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A must read for information on effects on Sidmouth, Exmouth and Honiton
Category Archives: Exmouth
“Save Exmouth Seafront” group launches
“A new action group has been launched to ‘save’ Exmouth seafront from developers who plan an £18m redevelopment that will see some of the town’s oldest most popular businesses close.
‘Save Exmouth Seafront’, has been formed by concerned residents from Exmouth and the surrounding area to oppose East Devon District Council’s regeneration proposals for the seafront.
In place of the Railway Carriage Café, the Harbour View Café, the Fun Park, DJ’s Café, Jungle Fun and the Crazy Golf Course there is set to be a multi-screen cinema, an outdoor water splash zone and an adventure golf park along with a seafront restaurant, ground floor cafes with outside seating in the open space areas and a ground floor retail area.
East Devon District Council (EDDC) are behind the development which will see Moirai Capital Investments of Bournemouth putting forward proposals to “breathe new life into the nine–acre council-owned seafront site at Queen’s Drive with a range of exciting leisure facilities.”
Some of Exmouth’s town councillors have expressed reservations when the plans were originally put forward and the traders whose businesses would be demolished are equally concerned. The town council refused to back the scheme in 2013 when it first came up, while earlier this year Dawn Hirst of the Harbour View Café and Chris Wright of the Fun Park both demanded answers to the question mark hanging over their businesses.
Other residents have hit out at the plans with the ‘Save Exmouth Seafront’ group gathering public opinion during the last few weeks through its Seafront Survey, which will be analysed after the closing date of 5 September, with results presented to the Town and District Councils.
Chairperson Roger Thomas says “The change from a well known and much used leisure area, loved both by residents and holiday makers to one of a commercial and residential nature is not an appropriate development for this part of Exmouth seafront, which is a unique asset and should be preserved as such.”
Adding: “We are determined to oppose any such development to protect the seafront.”
The new group will hold a public meeting in the near future to open up the discussion and to consider future actions.
A planning application for the developmentwill be submitted later this year. EDDC said that the existing tenants on the Queen’s Drive site have been informed of the news and can trade until September 30 when work will commence shortly afterwards
Exmouth Splash – a very interesting Freedom of Information request
Pollution incident from caravan park at Sandy Bay
Proposed new solar farm in Exmouth: consultation Tuesday 18 August 4-8 pm
Not ANOTHER Pegasus – we have enough winged horses in this district ( presume no link with Pegasus Life developing Knowle!).
“Exmouth Splash” project independent Facebook Forum
https://www.facebook.com/Exmouthsplash
NOT an EDDC puff job!
Meeting: Tuesday 11th August. 7:30 p.m. The Harbour View Cafe, Esplanade, Exmouth.
Re ‘The Splash’.
“In light of the strength of feeling expressed on this [Facebook] page and elsewhere, and the conflicting and uncertain information from EDDC, the purpose of this meeting is to form a group to argue for suspension of the scheme and for a proper consultation to take place.’
It would be helpful if those who plan to come could let us [the Facebook group] know by commenting below [ on the Facebook page].
Please keep an eye on this [Facebook]page for any further updates.”
…”Hi all, for those who are unable to attend the meeting but would like to be involved, we have set up an email account – exmouthsplashdiscussion@gmail.com – if you have any particular ideas you would have liked to bring to the meeting, or would like to offer particular help, please do drop us an email to let us know.”
Only Beer and Exmouth to benefit from Government Coastal Communities projects
Moirai: project at Milton Keynes waterpark bellyflops too
Moirai – the property company involved in Exmouth Water front development – a chequered past
The report below, together with the comments below it have in the public domain for a long time – certainly during the time that EDDC has been seeking a partner for the Exmouth waterfront development. And this is not (by far) the only case of EDDC choosing controversial partners.
The due diligence documentation will be interesting!
Labour Group Call for Termination of Oasis Agreement
Published 11th July 2014, Updated 12 months ago by JimGrant
The Swindon Labour Group Leader, Councillor Jim Grant, has called on Swindon Borough Council to terminate its Development Agreement with Moirai Capital Investments, following news that Moirai have breached its agreement with Swindon Borough Council.
The Labour Group Leader said he had obtained information that Moirai had breached its agreement with the Council by failing to obtain a planning application for its development master plan by the contractual deadline, March 13th 2014, and because of Moirai’s shell company, MW Contract Services Ltd (formerly Oasis Operations Ltd), going in to liquidation. Last month it was revealed that the shell company owed £850,000 to creditors at the time of its liquidation, including local small businesses like Storm Recruitment, based in Commercial Road, which is owed £4,721, and Carlton Services in Old Town, which is owed more than £2,000.
Councillor Grant said he had been told that if the agreement is terminated then the leases for phases 2, 3 and 4 (the former Clare’s site) of the proposed development will automatically terminate and the sites would then come back to the Council. However he’s been informed that the lease for the Oasis, which is phase 1, does not automatically terminate if the development agreement terminates, as this requires a fundamental breach of the agreement to happen.
The Swindon Labour Group Leader, Councillor Jim Grant, said:
“Following the recent revelations about Moirai’s handling of the Oasis development, I had asked Council Officers whether the company had breached its terms of agreement with the Council and I was told in no uncertain terms that they had. Morai have broken the terms of the agreement in different ways the most serious of which is that a shell company of theirs went into liquidation owing around £450k to HMRC and local companies.
When the development and long-term lease on the Oasis and surrounding area was proposed with Morai we did support the development because we felt regenerating the area in to a regional leisure destination was an exciting offer that the Swindon public would like to see and we had no reason to believe Moirai Capital Investments was anything other than a respectable company who would deliver on their commitments. However obviously new evidence has come to light that shows Moirai is not only failing to deliver on their commitments but also applying some questionable business practices which have affected local businesses in Swindon who have provided services to the Oasis and then have failed to be paid. We are standing up for those businesses as well as defending the interest of Swindon’s council-taxpayer.
It can’t be forgotten that the whole Oasis site is a hugely valuable site worth millions of pounds, so to give this site up for free to a company who have a track record in Swindon of failing to meet their commitments, doesn’t make sense to us in terms of delivering value for money to Swindon residents. And we think this decision will be supported by many those small businesses who are still owed money by Moirai’s shell company.”
– See more at: http://southswindonlabour.co.uk/south-swindon-constituency/2014/07/labour-group-call-termination-oasis-agreement#sthash.YyWfF1gy.dpuf
Outoftowner:
— Quote —What, as reliable as a WiFi IT Adventure, you mean?
— End quote —
I see a couple of blokes with a string of companies behind them, none of them successful and a few far from successful. Who does that remind us of? Why someone who SBC can put public trust and assets into the hands of obviously.
Yes, Tobes.
10 minutes on the https://www.duedil.com/web-site, a bus ticket to London and ask a question like, “Show me a previous successful business like you plan at The Oasis.”
Too much trouble to go to before giving away a public asset?
Terry Reynolds:
should be good at the cabinet meeting tonight…..
Weebleman:
— Quote from: Outoftowner on April 23, 2014, 03:10:05 PM —Moirai Capital Investments Limited – set up in 2009 and now Non Trading
Moirai Capital Investments (Swindon) Limited – set up in Jan 2012 has liabilities of over £200,000 more than it is worth.
Moirai Capital Investments (Torquay) Limited – set up in Nov 2012 and now Non Trading
Moirai Capital Investments (Milton Keynes) Limited set up in Dec 2013, has not reported yet.
Moirai Capital Investments (No 7) Limited – Operated for a few months in 2011 and then was dissolved.
All these companies have registered offices on the first floor of quite a nice terraced house, in Woodberry Grove, North Finchley, London.
Mr Sarju Rach and Mr Nicholas David Lewis are directors of all of the above companies as well as, Oasis Waterpark Limited and, Oasis Arena Limited.
To my untrained eye, all of the above looks about as solid and reliable as a few other companies that SBC have been dealing with in the recent past.
How much would it have cost to get the bus to London and knocked on the door of the “Registered Office” to see what these companies were about? :coffee:
— End quote —
Good hunting OOT, but you forgot to mention Oasis Ski Limited and Oasis Real Estate Limited — both of which were formed on the same date (30 June 2012) as the other “Oasis” companies. Just when did the council decide to give away the Oasis I wonder, and if it was after that date then who gave the “heads up” ?
Anyway, I don’t know what you’re worried about. Handing over your money to a Nicholas David Lewis must be a shrewd move, after all being an active director of 17 companies at the tender age of 22 must make him a real wizz kid….. not educated in Swindon, that’s for sure. Wonder if he knows there’s a vacancy on the board of the Brunel Nightclub? :coffee:
Outoftowner:
http://ww5.swindon.gov.uk/moderngov/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=47351
Please read the above SBC document to see what clauses have been removed from the Oasis lease. This is to help Oasis Water Parks Ltd. fund their refurbishment. This is not quite what was promised was it?
Now see what he same outfit promised Paignton and Milton Keynes local authorities less than 2 months ago. Surely they won’t want to alter any terms in those leases too would they?
650 jobs in £45million Paignton leisure park dream.
UK’s largest waterpark could be built at Milton Keynes National Bowl
It all reminds me of the time Dennis Grant was announcing big plans for the Cotswold Waterpark. I loved the one about creating a full size replica of Stonehenge. His stone supplier was someone whose largest stones are used to make stone jewellery!
Terry Reynolds:
Post cabinet report…. I reported the 5 moira investments that are either now not trading or dissolved or owing up to liabilities of over £200k, and the reply I received from Coun Williams, was that the company had been investigated in recent weeks and months and nothing toward was found and they had no debt problems, He didn’t reply about why they have sub let the Oasis to the GLL Group. But did say that the Oasis had a good future in front of it, Richard also asked questions about the group which I’m sure he will enlarge on.
I also asked about the 300k given to UK Broadband and was this the same road as the wifi fiasco. Mr McKellar, replied that the UK Broadband deal was a good one and they would return a good profit in the near future. He also did not reply to the question as to what we have to actually show for it now.
On another tack, this was the last cabinet meeting before the elections in May, and after public questions, councillors from all groups can ask questions on the subjects raised and take the cabinet to task. This evening, only one labour councillor and none from the lib dems came to the meeting, so apart from 2 or 3 points raised by Mr Moffat, they had a very easy ride.. Is that the oppositions role in life I wonder..
Exmouth slipway work postponed “because of mating birds”
Anyone find this story a bit odd? Did no-one realise that birds mate? And how come concern for mating birds in Exmouth and no concern for Horshoe Bats at Knowle?
And when the over-wintering birds have gone north, surely they are replaced by the over-summer birds from the south – and north!
You can tell that the owl is no ornithologist.
The last battle for local hospital services
From the blog of Independent DCC Councillor Claire Wright (Ottery Sy Mary). We assume local MP Hugo Swire will be at the meeting … in our dreams.
The last battle. D-day for Ottery Hospital – please attend this meeting!
The decision on the fate of Ottery St Mary Hospital will be made next Thursday (16 July), and the Northern, Eastern And Western Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW Devon CCG) appear as determined as ever, to close it.
Also at risk across East Devon, are all of Axminster Hospital beds, and minor injuries units at Ottery, Axminster, Sidmouth and Seaton Hospitals.
The CCG’s board papers, published yesterday, argue strongly in favour of closing Ottery Hospital’s beds and minor injuries unit and against any other option, including the recommendations presented by the stakeholder group – a group set up by the CCG in January.
The paper, in my view, has totally misrepresented the stakeholder group’s recommendation on hospital beds, by implying that the group supported “consolidation” as a long-term measure (moving hospital beds out of Ottery and Axminster to other hospitals).
The stakeholder group’s recommendation was that beds should remain at all our community hospitals and a minor injuries service should be retained in each town.
The paper that goes before the CCG’s governing body on Thursday states that the cuts will be implemented immediately once a decision has been made.
The paper acknowledges the significant projected population increase in East Devon over the next few years – over 11 per cent by 2026), but seems to believe that the best way of handling this is to move community hospital beds to other nearby hospitals.
At the last health and wellbeing scrutiny committee meeting on 18 June, the CCG’s update report, scarcely mentioned the work of the stakeholder group, bar a passing reference. Certainly it did not allude to its recommendations, despite the group being established by the CCG in January!
You can view discussions at this meeting here. The speakers names are now included within the webcast – http://www.devoncc.public-i.tv/…/portal/webcast_inte…/159084
I have not been able to find any mention of the CCG’s plans for Ottery Hospital, if the beds and minor injuries unit closes, yet paperwork claims that the stakeholder recommendations will cost an additional £200K. And the savings from closing all the beds at Axminster and Ottery will be £500,000.
The existing 15 bed stroke unit housed at Ottery is set to move to a site in Exeter – probably the RD&E. Ottery is viewed as an interim measure.
One of the stakeholder group’s recommendations included that no changes should take place until integration with a new provider had taken place (a decision about who gets to run local community hospitals – likely to be the RD&E).
But the papers submitted for next Thursday’s meeting tacitly admit that providers have not even been consulted with.
The CCG makes a strong case for its own proposals and dismisses the alternatives.
To view the recommendations turn to page 110 of the papers, in this link –
file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Claire/My%20Documents/Downloads/GB%20Pack%20PUBLIC%2016%20July%202015.pdf
The meeting starts at 1pm on Thursday 16 July, at Newcourt Community Centre, Exeter. It is open to the public, but please bear in mind that the relevant agenda item isn’t likely to start until after 3pm.
It is absolutely vital that there is a big public attendance from across East Devon, as this is when the decisions are made.
There is no facility for public speaking unfortunately (I did ask twice but was refused). However, there is the option of submitting questions in advance, in writing.
Coastal Communities Fund extended for further 5 years
The Coastal Communities Fund, which was launched in 2012, will make £90m in funding available until 2020/2021.
Seaside towns across the UK will be able to bid for a share of the funding.
Seaton Beach Huts meeting: not a happy place for EDDC Councillor Pook
Councillor Pook, Chairman of EDDC’s Asset Management group was given a rough ride in Seaton this afternoon, according to this report from a correspondent:
Cllr Pook Needs Longer Spoon
Cllr Geoff Pook, the only “Independent” on East Devon District Council to refuse to work with the recently strengthened Independent group has been rewarded for this with a seat on the Cabinet by Paul Diviani and his non-whipping bulldog, Councillir Phil Twiss.
But almost immediately Cllr Pook has realised that the temperature under his own cabinet seat has been turned up to boiling point. For reasons best known to himself, Beer councillor Pook has it in his head to lead the charge to offer the district’s beach huts to the highest bidders, a policy his East Devon Tory playmates did not dare put in their manifesto this May.
At Seaton this afternoon, more than a hundred and fifty worried locals gathered to hear him explain himself, with Seaton’s own district councillor, Jim Knight, looking on in silence.
Pook initially made an attempt to defend the ridiculously loaded “survey” on beach huts to the gathering, switching as fast as he then could to a George Osborne-style line that East Devon District Council need to save more than two million pounds in the next four years. Beach huts would not be the only casualty to the Tory cutbacks, he said, but if an auction was not agreed his new chums would find another way to get “best value” from them.
Seaton folk are no fools and asked for some hard financial data on all this. This, said Pook “was being prepared”. The usual EDDC cart-before-horse strategic style.
It was obvious to anyone who has seen EDDC in action that Pook & Co will try to drive this through various committees before bringing it before his Cabinet in early Autumn. By then, without his being defeated by public action, it will be too late, and non-whipmeister Cllr Twiss will be growling from his enforcer’s seat to make sure at Full Council that any waverers on the Tory side put their hands up at the right time.
Meanwhile, back in Seaton, Pook finally realised that his uncosted, ill-considered scheme was being roundly booed by the usually very polite people in the room.. So he waffled that he had only just taken over as chair of EDDC’s Asset Management Committee, but nobody was buying his “I am only obeying orders” defence. The Asset Management committee is one of the most notoriously secretive of all the many hole-in-the-wall arms of the dismal district council. Still, at least none of his Beer constituents can say he is going against his election manifesto. Nobody voted for him; he was unopposed.
What next? Many in the room felt that one answer would be to provide even more beach huts if there is such a waiting list. Another idea is that the town councils take on the beach huts themselves – but be very, very careful with this one. How long before a town council, in Beer perhaps, “struggles” and sells the whole operation off to the private sector ….
Meetings about sale of beach huts to rich people tomorrow
Tuesday 7 July
In Seaton at 2 pm at Town Hall
https://www.facebook.com/groups/498639013619794/
In Sidmouth at Kennaway House
https://www.visionforsidmouth.org/calendar/2015/july/the-future-of-east-devons-beach-huts.aspx
Selling beach hut leases to highest bidders – meetings in Sidmouth and Seaton
Basically, EDCC wants to give notice to all current beach hut tenants and sell 5 year leases of sites only to highest bidders – local, not local, individual or business or investors.
They have 300 beach huts and a waiting list of 300. No attempt to create more sites – just flogging off current sites (some used by families for decades) to the highest bidder.
Brave New World!
Beach Huts: where’s the news? It’s not happy-clappy
Spotlight last night featured East Devon beach hut owners up in arms about proposed changes that would see the agreements between hut renters and EDDC torn up in favour of an auction of five year leases of sites only which would go to the highest bidder. There would be no restriction on where new leaseholders would come from. ITV regional news featured this item last week too.
Apparently, Leader Diviani was pictured on an East Devon beach yesterday saying that the idea would be looked at again due to the backlash from local renters which he appears not to have anticipated.
Pulmans View titles has carried articles on this hot topic and mention of two meetings in Sidmouth and Seaton about it.
And the Herald titles? Not a mention in this week’s Midweek Herald. In fact, we must give an award for the most Good News About East Devon to the Midweek Herald. It DID carry an article on industrial estate tenants being kicked off EDDC Heathpark estate to make way for a housing development and an item on SW water polluting the River Axe but the rest of the paper was totally happy-clappy Good News – not even a mention of the new Local Plan public investigations next week.
Whatever happened to investigative journalism and controversial local news? It seems alive and well at the View titles but not in Archant titles.
There were, however, a lot of EDDC official notices at the back of the Archant newspapers though – mostly about planning developments. Indeed, Archant received over 90% of EDDC’s not inconsiderable £200,000 newspaper advertising budget last year.
Straitgate Farm Quarry Application for 100 acre quarry, near Ottery
A planning application for a 100 acre quarry at Straitgate Farm, near Ottery St Mary has been made by Aggregate Industries to Devon County Council.
A separate application has been submitted for processing the sand and gravel at Blackhill Quarry on Woodbury Common, which would result in a minimum of 140 lorry movements each day along the B3180.
Residents now have until 2nd July to comment on the application, by Aggregate Industries.
Also, the draft minerals plan (long term strategic quarrying document), in which Straitgate Farm is a preferred site, will be considered by Devon County Council’s development management committee on Tuesday 15 July, before being consulted on for three months. It is vital that as many people attend this meeting as possible. It starts at 2pm.
For more information about the proposed quarry visit Straitgate Action Group
This is Claire Wright’s thoughts Cllr Claire Wright’s Blog
Cllr Rob Longhurst has posted his views Cllr Rob Longhurt’s Web site
Here’s the link to the documentation – Planning Applications – Devon County Council
Send your comments to planning@devon.gov.uk
If you want to add comments – please do – if you want to add links to more information – tell Owl
Owl says – These applications effect the whole of the West of East Devon – it is therefore a MAJOR EDW issue. Apart from the obvious environmental damage to our ancient heritage the impact on the B3180 is immense – this road is not wide enough in many sections to allow a large 40tonne articulated lorry and a car to pass – these lorries are not slow and meeting one is scarey in the extreme. Write to this blog or better still Devon County Council but oppose these applications.
Beach Huts
Exmouth beach huts could go to rich under highest bidder plans
(And Beer, Budleigh Salterton, Seaton & Sidmouth)
From: Exeter Express and Echo
By Anita Merritt
Hundreds of families could face losing beach huts they have enjoyed for years under plans to let them to the highest bidder.
East Devon District Council wants to scrap the current system for renting out huts and chalets in Exmouth, Budleigh Salterton, Sidmouth, Beer and Seaton.
Until now they have been hired by people who automatically get to rent them every year until they choose to give them up, when they are offered to those on a waiting list.
Instead, five-year leases on the sought-after huts and sites would in future be offered on the open market to the highest bidder – which could push up prices.
Under the proposed changes, non-domestic rates of up to £90 per year will also be paid by the
occupiers of the beach huts rather than by the council, which currently picks up this charge.
Concerns have been raised that the new system would allow those who can afford it to jump the queue, while pricing out people on lower incomes who have enjoyed using the beach huts for years.
Steve Gazzard, Liberal Democrat councillor for Exmouth Withycombe Raleigh ward, said: “Obviously I am very concerned. The beach huts have always been a vital part of Exmouth seafront. I’m one of those traditionalists where if the system isn’t broken, why change it? It has always appeared to work and it’s quite clear this new proposal is about generating more income, and I think it’s a backwards step.
“The rich will get in there first because they have the money. I don’t know how the council will administer it, but will anyone in the country be able to apply? I think the beach huts should be for local people. Some people do manage to hire them for the holidays which is fine, but I hope once people hear about the proposal they will partake in the consultation and give their views.”
The Tory-controlled district council is responsible for managing and maintaining 237 beach huts, 20 beach chalets and 241 beach hut sites in Budleigh Salterton, Seaton, Beer, Sidmouth and Exmouth. The huts are currently rented out for between £480 and £650 a season, with the Exmouth chalets costing £1,023 a season. Sites hired without huts are cheaper.
More than 300 people are on waiting lists for huts, chalets or sites.
Consultation has begun on the proposed changes, which would take effect next year if approved, with an online questionnaire open until Monday, July 13.
The council has said it is “looking for ways to enable more people to have a chance to lease a beach hut, chalet or beach hut site”.
But it also admitted it wants to generate more income in the face of government funding cuts.
A council spokeswoman said: “We think it is only fair that everyone – from East Devon residents to visitors – should have the opportunity to hire a beach hut, site or chalet. This consultation is a great opportunity for people to give us their views on the service they would like to receive from us.
“It’s time that this special service, which we offer, becomes a viable self-supporting asset and not a burden of luxury. We strongly believe that these changes are for the better.”
The spokeswoman added: “We have a responsibility to make sure that public money is spent in the best way possible. If we can collect more from this enterprise than it costs us to provide it, we can also improve our beach hut, chalet and beach hut site service. Any surplus funds would be re-invested in other council services.”
It is not yet clear how any auction of beach hut leases would work.
On the reasons for the proposed new system, the council has said: “The funding that we receive from Government to run all our services is reducing, so we need to find better ways to use the assets that we have.
“The beach huts, beach chalets and beach hut sites service is not something we have to provide.
However, it is a service that is valued by residents and visitors alike so we would like to keep
providing it.
“Currently some of the costs are absorbed by the local authority (council tax payers). These
expenses include the cost to the council of huts rented in Budleigh Salterton and Seaton being
dismantled by us, stored over each winter and re-erected each spring. We also pay the non-domestic rates of between £21 and £90 a year for each of the 498 beach huts and beach hut sites. We feel it is reasonable that users of the service pay these costs.”
In some locations, the council is proposing other changes. Where sites are leased without huts, it will be up to the person leasing the site to purchase and look after the hut.
The person leasing the site will also have to put up the hut at the beginning of the season and take it down and store it at the end of the season. Contractors are available to do this for about £220.
People leasing the sites that previously housed beach huts will be given the option of purchasing the existing hut for about £250.
An additional 70 beach hut sites are provided through formal leases with individuals, who then operate them as a business. These 70 sites will not be affected by these proposals.
People who already either hire or are on the waiting list to hire a beach hut, beach hut site or beach chalet will receive a copy of the proposals and questionnaire by post.
The questionnaire can be found at:
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/consultation-and-surveys/beach-huts-service/
The Owl says: Seeing as how quickly this policy has emerged fully fledged so soon after the election it looks like it has long been an EDDC intention. (Didn’t they try to hike the prices up in Budleigh by 50% a couple of years ago?) Don’t remember seeing it on any Tory election pledge!
Roger Giles (Ind) polls highest vote in District Council elections
We’ve had further feedback from today’s election of East Devon District Councillors, when Independents gained considerable ground. Here are some highlights:
– The voters’ favourite was Roger Giles, the seasoned Independent Councillor for Ottery St Mary Town Ward, with 2087 votes.
– Paul Diviani, Leader of the Council) retained his seat at Yarty. He received 776 votes. But votes against him totalled 795.
– Cabinet member, Ray Bloxham (525 votes) lost in Raleigh Ward to IEDA candidate, Geoff Jung (950 votes).
– IEDA Leader, Ben Ingham successfully held Woodbury & Lympstone, where he and IEDA colleague, Rob Longhurst, defeated David Atkins (Con).
– The most significant cull of Tory Councillors was in Sidmouth, with Independents now in control:
There was a surprise defeat for Graham Troman, who ironically has often stood up alone for Sidmouth, without the backing of the other local councillors.
Stuart Hughes is the sole remaining Conservative, sharing Sidmouth-Sidford with Dawn Manley and Marianne Rixson, both IEDA.
Sidmouth Town Ward is in the hands of Cathy Gardner (IEDA), Matt Booth(IEDA) and John Dyson (Independent).
The Sidmouth Herald reporters were quick to pick this up: http://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/election/eddc_independents_oust_tories_in_sidmouth_town_1_4066681
For complete election result information, go to http://eastdevon.gov.uk/elections-and-registering-to-vote/elections-2015/2015-district-council-elections-results/
Meet the candidates, in the comfort of your own home!
Before you vote on 7th May, want to know who’d like to replace the current EDDC, and why? On the http://www.eastdevonalliance.org.uk website, EDW sees that 14 candidates have already taken the brave step of presenting themselves on video.
On each candidates’ page, click on video intro, and scroll down to video just below candidate’s pic. Videos currently available for Paul Arnott (Chair..standing in Coly Valley Ward) ) Ben Ingham (Leader..standing in Woodbury & Lympstone) ), Cathy Gardner (Communications Director..standing in Sidmouth Town) ), Steve Horner (standing against P. Diviani in Yarty), Martin Shaw (Seaton), Megan Armstrong (Exmouth Halsdon), Rob Longhurst (Woodbury & Lympstone),Val Ranger Newton Poppleford), Mark Daugherty (Exmouth Brixington), Marianne Rixson (Sidmouth, Sidford), Les Cotton (Budleigh Salterton) , Dawn Manley (Sidford, Sidford), Matt Coppell (Ottery St Mary Rural), Robert Crick (Exmouth Littleham)….more coming soon (if they can be caught for a few minutes’ filming between leafleting, we’re told!)
EDDC in secret talks with DCC to build (some) affordable housing in Exmouth
But remember that “affordable” means 90% of market rent.
Why not a Community Land Teust for 100% affordable housing for lical people as has been done in other areas. And what about self-builds?
And surely these political decisions did not take place behind closed doirs during the Purdah period?
And it will be SO interesting to see which housebuilder they pair with!
East Devon Watch 