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Category Archives: Democracy
Save Exmouth Seafront response to Councillor Skinner and EDDC
“Representatives from SES were invited to attend the presentation from Cllr Skinner and EDDC Officers Richard Cohen and Alison Hayward at Ocean on 18th January, and SES would like to thank EDDC for this invitation.
While the event provided some information for those businesses and associations perhaps not so aware of the plans, the SES representatives found they left with many questions still remaining.
For example there was no answer given on whether the watersport’s centre will be run as a members only club and who is to manage this facility.
Unfortunately Cllr Skinner also fended off some of the questions with evasive answers, such as when asked how ‘phase three’ of the development is even to be funded.
SES would welcome the opportunity for an open public event so that all members of the public can hear what is planned for the seafront now and in the future, and ask questions, yet EDDC seem reluctant to do this.”
How refreshing – an MP who sees it as her job to represent her constituents!
“Shadow minister Tulip Siddiq has resigned from the Labour frontbench, telling Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn that she could not reconcile herself to the party’s three-line whip to vote for triggering article 50.
In her letter to Corbyn, the shadow minister for early years, said voting to start the process of leaving the EU would be a betrayal of her north London constituents, three-quarters of whom voted to remain in the EU.
“I have always been clear – I do not represent Westminster in Hampstead and Kilburn, I represent Hampstead and Kilburn in Westminster,” Siddiq wrote in her resignation letter. “I feel that the most effective place for me to counter Theresa May’s hard Brexit is from the backbenches.” …
How refreshing – an MP who sees it as her job to represent her constituents!
Save Our Sidmouth press release on PegasusLife contract
“PRESS STATEMENT
EA/2016/0279-0280 East Devon District Council v Information Commissioner
It is well over a year since Freedom of Information requests were made to have key EDDC documents published – the contract with developer Pegasus to buy the Knowle site and the agent’s report on the bidding process and sale.
EDDC refused to publish these, even after being told to by the Information Commissioner. But, now that the case has gone to Tribunal, it has decided to release the documents.
But why now?
What is very clear is that the release of the contract and agent’s report is happening only now that Pegasus’ planning application for Knowle has been considered.
As the EDDC press release makes clear: “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.”
And this is very much the point.
Not only was the leadership at EDDC keeping this ‘sensitive’ information from the public – it did not want its own Councillors to know what was in the contract and the bidding process. What is particularly alarming is that the leadership at EDDC hid these details from the planning committee (the DMC) before it made its decision over Knowle.
Looking at the details, the documents reveal the following:
> The agent warned that the development might be perceived by the planning committee as ‘over development’. As they said: “If this is the case, then the application may lead to refusal, delay or in the worst case prevent the relocation of the Council’s offices.”
> The agent also said that “Pegasus is not making any allowance for affordable housing or 106 contributions, as they are classing it as C2”. In other words, the plans were always about classifying the development as C2 (a care home) and not C3, which would mean paying for affordable housing.
> Finally, Pegasus were not prepared to offer significant ‘overage’ – meaning that EDDC would not be able to ‘claw back’ any excess profits Pegasus might make.
But what is particularly disturbing is what these documents reveal about how EDDC operates:
> From the outset, Planning Officers challenged the C2 designation and the scale of development and clearly wanted to give the site C3 status – but later they changed their mind and recommended approval of the Pegasus plans.
> In which case, the DMC have been totally vindicated in their decision to reject the planning application. But we only know this now that the contract and bidding process have been revealed.
> Had the Full Council been aware of the terms of the deal with Pegasus – for example, no significant overage – then then their approval of Pegasus as the ‘preferred developer’ might not have been forthcoming.
> The Information Commissioner insisted that EDDC reveal the contract and negotiations to the public. But what is particularly reprehensible is that the leadership at EDDC refused to reveal these crucial details to their own Councillors.
We now have to ask how the Council will respond – in particular, whether they will want some answers as to how the whole process was mismanaged.
And we have to ask why once again the leadership at EDDC continue to be so secretive in their dealings over the Knowle relocation project – and whether they are going to act on their promise to be truly open and transparent – with both the public and their own Councillors.”
http://futuresforumvgs.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/knowle-relocation-project-full-pegasus_26.html
“Positive and passionate discussions for future regeneration of Queen’s Drive” says EDDC
Somehow, Owl thinks ” the community” might see things somewhat differently to EDDC – and Councillor Skinner’s remark that it “just wants EDDC to get on with it” when the fact that EDDC just getting on with it has been the problem, not the solution.
Not to mention that EDDC “just got on with” appointing Moirai Capital as their preferred bidder – and just see where that led!
This press release seems designed to pre-empt a judicial review on lack of consultation. BUT a press release does not constitute evidence … pudding … proof …
EDDC press release:
“Regular meetings between council and community to discuss improvement plans for Exmouth’s Queen’s Drive will be an ongoing feature of the project
East Devon District Council, local businesses and community organisations of Exmouth came together at The Ocean last week for a lively discussion about Exmouth’s regeneration and, in particular, the vision for its seafront development.
This meeting marked an important opportunity for dialogue and discussion, which will be an ongoing feature of the next phases for the improvement plans for Queen’s Drive.
There were presentations by the council detailing how Exmouth is growing and moving forward, the challenges it faces and the vision for this much-loved seaside town as it evolves into a 21st century destination with attractions for everyone to enjoy.
Council officers set out in as much detail as is currently known the journey and timelines for Queens Drive, emphasising the need to move forward with the reserved matters planning application process and, most importantly, setting out clearly opportunities for public consultation, which will continue to underpin each phase.
Officers also underlined the need to take a measured approach in terms of timescales to ensure that Grenadier, the provider of the watersports centre, secures the necessary planning permissions before the council commits financially to the necessary works to the road and car park.
Councillor Philip Skinner, chairman of the Exmouth Regeneration Board, said: “These discussions demonstrated a shared and very deep affection for the town. Most people there were overwhelmingly optimistic, passionate and positive and the message coming through loud and clear was get on with it!”
The reserved matters planning application to extend planning permission will go before the council’s development management committee in the next few months.”
Those LEP Board jobs …
“Board Members must declare any involvement with any of the delivery partners or roles or interests with beneficiaries and operate in accordance with the Nolan Principals of public life and the company’s Articles of Association.
This will involve taking no part in any decision votes where an interest exists. The adoption of the Nolan Principals ensures full openness and integrity in the way the Board sets its priorities.
These roles are un-remunerated. Expenses are only paid for exceptional expenditure for LEP commitments outside our area.
Click to access HotSW-LEP-CIC-Director-Final.pdf
The only problem is – we don’t get to know who voted on what, who declared an interest and why and who abstained – as the public record of meetings ( notes rather than minutes) do not record them.
Not to mention that agendas are not explicit – try to find the agenda item or minutes of the 26% salary increase for the LEP CEO – good luck and good hunting!
Another assault on democracy – academy schools
“As more and more schools are removed from local authority control and become academies, the role of governors has diminished – and with it a school’s accountability to local people, argues Andy Allen.
Contrary to the aim of the ‘school revolution’, multi-academy trusts are not autonomous at all, but answerable to a few unelected trustees. He calls for a new model in which local membership groups would elect forums to advise governing boards.”
The ‘academy revolution’ is ousting governors. We need to hold these schools accountable
In these days of schools having their funds cut, this is critical – with no-one in government to fight our corner – quite the opposite, in fact.
“Knowle relocation project: full Pegasus contract published”
Some VERY VERY interesting information!
It seems that PegasusLife had no plans to pay any Section 106 contributions, or Community Infrastructure Levy.
The PegasusLife contract that would have been signed had the DMC not refused planning permission and the Savill’s report on how the company got it is detailed in full here:
http://futuresforumvgs.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/knowle-relocation-project-full-pegasus.html
Where further revelations are promised.
Sidmouth – indeed the whole district – should thank Jeremy Woodward, who worked tirelessly to get this information.
The Information Commissioner had to threaten EDDC with the possibility of being in contempt of court when they issued their Decision Notice forcing publication, after an appeal from EDDC that they should not be made to issue it or at least not without without so much redaction it would likely be pointless. EDDC had been planning to appeal the Information Commissioner’s Decision Notice but suddenly withdrew this action – presumably knowing it would not succeed.
EDDC then issued a press release saying that all the hours and hours they must have spent opposing publication “cost nothing” as it was only officer time.
Owl wonders which senior officers work for nothing!
This sorry tale should be examined by EDDC’s Scrutiny Committee forthwith.
“MPs launch inquiry into overview and scrutiny in local government”
“The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Committee has launched a “long-overdue” inquiry into overview and scrutiny in local government.
The committee said it would “consider whether overview and scrutiny arrangements in England are working effectively and whether local communities are able to contribute to and monitor the work of their councils”.
Written evidence is invited on:
Whether scrutiny committees in local authorities in England are effective in holding decision-makers to account
The extent to which scrutiny committees operate with political impartiality and independence from executives
Whether scrutiny officers are independent of and separate from those being scrutinised
How chairs and members are selected
Whether powers to summon witnesses are adequate
The potential for local authority scrutiny to act as a voice for local service users
How topics for scrutiny are selected
The support given to the scrutiny function by political leaders and senior officers, including the resources allocated (for example whether there is a designated officer team)
What use is made of specialist external advisers
The effectiveness and importance of local authority scrutiny of external organisations
The role of scrutiny in devolution deals and the scrutiny models used in combined authorities
Examples where scrutiny has worked well and not so well
The deadline for written submissions is Friday 10 March 2017.
Clive Betts MP, chair of the committee, said: “This inquiry is long overdue. Local authority executives have more powers than ever before but there has not been any review about how effectively the current overview and scrutiny arrangements are working since they were introduced in 2000.
“Local authorities have a considerable degree of discretion when it comes to overview and scrutiny. We will examine these arrangements and consider what changes may be needed to ensure decision-makers in councils and local services are better held to account.”
Overview and scrutiny arrangements were introduced by the Local Government Act in 2000 as a counterweight to increasing decision-making powers of Leaders and Cabinets or directly elected mayors.
The committee said that shortcomings had been exposed, however, following a number of high profile cases, including child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, poor care and high mortality rates at Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust and governance failings in Tower Hamlets.
“We’re taking back control – but who is going to wield it?”
“Britain voted to ‘take back control’ from the EU, and Theresa May’s Lancaster House speech made the repatriation of power to Westminster a priority. But it is far from clear what kind of Brexit Britons want, nor how many of these powers will go to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland rather than the UK Parliament. Katie Ghose argues that with direct democracy on the rise, citizens’ assemblies would help people grasp the trade-offs at stake and have a voice in these monumental decisions”.
http://www.democraticaudit.com/2017/01/24/were-taking-back-control-but-whos-going-to-wield-it/
Should public funding of political parties be dependent on their diversity?
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/
Greater Exeter: only 5 EDDC councillors get decision-making powers -and its another forum!
“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
LEP “minutes” of 17 January 2017: interesting highlights
[The elephant in the room – the CEO’s 26% payrise – does not appear to be mentioned but it might be item 8 – see below]
THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SEVEN NEW PRIVATE SECTOR BOARD MEMBERS
“To commence the open recruitment process in January 2017 for up to 7 new private sector board directors following the anticipated retirement of a number of directors in 2017 in accordance to the process agreed in July’s Board meeting.”
How open?
ONE ORGANISATION BEING FUNDED IS BEING NAUGHTY
“Within this protocol [simply called “Amber Protocols, no other information], there is one project which have failed to satisfy their conditions of funding approval / funding agreement. They will be written to and given two weeks to remedy their position.”
Which organisation?
THERE IS AN UNSPECIFIED SURPLUS WHICH SOME SORT OF OFFICER IS GOING SORT OUT ….
“The LEP will approach SCC 151 officer to review how surplus funds can be used productively.”
HOWEVER at least in March 2016 it appears that Somerset County Council had opted to break the rules about this Section 151 Officer:
“Full Council on two occasions (most recently November 2015) has considered the implications of the Local Authority (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 which amend the statutory protection provisions for the posts of Chief Executive, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer. On both occasions the Council agreed to leave the existing constitutional provisions unchanged because of concerns over the requirements of the regulations. In deciding not to make any changes the Council recognised that this carried a risk as the Council’s arrangements would be non-compliant until such time as alternative provisions were agreed. Acting on the advice of the Somerset Monitoring Officers Group (SMOG) all 6 councils in Somerset have agreed to remain non-compliant with the regulations pending hoped for clarity from the Government in relation to the requirements. This has not been forthcoming so SMOG has designed and is recommending a local solution that meets the known requirements of the regulations and avoids those elements of the regulations that are causing concern.”
IS THIS THE PAYRISE? WHO KNOWS!
“8. Board Paper for Special Board Meeting of Directors:
“The LEP Board agree to the recommendations in the paper.”
SOURCE:
That 26% payrise for LEP CEO
“The LEP did not say who had voted for the increase, but the WMN understands that all but one council representative had opposed the rise.”
Read more at http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/lep-boss-gets-26-pay-rise/story-30068619-detail/story.html
We know that councillors from Devon County Council and Somerset County Council were against the payrise.
Assuming that the DCC and SCC representatives voted against, that leaves Paul Diviani (EDDC), Gordon Oliver (Torquay) and Ian Bowyer (Plymouth).
Which one voted for it. We will never know, because we are not allowed to know. It wasn’t even designated on the agenda:
Click to access LEP-Board-Agenda-17-Jan-2017-V-5-1.pdf
or in the minutes:
Click to access LEP-Board-Agenda-17-Jan-2017-V-5-1.pdf
You want to see Board papers (as you would for council meetings) well, take a look here:
http://heartofswlep.co.uk/about-the-lep/lep-board/board-documents/
You want to know what they spend? This is the information they direct you to here:
http://www.somerset.gov.uk/EasysiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=120103&type=full&servicetype=Attachment
Good luck!
This is what happens when you get an elected Mayor
“TORBAY mayor Gordon Oliver has pledged to continue funding a £40,000-a-year ‘American office’ despite the fact it has failed to attract any investment to the Bay.
As other vital budgets are being cut, councillors branded the £120,000 already spent as ‘a waste of money’.
Mayor Oliver said he wanted to re-establish the American office in the light of Donald Trump’s recent election victory.
The aim of the ‘our man in America’ initiative, launched by Torbay Council and Torbay Development Agency was to encourage ‘Silicon Valley’-style businesses in the US to consider Torbay both for trade connections and as an ideal location for a foothold in the European market. But at the recent Torbay Council policy group meeting — where scrutiny members made recommendations on the mayor’s proposed budget — there were calls not to repeat the £40,000-a-year funding.
And it was revealed the American office has so far failed to attract any funding.
The contract for the USA lead generation has now expired and members said it should not be renewed. Cllr Chris Lewis, scrutiny board chairman, said while they did not want the budget for the ‘vital’ work done by Torbay Development Agency on economic regeneration reduced, it should still look to make savings.
But at the Torbay Business Forum business breakfast, mayor Oliver said he hoped to re-establish an office in the United States, particularly in the light of Donald Trump’s election as president.
“I am hoping the TDA and the council will support it though some of my colleagues are not very supportive. “But I had a letter from the Prime Minister saying she supports my bid to have a link with the United States as it is so important for the future of the national economy and for here as well.”
A council spokesman said: “Torbay Council does not have and has never been in possession of an American office. A contract was procured by the TDA on behalf of Torbay Council with the England Development Agency to generate leads for new direct investment from North American businesses.
“However, this contract expired in July this year and hasn’t been extended or re-procured.”
“Creative group” or “group of creatives” – what’s the difference!
Recall that Councillor Skinner has said that he has never met “The Ecmouth Creative Group”, then read this Freedom of Information response:
“Thank you for your request for information. Please find the response to your query below.
What criteria does the Exmouth Regeneration Board (ERB) use when selecting potential community groups to communicate with?
The ERB does not formally communicate with community groups and does not therefore apply any specific criteria. The notes of ERB meetings are published and the various members of the ERB including both District and Town Councils communicate with a wide range of Exmouth community groups as required.
[BUT THIS IS CONTRADICTED FURTHER IN THIS RESPONSE!]
Why was the Exmouth Creative Group assigned a brief to design a vision for Exmouth?
Cllr Skinner met in December with some Exmouth local businesses in his capacity as Chair of the Exmouth Regeneration Board and Portfolio Holder for Economy. It was an informal meeting to talk about Exmouth matters and to share views with a group of local businesses who would describe themselves as ‘creative’.
When was the decision made to as the Exmouth Creative Group to design a vision for Exmouth, who was involved in making this decision and whose idea was it in the first instance?
This decision was not taken by the ERB or by any representative of EDDC and no information is held in relation to this question.
How did EDDC and the Exmouth Regeneration Board in particular approach the Exmouth Community Group and who did this?
As above, Cllr Skinner met with some local businesses.
Given that the Exmouth Creative Group is unknown within Exmouth, please explain why the many well known community groups have been overlooked in favour of the Exmouth Creative Group for this task?
The Council engages with all manner of local groups in Exmouth and elsewhere in a variety of ways.
Please provide the names of those in attendance and dates of any meetings between any officers or councillors of EDDC with the Exmouth Creative Group or any representative of the Exmouth Creative Group.
The meeting was an informal one and the Council does not have an attendance list.
I hope this information is helpful but if you feel dissatisfied with the way we have responded, please contact our Monitoring Officer, Henry Gordon Lennox, to request an internal review at [email address]
You may also approach the Information Commissioner for advice at http://www.ico.org.uk”
That 26% payrise for LEP chief: neither Devon nor Somerset County Councils could stop it
So, here we are: Somerset County Council theoretically holds the purse strings – except it obviously doesn’t! There is no scrutiny or transparency, no way of stopping this juggernaut that we have never been consulted about.
AND we have no way of knowing how Diviani voted – the LEP doesn’t release such information.
“Chris Garcia, chief executive of the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), could see his pay jump nearly 27% from £90,729 to £115,000. [This was agreed today with the two councils objecting].
“Somerset council leader John Osman said: “The pay of £90,000 is already too much so I believe it should be at least 10% less than that.”
The LEP has declined to comment.
The LEP covers the Somerset, Devon, Torbay and Plymouth council areas.
‘Cannot afford 25%’
The pay rise is being proposed by board members who are councillors, lawyers, and business leaders.
“I’m sorry to say that in the public sector we are not about giving 25% pay rises – even if you are very good at your job, we cannot afford 25%,” added Mr Osman.
LEPs are partnerships between businesses and local authorities, which were set up in 2011 by the coalition government.
Their aim is to grow the local economy and support businesses in the region.
“The budget of the LEP itself, operationally, is £1.6m. It has four full-time members of staff and a few others who work part-time.
“If you’re comparing it to how I come up with my council salaries and how the NHS has to come up with their salaries, you will find that this position is overpaid for such a small budget and such small numbers of staff,” said Mr Osman.
Both Somerset County Council and Devon County Council representatives are expected to vote against the proposals at the meeting being held later.”
But which 5?
Who guards the guards who guard the guarded guards?
From Save Our Hospital Services Facebook page:
“Question: The Case for Change document on which both the so-called ‘Success Regime’ and the STP are based was produced by a private-owned health service consultancy, Carnall Farrar which received £335,000 in consultancy fees
Is this the same company of which Dame Ruth Carnall is a founding partner and who is now the ‘independent Chair of the so-called ‘Success Regime’?”
Devolution: one foot in the door or one foot in the grave?
“Councils are ‘keeping a foot in the door’ on Devon and Somerset devolution deal
Bid for devolved powers is ‘still on track’ but fresh concerns raised about amount of money being offered to take on new responsibilities.
Councils are still working together to broker a devolution deal for Devon and Somerset, according to North Devon Council leader Des Brailey.
Efforts to devolve powers to the two regions has hit a critical stage in recent weeks after the Government revealed its preference for an elected major – and after it emerged that Plymouth, Exeter and Torbay were exploring opportunities to launch a rival bid.
But speaking following a crunch meeting with other Heart of the South West (HotSW) partners in Cullompton on Friday, Mr Brailey said that while the rival bid had the potential to ‘weaken’ the HotSW bid, he thought the process was ‘still on track’.
“We agreed to set up a joint committee and continue working together to see how best we can look at the issues facing Devon and Somerset,” he said.
“Nothing is moving forward at the moment but I’d like to think we are still on track; it’s more a case of keeping our foot in the door.”
But Mr Brailey reiterated his opposition for an elected mayor and voiced fresh concerns that the money being offered to successful bids might not be sufficient.
“As we understand it the Government is offering £15million in other areas with an elected mayor and that’s clearly not a lot of money when spread between 22 authorities.
“Even if they doubled it to £30m it is still not a lot of money.
“The Government will say here is your money and these are your new responsibilities. That’s not a problem if the money matches the responsibilities and gives you an opportunity to run things better for the community.
“But I fear that the money won’t be sufficient for North Devon to carry out the Government’s wishes.”
And Mr Brailey said there could be even less money without an elected mayor.
“The stakes have changed very slightly,” he said.
“It’s now being suggested that without an elected mayor we won’t get a lot out of it.
“I think it would disenfranchise our area – there is no chance it would be a mayor from northern Devon.
“He or she will be able to make their own decisions that may or may not be of benefit to us. I believe we would be a poor relation.
“And we are talking about a fourth level of local government and clearly people are going to ask what’s going on – it’ll be another tier of government complete with an entourage.”
The devolution bid would see the creation of a new body to take decisions on issues such as transport, education and health at a regional level and not a national one.
Together, the 17 local authorities, both national parks, the local enterprise partnership and all three clinical commissioning groups submitted a Prospectus for Productivity to the Government last year.
In October, they gave their in-principle approval to set up a combined authority to support the deal and the creation of a joint committee is seen as a precursor to a new combined authority.
Also speaking following Friday’s meeting, Devon County Council leader John Hart said: “All the leaders agreed on Friday to ask their councils to support the creation of a joint committee to drive this plan forward.
“It was re-emphasised that we need a strong regional voice to ensure the Government delivers the resources we require to improve our roads, rail and other infrastructure so we can boost productivity and enhance the job opportunities and living conditions of our people.”
East Devon Watch 