy, involved the council in expense and delay are inaccurate and damaging to his reputation. They could verge on the defamatory.
The reference by Cllr Twiss to Mr Wright’s failure to do a deal with Moirai raises another question. Did the Council, Ms Hayward in particular, perform due diligence on this company before signing an agreement with it?
Many observers warned that Moirai was unsuitable, a verdict the Council finally seems to have accepted in July last year when it ended its relationship, plunging the whole Queen’s Drive project into confusion.
The decision may have been made – in whole or in part – following a detailed analysis of the company’s record drawn up by members of the public and sent to Mark Williams CEO of EDDC. It was the sort of in-depth investigation which the council appears not to have bothered to conduct since the information could be obtained – with a little research – in the public domain.
In all, a not very flattering picture of a council appearing to traduce a tenant for not agreeing quickly enough to an offer which he thought he was still negotiating and appearing to criticise him for not cooperating with a “preferred developer” whose suitability was in doubt.
“Neighbourhood Plan (Voting this Thursday 26th January)
Following the Inspector’s Report and some amendments, the NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN has been accepted by East Devon DC.
The Referendum to decide on the adoption of the Plan will be held on 26th January and polling cards have been sent out. Even if you have not received a polling card, all registered voters can participate in the Referendum and cast their votes at Clyst St Mary Village hall.
Please support the Plan by voting for adoption in the Referendum. Once adopted, the Neighbourhood Plan will greatly strengthen the powers of the Parish Council to resist inappropriate development.
The final version of the plan can be viewed on our website: http://www.planning.bishopsclyst.co.uk
If you have any questions on the referendum or the Neighbourhood Plan, please ring Rob Hatton on 01392 874305 or the Chairman, Mike Norman on 01392 877012.”
“You are invited to attend the Annual Conference of the East and Mid Devon Community Safety Partnership at Broadclyst Victory Hall on
Wednesday 5th April 2017
Please arrive at 9:15am for a prompt start at 9:30am. This year it is a morning only conference which will finish at 1pm after which there will be a free buffet lunch.
The main speaker will be the Police and Crime Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, Alison Hernandez but there will also be inputs on local policing, modern slavery, Bethe change and the RISE Hub at Axminster.
Booking is essential as places are limited. Please email: communitysafety@middevon.gov.uk or phone 01884 234997 to book a place.”
PS: Perhaps next time a venue could be organised that people can get to more easily on public transport from the east of the district.
Owl thinks that our Local Enterprise Partnership’s contact details need a wider audience, especially as its CEO, Chris Garcia, has just had a 26% salary increase as it must be a VERY IMPORTANT organisation.
We know from Devon County Council that it has 4 full-time officers ( though we have no idea where they are based) and “a few” part-time employees ( though it does employ a lot of consultants).
We also know that its books are kept and audited by Somerset County Council – though they are not available for public inspection or scrutiny.
Here is a list from their web presence of how you can contact them – there is also a web contact form. But note they do not pick up their snail-mail very often – not good news for anyone they owe money to who sends them a paper bill ( perhaps because they have no rural broadband where they live, for example):
“You can contact us in the following ways:
By email: info@heartofswlep.co.uk
By telephone: 01935 385977 – The LEP’s reception service is provided by Yeovil Innovation Centre, supported by South Somerset District Council. Our partners who provide this service will forward any messages to the relevant contacts at the LEP.
Contact Helena Davison, LEP Communications Manager
Telephone: 07525 806333
Email: helena.davison@heartofswlep.co.uk
Inward investment enquiries
Contact Julia Stuckey, LEP Inward Investment Manager
Telephone: 07920530880
Email: julia.stuckey@heartofswlep.co.uk
Contact by post
Heart of the South West LEP, PO Box 805, Exeter, EX1 9UU
(Please note this PO Box is not regularly monitored and email contact is the recommended way of communicating with HotSW LEP.)”
Devon County Council Freedom of Information response in 2014:
Requested: 4 September 2014
Date of Disclosure: 2 October 2014
“Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership is an organisation that Devon County Council works with, along with other Local Authorities. Devon County Council is not aware of what monies have been spent by the LEP. As Somerset County Council is the accountable body for the Local Enterprise Partnership, I suggest that you contact Somerset directly for this information.”
Click to access Information%20Request%20IR1750064.pdf
It then gives a link:
http://www.somerset.gov.uk/information-and-statistics/freedom-of- information/freedom-of-information-requests/
which is no longer live and ends:
“If you wish to speak with someone regarding the above request, please contact the Information Governance Team on 01392 383445 or email accesstoinformation-mailbox@devon.gov.uk”
Source: Alan White, South Devon Watch Facebook page
“Devon and Cornwall’s under-investigations crime chief was put under pressure this morning after a councillor told her to quit on TV
Cornwall councillor Candy Atherton said an ongoing police investigation, appalling crime figures and a complete failure to put one plan in place during nearly nine months in office, made PCC Alison Hernandez’s position intenable.
On Sunday Politics South West this morning, former Labour MP Ms Atherton pressed the point home and said the elected police boss must go – a call which was firmly rejected.
Speaking after the broadcast, she told Cornwall Live that it had simply “gone on long enough.”
She said Ms Hernandez, who earlier this month was revealed to have been interviewed by interviewed by police probing expenses allegations, couldn’t possibly have her eye on the ball.
“What I want is a PCC who is totally focussed on the job in hand, but we do not have that, we have someone who must be constantly looking over their shoulder and wondering what is happening next,” said Ms Atherton.
“She was elected in May for a four year term but still hasn’t got her first plan in place.”
Ms Atherton added that it “must be very difficult for her to concentrate” because of the weight of allegations.
“I’m sure you would have wanted for it to be kicked into the long grass by now, but that hasn’t happened and so now we have to move on.”
Ms Hernandez has been accused of failing to properly declare election expenses when she was employed as the general election agent for Conservative MP Kevin Foster.
And last year she was also widely criticised for taking a selfie with a firefighter outside the burning Royal Clarence Hotel.
Earlier this month it emerged that she had been interviewed by West Mercia Police, which is investigating the allegations, and that their report will go to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. A decision will then be made whether the case should be referred to the Crown Prosecution Servic
Ms Atherton said last week’s crime figures, which showed the number of offences was on the increase, was also reason for the PCC to go.
She said that while Ms Hernandez couldn’t be held responsible for the increase, the county needed a police commissioner who was “fully focussed on the job.”
She admitted not supporting the decision to introduce local police and crime commissioners, the election of whom attracted just a 22% turnout last year, up from 15% the previous election.
But said this was irrelevant as the point was getting a person in the role who was not distracted.
Ms Hernandez robustly defended herself in the interview on Sunday Politics South West saying she had been elected to do a job and that would continue with it.
She said: “In terms of saying whether I’m the right person for the job, the point is that I’m elected to do this job so I am here to do it and I will make sure I endeavour to do a really good job while I’m here.”
Ms Hernandez rejected the suggestion she hadn’t brought any plans forward and said that a budget proposal would be presented in early February and that a policing plan had been formulated with the chief constable.
She said she was looking to recruit more police officers, but would not be drawn on whether – and the extent – of any planned increased to the precept, the amount on council tax bills which go to funding the force.
She suggested that a 2% rise, which the maximum allowed, could mean another £2 million for policing in Devon and Cornwall.
Ms Hernandez claimed that a police and crime commissioner being at the centre of a police investigation had actually proved a “real positive” in terms of her profile.
“The bit that has been so positive is the publicity I have received.
“I can walk down Newquay town and I will get stopped by people who want my help.”
“19 January 2017:
BBC South West have run a series of items on the NHS and Social Care crisis this week (Jan 16-19). I was invited to take part in a panel debate on Radio Devon on Thursday 19th (1-2pm).
I went to Plymouth to be in the studio with Dr Sarah Wollaston MP (Totnes, Chair of Health Select Committee) and Mr David Halpin (retired surgeon and campaigner). Dr David Jenner from the NEW Devon CCG board was in the Exeter studio. The debate was presented by Victoria Graham, who did a very fair job, compared to other BBC interviews I have seen on national TV.
My aim was to raise awareness of the huge administration costs in the NHS today. It’s particularly interesting to her Dr Wollaston defend the managers, despite the fact that I had not criticised them. Telephone calls to the programme following this session included several from people picking up the points I had made and one criticising Virgincare in Devon.
To hear the full debate go to:
https://www.eastdevonalliance.org.uk/in-the-press/20170121/bbc-radio-devon-nhs-social-care-crisis/
Press Release from Save Our Hospital Services (Facebook group):
Public Meetings across North Devon against potential cuts in the acute services at North Devon District Hospital
The SOHS Devon campaign over the last two months has run a series of meetings across Northern Devon in Combe Martin, Lynton, Bideford, Northam, Westward Ho!, Braunton, South Molton. Without exception they have been packed to capacity with around 250-300 people at each meeting.
Speakers from the campaign have been informing the public of what can be done to avert the real danger of the acute and emergency services being removed from North Devon District Hospital following the publication of the so-called Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) for Devon.
Laura Nicholas, Director of Strategy at the ‘Success Regime’ and one of the authors of the STP made this astonishing statement to the Braunton council public meeting in November 2017. “If an ambulance has to drive past a hospital front door to go somewhere else, someone may die. That may be the case, but we have to balance that against a whole range of people who may not have access to any services at all. And that may also lead to that outcome.” A ‘balance’ of a death against a death?
Please see (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=depJDu668c0)
It is abundantly clear that the general public is seriously concerned at what the consequences of any cuts to acute and emergency services at the NDDH will be.
“The people of North Devon fought to have the District Hospital built because of the vital need in this isolated area. It is the second most remote district hospital in the country”, said campaigner Phillip Wearne. “The people of North Devon are fighting now to save our hospital from cuts, which will result in lives being lost.”
At the DCC Health and Wellbeing scrutiny committee meeting [on Thursday] a member of the public (MOP) confronted Angela Pedder leader of the STP group.
The “conversation” went something like this:
MOP “Hi Angela, this STP you are rolling out, you do realise people will die? How do you feel about this?
Pedder “I dispute that fact”.
MOP “Don’t you realise young women will die in childbirth on the way to Plymouth?”.
Pedder ” Don’t point your finger at me”.
MOP (finger removed)” You do realise stroke victims will suffer brain damage before they get to Exeter?”.
Pedder “I dispute that”.
MOP “You’re living in dreamland Angela”.
Source: John Wardman Faceboook
This will presumably appear on the webcast of the meeting.
“The Prospectus promises that if local partners have greater freedom to act, by 2030 they will … Support the changes to our health and care system by galvanising and aligning resources across the whole system.”
(Last sentence of the document)
Click to access Issue11HeartoftheSouthWestStakeholderBriefing__545057.pdf
“The county-wide figure increased by 58, compared with the previous month, taking the total claimant count to 2,918.
The increase included an additional 24 claimants in East Devon.”
http://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/east_devon_sees_biggest_job_claimants_rise_in_county_1_4856861
Our Local Enterprise Partnership is charged with improving our economy … you know, the one that’s just given its Chief Executive a 26% payrise … the one who supervises 4 full-time staff and a small number of part-time staff. The one that Devon County Council and Somerset County Council opposed but went ahead anyway as it is the businessmen that control it as a majority.
What is the point of Somerset County Council being the LEP’s audit authority if it can’t prevent this sort of thing?
“The chairman of Exmouth’s regeneration committee has refused to comment on the clash of “opinions” between the owner of Exmouth Fun Park and the district council. …
… The Echo previously requested details about how Mr Wright rejected the offer in a Freedom of Information request (FOI) to the council, and a subsequent request for clarification after the response was only partially answered: the council responded: “The offer was not accepted and was then withdrawn by EDDC.”
Independent ward member for Exmouth, Cllr Megan Armstrong, added: “I am shocked by this revelation and surprised at the way the negotiations came to an end. It is very puzzling for the council to say Mr Wright did not accept the offer of a lease, when according to him, this was not the case.
“I am glad that a journalist has been able to follow-up these discrepancies, but find it concerning that the FOI request was initially not fully answered, and only by the persistence of the journalist, was clarity provided.”
She added: “Cllr Skinner doesn’t seem to be taking what Mr Wright has said seriously and seems to have dismissed his position.
“Members of the council shouldn’t have been informed that Mr Wright rejected an offer made if this wasn’t the case.”
Leader of the opposition, Independent Cllr Ben Ingham [this is incorrect: the leader of Independent opposition is now Councillor Cathy Gardner] added:
“This is a most unusual story: the Wright family has a long history of commitment to Exmouth, which includes their business interests over the last 40 years on the seafront. As Exmouth moves into the future, we are all looking forward to positive changes for the better. As we do this, we must be inclusive, listening to our local community, taking on board their hopes and aspirations and trying to deliver a wonderful place for us all to live.
“We should be deciding our future together. Instead we are told what’s going to happen. That stinks, and badly.”
This is the benefit of having a local person representing local issues – unlike our MP Hugo Swire who seems to have far too many fingers in other non-local pies.
And, if his debates on NHS underfunding and school funding cuts is anything to go by, no power whatsoever to change or even slightly affect his party’s line.
https://www.facebook.com/bbcspotlight/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE
“Thousands of people are expected to take part in a crowdsourced investigation to find out how many of England’s parks and green spaces are at risk.
The campaign group 38 degrees is asking its members to contact local council leaders to ask about their plans for parks, and will help them send follow-up questions in freedom of information requests.
The group said there was growing concern that councils, faced with swingeing budget cuts, are selling off parks and green spaces to try to make ends meet.
“Year after year park budgets are being cut, but too often the people who actually use them know little about the plans,” said Lorna Greenwood, the campaigns manager at 38 Degrees. “From fewer park rangers to deals with big companies that mean local people have to pay to use their parks, parks around the country are at risk. This investigation is about people across the country coming together to expose the truth so they can make their voices heard.”
More than 180,000 people submitted evidence to the communities and local government committee’s parliamentary consultation, which closes on Friday, calling on the government to make it a statutory duty for councils to protect and maintain the country’s 27,000 public parks. Separately, 322,000 people signed a petition calling for legal protection and 115,000 completed a survey, both of which were organised by 38 Degrees.
A report from the Heritage Lottery Fund this month said the UK’s parks risked falling into disrepair and neglect as a result of budget cuts. While 90% of families with children aged under five had used their local park at least once in the past month, the study said, 92% of park managers had had their budgets cut and 95% were facing further reductions.
Campaigners say the public needs more information as there is no central record of how much money is being spent on looking after local parks – or how many are at risk from corporate deals.
38 Degrees said the investigation would reveal which parks were most at risk and would allow people to put pressure on their local councils and MPs to protect parks in their area.
Greenwood said: “Parks aren’t just a nice to have. Thousands of people from wheelchair users to young families say they are absolutely essential for health and wellbeing. They’re part of our heritage.”
She warned that if people did not take action now, many parks could be lost for future generations. “The government now needs to listen to the 364,884 members of the public who have come together to protect our parks and give them the legal protections necessary to protect them,” she said.”
Below is the response of Independent Exmouth councillor Megan Armstrong to the extended planning permission submission for Exmouth seafront by EDDC:
“Members have been presented with the MTFP estimates showing a budget deficit in the order of £1.9m by 2021/22; however £0.792m of this has now been addressed in producing a balanced budget for 2017/18. The position indicates a gap between what the Council is spending and the resources it will have available to it.”
Is the £0.792 partly the missing Section 106 payments overlooked over the last few years?
Click to access 180117-joint-overview-scrutiny-agenda-combined.pdf
Last occupied by Nigel Harrison, who was controversially closely involved (with EDDC’s money and many, many blessings) with the equally controversial East Devon Business Forum, run by disgraced ex-councillor Graham Brown. Mr Harrison slipped quietly away during the ensuing fall-out.
So why do we need a new one?
“To ensure that the district has sufficient dedicated economy staffing resource in its team to promote local economic growth and productivity, increase the development of employment land and business premises (including EDDC owned and operated units), respond to local business support requests, improve the District’s investment profile and enable East Devon to maximise its return on the shared investment opportunities that Greater Exeter, Innovation Exeter, Growth Deal and the future Enterprise Zone offer.”
Click to access 180117-joint-overview-scrutiny-agenda-combined.pdf
“The King is dead, long live the king” as they say!
Perhaps CEO Williams, Deputy CEO Cohen and Leader Diviani will have learned some lessons … then again, perhaps not.
“A joint informal advisory reference forum is set up consisting of 5 councillors each from Devon, East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon and Teignbridge to consider and make comments on draft plan proposals before they are formally considered by each council.”
AND it links seamlessly into Local Enterprise Partnership plans … none of which have been put out for public consultation:
“Role of the joint plan and relationship with other plans
o Setting out the overall scope of the plan and how it can support other related strategies such as the Local Enterprise Partnership’s policies and the results of the devolution discussions. How it relates to the existing and proposed new local plans prepared by each council and with Neighbourhood Plans. Duty to cooperate discussions.”
AND it is all-encompassing:
‘Plan Strategy
o Description of the overall strategy which best meets vision and the challenges facing the area. Covering the big ticket themes of where and how many homes and jobs are needed, how key environmental assets will be protected and enhanced and the need for new and improved infrastructure.
Strategic Settlements and area strategy and functions
o The implications of the vision and strategy for each of the main settlements and the
plan area as a whole. Setting out the key planning functions and role of these. Strategic Development Proposals
o The strategic development sites allocated in this plan to meet the strategy and other area’s needs. Implications for the remaining district/city level local plans’ allocations.
Strategic Policies
o Homes – setting the strategic targets for the objectively assessed need for housing,
and considering the need for specific types of housing (including affordable, student,
custom build and accessible homes).
o Economy – considering forecast economic performance and how the plan can
guide/improve. This is likely to include consideration of particular economic sectors (and in particular the evolving role of the knowledge economy and innovation), the protection of key economic assets across the whole plan area.
o City and Town Centres – giving the overall approach to the need and best locations for retail, leisure and other “main town centre uses” taking account of the existing “hierarchy” of town and city centres in the area.
o Environment – policies concerning issues including climate change, air quality, flooding, protection of European sites, other strategic landscape and biodiversity matters and heritage protection.
o Community infrastructure – policies and proposals for the provision of community facilities and infrastructure, including information, smart systems and broadband.
o Quality of development – improving the design of new development, including consideration of density and space standards.
Implementation, delivery and monitoring – proposals to ensure that policies and proposals happen on the ground and how their success will be measured.”
AND ordinary councillors (including Tories) will be frozen out of decision-making:
“It is recognised that it might be difficult for the wider council membership to input into a joint plan through the normal committee/council channels.
It is therefore proposed that member input is provided for in two additional ways.
Firstly, it is proposed that a joint informal advisory reference forum is set up, consisting of 5 councillors from each of the five authorities (total 25 members). There would be an expectation that the councillors from each authority would be politically balanced. This joint forum would consider plan drafts and comment upon them before they are finalised and presented to the meetings of the individual councils. Secondly, officers will run member briefings before each formal committee cycle to allow all councillors to review and comment upon draft plan contents and proposals. This would help to ensure that councillors’ views can be considered before proposals are finalised.
Members should note that there is a separate proposal to set up a Greater Exeter Growth and Development Board as a formal joint committee to consider economic and other related matters across the area. This has been agreed in principle by Exeter and Teignbridge and will be considered by East Devon and Mid Devon (note that Devon County have confirmed their wish not to be involved in such a joint committee at this stage, although this does not undermine their commitment to the GESP). It is envisaged that the member steering group referred to above would have a role reporting on plan progress and strategy to the joint committee. This does not affect the recommendation referred to above to prepare the GESP under Section 28.”
Click to access 170117-combined-strategic-planning-agenda-compressed.pdf
East Devon Watch 