Category Archives: EDDC

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

9 Apr 2017

Posted under

Accountability, Asset Management Group, Austerity cuts, EDDC, Knowle/Honiton/Exmouth relocation

Comments

1 Comment

“The Great Town Hall Property Buying Spree”

Full page article in today’s Sunday Times main section, page 5.

The article relates to borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board (PWLB – a Treasury outpost) from which East Devon District Council expects to borrow to pay for its new Honiton HQ, and which the article warns:

“… there are growing concerns in the private sector and parts of Westminster that government grant cuts, coupled with generous lending by the
PWLB are encouraging councils to take risks they do not properly understand- in an asset class that is more volatile than many realise. Most of the property deals have been 100% funded with debt, leaving both the councils and the Treasury exposed to immediate losses if values fall. …

… Sam Resouly, a partner in an investment firm … said the trend had caused a distortion in the market … If they buy 10 years’ income, they have to accept that as 10 years goes to zero, they’re going to get a rapid deterioration in the value of that asset. At some point they’re going to have to spend money to get it up to standard, and what happens to council’s accounts then? …

… Councils’ interest payments must be paid ahead of their other commitments, such as spending on services …

… an associate partner of a strategy consultancy said” … councils were exploiting a loophole. He suggested they were using a legal but circuitous route to “launder” money ringfenced for capital projects into the separate part of their budget set aside for spending on services such as adult care. …“

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

6 Apr 2017

Posted under

Affordable and Social Housing, Austerity cuts, Developers/ Development, EDDC

Just as EDDC forms a housing development company …

“A slowdown in housebuilding last month dragged down activity in the construction sector, adding to concerns that the economy may be losing some momentum.

The Markit/CIPS purchasing managers’ index for construction in March dropped to 52.2 from 52.5 in February, falling short of forecasts. Although the index was still above 50, indicating growth, economists described the data as disappointing.

“The construction sector remains at the sharp end of the decline in corporate confidence and the renewed squeeze on households’ real wages, both of which are consequences of the Brexit vote,” Samuel Tombs, chief UK economist at Pantheon Economics, said. “We continue to expect the construction sector to tread water this year.”

Signs of a slowdown in housebuilding will come as a setback to the government, which announced a white paper last month to help to boost new homebuilding and to fix what it called Britain’s “broken” housing market. The country is building about 100,000 fewer homes than the 250,000 it needs annually, which is helping to drive up prices.

The PMI’s sub-index on housing dropped to 51.7, its lowest level since August 2016.”

Source: Times (paywall)

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

3 Apr 2017

Posted under

Accountability, Austerity cuts, Council tax, Developers/ Development, EDDC, Knowle/Honiton/Exmouth relocation, PegasusLife, Scrutiny, Sustainability

EDDC relication costs £10.3 million and counting …

Owl says: are these audited costs or still on

“District chiefs are being advised to press ahead with their £10million relocation from Sidmouth – despite having no guaranteed buyer for their ‘not fit-for-purpose’ Knowle HQ.

East Devon District Council’s (EDDC) cabinet is being asked to sign off nearly £8.7million to press ahead with building work at Honiton’s Heathpark, on top of the approved £1,7million pot to refurbish Exmouth Town Hall.

If approved, the relocation project’s total budget will stand at £10.36million, up from £9.2million in March 2015.

Members will also be asked if they support a further £225,000 cost for an improved access road to the Honiton base when they meet next week.

EDDC originally promised that the relocation would be ‘cost neutral’, that it would not borrow money and the project would not progress before Knowle was sold.

But after refusing PegasusLife’s £7.5million bid to redevelop Knowle into a 113-home retirement community, the authority now has to decide how to proceed with the relocation.

According to cabinet agenda papers, members have three options to choose from:

• ‘Go now’ – press ahead with building in Honiton in anticipation of an acceptable combination of cash for Knowle and prudential borrowing. Work could be completed as soon as December 2018.

• Delay relocation for one to two years, or more, so planning permission for Knowle can be secured to fund the project. EDDC understands PegasusLife is preparing an appeal, which would have to be lodged before June 9.

• A ‘do minimum’ option of giving up on the new-build Honiton HQ, completing the refurbishment of Exmouth Town Hall and modernising a section of Knowle. Essential repairs to Knowle would cost £1.9million, but there is no capital receipt for this expenditure.

Councillors have been recommended to pursue the ‘go now’ option. EDDC maintains that the move will save money in the long-run.

Its development management committee refused PegasusLife’s application because it represented a departure from Knowle’s 50-home allocation in the authority’s Local Plan and due to the lack of ‘affordable’ housing.

EDDC has considered various re-marketing options for Knowle – if a PegasusLife appeal is unsuccessful – that could fetch between £3.22million and £6.8million. One scheme proposes 50 homes, half of which would be ‘affordable’, and could bring in £4.2million.

Critics have long said EDDC could remain at Knowle rather than relocate. The cabinet papers say modernising the former hotel would cost nearly £11.3million, or, for the newer offices, the bill is expected to be more than £5.9million.

The relocation project has cost £1,784,884 to date.

Cabinet members will meet to discuss the options at Knowle at 5.30pm on Wednesday (April 5).”

http://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/budget_for_eddc_s_relocation_tops_10_3million_1_4955207

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

3 Apr 2017

Posted under

EDDC, Phil Twiss, Rural communications, Rural communities

Rural infrastructure- lack of

One for Councillor Twiss, perhaps. And him apparently being a telecomms expert, he might also tell us how he plans to ensure that many rural communities in East Devon can move – not to the new 5G phone service everyone is now anticipating – but just to the much older 3G phone service that some areas of East Devon have never had and which is now considered old-fashioned and out-of-date.

Bet the new EDDC HQ will have 5G …

” … Existing discussions on rural infrastructure often focus on broadband, where demand for digital services often outstrips many urban places but the task of connecting residents and businesses up remains great due to lower population densities and geography which combine to make the commercial case for investment more challenging.

There are debates over whether having a broadband internet ‘service’ should be treated as a basic ‘utility’ much like electricity, water or the traditional telephone or seen as a luxury item. And whether rural residents and businesses expect the same or comparable levels of connectivity as their urban counterparts?

Other discussions have focused on transport: rural residents tend to travel longer distances, have higher costs, greater reliance on car use and increasingly limited access to public transport. These issues are incredibly important to rural communities and while they should not be overlooked there is a tendency to consider them individually and in isolation rather than collectively.

Going forward, we need to monitor whether, how and when existing Government infrastructure projects and programmes are benefitting rural areas. We also need to be mindful of a gap opening up between whether we should update / improve existing infrastructure or provide brand new infrastructure. …

http://www.rsnonline.org.uk/analysis/mind-the-rural-infrastructure-gap

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

1 Apr 2017

Posted under

Accountability, Austerity cuts, Councillor Cathy Gardner EDA, Councillor Marianne Rixon EDA, Democracy, East Devon Tories, EDDC, Health and Social Care (local), NHS (local), Sidmouth/ Sidford/ Sidbury

Sidmouth “red line” Save our Hospitals pics – Tory councillors conspicuous by their absence

Spot the Independent East Devon Alliance councillors: easy
Spot Tory councillors – impossible!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

1 Apr 2017

Posted under

Accountability, Democracy, Developers/ Development, EDBF, EDDC, Exmouth, Regeneration, Transparency

Exmouth Regeneration “Business Forum” (2) – the rules!

“The voting membership of the Board may invite additional non-voting members as detailed above to join the Board as they deem appropriate. The may also remove non-voting members from the Board as they deem appropriate.

Eligibility for non-voting membership of the Board will be subject to a protocol that ensures that members are fit and proper persons eg covering matters of criminal record, bankruptcy, not being subject to planning enforcement etc.

To assist the Board they may invite any individuals with particular expertise (including other elected Members) and/or representatives of organisations to attend.

Officers of the District Council, County Council and the Exmouth Town Clerk will attend in an advisory capacity only. The District Council will provide the secretariat service for the Board.”

Click to access combinedcabagenda050417publicversion.pdf

“Fit and proper persons” … fit for what and proper for what?

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

1 Apr 2017

Posted under

Accountability, Democracy, EDBF, EDDC, Exmouth, Licensing Committee, Philip Skinner, Regeneration, Transparency

Comments

1 Comment

Exmouth Regeneration Board: an East Devon Business Forum clone?

“Board Structure

Voting Members

 EDDC Portfolio Holder for Economy (who shall be the Chair)
 EDDC Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Homes and Communities (Vice Chair)
 EDDC Exmouth Champion
 EDDC Tourism Champion
 2 x Devon County Councillor (one who shall represent Exmouth)
 2 x Exmouth Town Councillor

And then one representative from each of;

 Clinton Devon Estates
 Exmouth Chamber of Commerce
 Exmouth Licensed Victuallers Association
 Exmouth Community Organisations Liaison Panel
 Exe Estuary Partnership representative

Non-Voting Members
 Alderman Tim Wood

And then one representative from each of;
 Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group representative
 Leisure East Devon representative
 Exmouth tourism business (eg holiday accommodation)
 Food and drink business (eg restaurateur)
 Exmouth landowner
 Exmouth commercial developer”

Click to access combinedcabagenda050417publicversion.pdf

page 89

SO reminiscent of the East Devon Business Forum!!!

And why Clinton Devon Estates when EDDC bought out their restrictive covenant on the site? What exactly is their interest?

Why a licensed victualler – don’t we have enough of them at EDDC already!

Alderman Tim Woods – don’t go there, Owl. So reminiscent of … no, no, no do NOT go there!

All the usual suspects, many of whom have, or will have, vested interests in the final outcome. No-one with REAL scrutiny teeth.

Peter Halse as Chairman!!!

Same old … same old … same Old Boys …

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

1 Apr 2017

Posted under

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

Another £225,000 demanded to fund £9 million relocation cost

Owl says: no austerity cuts for our councillors – and, no, this is NOT an April Fool joke – unfortunately.

“The Deputy Chief Executive – Development, Regeneration and Partnerships is delegated authority, in consultation with the Office Accommodation Executive Group, to commence works and deliver the new HQ building.

A budget is agreed of £8,692,000 to provide a new HQ building at Honiton Heathpark, which when added to the approved Exmouth Town Hall refurbishment budget of £1,669,000 gives a total gross budget of £10,361,000.

If Cabinet agrees that it wishes to relocate to a new HQ in Honiton then Cabinet is asked whether it wishes to recommend approval of a further sum of £225,000 to fund the addition of a direct access road to the new HQ building past the East Devon Business Centre This is a more direct approach to the building rather than bringing traffic through the Heathpark business park south of the building and does not affect the conclusions in this report in relation to viability and ranking of options for the sale of the Knowle site.”

Click to access combinedcabagenda050417publicversion.pdf

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

26 Mar 2017

Posted under

Accountability, Affordable and Social Housing, EDDC, Transparency

Transparency for developer viability appraisals must be published

Owl says: EDDC makes it seem that THEY decided these appraisals should be made public – but government directives, fights with the Information Commissioner and case-law have meant that they really have no option on this!

“Confidentiality
6.28 There is a strong public interest in financial viability appraisals being made available for scrutiny when relied upon to secure planning permission and, for this reason, the council will make this information publicly available.

We consider that transparency is extremely important and the public benefit of publishing all aspects of a viability appraisal will generally outweigh any potential commercial harm to the applicant.

If an applicant feels that some or all of the information should be kept confidential, then it will be necessary for the applicant to show how disclosure of that information would cause specific harm (in this context this means that ‘it is more probable than not that some harm would be caused’ – it will not be sufficient to say it might cause harm) to a legitimate economic interest.

Applicants will need to identify to the Council what the economic interest is and how specific harm would be caused to it when the viability information is provided. This view will be taken into account, and balanced against the wider public interest in disclosure, when the council makes its decision about the publication of the viability appraisal.

Click to access 290317-combined-strategic-planning-agenda-compressed.pdf

page 107

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

25 Mar 2017

Posted under

Accountability, Consultation, Economy, EDDC, Exmouth Creative Group, Philip Skinner, Regeneration

Comments

2 Comments

EDDC Exmouth Visitor Survey- a flaw

The survey says that by far the largest proportion of visitors (31 per cent) were aged 65+ years:

15% – 15 years or under
6% – 16‐24 years
8% – 25‐34 years
10% – 35‐44 years
14% – 45‐54 years and
15% – 55‐64 years
31% – 65+

BUT:
16-64 year old are broken down into decades
Under 15’s span 15 years
Over 65’s span around 35 years

So obviously over 65’s are the largest group as they cover the largest number of years.

But, if you wished, you could say the largest group was 35-64 year olds (39%) as they also span 3 decades and are a higher percentage than the over 65’s!

Plus, it should be fairly obvious that people 65 – 74 are just about as fit and active as the 55-64 year olds. Lumping them in with centenarians is just a tad ageist!

AND it skews figures by comparing unequal groupings.

Messy.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

25 Mar 2017

Posted under

Accountability, Democracy, EDDC, Voting

Comments

1 Comment

Want to register online to vote in East Devon? Don’t bother, website unavailable

You could try here:

https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

but if it links to the EDDC website – tough.

Hope Mr Williams is at work today getting this fixed. We pay him extra to be our Electoral officer.

Perhaps someone might like to let the Electoral Commission know that things are going wrong – again – in East Devon.

Last time we lost 6,000 voters because Mr Williams decided he knew best and used telephone contact to trace missing voters instead of personal canvassers (though Owl is still puzzled how he got those telephone numbers). Though this was fixed later after he appeared at a Parliamentary Committee to explain himself.

And then there was that little matter of the postal vote forms with the wrong information on them …

Have a good day in the office, Mr Williams!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

24 Mar 2017

Posted under

Accountability, Affordable and Social Housing, Audit (EDDC), Austerity cuts, EDDC, Exmouth, Regeneration

“Auditors urge government to stop ‘undeliverable’ projects”

Maybe EDDC needs to read this – a housing company with high risks, relocation prohject overspend, regeneration turning into a pig’s ear – they just don’t have the expertise or officer numbers to see these projects through to a successful conclusion – and consultants serm to make things worse not better, but with hefty bills for over-simplistic or unachievable aims.

“The government needs to drop projects it does not think it can deliver, the National Audit Office has said.

In a report published today, the spending watchdog said the civil service is being asked to manage important reforms although it has reduced in size by 26% since 2006.

The whole-life costs of projects in the government’s major projects portfolio is £405bn but departments gave themselves an average score of 2.1 out of five for their current capability in workforce planning.

Amyas Morse, head of the NAO, said although the government has plans to address skills gaps in the civil service the “scale of the challenge ahead means greater urgency is needed”.

“Government has gaps in its capability and knows it must do more to develop the skills it needs,” he said.

“Without a short-term solution to its capability gaps government must get better at planning and prioritising its activities and be prepared to stop work on those it is not confident it has the capability to deliver.”

Civil servants face increased pressures due to a rise in the number of infrastructure, capital and digital projects and the decision to leave the European Union, says Capability in the civil service.

Major projects such as nuclear plant Hinkley Point C, railway High Speed 2 and nuclear weapons deterrent Trident renewal often draw on the same pool of skills, the NAO points out.

“For example, in rail projects such as Crossrail and Thameslink, we have seen skilled civil servants performing a number of project roles or being moved to fill skills gaps for new priorities or projects,” the report says.

Departments have told the NAO they are looking for more senior leaders with specialist expertise to achieve their objectives.

They have reported a need for about 2,000 additional staff in digital roles within the next five years. Although, those responsible for the government’s digital skills believe this is an underestimate.

The report suggests the government must prioritise projects – stopping work on those it does not think it can deliver – and assess what will be needed in terms of capacity to deliver each one.

Departments need to assess the capability requirements of their ongoing operations, the spending watchdog states, and look at where they can plug capability gaps from the private sector.

The PCS union said the government’s cuts programme was behind the drop off in capability. General secretary Mar Serwotka said: “The cut first, plan later approach demanded by austerity has damaged services and left the civil service unable to cope with current workloads, let alone the major upheaval caused by the vote to leave the EU.

“While the civil service is trying to deal with Brexit, there is no let-up in the demand and need for quality public services in our communities, which is why we have said all job cuts plans must be halted immediately.”

http://www.publicfinance.co.uk/news/2017/03/auditors-urge-government-stop-undeliverable-projects

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

23 Mar 2017

Posted under

Accountability, EDDC

Comments

1 Comment

EDDC bigwigs treat 53 people to a £50 per head 4 course meal

Might it have been tactful to keep costs down while the “just about managing” are struggling – perhaps tea and cakes and donate money to local food banks?

“EDDC chairman Councillor Stuart Hughes with vice chairman Cllr Helen Parr
EDDC chairman Councillor Stuart Hughes with vice chairman Cllr Helen Parr
District council bosses have come under fire for splashing nearly £3,000 on a black-tie civic dinner, when many taxpayers – who footed the bill – are ‘struggling’.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) chairman Councillor Stuart Hughes hosted the four-course ‘feast’ at Rockbeare Manor for 53 invitation-only guests last week.

East Devon Alliance (EDA) leader Cllr Cathy Gardner took issue with the biennial event, but the council said it was an opportunity to promote the best of East Devon.

Cllr Gardner, who represents Sidmouth along with Cllr Hughes, said: “Council budgets are under strain and they are unable to continue to provide some services, despite increasing our council tax this year.

“However, Cllr Hughes held an invitation-only civic dinner at Rockbeare Manor last week. The four-course feast with aperitif was free of charge to those that attended.

“The total bill was £2,867.90 for 54 people – all at local council taxpayers’ expense. This means the meal cost over £53 per head.

“That is a very expensive night out for most people.”

With many people ‘struggling’, she said the EDA had donated £120 to the Sid Valley Food Bank on behalf of its two attending members and called on the Conservatives to do likewise.

Sidmouth Town Council chairman Cllr Jeff Turner and Ottery St Mary’s mayor Glyn Dobson were among leaders from across Devon who donned their civic regalia for the event, and each could take a plus-one. The EDA’s Cllr Paul Hayward and another member – who the group would not name due to ‘confidentiality’ – also attended.

Diners were treated to canapés, baked cheddar and leek tart, roast rump of lamb and an afternoon tea cake stand.

An EDDC spokeswoman said the bill was settled from the £11,000 civic fund budget that is approved by the council every year for use by the chairman – a non-political role. There is currently £4,600 remaining in the fund.

The spokeswoman added: “The meal is a good opportunity to promote what is good about the district and to show the quality that the district has to offer.

“In the case of Rockbeare Manor, the new owners are bringing many hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors to the district and have invested in one of our most important historic buildings.

“The council considers that this was an opportunity to promote what’s great about the district and to ensure that East Devon is promoted as a quality destination.”h

There was also a collection at the meal that raised £360 for Sidmouth Town Band, Cllr Hughes’ chosen charity for the year.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

23 Mar 2017

Posted under

Accountability, Democracy, East Devon Alliance, EDBF, EDDC, Mark Williams CEO EDDC, Scrutiny, Spin, Transparency

East Devon Alliance provides evidence on poor scrutiny at EDDC to Parliamentary Inquiry; EDDC provides woeful response ignoring major problems

Owl says: EDA submission – explosive and incisive; EDDC submission – spin and fluff.

Executive Summary of longer submission:

“Executive Summary

East Devon Alliance understands that encouraging economic development is a crucial task in local government. However, we are concerned that the increasing influence of unaccountable business interests on council decisions damages the health of local democracy, and can threaten the wider interests of local communities. The climate of unhealthy cynicism about politics, and a failure to engage in the democratic process, is reinforced whenever there is an apparent failure of scrutiny to make councils transparent and accountable.

Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) can too easily be rendered ineffectual by a dominant majority party in a cabinet-led-executive.

Government advice that members of a majority party should not chair O&S dcommittees must be made mandatory.

Chief Executives must not be able to have inappropriate influence on O&S committees.

Scrutiny Officers need to be independent of influence and interference from senior officers or members of cabinet.

The scrutiny role needs to be strengthened to be able to call witnesses. It should be a legal requirement for officers and members of Council and associated bodies to cooperate.

With increasing privatisation, commercial confidentiality must not be used to shield public expenditure from scrutiny.

Scrutiny should “reflect the voice and concerns of the public” by giving local people more say in what issues are chosen for scrutiny.

There is no scrutiny mechanism of the new tier of local government created by the unelected and self-selecting Local Enterprise Partnerships who now control over £2 billion a year in England. Proposals made in 2013 by the Centre for Public Scrutiny could form the basis for scrutiny of such devolved bodies.”

EDDC’s full submission to the Inquiry, by contrast, seems woefully inadequate, when all you can find to boast about is your Tree Task and Finish Forum:

“Written evidence submitted by the Scrutiny Committee of East Devon District Council [OSG 035]

The committee considered the terms of reference set down by the CLG inquiry and responded as follows:

The committee discussed the terms of reference for submission:
Whether scrutiny committees in local authorities in England are effective in holding decision makers to account:

o Meetings are publicised and open to public, with responses to Cabinet as needed. Some question as to whether these comments are heeded, not just ‘noted’; if only noted, there are no reasons fed back to the Scrutiny committee to further work on or refine recommendations.

The extent to which scrutiny committees operate with political impartiality and independence from executives
o The committee were comfortable that they are independent and impartial.
Whether scrutiny officers are independent of and separate from those being scrutinised

o Democratic Services have high integrity
How chairs and members are selected

o Independent Chairman. Politically balanced committee but little attention paid
to individual skills, knowledge and aptitude. Consideration could be given to further training to hone scrutiny skills.

Whether powers to summon witnesses are adequate

o Inadequate for external organisations, with a recent example of the repeated request to NHS Property Services to attend but still failed to appear to answer questions. Some reluctance by members and officers to attend.

The potential for local authority scrutiny to act as a voice for local service users
o This was already being undertaken by the committee, with recent examples
covering superfast broadband delivery, NHS revision of service delivery, and the Police 101 service.

How topics for scrutiny are selected
o Committee Members (and other councillors) invited to be involved. There
may be work that the Cabinet require more detailed analysis of and a request made to the Scrutiny committee to carry out that examination – to date this has not occurred. There was often a frustration in not being able to investigate topics because of limitations of the constitution or on issues where so much time had passed that it was not deemed viable to look into.

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)
o Shared service of an officer within Democratic Services, no dedicated officer. No dedicated budget for scrutiny work, no designated lead officer. Officers are called to committee as best fits the topics for discussion.
What use is made of specialist external advisers
o To date mostly witnesses not advisers invited to attend. A suggestion was
made to approach the Local Government Association for a scrutiny advisor. Unclear where such specialist external advisors could be sourced from or what cost that would entail, particularly as the committee has no budget.

The effectiveness and importance of local authority scrutiny of external organisations o Mostly a lobbying role passed to MPs and others. Perhaps more relevant for scrutiny at a county level, but the committee does the best it can to communicate to external organisations.

The role of scrutiny in devolution deals and the scrutiny models used in combined authorities
o Need to have scrutiny involvement throughout the process, not after the deal has been completed

Examples where scrutiny has worked well and not so well
Effective internally on aspects such as the Tree Task and Finish Forum, which produced a number of recommendations taken on board to protect trees and support the business case for an additional staff member; and changes to how press releases are handled by staff; less effective on having an impact on proposed increases in beach hut charges. With limited powers, difficult to have an impact on other outside bodies.”

http://data.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/committeeevidence.svc/evidencedocument/communities-and-local-government-committee/overview-and-scrutiny-in-local-government/written/48581.html

Click to access 48556.pdf

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

23 Mar 2017

Posted under

Budleigh Salterton, Developers/ Development, EDDC

Comments

1 Comment

Developer says (old) people in Budleigh moan too much!

“A developer, whose controversial application to build a house in Budleigh Salterton was refused, has labelled residents in the town as ‘moaners’.

The application, for land between 25 and 24 Meadow Close, would have included the re-routing of a public footpath.

In the decision notice, East Devon District Council (EDDC) officers said the proposal would ‘reduce the convenience and attractiveness of an existing and well-used right of way’.

Applicant Andrew Mann sent a letter, two days before the decision was made, looking to answer any issues raised about the plan.

In the letter, he said: “I know there are many objections from the locals, but when you read their comments, nothing relates to the build.

“We are in Budleigh, where the population is made up of mainly old people who have no building knowledge or modern outlooks, but like to moan about progress.

“Yes, there are worries about the footpath, but we propose to create a new, wide path to the corner of the land, which will be well lit up by our own lighting.

“The siting of the footpath 
gives a better view of the 
oncoming traffic.”

Budleigh Salterton Town Council had previously opposed the plan, believing it to be over-development of the site.

It also had concerns about the traffic in Meadow Close with the proposed building being so close to the road.”

http://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/developer_budleigh_likes_to_moan_about_progress_1_4934114

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

22 Mar 2017

Posted under

Consultation, Developers/ Development, EDDC, Villages BUAB

East Devon Villages Plan consultation

“East Devon Villages Plan –
Notice of Publication –
Representation period
22 March 2017
until noon on
Wednesday 10 May 2017

East Devon District Council is inviting representations on its Proposed Submission Villages Plan and the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal until noon on 10 May 2017.

Please see below the ‘Statement of Representation Procedure and Availability of Documents’, which gives details of where the proposed submission documents can be viewed and how to make representations.

The proposed submission plan, sustainability appraisal and all of the supporting documents may be viewed through Proposed submission plan and supporting documents – East Devon

This link will take you directly to the published plan:

Click to access villages-plan-publication-version.pdf

and this will take you to the comments form, which is our preferred method for making representations

http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2049608/villages-rep-form-2017.pdf”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

22 Mar 2017

Posted under

Art and Culture, Developers/ Development, EDDC, Exmouth, Philip Skinner, Regeneration, Tourism

Comments

2 Comments

How to reinvent the tourism wheel in Exmouth!

Owl says: The headline shouts “Survey shows Exmouth popular with visitors”. BUT they don’t mention wanting a watersports centre, and Owl is certain that is what Councillor Skinner and his “Regeneration Board” will spin!

The survey has been used to say that people spend half as much money in Exmouth as in the rest of East Devon. Might that be because they are not STAYING in Exmouth just visiting? Duh! And owl bets they STILL spend more than visitors to “regenerated” Seaton!

“[Surveys commissioned by EDDC] reveal much praise for the town from visitors, although the results show the amount of money they spend is lower than in other local areas.

The 2016 Exmouth Visitor Survey quizzed 1,000 people who visited between June and October.

The survey, commissioned by East Devon District Council for the Exmouth Coastal Community Team, was carried out by the South West Research Company.

The survey found visitor satisfaction levels were generally good, with high scores for accommodation, places to eat and drink, outdoor places to visit, the beach, ease of navigation, public transport, the upkeep of parks and open spaces, cleanliness of the streets, and the general atmosphere. …

… Areas where visitors were less satisfied with Exmouth included shopping, the range of indoor attractions and places to visit, nightlife and evening entertainment, the availability and cleanliness of public toilets, and car parking. …”

http://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/survey_shows_exmouth_popular_with_visitors_1_4943038

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

21 Mar 2017

Posted under

Accountability, Affordable and Social Housing, Councillor Cathy Gardner EDA, Developers/ Development, East Devon Alliance, EDDC

Comments

2 Comments

Independent councillor points out flaws in new EDDC housing company project

Owl says: One flaw NOT pointed out is how useless EDDC is at running large projects. Knowle relocation – bungled; Exmouth regeneration – bungled; Section 106 payments – bungled and all handled with secrecy and minimal information to the public and non-Cabinet councillors, including those in their own party.

If they can’t control these projects what hope do we have of them controlling bigger ones? And as for which developers they will choose …

“A housing company that could allow council bosses to better respond to market pressures has received early support – but a Sidmouth councillor argues there are ‘huge risks’ to taxpayers that need to be tightly controlled.

Agenda papers say an East Devon District Council-owned (EDDC) company, free from red tape, could play a key role in increasing supply of homes and meeting demand when private developers fall short.

However, Councillor Cathy Gardner raised concerns that it is not a ‘local’ housing company and will in fact be able to develop anywhere in the country.

She said: “EDDC has been good at looking after its council houses, but this isn’t about developing council houses. They may decide they want to build elsewhere in the country where they can make more profit. That might be all right if it was limited to building ‘affordable’ housing here, but that’s not written into the terms.

“It needs to answer so many questions – is the company being set up to meet housing needs in East Devon or is it more about profit, because it can take that money into its general funds? Where is the money coming from to set it up? EDDC may have fantastically good intentions, but the devil is in the details.”

Cllr Gardner also voiced concerns about the ‘huge risk’ in speculating on the property market and said it is dependent on house prices remaining high.

Cabinet members backed the creation of East Devon Homes last week and officers will now prepare an initial business plan, identify the first projects and report back to the council.

If approved, the company will be financed by EDDC and any profits would come back to the authority. It could sell land to the company at market value – or potentially gift it – and then borrow money to finance projects.

The report says the company, run by a board of directors, will be able to operate on commercial terms, free of the ‘continual interference’ from central government.

Supporting the proposals, Councillor Jill Elson, EDDC’s portfolio holder for homes and communities, said: “This presents a wonderful opportunity for the council to play a more active part in the local housing market.

“We have researched the proposal carefully and fully, looked at the risks and rewards, and decided that the local housing company model is a suitable model for the council to deliver its housing ambitions.

“We are seeing high levels of demand for housing in the area and see this as a way of increasing supply consistent with the Government’s growth agenda.”

http://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/eddc_housing_company_could_develop_anywhere_in_country_warns_sidmouth_councillor_1_4935216

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

20 Mar 2017

Posted under

Asset sweating, Business Rates, Consultation, Economy, EDDC, Small and Medium businesses

Views wanted on East Devon street trading

Owl says: make no mistake this is simply an EDDC cash cow. Instead of having a few regulated streets where outdoor trading can take place with a licence, this extends to ALL streets – bringing in more income for the council but potentially setting permanent traders with increased overheads (including business rates) against temporary traders without them.

No problem in vibrant, thriving towns but a big problem elsewhere. Except Sidmouth where local traders were so vehemently against it, the plan was dropped for that town only.

“District bosses are consulting on their latest plans for new street trading rules.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) is proposing to designate the whole of the district as a consent street, meaning street traders would have to apply to the council for a licence to trade.

However, following its initial consultation, EDDC now plans to exclude Sidmouth.

To take part in the consultation, visit http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/streettrading, or to obtain a paper copy call 01395 517569. The closing date for responses is April 26.”

http://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/views_wanted_on_east_devon_street_trading_rules_1_4935920