Category Archives: EDDC HQ

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

6 Dec 2019

Posted under

Accountability, EDDC, EDDC Governance, EDDC HQ, Mark Williams CEO EDDC, Richard Cohen

Comments

1 Comment

EDDC Deputy CEO made redundant …

Well, well, well – Cohen, who came to EDDC with such glowing references is now surplus to requirements! How convenient – all the blame and all the questions about everything that has gone on under his watch can leave with him … and scrutiny is avoided because he won’t be there to answer any questions …

questions such as:

Queen’s Drive fiasco
Axminster Masterplan chaos
High Street decline inaction
Knowle sale
Blackdown House procurement issues …

add your own thoughts to this partial list …

Here’s the CEO’s “explanation” for the departure:

“Dear Cllrs,
As you are aware we are in the process of preparing the budget for 2020/21 and facing the difficult decisions that will be required.

As part of these preparations, I have had to give consideration to the reduction in workload for the Deputy Chief Executive Officer now that our office moves have taken place and the fact that this role is now effectively redundant.

For this reason, it has been agreed that Richard Cohen will leave the organisation on 31 March 2020. This has been the subject of consultation with the Leader and relevant portfolio holders.

We are currently also consulting with Richard’s direct reports [sic] and will soon be confirming details of changes to reporting lines and roles and responsibilities in the management team.

I am sure you will join me in thanking Richard for all he has achieved during his time at the Council and wishing him the very best for the future.

Yours sincerely,
Mark”

Just remember: a redundant role cannot usually be filled for between 1 and 2 years … so how long before Williams declares himself overworked and in need of better remuneration … but again remember that for a while we shared him 50/50 with South Somerset – till they paid us to take him back early!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

16 Nov 2019

Posted under

Accountability, EDDC HQ, Housing (local), Knowle/Honiton/Exmouth relocation, PegasusLife

PegasusLife service charges

PegasusLife now own the former EDDC HQ site in Sidmouth. A comment from the Guardian on the poor value of their retirement flats:

“.. you might be interested to know that another of these retirement property firms (Oaktree Capital-owned Pegasus Life) has just jacked up its monthly fees by around 50%. They did this around a fortnight before a relative of mine was due to move into a new build scheme, which is about a year behind schedule. Her monthly fees (for a one-bed flat costing ~£500k) were set to go from £600 to around £900. Absolutely outrageous.”

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2019/nov/16/flat-retirement-builder-value-mccarthy-stone?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

23 May 2019

Posted under

EDDC, EDDC HQ

A visitor to EDDC’s new HQ finds nothing to like … and worries about safety

“View from the public gallery at the first Annual Council EDDC meeting (22 May 2019) in the cramped, airless, Council Chamber, poorly provided with natural light. First time visitors and also, no doubt, the impressive number of newly-elected councillors, were in for some further surprises. For instance, people-flow aspects in the arrangement of the room were awkward, as Cllr Moulding signalled early on, when he asked the vicar leading the opening prayer, “Do you want to slip out the sideway or promenade down the middle?” The single-file queue to get out of the room at the end of the meeting, only one door being open, raised questions of health and safety in an emergency.

One veteran former Member of the Council had to point out that in these purpose-built new premises, disabled access was problematic. Other observations overheard in the public gallery questioned why the seating plan allocated to the East Devon Alliance , the third biggest group, was in the back row only, in three separate areas. There was also astonishment that, surrounded by idle hi-tech screens, the CEO had used the oldfashioned, time-wasting way of counting votes.

Some of these evident ‘ teething problems’ can of course be swiftly resolved, under the welcome new cross-Party Leadership.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

15 Mar 2019

Posted under

Accountability, EDDC HQ, Privatisation

EDDC HQ builder goes bust – another privatised services company bites the dust

Shareholder lose money one day, debtors get nothing, hedge fund starts it up again next day with no debts. Who profits? Not us.

“The government contractor Interserve has gone into administration after its largest shareholder, the US hedge fund Coltrane, led a rebellion against financial rescue plans drawn up by the company’s lenders.

About 16,000 small shareholders have lost their investment, with the business sold to hedge funds and banks via a “pre-pack” administration which means Interserve, which employs 45,000 people in the UK, can continue trading.

Interserve has thousands of government contracts including hospital cleaning, school meals and maintenance of military bases in the Falklands. It also runs parts of the probation service, which was part-privatised under a heavily criticised process overseen by the former justice minister Chris Grayling.

The company and the Cabinet Office, which oversees state suppliers, said there would be no disruption to the public services that Interserve manages and job losses were not expected in the short term and the pension scheme was protected.

Interserve’s chief executive, Debbie White, said: “Interserve is fundamentally a strong business and with a competitive financial platform in place we see significant opportunities as a best-in-class partner to the public and private sector.”

But the failure of another outsourcing firm, little more than a year after Carillion’s collapse, sparked fresh calls by trade unions and Labour’s business select committee chair Rachel Reeves for public services to be taken back in-house. …”

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/mar/15/interserve-to-go-into-administration-after-shareholders-reject-deal

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

4 Mar 2019

Posted under

Accountability, EDDC, EDDC HQ, Local Government Finance, PegasusLife

EDDC HQ move cost neutral? Don’t make Owl laugh!

“… The new headquarters cost the council £8.7m, while an additional £1.5m was spent on upgrading Exmouth Town Hall – where one third of the council staff are to be based.

The Knowle has been sold to developers Pegasus Life for £7.5m, which has been granted planning permission to convert the building into a 113-apartment [top-end luxury] assisted-living community for older people. …”

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-england-devon-47369240

It has been estimated by a local property developer that the new HQ has a market value of no more than £3.5 million.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

19 Jan 2019

Posted under

EDDC, EDDC HQ, Environment (local), Knowle/Honiton/Exmouth relocation, Sustainability, Transport (local)

Comments

1 Comment

Workplace parking charges -will EDDC officers and councillors finally have to cave in

Just about every year, Ottery independent councillor Roger Giles – whose environmental credentials are strong – has petitioned for EDDC councillors and officers to introduce parking charges to encourage them to think more about the need to use their cars. Every year, the Conservative majority has voted him down.

Maybe this will change – though with rural public transport so poor, it seems likely that they may have to stump up the cost! Particularly when what is left of it often stops so early!

Buses from the new Honiton HQ to Sidmouth will end at 8 pm, to Axminster they will end at 6.10 pm and to Seaton at 3.40 pm (yes, that’s right 15.40!).

Owl’s guess – allowances and salaries will be raised to cover the extra cost.

“The AA says plans to charge drivers up to £1,000 a year to park at work could become a “poll tax on wheels”.

Under plans to cut congestion, reduce pollution and raise money for public transport, a workplace parking levy is being considered by at least 10 councils.

The charges would affect businesses with more than 10 parking spaces and the AA said the costs would be passed on to workers.

The levy has already been rolled out in Nottingham where four in 10 companies pass on the costs to staff.

Since it was introduced in 2012, the charge has raised £53.7m which has been used to improve Nottingham’s tram network.

Hounslow Council in west London is proposing to charge between £500 and £1,000 a year for every parking space and at least nine other councils are considering imposing the levy.

Other cash-strapped authorities are likely to consider the measure because of a shortage of funding for road improvements and public transport.”

https://news.sky.com/story/drivers-could-be-charged-up-to-1000-a-year-to-park-at-work-11611486

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

18 Jan 2019

Posted under

Accountability, Asset Management Group, EDDC, EDDC HQ, Knowle/Honiton/Exmouth relocation, Scrutiny, Transparency

Knowle Flog It: statement raises more questions than answers

An “explanation” of the Knowle Flog It fiasco appears in today’s Sidmouth Herald. It appears to be printed verbatim from a council statement.

Owl wonders why this statement was printed without challenging some of its very, very vague claims – one hesitates to use the word ‘facts’. “Journalism”? Not as Owl knows it!

Guess some answers MIGHT come from the Freedom of Information request by an Exmouth resident on 8 January 2019:
https://eastdevonwatch.org/2019/01/10/the-knowle-flog-it-scandal-rumbles-on/

In the meantime:

Amongst Owl’s questions:

It seems Councillor Skinner paid £400 for the table he wanted so urgently – earlier reports mentioned it being valued at a very low price, much lower than £400. Which is correct? And including just how many chairs?

Who decided on the “three disposal methods? It does not appear to be the Asset Management Group.

Which councillors have bought items? Have they declared these on their Registers of Interest?

Which groups were offered ‘free’ items, how were they chosen and by whom? Have any of these groups taken items – and if so, which groups and how much did they pay for them?

What exactly is the Chairman’s Civic Fund and how and when has it been used recently and in the past? What are its rules? Who oversees the disbursements?

Which local groups and charities will be able to bid for what is left after officers and councillors have taken their pick? How have they been chosen and by whom?

Are internal and external auditors happy with the procedures?

Will the Scrutiny Committee be scrutinising these actions?

Owl is sure readers have many more questions!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

14 Jan 2019

Posted under

Accountability, Austerity cuts, EDDC HQ, Knowle/Honiton/Exmouth relocation

EDDC new HQ: take pics, post and boast on social media and ….

On 10 January 2019 EDDC posted pictures of its glam new shiny HQ building in Honiton

Unfortunately, they didn’t think it through and here are a few comments on that post:

Excellent!! So whilst many many families can’t afford to eat and are having to use food banks, or can’t afford gas and electric, you decide, the best thing to do is to put on your page pictures of your new offices, that the people who can’t afford to eat, have paid for it. …

They do as they please because they’re a law unto themselves. They can do what they want with your money and get away with it. You can argue with them til your blue in the face and NOTHING. They will always win. …

Shame you sold all the stuff from the old building off dirt cheap to the staff and councillors. £50 for a 24 seat mahogany table. Shame shame shame on you. …

My god, the more I see this, the more it’s unbelievable, really EDDC, you should be ashamed, not only is this building an eye sore on our towns landscape, the disgusting amount of money it is costing is nothing short of a disgrace, and then you have the audacity to show off the extravagant interior on Facebook, when there are families struggling to pay your thieving council tax. Let’s hope your illustrious leader, whoever he or she is, comes on here and apologises for this self indulgent, disgraceful post, shame on you EDDC!!!!!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

10 Jan 2019

Posted under

Accountability, Asset Management Group, Conflict of interest, EDDC, EDDC HQ, Knowle/Honiton/Exmouth relocation

Comments

1 Comment

The Knowle “Flog It” scandal rumbles on

Recent Freedom of Information request:

“Dear East Devon District Council,

The following is a request in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Recently an email from a Conservative counsellor was released into the public domain regarding the purchase of a “very large table in the members room” as a result of “an auction of council furniture, chattels, etc” to the benefit of members and EDDC staff.

The email went on to state “I have been told that I have been successful in my bid so the table along with the 8’ extension is heading back to Exmouth to sit in (address of councillor), Exmouth in its rightful Town (some may say)” and then stated arrangements for its removal date in order that it could be used for the Councillor’s Christmas dinner for 22 family members.

Subsequently on 21st December 2018, the Leader of the Council made a statement about the disposal of a range of items, including this table. He said the large table “attracted little professional interest with one valuer estimate of just £50”.

I would like to know:

If one valuer’s estimate was £50, what were the other estimates?

What are the names of the valuers who gave estimates for the table?

Does EDDC audit not require a range and record of estimates for the disposal of council assets, as well as a record of disposals?

EDDC, like other councils, should have a written policy and procedure for the disposal of assets such as used equipment, furniture and other plant, What is that policy and procedure?

Who was the Councillor that successfully bid for “the very large table in the members room”?

How much did the Councillor pay?

Was the ornate clock on the mantel piece (as shown on the cover of the Residents Magazine, December 2018) part of this disposal process?

If so, what was the valuation given?

What price was paid?

Who bought this clock?

The Leader of the Council referred to proceeds of this sale and other sales going to the Chairman’s Civic Fund.

How much money was raised from this sale of “items of sentimental interest or practical use”?

What are the “other sales” Councillor Thomas refers to?

How much money was raised from each of these “other sales”?

What is the total now of the Chairman’s Civic Fund?

Information about the Chairman’s Civic Fund is not easily accessible on the EDDC website; a word search on the site produces “no result”. Where can details of this fund and its administration be found?

Yours faithfully,”

https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/auction_of_council_furniture_cha

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

3 Jan 2019

Posted under

Accountability, EDDC, EDDC HQ

Mahogany tables …..

Story moving to regional media – watch this space.

If any town or parish council or local charity WAS or WAS NOT contacted about this or any other item for sale, Owl would be VERY interested to hear details!

Allegedly sold to Councillor Philip Skinner when officers and councillors given first dibs at Knowle furniture surplus to requirements – 22 ft extending mahogany board room table (only bid):
£50

Meanwhile on E-bay bay today:

Buy it now price
£12,000 mahogany board room table
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Very-Large-Antique-Library-Table-Mahogany-Victorian-Boardroom-c-1870/323604161547

Buy it now price
Modern plain wooden board room table, well-used 7 m
£600
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Boardroom-table-meeting-table-wood-1-5m-7m/401613530214?hash=item5d82082466:g:DzYAAOSwPR9bu0La

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

22 Dec 2018

Posted under

Accountability, Asset sweating, Conflict of interest, EDDC HQ, Knowle/Honiton/Exmouth relocation

Comments

1 Comment

That Knowle table … sold for £50?

Oh, er – been kicking off on Facebook page!

22 foot mahogany table with 8 foot extension (not sure if included in 22 foot or makes it 30 foot, but probably the latter). Rumour is it was “valued” and was sold for a winning bid of £50 (fifty pounds).

Most councils have a policy on this. Anyone seen East Devon”s?

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

21 Dec 2018

Posted under

Accountability, Audit (EDDC), Conflict of interest, EDDC, EDDC HQ, Knowle/Honiton/Exmouth relocation

Comments

5 Comments

Plundering of Knowle assets by councillors? Best value?

It appears that councillors and officers have been given first dibs of Knowle assets, in advance of the move to Honiton and one of them has rather jumped the gun on claiming his prize.

Is this best value or equitable, Owl ponders? As does at least one independent councillor.

Note: Neither of these emails were marked private and/or confidential when acquired by Owl.

From a well-known Conservative councillor:

Subject: Re; Large Table In Members Area

“Dear Members and SMT,

Subject: Re; Large Table In Members Area

You will all be aware there has been an auction of council furniture, chattels etc of which I bid for a few bits and pieces.

I bid on behalf of my partner for the very large table in the members area along with the 20 green chairs that we all sit around.

I have been told that I have been successful in my bid so the table along with the 8’ extension is heading back to Exmouth to sit in (address of councillor), Exmouth in its rightful Town (some may say).

The relevance of my informing yourselves is that the rightful date of removal is end of January/ beginning of February when we finally ‘pull out of the Knowle.

I would apologise for the short notice but we have 22 family members to Christmas dinner and would like to pick the table up tomorrow as it appears it is the last day of our offices being open, which of course would mean I couldn’t collect it on Monday, 24th, as we will be closed.

We do have one or two meetings between the New Year and our final pull out but I feel it only right to ask members if indeed anybody felt offended if it was collected tomorrow on our last day.

I will fully respect any position any member may feel regarding it being removed earlier and would kindly request your thoughts.

If indeed it were removed earlier I have spoken to Simon Allchurch who feels we could put a few of the red tables on wheels in the place of the table and there is an array of chairs to use for members in the interim so it doesn’t look bare.

I must again apologise for the short notice but with the closing date being the 19th and all that goes with it at this time of year I would like to think you may grant me a little latitude (or not).

Best wishes and a Happy Xmas to one and all.”

And here is the response from an Independent councillor

“I feel I must reiterate my comment from when this started. Who authorised the ‘private sale’ of Council property to staff and members? Why are we not duty-bound to seek the best price at public auction? No-one answered my questions.

Will we ever know the proceeds of this internal sale for the public record?”

I strongly suspect that members of the public would be shocked to know that councillors have been able to buy items in this way. It is somehow appropriate that 22 family members will sit down to feast at this table, assuming the removal goes ahead.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

16 Dec 2018

Posted under

EDDC HQ, Privatisation

EDDC HQ builder deeper in the mire – just who does privatisation work for?

With a government paralysed by Brexit does anyone care what is happening to yet another privatised company that will cost tax payers dear if (or rather when) it goes under? Imagine how many local companies could have built that HQ!

“… Interserve is one of the UK’s biggest private sector employers in areas such as office-cleaning, while it also provides support to Britain’s armed forces in Cyprus, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands.”

https://news.sky.com/story/struggling-interserve-may-hand-construction-unit-to-lenders-11581667

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

10 Dec 2018

Posted under

Accountability, EDDC HQ, Outsourcing, Privatisation

EDDC HQ contractor’s shares plunge to 6p – in 2014 they were worth 700p!

Perhaps using local companies would have been less risky!

“The crisis surrounding outsourcing firm Interserve intensified on Monday as its shares lost more than 75% of their value, crashing to just 6p, as the government contractor battles to negotiate its second rescue deal this year.

The heavily indebted group, which has thousands of government contracts such as cleaning hospitals and serving school meals, said the rescue plan would mean substantial losses for shareholders as the banks that have lent Interserve more than £600m take control of the company. It hopes to wrap up a deal early next year.

Interserve’s shares plunged to 6p in early trading, giving it a market value of less than £9m. At its peak in 2014, the shares were worth more than 700p….”

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/dec/10/interserve-shares-rescue-plan-carillion