Category Archives: Greater Exeter

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

17 Aug 2016

Posted under

Andrew Moulding, AONB, Developers/ Development, EDDC, Environment (local), Exmouth, Greater Exeter, Rural communities

Comments

1 Comment

“Greater Exeter” protects the countryside – honestly, that’s what they say!

And it must be true, because Andrew Moulding says so! Now, about Exmouth Splat … And look who the money is coming from: developers!

Teignbridge, East Devon District Councils and Exeter City Council have form a cross-boundary partnership to safeguard three internationally important conservation sites.

The three councils have established the South East Devon Habitat Regulations Executive committee to off-set the effects of new developments and population growth on the protected sites.

They will work together to protect places such as the Exe Estuary, Dawlish Warren and the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths for future generations to enjoy.
The committee said protecting the sites was important for a number of reasons, including providing safe areas for all users to enjoy and caring for the bird populations they support.

Human activity on or close to the sites can cause disturbance or even death of protected bird species, it warned.

This new Committee is working with partners including Natural England, Clinton Devon Estates, National Trust, RSPB, Exe Estuary Management Partnership and Devon Wildlife Trust.

Funding will come from developer contributions on new residential housing across the three areas and within a 10km “zone of influence” from the protected sites.

Measures and initiatives planned include a patrol boat on the Exe Estuary, a dog project officer, a review of codes of conduct, new and updated visitor publicity and signage.

Two new wardens will educate and engage with the public and ensure byelaws are observed.

East Devon’s deputy leader Andrew Moulding said: “This joint working between our three Councils is a really important step in protecting our beautiful coast and countryside.

“By working together through collective financial decision-making, we can share resources to protect important areas of conservation and improve enjoyment for residents and visitors alike.” …

http://www.rsnonline.org.uk/environment/councils-join-forces-to-protect-countryside

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

11 Aug 2016

Posted under

Accountability, EDDC, Greater Exeter, Local Enterprise Partnership, Post-Brexit Adjustments, Transparency

“Greater Exeter” moves on apace – and Greater Plymouth

Local Government is in a particularly fluid and unstable situation at the moment. Brexit is ripping many plans and budgets wide apart, particularly where Local Enterprise Partnerships and local councils were relying heavily on EU funding or EU-based projects, such as Hinkley C.

There have been hints that the new government is not enamoured of some of the devolution bids and that unitary councils (which would see the demise of district councils) may now be back on the table.

Plymouth, the South Hams and West Devon also seem to be working towards a “Greater Plymouth”:

Click to access 201606The_Plymouth_and_South_West_Devon_Joint_Local_Plan_Newsletter_PDF.pdf

Are we seeing the first signs of an anti-unitary move that would allow our two cities to work autonomously rather than Devon-wide? Is it an insurance policy against the increasing powers being grabbed by our LEP?

Whatever it is – it is being done yet again with no consultation and meetings behind closed doors.

Owl wonders what Mrs May thinks of these legacies of Mr Cameron and, more specifically, Mr Osborne.

Here is an up-to-date post on moves towards a “Greater Exeter”:

In a previous post

Whose Vision is it anyway? Part 1

I highlighted the flamboyantly named Greater Exeter Visioning Board, announced with a fanfare of trumpets and then shifted off into the dark shadows of proceedings held behind firmly closed doors. This post reports the uncomfortable outcome of my further investigations.

Having been told by Exeter City Council that the minutes of the Visioning Board were not made public, I asked some more questions. The City Council’s answers are below.

Q1: Under what authority the board was established and who agreed its terms of reference?

A1: A Memorandum of Understanding was agreed by the Leaders and Chief Executives of Exeter City Council, East Devon District Council and Teignbridge District Council in November 2014. The Memorandum of Understanding is not a legally binding document but all parties use all reasonable endeavours to comply with the terms and spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding.

Q2: The reasons for its decision not to publish agendas and minutes?

A2: Many of the issues that are discussed at the Board relate to the growth of the Greater Exeter area. It is considered that the board needs to be able to have open discussions through which they can develop ideas, debate live issues and reach decisions. Disclosure of these discussions may inhibit the imparting or commissioning of advice, or the offering or requesting of opinions for consideration.

Q3: Whether it reports its proceedings to councillors and, if so, what opportunities are open to councillors to scrutinise its work?

A3: Council Leaders and Deputy Leaders from each of the three authorities sit on the board.

Q4: If it does not report its proceedings to councillors, to whom is the board accountable?

So what’s next?

We can at least now speculate what the Visioning Board was up to. On 12 July, the City Council’s Executive (the lead councillors) discussed a report by the Assistant Director City Development which set out proposals for establishing:

“a joint strategic plan for the Greater Exeter area which would be prepared in partnership between East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council, Mid Devon District Council and Teignbridge District Council with assistance from Devon County Council. The plan would cover the geographical area of the 4 partner authorities (excluding the area of Dartmoor National Park) but would be limited in scope to cover strategic issues and strategic allocations within those areas with local issues to be considered through linked local plans prepared by each partner authority for their area.” [1]

This was nodded through and then approved by the full Council on 26 July.

In a future post I will explore the challenges for serious public engagement presented by this form of joint working. For the moment, let’s just say that the gestation of this proposal behind closed doors, and the underlying assumption that joint planning is a technocratic issue rather than something which asks the communities what sort of Greater Exeter we want (if indeed we want one at all) does not augur well.

Or is there another agenda?

Of course, I might be completely wrong, and the Greater Exeter Visioning Board has been discussing something completely different. But if so, what? A Greater Exeter Unitary Authority perhaps? There is an obvious link between the joint strategic plan proposal and the so-called “Devolution” bid for spending powers to be transferred from central government to the “Heart of the South West”, made up of Devon County Council, Somerset County Council, Torbay Council and Plymouth City Council [2]. The district councils like Exeter are at present secondary players in this, a position with which Exeter for one is not comfortable.

NOTES:

[1] The full report is at http://committees.exeter.gov.uk/documents/s52597/EXECUTIVE%20-%20Proposed%20Greater%20Exeter%20Strategic%20Plan%20-%2012%20July%202016%20-%20FINAL.pdf

[2] I will have more to say about the “Devolution” bid in a later post . Meanwhile a useful update is at item 76 of the minutes of the Exeter City Council Executive meeting on 12 July, at http://committees.exeter.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=112&MId=4469&Ver=4

Source: https://agreeninexeter.com

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

15 Jun 2016

Posted under

Accountability, Democracy, Devolution, EDDC, Exeter City Council, Greater Exeter, Teignbridge, Transparency

“Greater Exeter” – not so great? Show yourselves “Greater Exeter Visioning Board”!

This article from May 2016 asks: what happened to the “vision for Greater Exeter” which, as the writer says, was a partnership between East Devon, Exeter and Teignbridge, set up in November 2014. Nothing at all exists to show what it did, does or might do in future.

It is interesting to note that, at that time, Cabinets and senior officers of all three authorities must have aware of devolution plans.

“Whose Vision is it anyway

It’s a truism that politicians (and not only politicians) love making good news announcements. Even when they have to announce bad news, it’s always presented as positively as the spin doctors can manage. Announcements which are then followed up by nothing at all are not unheard of – after all, it’s the fact of announcing something that generates the media coverage, and then the circus moves on.

But what barely figures in the spin doctors’ handbook is the announcement which is then followed not so much by nothing as by a veil of secrecy. And here in Devon, we have a fine example.

On 24 November 2014, three district councils – East Devon, Exeter City and Teignbridge – announced that there were setting up a partnership to be called Greater Exeter, Greater Devon [1]. The stated aim is “to drive forward economic growth” through “joined-up decision making on planning, housing, resources and infrastructure”. A Greater Exeter Visioning Board would meet every month “to define work priorities”. The Board’s membership would be the leaders, chief executives and economic development lead councillors of each of the councils.

Leaving aside the question of whether economic growth is the right objective, this seems a potentially useful measure. The three councils cover adjacent areas and face transport and land use pressures, particularly in Exeter and its surroundings.

In the course of keeping up to date with local initiatives I recently trawled the councils’ websites for news of the monthly meetings of the Visioning Board. Nothing at all. So, focussing on Exeter City Council, I looked for minutes of meetings that approved the setting up of the Board and received reports from it. Nothing at all.

Next step, ask the council. After the usual 20 days had elapsed, an Exeter City Council officer sent me a reply confirming the Board’s membership and setting out the dates each month on which it had met since its inception . However, the reply stated that the minutes of the Board’s meetings were not available to the public, though no reason for this was given.

So, here we are. A local authority body, promoted as a driver for economic growth and coordinating policies and planning on key issues, is announced with much fanfare and then vanishes into a cloak of secrecy.

Open government, indeed. I’ve asked the City Council a series of questions about the Board’s authority, functions and accountability. Watch this space for their response.”

https://petercleasby.com/tag/greater-exeter-visioning-board/

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

11 Mar 2016

Posted under

Affordable and Social Housing, Brownfield sites, Developers/ Development, EDDC, Exeter City Council, Greater Exeter, Mid Devon, Teignbridge

East Devon District Council, Exeter City Council and Teignbridge recognised as developers’ friend

The three councils make up the “Greater Exeter” consortium and, along with other chosen council Mid-Devon, ensures a speeded-up planning process in a continuous ring centred on Exeter.

“Half a dozen councils across Devon and Cornwall have been chosen to pilot a new Government scheme designed to speed up the creation of new homes.

Housing ministers have selected the six local authorities to take part in the trial launch of their brownfield register initiative.

Under the policy, councils will draw up lists of derelict land and other underused sites which could be used for new developments.

Records will then be available to investors and construction companies to highlight prime redevelopment opportunities. …

… Cornwall, East Devon, Exeter, Mid Devon, Torbay and Teignbridge council have all had their bids to pilot the scheme accepted. They will join 70 other local planning authorities in trialing the scheme, and helping to shape the future implementation of the policy.

Registers will eventually become mandatory for all councils under proposals going through Parliament in the Housing and Planning Bill. Other measures in the Bill will enable “permission in principle” to be granted for registered sites, giving developers “a greater degree of certainty” and ultimately speeding up the planning process. …”

http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Devon-Cornwall-councils-chosen-pilot-new-housing/story-28901908-detail/story.html

The keywords are “under-used” and “prime redevelopment opportunities”- who decides? EDDC, helped by developers, of course!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

21 Feb 2016

Posted under

Cranbrook, East Devon Growth Point, Economy, Greater Exeter

What happens when “economic growth” spirals out of control

Lots of (poorly paid, temporary and zero- hours contracts) employment, massive “growth” and disastrous consequences. Coming soon to a town near you – perhaps Cranbrook when the supermarket depot opens on its doorstep and more companies relocate to its “enterprise zone”?

“Police say they have safety concerns about overcrowded houses in the town where one of Europe’s largest sports retailers is based.

Sports Direct employs at least 3,500 agency workers at its site in Shirebrook, Derbyshire.

While filming in the town, the BBC was shown houses “carved into flats”, including one with rooms partitioned down the middle of its windows.
Bolsover Council admitted it was caught off guard by the influx of workers.
Figures obtained by the BBC also show 46 housing complaints relating to overcrowding, repairs and conditions were made from April 2015 to 21 December last year – up from 16 in 2005 to 2006.

The Sports Direct agency workers, largely employed in the company’s warehouse, come mainly from Eastern European countries like Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania and Albania.

There are 500 permanent staff at the site.

The council estimates 1,500 people have moved to Shirebrook – which has a population of more than 13,000 – in the last four years, with many renting rooms in houses near the company’s headquarters.

Police community support officer (PCSO) Steve Cathcart said: “There’s been an influx of Eastern Europeans and the landlords that own the houses are carving these houses up into flats.

“Our concern is the fire risk, the safety to these people that are moving in.”

Police said more than 30 properties in the area were a particular worry.

The police said one of the occupants in the house where two rooms had been visibly partitioned up to the windows works at Sports Direct, but added the resident had “no fire doors”.

Bolsover councillor Karl Reid, who is responsible for community cohesion, admitted the authority had not adequately prepared itself for the sudden increase in Shirebrook’s population.

“[On the window dividers] that is not acceptable and that will be investigated,” he said.

“It was a gradual thing, then suddenly there was a massive spurt. I think that’s where we may have got it wrong or we weren’t on the ball for it, and I have to accept that.”

The authority said it had introduced public spaces protection orders to stop people drinking and urinating on the town’s streets.

It said it was also closing off a footpath near Sports Direct because of anti-social behaviour, including human defecation.

Since November, it said 20 fines have been handed out – 19 for drinking and one for urinating – to people in breach of these orders.

Mr Reid added Sports Direct’s senior staff was working with them for the first time in more than a decade.

The company – which has declined to comment – are part of a multi-agency group called Shirebrook Forward.

“They’ve changed their tack,” Mr Reid said.

“They’ve now – over the last six months – come to us and engaged with us on a senior management level.”

Sports Direct said in December they will be reviewing all agency workers’ terms and conditions after the firm was criticised for its employment practices.

That review will be overseen by majority shareholder Mike Ashley – who also owns Newcastle United Football Club.

Sports Direct has previously come under fire over staff searches and poor working conditions.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-35604776

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

19 Nov 2015

Posted under

Austerity cuts, EDDC, Exeter City Council, Greater Exeter, Sidmouth/ Sidford/ Sidbury, Teignbridge

Picking and choosing – EDDC doesn’t partner with Exeter to tackle homelessness, Teignbridge does

Also in the latest Express and Echo, it is revealed that Exeter has the highest level of homelessness outside London.

Exeter and Teignbridge have announced that they will work together to tackle it.

Silence from East Devon – where two homeless men have died on the streets of Sidmouth in the last few months – one in a freezing bus shelter and one in a church porch (where the church is trying desperately to do its bit to help people).

Are the homeless invisible to our council?

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

28 Oct 2015

Posted under

EDDC, Environment (local), Exeter City Council, Exmouth, Greater Exeter, Scrutiny, Teignbridge

Habitat mitigation in “south-east Devon” will be a “Greater Exeter” issue and will not be scrutinised at district level

Cabinet agenda and paper are here:

Click to access 041115-combined-agenda-cabinet.pdf

Below is an interesting extract, where it notes that Habitat Regulation will no longer be dealt with at district level, instead being the responsibility of the “Greater Exeter” area (East Devon, Exeter, Teignbridge combined). Habitat Regulation will also not be scrutinised at each district but will have its own cross-district scrutiny committee and this worried officers, should districts disagree. It also says that EDDC will fully fund the committee and its Legal Department will be responsible for legal matters.

“Agenda Item 15

… Following the decision of Council on 29 July 2015 to agree to enter into joint arrangements with both Exeter City Council and Teignbridge District Council, it has been necessary to review and alter the governance arrangements to ensure clarity and consistency in terms of its operation going forward.

South East Devon Habitat Regulations Joint Committees …..

….. High Risk
It is essential to secure appropriate mitigation alongside granting of and implementation of planning permissions for development which impact upon sites of European importance. To not be able to ensure mitigation is delivered could cause problems in terms of being able to grant planning permissions and ensure delivery of development as set out in the Local Plan.

… That review has now been completed and it is considered that the Terms of Reference previously endorsed is not sufficient to enable the business of the committee to be properly conducted. There was some lack of clarity in terms of the remit for the committee, the procedures for meetings and a misunderstanding over how to deal with the powers between the Executive Committee and officers. Most crucially however, the scrutiny arrangements for the committee were left to the local level. This meant that each of the three authorities had the ability to scrutinise decisions and moreover that these would be in accordance with each authority’s own scrutiny arrangements. Aside from the difficulties imposed by having to deal with three different sets of scrutiny arrangements from a timing and administration point of view, the biggest difficulty, both operationally and politically, would be what happens if each authority’s scrutiny function resulted in different recommendations being made back to the Executive Committee. All of the above would be likely to cause problems in terms of trying to run the committee and ensure that effective habitat mitigation is delivered.”

Councillor Moulding appears already to have been confirmed as a member and three other EDDC councillors will be appointed (NOT elected).

On scrutiny, the document says:

“The Councils have appointed the HMSC to scrutinize the operation and performance of the Habitats Mitigation Executive Committee and its governance arrangements.”

and

“The HMSC shall comprise three members of each of the Councils, to be appointed by the group leaders of the Councils. Each member of the HMSC shall have an equal vote.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

14 Oct 2015

Posted under

DCC, East Devon Growth Point, Greater Exeter

Comments

2 Comments

A tale of two Science Parks …

In Plymouth, their Science Park is flourishing:

“Since June, 15 new businesses have relocated to the 25 acre site near Derriford Hospital which specialises in supporting businesses in the areas of science, technology, marine and digital.

The park is a world-class office, research and laboratory environment that provides the space, flexibility and support for businesses to accelerate their growth and success.

Its community of 80 businesses employing upwards of 800 people, combines to create one of the South West’s most desirable working environments – plus it offers a free mentoring service for all businesses on site through it’s bespoke Advisory Board.”

http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Record-number-businesses-Plymouth-Science-Park/story-27983859-detail/story.html

In Exeter, a further £2.5 m is being put in by Devon County Council to make it more attractive to the Met Office and any other tenants which might turn up. Quite why it wasn’t originally designed with footpaths, cycleways and proper drainage isn’t made clear.

“An access road to the Met Office site and GEFC has already been completed. The funding boost from Devon County Council will be now be used to create a network of footpaths and cycleways, car parking and improved drainage. Planning permission has already been obtained for the essential infrastructure works.”

http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/100m-growth-investment-unlocked-Exeter-Science/story-27985321-detail/story.html

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

19 Sep 2015

Posted under

Devolution, EDDC, Exeter City Council, Greater Exeter, Teignbridge

How many “partners” does East Devon District Council have?

East Devon, Teignbridge and Exeter have a “Greater Exeter” partnership:
http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Greater-Exeter-created-council-link/story-24643530-detail/story.html

East Devon, Plymouth, Teignbridge and Exeter have a shared IT partnership:
http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Cross-council-merger-puts-170-Devon-jobs-risk/story-18143536-detail/story.html

East Devon is one of the districts signing up to a devolutionary Somerset and Devon:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-34155536

East Devon has bid for a debt recovery service with
North Devon District Council, Teignbridge District Council and Torbay Council:
http://www.sell2wales.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP103432

It’s getting a bit like a polygamous marriage!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

3 Sep 2015

Posted under

Affordable and Social Housing, Cranbrook, EDDC, Environment (local), Greater Exeter, Honiton/ Gittisham, Newton Poppleford, Ottery St Mary, West End: WestClyst BroadClyst/ Pinhoe

Ottery fights up to 30% increase in housing

Pretty soon, the Exeter suburbs will stretch in one long ribbon development from Pinhoe and Cranbrook to Ottery and Honiton and fron Clyst St Mary to Newton Poppleford – without the infrastructure to support it. And, if there is another major economic turndown or an increase in interest rates, without the jobs to support the mortgages. And little or no truly affordable housing, of course.

A new outline planning application, submitted to East Devon District Council (EDDC) for the construction of up to 53 homes on a greenfield site next to Sidmouth Road, has been met with anger and dismay from many.

If accepted, the development – which includes open market homes and provision for 40 per cent ‘affordable housing’ – could push the total number of new houses in the pipeline to more than 600.

Concerned householders say this represents a 30 per cent population growth that Ottery’s infrastructure cannot cope with.

Councillor Roger Giles called the application from Gerway Landowners Consortium ‘unnecessary, unwanted and damaging’.

He said: “The East Devon Local Plan, reflecting the views of local people, said that Ottery should have an additional 300 homes. Already, more than 500 have been approved.”

Katie Corbin, who lives near Sidmouth Road, is one of the residents joining forces to fight the proposed development. She said: “Five hundred homes have been agreed, but only around 100 have been built. What’s going to happen when the rest are built? They have no idea of the repercussions of the affect of 500 houses. Why risk more?”

Gerway Lane resident Rachel Kirk said: “This is the third proposed development within sight of Gerway Lane and it is soul-destroying for all existing residents.”

In a letter of objection submitted to EDDC’s planning department, Martin Kirby said: “The local facilities are way behind this general house building frenzy.”

Dr Margaret Hall confirmed she will be objecting on behalf of the East Devon branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.

She told the Herald: “It is more houses than we need and it is outside of the built-up area boundary. The infrastructure in Ottery cannot cope with it.”

Nigel Machin, of Knightstone Lane, is putting the onus on EDDC to ‘see through the spin, understand the strain the town is already going through and protect Ottery from this continuing onslaught’.

Agents of the application, Ian Jewson Planning Ltd, said: “The proposals will provide much-needed market and affordable housing in a sustainable location adjacent to existing development and close to local facilities.”

http://www.sidmouthherald.co.uk/news/ottery_residents_to_fight_building_frenzy_1_4211229

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

24 Jul 2015

Posted under

Cranbrook, East Devon Growth Point, EDDC, Exeter City Council, Greater Exeter, Skypark, West End: WestClyst BroadClyst/ Pinhoe

Anyone notice something about this press release for Exeter Science Park?

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Exeter-Science-Park-Centre-set-welcome-businesses/story-27477506-detail/story.html

Answer: it is a non-story! At no point in the puff job is a potential tenant named!

EDDC us a partner in this project, along with Skypark, once touted as a suitable place for its new HQ and still with the majority of its space empty.

It seems all is not well at these so-called high-tech industrial areas on the outskirts of Exeter and Cranbrook. Yet thousands of houses are already being built for people supposed to be working in them. Recipe for disaster?

But still, a good exercise in making no news good news!

Perhaps our councillors should be scrutinising these projects and how much it is costing us to keep these sites ticking over and publicised.

Exeter Science Park was “topped out” in August 2014:

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Exeter-Science-Park-counting-opening-new-centre/story-22122385-detail/story.html

Skypark was supposed to provide 7,000 new jobs. Only three companies currently operate on the site: the E.ON energy centre for Cranbrook, ampn ambulance call centre and a locally-relocated parcel delivery service. It has proved impossible to find on the net just how many NEW jobs these three organisations have provided at Skypark.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

2 Jul 2015

Posted under

Cranbrook, East Devon Growth Point, Environment (local), Greater Exeter

Devon urban sprawl

The region saw just over 5,000 acres consumed by urban growth in six years, according to a the survey, which shows the loss of an area almost the size of the Quantock Hills or Windsor Great Park, in the outskirts of London.

Almost 4.5% of the arable land in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset saw was turned into bricks and mortar between 2006 and 2012, the new map shows.

This represents around a seventh of the 35,000 acres of agricultural land lost to the spread of towns and cities across the whole UK.

http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Satellite-shows-4-5-Westcountry-swallowed-urban/story-26816236-detail/story.html

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

26 Apr 2015

Posted under

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), Development Management Committee, East Devon Alliance, East Devon Growth Point, EDDC, Environment (local), General Election, Greater Exeter, Land Supply, Local Plan, National Planning Policy Framework, Neighbourhood Plans, NPPF, Planning System, Voting

Who shapes our future?

Anyone who’s been to the new town of Cranbrook lately, will be interested in this link: http://futuresforumvgs.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/where-we-live-now-new-town-home-town.html

Was it Churchill who once said, we shape our buildings and our buildings shape us…

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

2 Apr 2015

Posted under

Cranbrook, East Devon Alliance, East Devon Growth Point, EDDC, Greater Exeter, Latest news, Local Plan, National Planning Policy Framework, West End: WestClyst BroadClyst/ Pinhoe

Cranbrook to swallow Rockbeare?

See http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Villagers-concerned-250-homes-plan-connect/story-26269146-detail/story.html

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

24 Mar 2015

Posted under

Affordable and Social Housing, AONB, Development Management Committee, EDDC, Greater Exeter, Local Plan

Claire Wright’s analysis of housing figures – curious, chilling and mysterious – and not in a good way

The disappearing houses

… And something sinister has happened to all the houses built between 2006 and 2013.

They have disappeared!

Before I get on to this I should explain that in the old draft local plan the plan period was between 2006 and 2026.

The new revisions propose a plan period of 2013 to 2031.

So what has happened to all the houses that were in the old draft local plan between 2006 and 2013?

Have they been erased from the towns and villages that they were built in?

No. They simply have not been counted! This means that the figure of 18,000 is a considerable underestimate. I am not sure how many houses are now unaccounted for but I think we can assume it is several thousand. Which does rather increase the true housing hike up to well over 20,000.

I gave the council quite a blast over all this (as did other councillors including Susie Bond and Ian Thomas and a more than a dozen residents) at this morning’s development management committee meeting, which was packed with around 100 members of the public.

I also asked whether the planning inspector had recommended a housing number for the district. The chief executive indicated that he had not.

Then why I asked, does it say on the press release dated 9 March, that the planning inspector had advised on housing growth of 950 a year? This gives a clear (and totally false) impression that the council was implementing the sort of development levels that the planning inspector had told them to. …”

http://www.claire-wright.org/index.php/post/eddc_proposes_highest_housing_levels_possible_for_district

Scorched earth – literally.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

18 Dec 2014

Posted under

Devolution, EDDC, Exeter City Council, Greater Exeter, Latest news, Teignbridge, Voting

Leader reveals Cabinet sees no need to consult Members of EDDC!

Our final example taken from the very long list of questions at the 17 Dec 2014 Full Council (there were others from Cllrs Hull and Giles). Readers can decide for themselves whether the answers match the questions….

Question 11: Procedure Rule 9.2 to the Leader of the Council from Councillor Ben Ingham

With so many potential options open to EDDC regarding cost saving projects with other councils, does the leadership of EDDC not think it may be viewed as irresponsible to tie ourselves to one tri partied arrangement before the Members of EDDC have had an opportunity to consider the full range of options open to us with other authorities?

Answer:

It would be helpful if the Councillor could provide some examples of the potential options he considers we may be missing out on. Over the last few years we have actively tracked down all sharing and collaboration opportunities with other Councils and have reported major successes with Exeter, Mid Devon, Teignbridge and South Somerset. What we have found is that other Councils ‘talk the talk’ but don’t necessarily ‘walk the walk’. It has been my proud achievement that we have frozen the Council Tax for 5 years in succession, partly as a result of all the costs savings we have achieved through sharing with other Councils.

 

 

 

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

28 Nov 2014

Posted under

East Devon Growth Point, EDDC, Environment (local), Greater Exeter, Local Plan, Neighbourhood Plans, NPPF, Wainhomes

“Build on those sites that have already felt the hand of man”

Martin Hesp, writing in the Western Morning News yesterday, gives a clear case for choosing brownfield sites. See http://www.facebook.com/eastdevonalliance

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

26 Nov 2014

Posted under

Democracy, EDDC, Greater Exeter, Knowle/Honiton/Exmouth relocation, Paul Diviani

Trust and accountability

Why does the Cabinet at EDDC not trust its elected members? The Tories have a large majority, so even if it did not trust OTHER councillors it can, presumably, rely on its own members to agree with its policies.

It seems, from the element of surprise shown, that neither minority councillors nor majority councillors could be trusted by the Cabinet with the knowledge that EDDC was seeking a “Greater Exeter” solution to its current problems.

It also seems that those same majority and minority councillors could not be trusted to give useful input and feedback on a plan to move from Knowle to … well, where rather depends what month you are in!

If you are the Leader of a Cabinet that does not trust the majority of councillors, whatever their political persuasion, and keeps most of its business secret, why on earth would a councillor not in the Cabinet continue to accept such a situation?

Voters expect their councillors to represent them, yet how can they do this when the councillors themselves have no idea what is going on with two of the biggest issues facing the council.

To that we must add a third: the lack of a Local Plan and no 5 year land supply and all the problems that is causing. Yet we hear nothing from majority councillors on this dreadful state of affairs, and none of them seem to feel the need to question what is going on.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee should be investigating these matters, instead of which it is just another rubber stamp committee which asks no questions and uncovers nothing that needs critical examination.

The only hope is that the public can shine lights – but their speaking rights have now been severely constrained, again with almost no dissent from ordinary majority party councillors.

Something is surely badly amiss in the “sovereign state” of East Devon.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

26 Nov 2014

Posted under

EDDC, Exeter City Council, Freedom of Information and EIA, Greater Exeter, Knowle/Honiton/Exmouth relocation, Misc, Skypark, Teignbridge

Comments

1 Comment

EDDC Tory party line on omnishambles: East Devon is “sovereign”

Response sent to a correspondent by EDDC councillor Peter Sullivan on the EDDC omnishambles. You can see the original request at the end of this post.

Interestingly, the reply was copied by Councillor Sullivan to EDDC councillor Phil “I am not and never have been a Whip” Twiss, who responded:

“Thanks for cutting to the chase on this one Peter and saying it as it is”.

Here is the reply, below is the original request for information. You be the judge – if we are a sovereign state. (NB: our bold text)

Definition: “sovereign”: 1. One that exercises supreme, permanent authority, especially in a nation or other governmental unit, as:
a. A king, queen, or other noble person who serves as chief of state; a ruler or monarch.
b. A national governing council or committee.
2. A nation that governs territory outside its borders.
3. A gold coin formerly used in Great Britain.

Dear [Correspondent]

“A memorandum of understanding has been put together which is a starter for taking forward shared services. It will put document on the table which we can now debate within the council and which can go through the democratic process. Without a document on the table there is nothing to discuss.

For as long as I have been a member there have been calls from all political parties for greater links between neighbouring councils I just see this as an on-going process.

In other areas of the country councils are coming together forming combined authorities and attracting considerable financial investment. Although this is not Unitary if that is your concern – the reorganisation into unitary will cost millions, it was about £120M + on-going costs in Cornwall’s case and they are now devolving to 19 regions within the county.

It’s about working together and maintaining our own sovereignty.

As for Sky Park and Manstone this was and has been going through a continuous evaluation recently and this has always been the stated position, as we all know this was only a preferred option not the final agreement as with any business case no decision will be made until ALL the relevant facts and figures are known and with member discussion.

I can remember a major exercise like this with a previous employer who had eventually to look at three different new locations / options for a new HQ, interestingly though it was the Board that made the final decision, the shareholders and workforce and public (even though there was public finances involved ) were informed after the event.

I believe we are being a lot more open and democratic with the way we are moving forward with our future plans.

As you know these issues will be discussed in future council meeting.

Peter Sullivan
[Conservative councillor for Sidmouth Town ward]

This was in response to this enquiry:

Councillors, (also sent to Cllrs Kerridge and Newth)

Three decisions with potentially major consequences for the people of east Devon have been announced by EDDC this week.

1. An agreement has been signed for ever closer union with Exeter and Teignbridge councils.

2. Skypark has been abandoned as a potential site for a new council HQ.

3. The Manstone depot may now be retained as an employment site and accommodate depot facilities currently based at Knowle

I can find no record of any Council, Cabinet, Working Party or sub-committee at which these proposals may have been discussed so can you, as my representatives on EDDC, please tell me:-

1. When and by what means did you first become aware of these decisions?

2. Do you know which Councillors or Officers were involved in making these decisions and on what authority they were published?

I look forward to your responses

[A correspondent]
Sidmouth

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

26 Nov 2014

Posted under

EDDC, Exeter City Council, Greater Exeter, Paul Diviani, Teignbridge

A conundrum and a choice to be made

It appears that all members staff of the University of Exeter were informed of the joint agreement on Exeter City Council, Teignbridge and East Devon working together at the same time that EDDC councillors who had been kept in the dark were told.

If you were an EDDC councillor, not in with the top boys and girls, would you be somewhat annoyed? But will the non- whipped majority party be able to keep a lid on such annoyance?

Time to choose: Leader and his message and his coterie or community, your own voice and service!