http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2014/feb/05/storms-exmouth-coast-video
Category Archives: Exmouth
Exmouth seafront: the battle continues – but who gagged whom and why?
“A gag on information regarding the Exmouth seafront development has been lifted.
East Devon District Council can now openly discuss the £18m project after winning a legal battle against two tenants.
Chris and Maureen Wright lost their court case against the district authority, as they fought to renew their expired leases. …”
… “The district authority refers to Exmouth’s under-performance and reliance on Exeter as reasons for carrying on with the project.
They hope it will attract families, couples on nights out, teenagers, water sports enthusiasts, rainy day and winter visitors and entice the ‘holiday park crowd’ into the town.
The redeveloped area would include eight eateries, including cafes, restaurants and bars.
There’s set to be three shops too, selling water sports clothes and equipment.
Councillor Andrew Moulding, deputy leader of the Council and Chairman of Exmouth Regeneration Board, said:
“This is an exciting time for the town and there are some great projects being brought forward by the council.
“We have an excellent track record of delivering good development for Exmouth and we are looking forward to re-energising the waterfront area with first rate leisure facilities for people of all ages to enjoy.”
Exmouth: Queen’s Drive closed due to strong winds – and sand!
Can you imagine those coming second-home/holiday let potential owners getting hot-under-the-collar at not being able to reach their new, expensive homes – or being trapped in them.
Some great photos here:
and video here:
http://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2014/feb/05/storms-exmouth-coast-video
The hunt for Queen’s Drive Exmouth!
Twitter awash with reports that Queen’s Drive, Exmouth has disappeared under a mass of beach sand …. it has even made The Guardian
#stormimogen
If you develop there, remember this and that global warming will only make it worse ….
Flooding and sandstorm – Exmouth seafront road video
And take a look at the video of a drive on Exmouth seafront road this morning on the Facebook Exmouth Splash (in every sense of the word!) public discussion site.
And if anyone says the development doesn’t need an environmental impact assessment – show this to them!
Moirai … some companies being struck off
New Documents Filed:
29/01/2016 – First notification of strike-off action in London Gazette (Section 652)
Companies were:
MOIRAI CAPITAL INVESTMENTS (TORQUAY) LTD
RIVIERA LEISURE PARK LTD
RIVIERA SPORTS LTD
RIVIERA BEACH LTD
Exmouth: regeneration EDDC-style!
Exmouth at centre of world banking crisis!
“WHILE regulars at the Powder Monkey quietly sipped their pints, the young American sat jabbering on his phone and tapping away on a laptop.
He had been at the pub in Exmouth, Devon, since 2pm and stayed until closing time — but he did not drink much.
He was too busy trading with US banks 3,600 miles away, flogging £150million worth of financial products ahead of the 2008 global crash.
Not that Wall Street hedge fund guru Ben Hockett was particularly fond of English ale. He had been directed to the pub by his Brit brother-in-law, who told him it was the only place in the quiet seaside town with reliable wi-fi.
And as Oscar-nominated Hollywood film The Big Short makes clear, when it is time to make a fortune, there is not a minute to waste.
The movie tells the astonishing story of trader Ben Rickert — played by Brad Pitt and based on Hockett, who had been visiting his wife’s family in Devon before the crash.
Within four afternoons in the Monkey, Hockett had turned his firm Cornwall Capital’s £700,000 investment into a £55million profit.
The Big Short, out on Friday, is based on the best-selling book of the same title by former Wall Street man Michael Lewis. …..”
Masterplans: EDDC’s new Achilles heels
Exmouth, Axminster and Cranbrook – all needing new Masterplans in our new Local Plan, according to the Inspector. And Sidmouth needing one at its eastern end according to EDDC.
Given the omnishambles EDDC has made of the new local plan – at least 8 years in the making, one false start wasting more than two years, and two rejected drafts plus the interference of the East Devon Business Forum – what are the odds of our current councillors and officers getting these new Masterplans right?
Below are the challenges they face. It will take more than crossed fingers to see these through … especially as, with so many of them, the councillors and officers are at odds with the electorate about what is acceptable and appropriate.
A new commuter town, a rural town massively expanding , and two seaside towns fighting to retain their identities … and all with AONBs, important wildlife sites and the World Heritage Coast to accommodate, not to mention thousands of homes and industries and their infrastructure to create under an “asset sweating” ruling party.
CRANBROOK
On Cranbrook, Diviani says this in a press release today:
“The Cranbrook masterplan, which is currently in production, will put some meat on the bones of these policies and will provide a strong vision and guide to future development at Cranbrook to ensure that it becomes an attractive, vibrant and sustainable modern town.”
Remember that the first plan of Cranbrook neglected to plan for appropriate health facilities, it did not include enough shops, not enough green spaces and a football pitch that could not be used in the evenings because it was no-one’s responsibility to pay for or maintain floodlights and where roads are still unadopted.
The highly critical DCC report is here:
AXMINSTER
On Axminster, he says:
“a North South relief road for the town will be delivered as part of this development linking Chard Road (A358) to Lyme Road (B261). A Masterplan will be required for this site and development will be subject to improved public transport provision.”
and
“Prior to the granting of planning permission for any major residential schemes at Axminster, the Council will agree, with the Environment Agency and Natural England, a timetable for the review or development of a Nutrient Management Plan for the River Axe.
This plan will set out detailed actions that allow for new growth at Axminster to progress with adequate mitigation in place to negate the additional phosphate load that would be caused. The Nutrient Management Plan will work in collaboration with the diffuse Water Pollution Plan, and will seek to restore water quality for the River Axe SAC to enable it to meet its conservation objectives within a specified timescale, and in accordance with commitments to European Directives.
Depending on the findings of the plan, growth will only proceed in accordance with the mitigation delivery set out within that plan. Growth at Axminster will also be informed by the current status of the relevant discharge consents for waste water treatment works, and any upgrade required to support new growth will be the subject of Habitats Regulations Assessment prior to planning permission being given. The determination of such development applications will be informed by Habitat Regulations Assessment that takes account of the consent requirements.”
EXMOUTH
Oh, where to start with Exmouth. Suffice to say the Inspector says:
“The Exmouth Seafront is recognised as a key asset for the town and the Council is a key driver in its further enhancement. To this end, along with Devon County Council, the District Council appointed LDA Design to undertake a town centre and waterfront design study to identify opportunities for renewal and improvement in the physical, economic and environmental quality of the town.
The Final LDA study5 and recommendations and conclusion have been endorsed by the Council. The implementation of some projects in the Masterplan is underway but the Council also recognises that it is time to re-evaluate the Masterplan. The future intention is that a new or refreshed Masterplan will be produced with this becoming a Supplementary planning Document (SPD).”
Hard to see how this can be worked into what seems now to be a fait accompli with the developer (though the Inspector fired several warning shots about protecting the environs of the Exe Estuary.
SIDMOUTH
Mr Thickett says:
“Land at Port Royal Site – Land for residential use is allocated for 30 homes (site ED03 (this site will incorporate mixed use redevelopment to include housing and community, commercial, recreation and other uses).”
Dinan Way, Exmouth: DCC enthusiastic
Clinton Devon attempts to reassure those who might be affected by its plans to ” restore” the lower River Otter
It definitely needs some careful reading between the lines – our compliments to the communications expert who drafted it! As always, what is NOT being said is probably much more important than what IS being said. Owl would not be at all happy if it lived in South Farm Road….
And the “reassurance” that it will conform to “guidance in force at the time of planning” doesn’t quite cut the mustard after Storm Frank.
Don’t believe everything you hear – and check it!
Express and Echo today, article on Exmouth seafront campaign, quote from Swire:
“Councillor Moulding assured me that under the plans, there will be a number of free facilities for the people of Exmouth and new attractions for younger people.”
Er, that number could be ONE Mr Swire – and note the construction of the sentence means that the facilities for younger people may well not be free!
Could we have clarification, Councillor Moulding? It seems plans are well advanced so you should have something less vague to tell us.
A lot of people in Exmouth appear not to trust Swire and Moulding
“Campaigners against plans for the proposed redevelopment of Exmouth seafront have renewed calls for an independent consultation with residents.
The Save Exmouth Seafront (SES) campaign group was reacting to the outcome of East Devon MP Hugo Swire meeting with Councillor Andrew Moulding about the plans for the seafront.
The meeting was organised after Mr Swire met with representatives from SES, who welcomed the meeting but were disappointed to have been excluded.
SES said it seemed the meeting was nothing more than Cllr Moulding relaying to Mr Swire what was being planned for the area, as no clear actions appear to have been agreed upon or made clear to the public.
Louise MacAllister for SES,said: “While Mr Swire’s emphasis on local businesses, affordable facilities, and genuine consultation are welcomed, he states that he finds this development exciting for Exmouth.
“This is not representative of the majority view of his constituents in Exmouth who find this anything but an exciting time.
“The failure of any of our elected representatives to act in the interests of residents will only increase the alienation and sense of mistrust that is growing in Exmouth.
“We therefore reiterate the importance of an independent and fully considered consultation with Exmouth residents before any further steps towards development are undertaken”.
After the meeting, which took oplace earlier this month, Mr Swire said: “I stressed to Cllr Moulding the importance of any development being affordable for local people as well as visitors.
“Cllr Moulding assured me that, under the plans, there will be a number of free facilities for the people of Exmouth and new attractions for younger people.
“I also highlighted the importance of a genuine consultation with the people of Exmouth, their elected councillors and local businesses.
“I am particularly keen on the idea of a 3D model of the plans so that my constituents can get a better idea of what this proposed development will look like.”
Mr Swire has also met with campaigners to discuss their concerns over the proposals and what they perceive as a lack of consultation on the plans.
The authority claims there is clear support for the redevelopment and said it was crucial for the future success of Exmouth.
The latest development proposals currently being discussed include a free water splash play area, mini golf, a multi-screen cinema and a large open public space area.
The council claims the development will be a major benefit to the town by boosting visitor numbers and creating new jobs.
What is going on at Queen’s Drive Exmouth?
From Cabinet Agenda papers for meeting on 6 January 2016:
“Queen’s Drive update
“AH [Alison Hayward, EDDC] gave an update on the Queens Drive development. She reported that she had been involved with a litigation process in Court in Exeter and Bristol which had lasted 10 days. This was regarding obtaining vacant possession for two sites at Queens Drive that were essential for the delivery of the scheme. This litigation had slowed the delivery process for the development. There was also an issue of using car parking spaces for compounds for the work as these would be needed in the summer months for car parking spaces for visitors.
The Board noted that the decision from the court case would not be available until January 2016. However, Grenadier Estates were moving their reserved matters planning application forward for the road, car parks and compound
The Board wished to thank AH for the work she had carried out at Queens Drive on behalf of the Council and also the amount of time she had spent in the witness box. ”
…..
AH would pick up all the relevant items for a press release. It was acknowledged that the Communications Department needed to be strengthened to avoid problems of misinformation and improve the Council’s marketing of the Regeneration agenda. “
Swire’s views on Exmouth seafront development … …
“Following a meeting on Friday 19 December on the proposed re-development of Exmouth Seafront with Cllr Andrew Moulding, local MP Hugo Swire said:
‘I am grateful to Cllr Moulding for giving me an up-to-date briefing on the proposed Queen’s Drive development.
As I have said before, change and development is always contentious but often necessary. Any redevelopment of the seafront must provide Exmouth with the modern facilities that it requires whilst also preserving the character and beauty of the town.
I think that this is an exciting moment for Exmouth as the town has long been in need of investment and regeneration. It is to be welcomed that these proposals aim to extend the holiday season in Exmouth, boost the number of small businesses in the town and generate more jobs for local people.
However, I stressed to Cllr Moulding the importance of any development being affordable for local people as well as visitors. Cllr Moulding assured me that, under the plans, there will be a number of free facilities for the people of Exmouth and new attractions for younger people.
I also highlighted the importance of a genuine consultation with the people of Exmouth, their elected councillors and local businesses. I am particularly keen on the idea of a 3D model of the plans so that my constituents can get a better idea of what this proposed development will look like’.
Exmouth: EDDC gives masterclass in how to alienate residents
Extract from Save Exmouth Seafront facebook page:
This evening (Dec 16th) a number of SES supporters (abt 30 of us) went to EDDC’s Full Council meeting.
Following a demo outside, five questions were asked of the council on the plans, and Richard Cohen, EDDC Deputy Chief Executive answered these. A precis of his responses is in brackets.
First question was the need for the release of plans into the public domain (answer: apparently there are not yet any to release).
Second question was about the need to take seriously the findings of the seafront survey (recognised a ‘range of views’ but no commitment to act on the findings beyond making them available to developers).
The third question was about how the EDDC portion of the consultation was totally misleading to the students who were at the consultation and in the use of this exercise as justification for the plans (very little to say in answer to this, except that others had been consulted too).
The fourth question was about the issue of the earlier consultation stating ‘no permanent residential’ and yet plans shown over the summer included a large amount of residential therefore further consultation should be undertaken (dismissal that these plans were simply ‘one version’ and patronising comment that people have ‘extrapolated from this’, [I suggest that this is what will happen when you do not tell people what you intend to do to their town], and
finally a question was asked about whose responsibility it will be to clear sand from any development given the large amounts blown across the Queen’s Drive in the recent bad weather (after a moment looking slightly panicked, he answered that this is what will happen on a seafront!).
Further questions were then asked by a number of independent councillors around the proposed development, the need for a consultation, and the secrecy around meetings that are held on this. Unfortunately the answers given were lacking, and the public at one point had to be asked to be quiet as we felt the need to express our general outrage that important questions about the future of Exmouth were not being addressed. The lack of democracy this evening was pretty depressing.
Earlier EDW post on the same meeting here: https://eastdevonwatch.org/2015/12/17/as-a-young-person-of-exmouth-i-feel-misled-and-horrified/
“As a young person of Exmouth, I feel misled and horrified …”
So said the Exmouth College student who questioned EDDC leaders last night (16 Dec,2015), about the process behind the seafront development proposals in her town. But Deputy CEO Richard Cohen’s answer skirted around her main point (“I feel misled”), in a Full Council meeting that showed EDDC manipulative management at its very worst.
Blind block-voting without debate; and a Chair who allowed 5 serious questions from Exmouth residents to be rolled into one by the responding officer, thus enabling central points made by the speakers to be glossed over or, (as with the offer by Louise McAllister, specialist in surveys, to meet EDDC), simply ignored.
Not a single question was asked by any Majority Party councillor: only one of the 9 questions put, all from Independents, had a satisfactory answer (given thoroughly by Environment Portfolio holder, Cllr Iain Chubb).
Corporate Services portfolio holder, Cllr Phil Twiss, was unavailable to answer embarrassing questions about broadband, leaving Cllr Ian Thomas apologetically unable to provide informed replies.
The meeting reached a crescendo of ‘confidentiality’, when the critical information needed by councillors before deciding whether to give Leader Paul Diviani ‘delegated powers’ regarding the multi-million pound Heart of the South West (HotSW) devolution bid, was declared (without debate) too sensitive for press and public. So the devolution item was dealt with in private, at the end of the session.
Just a few minutes into this part of the agenda, the Chair, Cllr Stuart Hughes, closed the meeting, somewhat prematurely perhaps. There had been no discussion by councillors, and the whole point of this session had been missed: there was no vote on delegated powers for the Leader.
Owl’s alternative Christmas message
New improved ways of working will make us a leaner and more efficient modern council says the Leader of East Devon District Council, Councillor Paul Diviani in his Christmas message
(translation: we know we have always been a bloated and inefficient council but this is the sort of thing our public relations people tell us we have to say)
“A friend of mine recently told me that when she first moved to East Devon to take up a new job, she thought she had died and gone to heaven. Even now, having lived here for 12 years, she says she still wakes up every morning thinking how unbelievably lucky she is to live and work in such a wonderful place.
There is almost NO doubt that this “friend” will be living in the Blackdown Hills where our Leader protects his backyard like no other).
“East Devon inspires this level of passion in people and no more so than in myself, my fellow councillors and the officers of East Devon District Council. We are all passionate about the work that we do and, above all, we want to ensure that East Devon remains a fantastic place for people like us to live in, work, visit and enjoy.
Why wouldn’t you say you are passionate when “people like you” get a lot of money so that you can live, work and enjoy your status whilst people like “us” get a lot less so that we can find our daily commute a nightmare, our work seasonal and low-paid and our enjoyment of council provided services something we remember from the distant past.
“So over the next four years we will be rising to meet the many challenges that reduced funding and increased demands on our services brings. In order to make necessary savings of £2.6m, we will be using new ways of working, involving systems thinking principles and our ‘WorkSmart‘ approach, which together harness the latest technology and modern working practices. Our move from Knowle to new accommodation in Honiton and Exmouth is part of this plan and will help us become a modern day council in every sense of the word.
Over the next four years we are going to have to do the darnedest to make you think that things are getting better whilst we slash services, increase costs for those that are left and hope like hell that we can keep the REAL cost of the move from Knowle under wraps. And presumably, “we” didn’t WorkSmart before but we will gloss over that.
“All of this will make us leaner, more efficient and better placed to deliver the kind of service that we know you, the residents of East Devon want. We are keen to keep improving and to help us do so, we will be listening to what you have to say in consultations and through our viewpoint surveys.
WE may be getting leaner, but our fat cats (particularly our developers) will be getting fatter and fatter. We’ve covered “more efficient and better” above – the repetition is getting a bit tedious now!
“Great services and great service, first time and every time is the standard that we have set for ourselves. To do that we need to be bold, creative, open and innovative, but above all we must pull together as one council. These are values that set us apart and make the council a place where people want to work – in fact, over 93% of our staff said they would recommend the council as a place to work!
Well, yes, you will get great service and great services if you are a developer. But, frankly, for the rest of us, if you turn out to be timid, hidebound, closed and backwards we will never hear about it from you. And they are NOT “great values that set you apart” – it is how ALL councils are supposed to be! And can we see that survey of the staff please – in its entirety as, so often, your so-called surveys leave a lot to be desired in terms of design.
Focus on four priorities
“To help us deliver these aspirations, we have developed our new council plan, which provides a constant focus on four main priorities:
(ALL councils focus on four or more priorities – this seems to be a public relations rule – but hope that everyone forgets what they were before a local election. East Devon Watch will NOT forget on your behalf.
“We will be encouraging our communities to be outstanding, by helping them to solve their local problems. We also want to encourage people to live healthier, more active lifestyles through sport and exercise and to make the most of the wonderful countryside that surrounds us.
Don’t come to us when you want money or help – do it yourself – and when it all gets too much take a LONG walk in what countryside remains after we have concreted over most of it.
“We will continue to promote East Devon as an outstanding place in which to do business and we will strengthen the local economy by attracting inward investment and supporting businesses.
Developers – we are still your bestest friend. Businesses that we approve of – we are the council that gave you the East Devon Business Forum and its leader Graham Brown and now give you (or rather they give to you via us) the Local Enterprise Partnership. Businesses that we don’t approve of – fend for yourselves.
“It is so important that our natural and built environment is protected and we will be working to reduce levels of waste produced in the district, as well as controlling levels of pollution through education and enforcement of environmental legislation.
Have to say, this one almost renders Owl speechless (or rather hootless) – they are going to reduce pollution by educating US! And “enforcement of environmental legislation” – remember that this government is attempting to water down environmental legislation to almost homeopathic levels and our council is slavishly behind this government in every respect.
“We will be prioritising a culture of openness and transparency by keeping our residents fully informed and we are fully committed to innovative ways of working and commercial thinking, including an improved digital service to give our customers the chance to self serve.
Ah, the culture of openness and transparency where, unless you own a computer, you will be cut off from the majority of council services. The same culture that keeps so many committees and think tanks secret behind closed doors. The culture that allows the majority party to have talks about privatising our services out to the Local Enterprise Partnership and wants to delegate the decision-making and agreement signing to the CEO and Leader without ANY councillor knowing what exactly either or both may be signing. Hmmm.
Pride in our achievements
“But as we draw near to the end of the year, it is only right that I mention with great pride, a few of the many significant achievements that this council has made during 2014/2015.
Quick, someone, gloss over all our omnishambles – look for something, anything that we can boast about!
“Top of the list of our accomplishments is housing. We have delivered a grand total of 388 homes for local people, which is our highest number of new affordable local homes in one year. It is our continuing aim to provide more good quality, local homes for local people.
Those would be the good quality homes that, in Cranbrook, the town with almost no shops. Homes which, if you get your way, will now be built on much-needed car parks! And what about all those affordable homes that developers refused to build and you allowed them to strike out (for example, Seaton Tesco land, where Tesco and the developer were “too poor” to provide any affordable homes). And let’s see how many Pegasuslife can provide at the Knowle!!!
“Homelessness in East Devon is extremely low thanks to our homeless prevention initiatives and we are working hard through our Empty Homes Plan to help owners of neglected empty properties in East Devon to bring their properties back into residential use, which will relieve pressure on the private and public housing sectors.
Homelessness in East Devon is characterised by two homeless people dying in the street in Sidmouth very recently and food banks in all major towns. And just how many “owners of neglected property” will you be working with and how?
“Finally, it gives me enormous pleasure to say that the finalisation of our Local Plan is now within sight and we are anticipating being able to adopt it early next year. This detailed and robust document will help us deliver the aspirations and housing needs of local people, as well as land for employment. It will also help protect our beautiful countryside from unwanted and inappropriate development.
Ah, finally – the Local Plan. The plan that was orchestrated for years by ex-Councillor Graham Brown (he of the front page of the Daily Telegraph sting and where originally all meetings were held in secret and with no minutes until Claire Wright forced publication) and the East Devon Business Forum. Which then had to be started all over again from scratch, was thrown out by the planning inspector once, thrown out again a second time and which the said planning inspector has now decided to complete himself! The one that left the whole district open to a development free-for-all. Omnishambles Number One for the past 5-7 years. Best keep this one for last and hope no-one notices.
“Exciting times lie ahead for us and we are looking forward to working with you all to achieve the greater good for East Devon.
You bet exciting times lie ahead, but not perhaps, exciting happy times. More and more development, not a hint of where the money for the accompanying infrastructure will come from, a vastly increased Cranbrook, small villages being forced to take extra development as their built-up boundaries are being dismantled, developers continuing to build high cost homes in high cost areas
“May I now wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.”
Enjoy it while you can – it can only get worse but, don’t worry, I will be at the helm ….. with my trusty cabinet …. and officers …. and the Blackdown Hills will be just fine!
Councillor Paul Diviani
Summary: “Just give me 500 Christmassy words of milksop basic council jargon will you please, officers and then I will leave you alone till this time next year. And, whatever you do, DO NOT MENTION EXMOUTH SPLASH!
Scrutiny at its best … excuses at their worst … “corporate relations” (un)explained by Councillor Twiss
Last night’s Scrutiny committee meeting exposed two more examples of EDDC leaders’ instinct to make decisions without proper consultation.
The ubiquitous Cllr Phil Twiss (Conservative, Honiton St Michael’s) who, in addition to all his other roles, is portfolio holder for corporate relations, was summoned to explain why the democratic process had been so blatantly short-circuited by a council press release in September.
Cllr Cathy Gardner (Independent, Sidmouth Town) asked him why she and the other Sidmouth ward councillors had been taken by surprise by an announcement in the Sidmouth Herald that the Council was considering building affordable housing on Mill Street carpark. There had been no consultation with interested parties like the town council, and ward members were sent copies of the press release 14 minutes before it was published!
Cllr Twiss’ replied that he had not been involved with the release, (“It wasn’t me, guv”) but claimed it was a matter of urgency because a journalist had asked for a statement, and the deadline was pressing.
Cllr Marianne Rixson (Independent, Sidmouth Sidford) retorted that this sounded very much like “the journalist tail wagging the council dog” and it was no excuse for not consulting democratically before arbitrarily publishing controversial initiatives.
The Scrutiny Committee agreed and voted to remind Cabinet that there was a Protocol that councillors concerned should be consulted before press releases were authorised. It also welcomed guidance produced by the Communications Officer which made a similar point.
Silence remained about who had authorised the Sidmouth story but Cllr Bill Nash (Conservative Exmouth Town) may have been warm when he said only floods and other emergencies required urgent press releases. All other communications were non-urgent and should not be released if authorised only by “the Leader and senior officers.”
In passing, Cllr Nash also slammed the Council leadership for publishing detailed pictures and maps of developments along Queen’s Drive in Exmouth which were very different from any plans that had been consulted upon.
This was taken up by Scrutiny Chair Cllr Roger Giles (Independent, Ottery St Mary Town) who read a letter from two Exmouth residents complaining about pending planning applications for major works, including diverting Queen’s Drive, part of the latest, much altered, waterfront development scheme.
Exmouth Cllr Brenda Taylor (Lib Dem,Exmouth ) angrily commented that these plans proposed massive residential development which had never been agreed to by councillors. She felt she was “wasting her time” attending meetings when such arbitrary decisions were made in secret.
At this point the Democratic Services Officer and a Legal Officer intervened to argue that the Scrutiny Committee could not discuss the Waterfront Project because planning was outside its remit.
Cllr Rob Longhurst (Independent, Woodbury and Lympstone) wasn’t having any of this. “The reputation of EDDC is nil in Exmouth,” he said, because the current extravagant plans were being “justified” by a few hundred replies to a questionnaire about the different, more modest, “Splash” project.
Cllr Megan Armstrong (Independent, Exmouth Halsdon) agreed. “It’s not about planning, it’s about independent public consultation”, she said. It was about whether the people of Exmouth wanted or needed what the Council leadership was imposing on them.
Cllr Val Ranger (Independent, Newton Poppleford and Harpford) said it was quite within the remit of Scrutiny to look at questions of process, on “whether public consultation is being properly followed.”
The committee voted to do precisely that, once the current legal actions over Exmouth seafront businesses are resolved.
In the meantime, watch out for fireworks over Exmouth seafront at the full Council meeting on Wednesday 16th December.
Swire to have ” talks” about Exmouth Splash
As a 100% supporter of the government’s “growth agenda” we can pretty much see how those will go.
On the other hand, there must be even more Claire Wright supporters in Exmouth than ever before …!
How to appear to keep both sides happy? Well, his Foreign Office job – which keeps him away from East Devon so much – in fact, almost all the time – should help there.
http://www.midweekherald.co.uk/news/mp_in_seafront_talks_as_group_campaigns_1_4342213
East Devon Watch 