Category Archives: Dorset

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11 Aug 2017

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Accountability, AONB, Clinton Devon Estates, Developers/ Development, Dorset, EDDC, Environment (local), National Parks, Privatisation, Rural communities, Tourism

Clinton Devon Estates to take over work of Jurassic Coast Trust

Oh dear sweet Lord – clifftop holiday homes and Disneyland here we come – and definitely no National Park!

“An East Devon landowner is set to play a significant part in the future of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

Clinton Devon Estates, which owns and manages 25,000 acres of land across Devon, has pledged its support to the Jurassic Coast Trust which is taking over the management of the 95-mile stretch of world heritage coastline, from Devon and Dorset county councils this July.

The landowner is joining the Trust as one of four Lead Business Partners, currently the only partner in Devon alongside three based in Dorset, and will pledge £3,000 per year to the charity, helping to safeguard its future.

The Trust’s link with businesses and landowners is essential in ensuring it can carry out its work looking after the world class coastline, which stretches between Exmouth in Devon and Studland Bay in Dorset, on behalf of UNESCO for the “benefit of the whole of mankind”.

A large part of the Estate’s East Devon acreage is made up of the Pebblebed Heaths, which are named after the Budleigh Salterton pebblebeds and are a designated conservation area.

The Trust is poised to support the landowner’s existing educational outreach, which focuses on the ecology and management of the heaths by the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust.

Kate Ponting, countryside learning officer at Clinton Devon Estates, said: “We have had an informal, mutually supportive relationship for a long time as our paths have crossed over the years.

“The Estate owns land very close to, or on the Jurassic Coast, and the Trust is keen to extend its work in East Devon, so the partnership should afford more opportunities for collaborative working.

“We have a lot in common with the Trust whose work is based on geology; the geological story of the Pebblebed Heaths is part of our shared heritage which we’re passionate about.

“We hope to celebrate this heritage further, through extended community engagement and we’re hoping the Trust’s expertise will enhance what we already do.”

The Trust also plans to provide downloadable audio guides about East Devon’s geology for the Clinton Devon Estates’ website.

Guy Kerr, Programme Manager for the Jurassic Coast Trust, said: “We are delighted to have Clinton Devon Estates on board as one of our Lead Business Partners. The East Devon pebblebeds are a crucial part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and we look forward to working closely with Clinton Devon Estates to preserve this landscape and enthuse people with its incredible stories.”

http://www.devonlive.com/clinton-devon-estates-take-over-management-of-jurassic-coast-world-heritage-site/story-30478379-detail/story.html

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11 Mar 2017

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Accountability, Cornwall, DCC, Democracy, Devolution, Dorset, East Devon Growth Point, EDDC, Exeter City Council, Golden Triangle LEP, Greater Exeter, Local Enterprise Partnership

Some questions about the Heart of the South West LEP

If the Heart of the South West LEP is “dead in the water” and “there is no money left”

https://eastdevonwatch.org/2017/03/11/local-enterprise-partnership-version-2-devon-cornwall-and-dorset/

Where is the £25,000-plus coming from to pay someone to encourage a new threesome of Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Devon and Dorset?

What’s happening about the divorce from Somerset and are we paying that county’s expenses still?

HOTSW LEP is the vehicle for taking business rates from Enterprise Zones such as the East Devon Growth Point – if it’s defunct what happens to that money?

Who pays Mr Garcia’s salary and those of the 3 or 4 other employees who presumably now have no jobs? Somerset or Devon?

What’s happening about the “Golden Triangle LEP”?

Where does “Greater Exeter” fit in and with whom?

East Devon – where do we fit in? Our Leader is a HOTSW board member and is responsible for HOTSW housing. Is he still responsible for housing in Somerset, Greater Exeter and/or the “Golden Triangle”?

What is DCC’s/EDDC’s role in this – where was it discussed, when and by whom?

Where are the minutes of the meeting where the current deal was dropped and a new deal thought up?

What does Somerset think about all this?

Do YOU recall being consulted on any of this?

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11 Mar 2017

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Accountability, Cornwall, Devolution, Dorset, Local Enterprise Partnership

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Local Enterprise Partnership version 2 – Devon, Cornwall and Dorset

Again, no consultation of the people of these three counties plus Isles of Scilly – just a mad dash to hoover up money – any money – for what the Chair of the Heart of the South West LEP described as a defunct organisation yesterday! And what of the “Golden Triangle LEP” mooted last month? Add in Greater Exeter and we have lots of sows ears to be made into silk purses!

Unfortunately, the closing date is today! And can you IMAGINE the stress of reporting to THREE different LEP CEO’s! Still, at £25,000 plus for 4 days a week for 4 months there will be no shortage of takers.

“South West Partnership Executive”

Heart of the SW, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, and Dorset LEPs are working together to support the development of cross LEP partnership across the whole of the south west.

We are seeking an individual with the right skills and experience to support and manage these developing opportunities; working with stakeholders from public sector, education and business.

Reporting to the three LEP Chief Executives, this role’s priorities will be: to support the development of a clear set of business propositions around the ‘added value’ of regional partnership; engagement with key stakeholder groups to align partnership working and initiatives; and facilitate use of a common brand.

This is a short term role for 3 to 4 days a week, for the next four months, possibly extendable on a quarterly basis. The ideal candidate will have a background that includes marketing and communications and building or managing partnership with stakeholders from the public, private and education sectors. Some exposure to economic development and related sectoral agendas will be useful.

The role will involve travelling across the south west and attract remuneration in the region of £400 a day plus out of pocket expenses.
Please send your C.V. to Janet.Powell@heartofswlep.co.uk highlighting in a short covering note how you meet the requirements and challenges for this role, and confirmation of your fee rates. The following link provides access to an equal opportunities form which we would also ask you to complete as we are committed to equal opportunities in our policies and practices.”

http://heartofswlep.co.uk/news/south-west-partnerships-executive/

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14 Feb 2017

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DCC, Democracy, Dorset, EDDC

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Dorset to have two unitary councils if government agrees

Owl says: how long can Devon resist the change to one (or two) unitary councils in a county, entirely cutting out the district tier? Economies of scale now seem to require mergers or abolition of districts.

Will we be part of “Greater Exeter” or “Devon Unitary” by the next election – or both!

And where will headquarters be? Honiton isn’t exactly the centre of the Greater Exeter or Devon unitary universes!

“Based on the weight of public opinion, financial data and evidence of the likely benefits of change to the county as a whole, councillors have agreed that the two new unitary councils should comprise of the following existing local authority areas:

• Unitary A: Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

• Unitary B: East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland – including the services currently provided by Dorset County Council in this area.

If approved, the new council would ‘go live’ in April 2019.

Leader of Dorset County Council Robert Gould said: “This is absolutely the right decision for Dorset County Council to have made. The final decision lies with the Secretary of State, but Dorset county councillors have made an historic decision which will help protect the frontline services and is in the best interests of all our residents.”

http://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/dorset_councils_vote_for_change_1_4888091

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2 Feb 2017

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Accountability, Democracy, Dorset

Dorset Local Government reorganisation goes ahead despite 3 councils dropping out

Interesting that the Secretary of State for Local Government can force the three recalcitrant councils to join the others …

“Six councils are to press ahead with asking communities secretary Sajid Javid to reorganise local government in Dorset, despite the remaining three opposing the idea.

A plan to create two unitary councils in the area at present covered by Dorset County Council and unitaries Bournemouth and Poole borough councils has now been voted on by all involved.

Christchurch, East Dorset and Purbeck have opposed the idea, though it was supported by the two unitaries, the county council and districts North Dorset, West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland.

The six are now expected to ask Mr Javid to reorganise the area into two unitaries. One would cover Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole and the other East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset and Weymouth & Portland.
Matt Prosser, chair of the Dorset Chief Executives Group, said: “We now have a mandate from our councils [for reorganisation] and we have the backing of the public and other stakeholders. That is clear from the consultation results.

“Now, we have a duty to respond to that mandate and secure a sustainable and even brighter future for Dorset.”

The dissident trio face the problem that Mr Javid has powers to enforce the reorganisation even against their objections.

Christchurch leader Ray Nottage said: “Changes to the structure of local government in Dorset present an historic opportunity to transform our services at a time when budgets are being cut and our priority must be protecting frontline services.

“The secretary of state submission made by those councils that have agreed the recommendation might see the final decision regarding local government reorganisation taken out of our hands.”

Spencer Flower, leader of East Dorset, said: “If other councils in Dorset choose to make a submission to the secretary of state, the final decision regarding local government reorganisation will not be ours to make.”
Purbeck rejected reorganisation only on the chair’s casting vote, with councillors tied 11-11 on the proposal.”

http://localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29888%3Agroup-of-dorset-councils-press-ahead-with-unitary-plan-despite-rejection-by-other-county-authorities&catid=59&Itemid=27

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2 Feb 2017

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Accountability, Austerity cuts, DCC, Dorset, EDDC, Golden Triangle LEP, Knowle/Honiton/Exmouth relocation, Local Enterprise Partnership, PegasusLife, Scrutiny, Sidmouth/ Sidford/ Sidbury, Somerset, Transparency

Relocation and local government reorganisation – a chance to save money!

What is currently more important in local government? Saving money, saving money by merger or being profligate? These seem to be the stark choices facing our district, with its reliance on the Local Enterprise Partnership for strategy, direction and funding.

Closer examination of the agenda for the next Cabinet meeting reveals that there are two references to local government reorganisation: at the bottom of page 111 and on page 115:

“Identify opportunities for rationalising/improving existing public sector governance arrangements and make recommendations to the constituent authorities/partners”

This appears to be a clear reference, as it not only refers to reform, but also says that the recommendations will go to ‘constituent authorities’. In other words we are not talking just about the LEP. The new Joint Committee clearly has mergers in mind. Add “Greater Exeter” into the mix and we come out with even more likelihood of massive changes. THEN add a mooted “Golden Triangle LEP” and we have a truly chaotic situation.

Owl wonders if these are circumstances in which to pursue a new HQ for EDDC at Honiton. Any proposal involving EDDC and avoiding building at Honiton can immediately claim to have made a minimum saving of £10 million plus interest payments, plus many associated costs – savings now being the mantra nowadays.

The relocation from Knowle could, in the above circumstances prove to be most expensive suicide note in the history of our district. And those EDDC members who waved through the move to Honiton, without the slightest idea of the cost, could in these circumstances be likened to turkeys voting for Christmas.

We have seen with the reorganisation in Dorset, that the reform and merger of local government authorities is very much in the air, and Dorset has been suggesting that the creation of two unitaries will lead to annual savings of many millions of pounds.

So it’s not surprising that things have gone very quiet with EDDC relocation. Firstly, there is local government reorganisation all around us and within our nearby city and the county. Secondly, the Pegasus deal for Knowle has seemingly gone very much on the back burner.

We have recently seen the formal separation – ‘decoupling’ – of the Exmouth Town Hall work from the Honiton proposal which seems to have had more to do with mothballing Honiton than it had to do with allowing Exmouth to proceed more quickly.

Work to refurbish Knowle is almost certainly millions of pounds cheaper than relocating. Plus, a new building in Honiton would immediately depreciate enormously on day one of occupation – 50% plus has been suggested.

Of course, PegasusLife could always put in a planning application for the Honiton site!

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5 Dec 2016

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Accountability, Austerity cuts, Consultation, Dorset

Dorset: 9 councils to merge into 2 – public majority agrees

“THE public has shown clear support for merging Dorset’s nine main councils into two, local authority bosses have claimed.

They revealed the results of a consultation which showed majority support for turning Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch into one authority, with another to cover the rest of the county.

The consultation saw 4,258 questionnaires returned out of the 20,000 sent to selected Dorset households. Another 12,542 were filled out online or in person by people responding to the call for views.”

http://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/14946976.Public_shows_clear_support_for_merging_Dorset_s_nine_councils_into_two/

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1 Nov 2016

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Accountability, Cornwall, Devolution, Dorset, Local Enterprise Partnership

LEP extends its tentacles to Cornwall and Dorset: Mayor for the South-West?


” … HotSW LEP is committed to delivering the benefits of our strategic work and funding bids to the companies and communities that fall directly within our area. These are our partners and are stakeholders in our successes and achievements. Sometimes business interests don’t neatly match administrative boundaries and for some time we have been working where appropriate with our neighbours on common campaigns or programmes.

Elsewhere in the country, the numerous LEPs in the Northern Powerhouse and the Midlands Engine also work together on their common agendas.

So we’ve been working with our LEP partners in Dorset and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to form a new thought-piece to market our area and its growth agenda where these cross our boundaries; which we’re calling Connecting the South West as a working title. It’s early days, but there’s real commitment in this group to build on the years of expert evidence building and strong Strategic Economic Plans that have risen from the government’s mandate to generate growth through LEPs and localism.

It’s often the case that when there is a mood and an appetite for change, that several organisations are on a similar journey, albeit in different ways. Earlier this month saw the South West Growth Summit – organised and led by Pennon and the Western Morning News – welcome businesses and local leaders to discussion panels and an inspirational speech by Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Sajid Javid, who hailed the South West as an area with “almost unlimited potential”.

We expect more to happen on this theme in the coming months and years as the South West embarks on its renaissance.”

http://us4.campaign-archive1.com/?u=4e59660292bd6b4a5c7d7b8a7&id=e747106254&e=fa5cdb1f18

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30 Aug 2016

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Accountability, Austerity cuts, Dorset, EDDC, EDDC HQ, Honiton/ Gittisham, Knowle/Honiton/Exmouth relocation, Local Enterprise Partnership, Transparency

(Re)location, (Re)location, (Re)location

Dorset has announced a decision to work towards mergers of its councils:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-37196316

It does rather beg the question: what is to happen to West Dorset Council’s brand new HQ, built at a cost of more than £10 million?

It was always going to be a risky venture, when mergers and reorganisation were even at the time of the planned move being spoken of as a possibility.

To be fair to WDDC, their existing premises were very poor, very old and haphazardly arranged on three sites. They expected to sell the sites for £2.5 million, but in the end only achieved £1 million.

We do hope that our district council – in its desire to move to a spanking new set of offices in Honiton – has taken note of Dorset’s (un)intended consequences.

If such talks are abroad in Devon (which is already pretty much merging with Somerset if our Local Enterprise Partnership has its way) then it surely would be a dereliction of duty or even a misfeasance in office to consider such a move when it could be almost immediately redundant.

But, as in all important decisions in East Devon, we the residents will be the last to know what is being decided behind those closed doors in our names.

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29 Aug 2016

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Accountability, Democracy, Dorset, Local Enterprise Partnership, Transparency

Tory Dorset MP slams council mergers as anti-democratic

“Plans to reorganise local government in Dorset in a bid to save cash are an “attack against democracy”, an MP has claimed.

Chief executives from all nine councils in the county presented four shake-up options at a meeting on Thursday night.

Proposals include the possible merger of Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch and East Dorset.

Christchurch MP Chris Chope said merger plans would be “suicide” for residents.

Dorset’s councils said they receive £142m less per year in government funding now than in 2010-11, and need to cut spending by £200m a year by 2019-20, with further cuts of £30.4m estimated by 2025.

Anthony Alford, leader of West Dorset District Council and vice-chairman of the Dorset Leaders’ Growth Board, said considering change was “essential” in order to reduce costs “and ensure councils are sustainable for the future”.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-37196316

Aahh, a “Dorset Leaders Growth Board” – shades of our old East Devon Business Forum and our Local Enterprise Partnership! True, no democracy there!

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16 Jun 2016

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Accountability, Consultation, County councillors, Democracy, Devolution, Dorset, Transparency

Dorset, devolution and democracy

Although this is about Dorset, much of it applies to Devon and East Devon. At least in Dorset, councillors (for now) remain in charge of their own destiny. In Devon and Somerset they have abdicated their responsibilities to local (and national and international) business interests, including developers and those with nuclear and arms interests.

And Dorset is making a token attempt to consult residents (although, as typical in these cases, they seem to be trying to keep it under their radar) unlike Devon and Somerset which have hijacked the process from under our noses amid secrecy and subterfuge.

“You are probably aware that Dorset County Council (DCC) is considering changing the way it is structured and moving to a Unitary Authority.

This means the district / borough level of local government would be abolished. It will likely mean fewer elected councillors making decisions and reduce overall capacity to deal with the needs of local residents.

Power is already far too removed. Instead of moving towards a vision of localisation, the proposed changes have the potential to create an even bigger gap in local democracy.

There will be a public consultation on this through July – September, a decision will be made by DCC, and should they wish to proceed with a Unitary Authority, a proposal to central government in early 2017.

It is currently uncertain if DCC will apply to postpone the 2017 County Council elections, but this has been voiced in DCC meetings as a possibility.

You are probably NOT aware of a separate plan for a Dorset Combined Authority (DCA) to cover:

· Dorset County Council
· Bournemouth Borough Council
· Poole Borough Council
· Purbeck District Council
· East Dorset District Council
· Christchurch Borough Council
· West Dorset District Council
· North Dorset District Council
· Weymouth and Portland Borough Council

In essence this is a body of 10 members, 9 drawn from elected councillors (a sort of super-cabinet) and 1 Local Enterprise Partner (someone appointed from “big business”).

The Dorset Combined Authority will have specific decision-making power, covering economic growth, regeneration / infrastructure and transportation. We are concerned there will be no environmental voice on this Authority. There is worry that a programme of road building that would literally pave the way to support oil & gas exploration and production (e.g. fracking) would go unchallenged:

https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/article/421876/Everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-Dorset-Combined-Authority

Why are we telling you this?

The public “consultation” for the DCA is happening right now! Our apologies we did not become aware of this earlier. But even with our eyes and ears open across Dorset, Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch this proposal and process was not on our radar until very recently. But it is now!

What can you do?

There are 3 key things we would ask you to engage in:

1. Participate in the consultation survey on the Dorset For You website. The closing date is

Friday 17th June

(yes, we know, it is a very hurried and low-key consultation). Just click on the link below to take part in the quite short survey:

https://www.dorsetforyou.gov.uk/article/422462/Give-us-your-views-on-the-Dorset-Combined-Authority-proposals

You may wish to say that for changes as serious as this, you would expect a referendum, and not just a short consultation exercise.

2. Write to your local town / parish, district / borough, county Councillor(s)and ask them one, some or all of the following:

Ask them to explain to you what the Dorset Combined Authority is all about. Ask them if they are aware of the consultation process, and if so why they have not done more in your ward to inform you about it and encourage engagement.

Ask them for their opinion about the advantages and disadvantages of the Dorset Combined Authority. Ask them if they think this is increasing or decreasing democracy at the local level.

Ask them if there will be a representative on the Authority focused on ensuring decisions around growth, infrastructure and transportation will be evaluated for their impact on the local environment (e.g. air pollution, wildlife protection, open spaces, etc.) and on the consequences for Climate Change.

Ask them how the 10 members will be selected or appointed. Ask them how those members will be held accountable for their decisions and by whom.

There may be other things you will want to ask them, but the above are a few ideas. If you are not familiar with the names and email addresses of the local councillors, a list of the councillors at all levels by each area / ward / division for West and South Dorset can be found within the article on our website:

https://westandsouthdorset.greenparty.org.uk/news/2016/06/14/changes-to-dorset%E2%80%99s-democracy-and-council-structure/

Many thanks for taking an interest and we hope you will take some action if you can.

Caz Dennett

Campaign Manager, West & South Dorset Green Party”

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2 Jun 2016

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Dorset, Independent Councillors

Lyme Regis Independent wins council seat against former Mayor

Larger-than-life lively independent Jeff Scowan, who creatively used social media to promote his cause, won a seat contested by former mayor Ken Dibben who said his strength was “experience”. Seems new thinking was preferred to old thinking in Lyme Regis!

http://www.bridportnews.co.uk/news/14533749.Jeff_Scowen_elected_to_Lyme_Regis_Town_Council/

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9 May 2016

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Democracy, Dorset, EDDC

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Cabinet v. Committee system of district council governance

For the person who just asked what the difference is between Cabinet governance and Committee governance at district council level, this comment has been bumped to a post:

“Both the cabinet system and the committee system have committees, which ultimately report to and are approved by the full council, but in the cabinet system a small subset of the full council makes the policies and decisions without the remainder of the full council having a vote or any real say. According to Wikipedia, in a Cabinet system the full council is responsible only for agreeing the council’s constitution, electing the Leader, giving them a budget, and adopting the Local Plan – the Cabinet is responsible for all other policies and decisions, and full council can only raise issues or in extremis hold a Vote of No Confidence.

They key difference is that in the committee system, committees are represented by different parties in proportion to the membership of the full council, but a Cabinet is appointed by the Leader / Mayor and is typically formed only or mostly by members of the majority party and minority parties have far less influence.

Prior to the Local Government Act of 2000, the committee model was the only one that existed. The LGA abolished the committee system (which was seen as inefficient) and introduced 3 alternative models:

Leader and Cabinet – where the Leader is elected by the members of the council who then appoints a cabinet of their choosing

Elected Mayor and Cabinet – where the Mayor is elected separately by the electorate and they then appoint a cabinet of their choosing

Elected Mayor and Council Manager – where the Mayor is elected by the electorate but there is no cabinet. This option only had referendums for adoption in two councils of which only one was selected – in 2007 the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act abolished this option.

The Localism Act 2011 reintroduced the Committee system – it should be noted that EDDC Leader Paul Diviani was wrong when he said at Annual Council in May 2015 that they were not allowed to return to the Committee system (but then he would say that as the Cabinet system gives him a great deal of power).”

See Wikipedia: Executive arrangements ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_arrangement)”

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9 May 2016

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Accountability, Democracy, Dorset

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Dorset referendum: voters back committee system, not Leader and Cabinet

Hint, hint East Devonians!

“A VOTE for a change in the way West Dorset District Council is run has been hailed as a victory for “the will of the people”.

A referendum was triggered after the Public First campaign group gathered more than 6,000 signatures calling for a change from the council’s cabinet style system of governance to a committee based system.

More than 25,000 people cast their votes at the ballot box last week with 64 per cent of them backing the change of system.

A total of 16,534 voters were in favour of the committee system with 8,811 supporting the cabinet approach.

… Mr Grantham said the vote had succeeded in “sweeping away the failed cabinet system”, adding: “The council has to serve the public’s needs and make the best use of public funds.

“We trust that West Dorset District Council has finally heard the will of the people and will truly engage with us in greater democracy.”

The council’s leader Anthony Alford said: “Throughout this process one of the things I have been keen to ensure is that we do things to observe the law correctly.

“I’m very glad to say I have the utmost confidence we have proceeded with this referendum on the basis that confirms with the law and procedures and have gone through the referendum process very clearly and well.”

Cllr Alford said that the council had already agreed a structure for the new committee based system and it is expected to be implemented in May next year.

http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/14479865._A_VICTORY_FOR_PEOPLE_POWER___West_Dorset_votes_for_change_in_council_system/

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20 Mar 2016

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Dorset, EDDC

Jurassic Coast National Park: its time has come

An East Devon Watch post recently drew attention to an article in the Midweek Herald which broke the news that “pressure on local authority budgets is forcing a rethink on the management of the World Heritage Site and there could be a move towards greater community involvement.”

http://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/east_devon_residents_to_have_say_on_future_of_jurassic_coast_1_4460051

Owl suggested it was time to re-examine the idea of creating an East Devon and Dorset National Park based on the Jurassic Coast World Heritage coastline.

Recall that EDDC refused to consider the idea because it would have to relinquish planning control to a new authority. A difficult thing to do when it has so many developers to please.

The idea is still being pursued and here is the website with all the details:

https://dorsetandeastdevonnationalpark.wordpress.com/

They would no doubt be pleased to receive support.

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17 Mar 2016

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AONB, Dorset, EDDC

Jurassic Coast: councils can’t make it pay so say public should take over!

“People in East Devon are being asked for their views to influence the future of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site.

The spectacular coastline stretching across Exmouth, Sidmouth and Seaton is currently looked after and funded by a partnership of Devon County Council (DCC), Dorset County Council, and the Jurassic Coast Trust charity.

But pressure on local authority budgets is forcing a rethink on the management of the World Heritage Site and there could be a move towards greater community involvement.

[HONESTLY, is Owl reading this right? NOW we can’t afford it, you are asking the public to get involved!! All these years you excluded us and told us you knew what was best for us and now it hasn’t worked out and the chips are down it’s suddenly OUR problem?]

Before any final decisions are made, residents are being asked to comment on the options available.

DDC cabinet members for environment councillor Roger Croad said: “As a World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast is an important asset for East Devon, and Devon as a whole, so its future requires delicate consideration.

“We need communities to be part of this process which is why we’re asking for their views. I hope people take this opportunity to have their say and let us know how they’d like to see this beautiful stretch of coastline managed in future.”

The closing date for the consultation is April 28. Read more about the options and have your say by completing the online survey on: http://jurassiccoast.org/consultation.

http://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/east_devon_residents_to_have_say_on_future_of_jurassic_coast_1_4460051

Does anyone recall that when Dorset suggested that the World Heritage Coast should become a National Park, EDDC said, no, not on your life, we are keeping our bit to ourselves ‘cos we like doing the planning and stuff on it:

“... East Devon District Council has recommended councillors oppose the plans, saying they would result in a loss of planning powers and could restrict growth.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-22894089

Well, now maybe time to put that suggestion back on the table.

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15 Mar 2016

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Asset Management Group, Asset sweating, Dorset

Public invited to meeting on future of Monmouth Beach in Lyme Regis

Now THIS is how you deal with local assets, EDDC:

“The future of the Monmouth Beach area at Lyme Regis will be discussed in public by town councillors.

Residents are being invited to sit in on the important meeting of the Monmouth Beach Car Park Assets Working Group in The Guildhall on Wednesday, March 22, at 7pm.

Working groups are usually closed to the public, but councillors have agreed to hold an open meeting because of the high level of public interest in the area.

Lyme Regis Town Council owns a significant part of Monmouth Beach car park and the surrounding area, which it leases to other organisations.

This includes land used by the power boat club, the bowling club, the boat building academy, the trailer park, the gig club, and West Dorset District Council.

Councillors in the last administration agreed to carry out a review of the town council-owned assets in-and-around Monmouth Beach.

The working group meeting next week will be the first time the new council administration will consider the future use of these assets.

Any recommendations from the working group will be formally considered by the full council or one of its committees.”

http://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/public_invited_to_meeting_on_future_of_monmouth_beach_1_4456753

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14 Mar 2016

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Dorset

Dorset county councillors wants nine councils reduced to two

A “clear majority” of county councillors in Dorset have backed proposals to reduce the number of councils in the county from nine to two.

More than half (54%) also backed there being one unitary council for the current county council area and one for Bournemouth and Poole.

A second option – for there to be one unitary council for the area of East Dorset, North Dorset, Purbeck, West Dorset and Weymouth and Portland and one for Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch – attracted 41% of the votes.
Other options were considered and rejected. These were for: a single pan-Dorset unitary authority for Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole; two other options for separate unitary authorities; and of making no change to the current structure.

Dorset County Council stressed that the vote was not a binding decision. “The council voted unanimously do more work on the preferred options and a report will be brought to its next meeting with a view to developing a full business case,” it said.

It also noted that there would be a public consultation on any plans, and that this was likely to be held during the summer of 2016.

Cllr Robert Gould, Leader of Dorset County Council, said: “We had a thorough debate in which nearly all county councillors had their say. It was encouraging to see agreement that we need to change and do things better for the people of Dorset.

“We now have a clear consensus around having one, new council serving the whole ‘shire’ Dorset area, with an enhanced role for town and parish councils to deliver local services and strengthen their identity.

“This would simplify the structure of local government for residents, save money and help our case for a really ambitious devolution deal for Dorset.”
Cllr Gould added: “We will continue to work with the other Dorset councils to develop a solution for the whole county. A key part of this will be consulting with local people to make sure everyone has a chance to be involved.

“This is a great opportunity for the whole of Dorset to create something that supports the future needs and ambitions of the county.”

http://localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=26284:dorset-county-councillors-back-cut-in-number-of-councils-from-nine-to-two&catid=59&Itemid=27

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16 Nov 2015

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Budleigh Salterton, Dorset, East Devon economy, Exmouth, Seaton/ Colyford / Colyton, Sidmouth/ Sidford/ Sidbury

East Devon coastal sprawl could cost you a 27% drop in your house price if World Heritage status risked

” … the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site is formed from a massive slice of East Devon and Dorset.

This includes towns already well known to attract premium price tags such as Beer, Lyme Regis, Seaton and Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton, which earlier this year was named among the most expensive places to buy in the Westcountry with average prices of £342,442.

According to Zoopla, while the average residential property is valued at £284,000, those near a site that holds Unesco status are valued at £362,000 – a difference of 27%.”

http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/World-heritage-status-means-West-homes-attract-78/story-28184478-detail/story.html

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20 Aug 2015

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Dorset, Fracking, Transparency

Green Party quizzes Dorset MP on financial links to fracking on World Heritage Jurassic Coast

Green Party investigators quiz Local MP on his links to local fracking.

What does MP Burns do for £333 an hour? The Story behind the Private Eye Piece

You may have read the Private Eye piece which raised questions about whether Conor Burns’ vehement opposition to Navitus Bay was influenced by his close connections to Trant Engineering, an engineering company which maintains Fawley and Wytch Farm. You may have even read the Burns’ response to the article in the Echo where he completely avoided all of the issues raised, including his views on the further potential drilling for oil within the Jurassic coast by Infrastrata.

Does Burns still consider himself to be accountable to the electorate? He referred to the article as ‘mischievous’. It is, however, the duty of opposition parties to hold elected members to account and ask questions on behalf of their members and local people, which is what we did.

When Burns mentioned in parliament that he did consultancy work, local member, JR Ryan, checked the register of interests and found declared interests of £40000 a year for 10 hours work a month. He then wrote, under the Freedom of Information act, to the IPSO asking for details about the nature of the work and learnt that they do not hold that information. Writing to Burns himself, Ryan received a reply which was similar to that of the Echo response; it completely avoided all the questions put to him. Burns was adamant that he had complied, as far as was necessary, with the law as it stands in declaring the money earned. Interestingly, in his recent election campaign, Burns declared himself to be committed to honesty and transparency where finances are concerned. Most would consider that declaring earnings of £333 an hour from a petrochemical company for consultancy work but refusing to say what you do for that money could hardly be perceived as transparent.

Frustrated, Ryan then discussed the issue with other Green Party members and the decision was made to put the information into the hands of the public via the press. The story, complete with verifiable references, was handed over to journalist Lee Williams and published in Private Eye.

Upon reading Burns’ reply in the Echo, Ryan responded, outlining the background to the piece and posing other possible reasons as to why local MPs and councils may be objecting to Navitus Bay. One of which was the possibility that Navitus Bay may actually interfere with the siting of off shore oil and gas rigs. Burns has consistently voted against low carbon subsidies but is in favour of fracking. However, fracking fossil fuels within the World Heritage site, Ryan rightly points out will have far more negative effects to local tourism and the environment as a whole.

So, we ask once again, what do you do for your money Mr Burns and where do you stand on the expansion of drilling in Dorset?

The South East Dorset Green Party

Private Eye link:
http://www.dorseteye.com/east/articles/what-does-mp-burns-do-for-333-an-hour-the-story-behind-the-private-eye-piece

Dorset Echo link:
http://www.dorseteye.com/east/articles/what-does-mp-burns-do-for-333-an-hour-the-story-behind-the-private-eye-piece#sthash.37IB8Jmu.edaCXgSk.dpuf