Multiple Tory MPs admitted they were increasingly concerned about the impact of high interest rates and inflation on the party at the ballot box, and suggested the public needed to accept they were worse off in the interim.

Eleanor Langford, Chloe Chaplain, Poppy Wood inews.co.uk (Extract)

“The reality is to get inflation under control, people do have to be poor,” one backbench Tory MP told i. “You have to have less money. But that is not a particularly politically sellable strapline.”

They added that the party was “struggling to come up with something that would ease the burden but still have the right effect on inflation”.

This was echoed by a former minister, who said that reducing inflation “almost inevitably means a drop in people’s living standards for a period of time”. “It is a really difficult sell to the public. No-one likes to admit it,” they added….

…It comes after Rishi Sunak faced criticism on Wednesday for telling a man facing a £1,300 increase in mortgage payments due to high interest rates that the average increase was only £200.

He also suggested he could extend his mortgage by a further “five or 10 years” and that it would “save you hundreds of pounds”.

Spot the fake – Owl

As the bank rate goes up again there is new ministerial advice to “get on your bike”.

Where has Owl heard that advice before?

Ah yes 1981, when interest rates were 14%.

Those were the Tory “Glory Days”! – Owl

The over-50s should consider delivering takeaways and other flexible jobs traditionally targeted at young people if they want to maintain their lifestyle into old age, a cabinet minister has said.

Geraldine Scott www.thetimes.co.uk

In an interview with The Times, Mel Stride, the work and pensions secretary, said older people needed to be thinking about jobs they “might not have otherwise thought of” if their finances were stretched.

Stride urged employers to give older workers greater flexibility, to attract them back to the workplace. He also suggested that companies should avoid getting dragged into political debates, to make older workers feel at home.

About 8.6 million people, equivalent to one in five working adults, are classed as economically inactive, according to the Office for National Statistics. More than 3.4 million of them are over 50 but under the retirement age.

The figures are of acute concern because of the strain they have already placed on a labour market where many employers are struggling to recruit. The Bank of England has warned that the situation will make high inflation persist.

Analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies think tank has found that nearly half of older people who dropped out of the workforce at the start of the pandemic are struggling financially.

Stride said he did not want to imply there was anything wrong with retiring early, but that it was his “mission” to “try and open people’s eyes to what their current situation is and what the opportunities are”.

The minister was speaking on a visit to the food delivery firm Deliveroo’s headquarters in London. The company has recorded a 62 per cent increase in riders aged over 50 since 2021.

Asked if the over-50s should apply for jobs traditionally seen as being for younger people, Stride replied: “There are loads of great opportunities out there for people and it’s of course good for people to consider options they might not have otherwise thought of.”

He said of firms such as Deliveroo: “What we’re seeing here is the ability to log on and off anytime you like, no requirement to have to do a certain number of hours over a certain period of time, which is driving huge opportunities . . . From an employer’s point of view in a tight labour market, it’s absolutely essential if you want to access all the available talent that you provide as flexible an offer as you can.”

The government has introduced digital “midlife MoTs” that allow people to take a realistic look at not only their health but their finances. Stride said: “You really do need to sensibly stop, take where you are in life, and assess whether for example you’ve got enough money to get you through with the kind of lifestyle and living standards that you’re expecting.

“We tend to think everything is going to continue roughly as it is and you’ll always be able to find a job later on in life. I think it’s always valuable just to take stock every now and again and have a look at that.”

Although some have opted for early retirement, a record 2.5 million people are not working because of long-term sickness. Stride said he was keen to see companies implement occupational health schemes to keep people in work.

He said he “found myself identifying” with Abdul Javaid, 51, a Deliveroo rider who had lost 10kg since taking up the job. Javaid, a grandfather based in Kingston upon Thames in southwest London, said: “It can help with fitness, it can help with flexibility, it can help with fitting into a part of their life where it serves a useful purpose, amongst other things, and not every kind of job offers that.”

Stride said it was also down to employers to make older staff feel welcome, urging them to ensure that their workplace culture or stance on social issues did not alienate the over-50s.

“I think most people find it deeply unattractive to go and work for an employer that’s all about politics and all of that kind of stuff,” he said. “It has to be a sensible balance, and I think older people have generally had enough life experience to roll with those kinds of things anyway.”

For his part, Stride, 61, said he had no intention of retiring early and was planning to stand at the next election. “I’m very happy doing what I’m doing at the moment,” he said. “Of course, as we know in politics, nothing is certain, so who knows where I’ll be in many years’ time — but I very much hope and aspire to be continuing to do this job, because it’s the greatest job in the world.”

He said the government was making progress on reducing waiting lists but then strikes happened across the health service.

Nurses in England voted to end strike action by accepting a 5% pay rise earlier this year, but this now transpires to be the smallest rise across the public sector.

by Matt Bodell nursingnotes.co.uk

Speaking on LBC yesterday morning, Mr Sunak said: “If you look at what happened, we were actually making progress – we eliminated the number of two-year waiters, people waiting a very long time, we practically eliminated the number of people waiting one and a half years.

“And we were making progress on bringing the overall numbers down – what happened? We had industrial action and we got strikes.”

He added that “unfortunately” doctors were still on strike – “that is the reason waiting lists are going up, it’s as simple as that”.

Nurses in England voted to end strike action by accepting a 5% pay rise earlier this year, but this now transpires to be the smallest rise across the public sector.

According to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), junior doctors have already received an average of an 8.8% pay uplift but they continue to fight for pay restoration.

A low blow.

Unions have dubbed Mr Sunak’s comments as “a low blow” as staff were striking over deteriorating care standards alongside pay and working conditions.

Responding to the Prime Minister’s comments, Royal College of Nursing Director for England, Patricia Marquis said: “This comment adds insult to injury. Blaming nurses for the state of the NHS is a low blow. Nursing staff voted to strike last year out of concern at deteriorating care standards and spiralling waiting times.

“Waiting lists were growing long before the pandemic and strike action – and the prime minister should take responsibility for the knife-edge position of the NHS and not point the finger.

“Nursing staff are doing everything they can but simply don’t have enough people to give patients the care they need. And the distress that this causes affects staff’s health, eventually leading to complete demoralisation and to nurses leaving the NHS.

“One way the government can address the crisis in the health service, and help ensure patients get the care they need, is by valuing the nursing profession properly and paying nurses fairly – otherwise we’ll see nurses continue to leave in their droves.”

Rishi Sunak’s advice to “jack” who, during the PM’s interview on LBC, said he faced increases in mortgage payments from £1,500 to £2,800 when his two-year fixed rate comes to an end this month.

When was the last time anyone passed a bank, let alone tried to actually speak to someone? – Owl

Background

The 2013 Tory administration set East Devon an eighteen year target to build a minimum of 950 houses/year (17,100 in total by 2031).

This binding target (Poisoned Chalice) is what the Lib Dem, Independent and Green Coalition inherited, and they are lumbered with it. Worse, under government rules, they have to ensure a five year rolling plan to supply these houses.

Because of the impact of Covid on house building, EDDC currently can only demonstrate that it can bring forward development sites to provide 4.68  years worth (including a 5% buffer) of development. 

Under government rules, which keep changing, unless a local authority can show a 5 year supply, a presumption of development will apply to all development irrespective of neighbourhood plans, built-up area boundaries, green fields etc. – Owl

The impact of a new development proposed for East Devon has been deemed ‘so harmful’ to the area it would ‘significantly’ outweigh its benefits, a new report has found.  

Local Democracy Reporter eastdevonnews.co.uk

Plans to build houses on a field just outside a village near Ottery St Mary received just one letter of support – and that turned out to be a sarcastic note of ‘approval’ from an objector, writes local democracy reporter Guy Henderson.

Now East Devon District Council (EDDC) has underlined its opposition to the plan and has called for an inquiry into the scheme to be held in public.

Members of the council’s planning committee met last Friday (July 28) to consider the proposal for 23 homes off Oak Road at West Hill. They heard that because the council had not ruled on the application by a legal deadline, it would have to be decided by a planning inspector at an appeal.

However, they decided to send a clear message to the inspector that the Morrish Homes scheme should not be allowed, and that any inquiry should be heard in public rather than being decided in private by the inspector reading written submissions.

Planning officers said any future residents wouldn’t find it easy to access local facilities and services, meaning the development would be ‘car-dependent’. A number of ‘significant protected trees’ would also be at risk.

The applicants say that because the site will be expensive to develop, the amount of affordable housing they could provide would be diminished. Officers disagreed.

Their report summed up: “Taking all of the evidence into account, the adverse impacts of the proposed development are so harmful as to significantly and demonstrably outweigh its benefits.”

But members were warned that because the district can’t meet its government targets for a five-year supply of land for housing, it is vulnerable on housing developments.

Neighbours Richard Green and Peter Shrubsole spoke against the proposal, with Mr Shrubsole saying: “Not a single supportive submission has been made, with the exception of one very sarcastic one which was, in fact, an objection.”

Villager Robert George said the development was not sustainable, and Alan Cook described it as ‘dense and unsympathetic’.

West Hill Parish Council chair Alison Carr said local schools and GP surgeries were already over-stretched, and Cllr Jessica Bailey (Independent, West Hill and Aylesbeare) said there were ‘very compelling grounds’ to throw out the plans.

Cllr Brian Bailey (Con, Exmouth Littleham) told the committee: “There are so many things that this scheme goes against, and there is no provision for affordable homes.

“As far as I am concerned it is not going to fly at all.”

The committee agreed unanimously to tell the secretary of state that the council would have refused the application, and to urge the planning inspector to decide the issue at an informal hearing rather than through written submissions.

Turn up the gas!

Police are cracking down on anti-social behaviour and other offences in East and Mid Devon.

It’s part of what they call Operation Loki, which a number of councils across the county have lauded as a positive step to make their areas safer or more attractive to residents and visitors.

Radio Exe News www.radioexe.co.uk

The latest campaign started last week in Seaton, Sidmouth, Honiton and Axminster. It will continue in Tiverton, Cullompton, Crediton and Exmouth later this month.

People will see officers on foot patrols, as well as in marked police vehicles during the period of intensification. They will focus on locations where ASB is a problem or issues have been reported to them.

Inspector Phil Gray, inspector for rural East Devon, said: “Over the course of the last few days we were joined by officers from the Devon & Cornwall Police Professional Development Unit, members of the Special Constabulary, colleagues from Roads Policing and the Prevent and Detect Team. We also worked with Youth Intervention Officers, homeless outreach staff and some members of the council who form part of the Community Safety Partnership.

“We work with partners to make sure that we reach those people in vulnerable groups who may need extra support. We like to engage with as many people as possible of all ages and get feedback on how we can help with any local concerns or priorities. We want to keep our communities safe, disrupt incidents of Anti Social Behaviour and make arrests where appropriate. If you see the officers out and about please come and say hello and let us know how we can help you.”

In Seaton, several vehicles were checked with the help of automatic number plate recognition systems and three people were also stopped and dealt with for drugs possession. 

On Friday, police were joined by representatives from Sidmouth Town Council, Gateway Homelessness Action Group, East Devon District Council Community Safety Partnership and other departments including roads policing.

Two vehicles were seized for having no tax, seven motorists were reported for vehicle and document defects and there were several stops for suspected driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs resulting in two arrests. Foot patrols took place in areas of anti-social behaviour and at least 30 motorists were detected for speeding through Sidford.

In Honiton, a specialist undercover team arrested someone for driving whilst being unfit through drugs, having no insurance and being in possession of a class B drug. Enquiries found they were also a disqualified driver.

The local neighbourhood police team stopped a motorist for having no insurance and no driving licence and another vehicle was seized as that motorist also had no driving licence. Two people were searched under the Misuse of Drugs Act and a vulnerable person was located and escorted home with the appropriate referrals to support agencies being made.

Police in Axminster searched a motorist and their vehicle which led to cocaine, cannabis, money and phones being seized. An arrest was made for drug driving, possession with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. The car was seized. A separate vehicle was seized after it was discovered the driver had an expired driving licence.

How desperate to win votes do you have to be to be seen pulling a pint when you don’t even drink the stuff?

Will he be vaping next?

And as the heckler points out, forget the spin behind this stunt, overall alcohol duties are going UP – Owl

Is he trying to be trendy, albeit 20 years too late?

Is it, as some have suggested, an attempt by a diminutive man to create an illusion of height on the world stage? 

Or is the wealthiest UK prime minister in history wearing children’s sizes to avoid paying VAT?

Just asking. – Owl

[Sunak comes up short as he tries to stay on-trend www.thetimes.co.uk]

No resources for councillors’ police training

Despite Alison Hernandez’s bumper 6% hike in the police slice of your council tax. – Owl

Torridge councillors have got the hump with the police over their refusal to give them training sessions to help tackle crime.

Alison Stephenson, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk

Members of the council’s external overview and scrutiny committee said police are always asking for their support, but not willing to give them bite-sized training sessions  – a move which has left them feeling miffed.

Meeting chair Cheryl Cottle-Hunkin (Lib Dem, Shebbear and Langtree) said when she was a new councillor four years ago she went on a police workshop which was available to all councillors and gave them a snap shot of how police build intelligence, such recognising the signs of ‘county lines’ drugs operations.

“They are saying now they don’t have the resources to put together a programme,” she said. “They want our support but when we request it of them, they say they don’t have the capacity to provide it.

“The police talk about connecting communities and say all the right things but if there is nothing in place to coordinate it’s not going to work.”

Vice chair Cllr Annie Brenton (Lab, Bideford West) said at the first meeting of the new council following the elections, a police officer assured councillors that police wanted to support them and encourage them to get involved.

“It’s a two-way street actually. If they want us to support them and encourage our community to support them then they have to support us,” said Cllr Brenton.

She said the programme was already available, and it was a poor excuse not to be able to provide it to the rest of the council.

“To not let us sit in on this scheme and get this bite-sized information is ludicrous,” she said: “Our community is concerned about policing in our area. We need to go back to the police on this.”

Pressure will be put on police officers at the community safety partnership meeting in the autumn.

Untreated sewage was discharged from storm overflow pipes into protected areas across England and Wales for more than 300,000 hours last year, research has found.

Kieran Gair www.thetimes.co.uk

Untreated wastewater was released within 50 metres of a protected nature site more than 1,000 times, according to data obtained by Greenpeace.

The worst-affected areas included the Solent and Dorset coast, a large special protected area (SPA) spanning the West Sussex, Isle of Wight and Dorset coasts, with 14,174 hours of sewage spills last year. Bognor Regis, a coastal town popular during the holiday season, falls within a special area of conservation (SAC) and was given a “poor” bathing status this year. Human waste was identified as the main cause of pollution.

The River Derwent and Bassenthwaite Lake, a conservation area encompassing parts of the Lake District, was one of the worst-hit areas, receiving more than 6,600 hours of sewage. It is the constituency of the Tory MP Trudy Harrison, the minister for natural environment and land use.

Pembrokeshire Marine SAC, one of the largest marine conservation areas in the UK, suffered 6,997 hours of sewage spills last year. Waste spilled into the River Avon SAC, which runs from Bristol to Bath, for 6,960 hours last year. People have reported getting seriously ill from swimming in the River Avon.

Plymouth Sounds and Estuary SAC, which straddles the borders of Devon and Cornwall, is another popular holiday destination that was heavily hit with sewage discharges, receiving 11,436 hours last year. This year, the utility company South West Water was fined £2.1 million for incidents dating back to 2016, including one discharge from Torpoint sewage treatment works into Plymouth Sounds.

The data found that rivers, lakes and marine areas “already in danger” received more than 200,000 hours of sewage.

A separate analysis of Environment Agency data by the Liberal Democrats found that there were 1,504 sewage dumps last year on “blue flag” beaches — which are meant to have the highest water quality — lasting 8,497 hours.

Much of Britain’s sewer network built before 1960 is designed to handle surface water from rainfall and sewage together, meaning that systems can be overwhelmed during downpours and are prone to overflowing.

The industry estimates that to fix the problem will require £56 billion of investment. Under present plans, sewage releases will be ended by 2050. McMahon has introduced a private member’s bill to bring this forward to 2030, introducing legally binding targets for water firms.

The water sector recently apologised for sewage spills from storm overflows and promised to spend £10 billion this decade to tackle them.

The Times Clean it Up campaign has urged regulators to take stronger action against polluters, and to consider the idea floated by Emma Howard Boyd, a former Environment Agency chairwoman, of jail sentences for water company chiefs behind the worst incidents.

Plus a Bugatti and yacht. www.bbc.co.uk

So the Tories abolished the Audit Commission in 2015 – more importantly WHY? 

Turned out well hasn’t it… how many Tory councils are now effectively bankrupt having treated ratepayers money like a spin of the roulette wheel with hugely speculative investments. – Owl

Former Tory Minister Savages PM over North Sea Oil Plan. He added:

also on “wrong side of a future economy” based on renewables;

and on “wrong side of modern voters, who will vote with their feet at the next general election for parties that protect, and not threaten, our environment”.

Three strikes and you’re out? – Owl

Kevin Schofield www.huffingtonpost.co.uk 

A former Tory minister has condemned Rishi Sunak’s decision to give the green light to more oil and gas drilling in the North Sea.

Chris Skidmore, who used to be the government’s net zero tsar, said issuing hundreds of new exploration licences was “the wrong decision at precisely the wrong time”.

Sunak has insisted that new oil and gas extraction from the North Sea is compatible with the UK’s goal of achieving net zero by 2050.

He said it would also make Britain less reliant on having to import energy from abroad.

But in a blistering statement, Skidmore – who served in Boris Johnson’s cabinet as energy minister – said it was a disastrous move for the country as well as the Conservatives.

He said: “It is on the wrong side of a future economy that will be founded on renewable and clean industries and not fossil fuels.

“It is on the wrong side of modern voters, who will vote with their feet at the next general election for parties that protect, and not threaten, our environment.

″And it is on the wrong side of history, that will not look favourably on the decision taken today.”

Skidmore, who is standing down at the next election, also said it was wrong that the announcement was made whole parliament is in recess, denying MPs the chance to scrutinise it in the Commons.

Speaking in Aberdeenshire, where he also announced plans for a new carbon capture scheme, Sunak defended the move despite the mounting criticism from environmental campaigners.

He said: “It’s really important for everybody to recognise that even in 2050 when we are at net zero, it is forecast that around a quarter of our energy needs will still come from oil and gas.

“What is important is that we get that oil and gas in the best possible way and that means getting it from here at home – better for our energy security, better for jobs but also better for the climate because if we’re going to need it, it’s far better to have it here at home rather than from halfway round the world.”

The public can ‘wild camp’ in Dartmoor again without landowners’ permission after the National Park Authority won their appeal case.

By Esme Stallard www.bbc.co.uk

The right to do so had been allowed under a decades-old local law until January this year, when it was challenged by a local landowner.

It will now return as the only place in England where wild camping is allowed without permission.

Open Spaces Society, which also brought the appeal said it “was delighted”.

At the centre of this case was whether wild camping can be considered open-air recreation, which is allowed in the Park under the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985.

Local landowners, Alexander Darwall, a hedge fund manager, and his wife Diana – who have owned a 4,000 acre (16-km sq) estate in southern Dartmoor since 2013 – argued that it did not and wanted to revoke permission to their land for camping.

Their original High Court challenge and victory in January brought thousands of people out in protest and sparked a nationwide debate on public access in the English countryside.

The National Park Authority and the UK’s oldest conservation charity, the Open Spaces Society (OSS) brought an appeal this month against that decision.

In the summary judgement, confirming victory for the charities, Lord Justice Underhill said that wild camping “plainly fell” within the definition of open air recreation as many people “took pleasure in the experience of sleeping in a tent in open country”.

On hearing the result Kate Ashbrook, general secretary of the Open Spaces Society said: “This is an excellent outcome, we are relieved that the judges ruled unanimously and conclusively that open-air recreation includes backpack camping on the commons.”

Kevin Bishop, chief executive for Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: “[the judgement] means people can experience the joys of backpack camping on Dartmoor, provided everyone follows the leave no trace principle.”

A representative for the Darwalls has been approached for comment.

The hearing, which took place two weeks ago included some bizarre exchanges between the lawyers and judges.

Timothy Morshead KC acting for the Darwalls, had argued that sleep cannot be considered to be “recreation” as you are not conscious.

But Sir Geoffrey Vos, one of the judges presiding said there was no difference between a walker or painter who rested on the ground after their activity and fell asleep and a walker that came into the park and erected a tent.

Morshead said that the Darwalls took objection to the erection of tent ‘structures’.

The judges proceeded to asked him where the line should be drawn on erecting structures – would inflatable goalposts from Argos for children to play football be allowed, they asked?

Tim Straker KC acting for the Park and OSS said the practice of wild camping does not involve significant structures like camper vans “which on Dartmoor are directed to designated or registered sites”.

The victory was met with delight by environmental charities on Monday after the verdict broke.

But Guy Shrubsole, co-founder of campaign group Right to Roam, said this was not the end of the fight for land rights.

He called for a new Right to Roam Act for England so that wild camping can be extended beyond Dartmoor.

Claire Wright, the three-times Independent parliamentary candidate for East Devon, is backing Liberal Democrat MP, Richard Foord, to take the new Honiton & Sidmouth constituency at the next general election.

Philippa Davies www.midweekherald.co.uk

Running against Conservative candidates, Claire achieved second place in the last three general elections, gaining almost 26,000 votes and over 40 per cent of the vote in December 2019.

She has now revealed that she has been talking with Richard over the last few months about how she can best support his campaign to win the newly formed constituency, which includes Claire’s home town of Ottery St Mary.

Richard spectacularly won the Tiverton and Honiton seat last year in a shock 6,144 majority by-election result, after disgraced Conservative MP, Neil Parish was forced to stand aside. It had previously been a safe Conservative seat.

Claire said: “I remain as fascinated with politics as ever and have been following Richard’s work since his election. What I have observed over the past year is a dedicated, hard-working, thoroughly decent man who cares very much about his constituents, so I contacted him to pledge my support.

“Richard’s priorities are very similar to my own, which were established after surveying hundreds of people and listening to thousands of others during my role as a county councillor for many years.

“Richard has already demonstrated that he is a committed champion for our precious NHS, which has been eviscerated after years of deliberate neglect by a government that doesn’t appear to believe in the welfare state.

“He also cares very much about, and is active on, environmental issues, including working to prevent sewage in our rivers and coastal waters and most recently speaking at a parliamentary debate to save our migratory birds from extinction, following the submission of a petition signed by over 100,000 people.

“Richard argued in favour of creating a new ‘swift brick’ policy – a simple and cheap option to help the birds nest, that ministers (and other local Conservative MPs) have disgracefully dismissed.

“He has also demonstrated that he cares very much about people who are desperately struggling in society, speaking out on local decisions to remove funding from the most vulnerable people, including those who are homeless.

“This is the man I want to be my MP.”

“Unfortunately, the government and its local representatives are attempting to hoodwink us by claiming that they will fix the very things that they have so badly and knowingly broken, while blaming other events and people for what has gone wrong.

“I really hope that local people will see through the hackneyed lines and lies and turn their backs on this endless deceit, instead supporting a conscientious and hard-working man, who cares far more about his constituents than he ever would about the slippery career pole and desire to divide and rule, that appears to motivate other local parliamentary representatives.

“By-elections are very different beasts from general elections and last year Richard was supported by thousands of Liberal Democrat activists from across the country. This time, he will need the support of a large number of local people to win the seat.”

Anyone interested in helping the campaign to get Richard elected is asked to contact Niamh Purvis at organiser.tivhonlibdems@gmail.com

• Hip to gable roof space conversion. 10 East Drive Exmouth Devon EX8 3LRRef. No: 23/1594/FUL | Validated: Thu 20 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed conversion of outbuilding to garage, office, gym and annexe Swallows Nest Payhembury Honiton EX14 3HJRef. No: 23/1595/FUL | Validated: Thu 20 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of single storey rear extension and conversion of existing garage to habitable space with roof lights2 Stoneborough Lane Budleigh Salterton Devon EX9 6HLRef. No: 23/1597/CPL | Validated: Thu 20 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Diversion of public footpath no. 7 (section west of connection to public footpath no. 1) Mount Houlditch Farm Toadpit Lane West Hill Ottery St Mary EX11 1LQRef. No: 23/1579/FDO | Validated: Wed 19 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• The erection of a Vmesh sports security fence.Glebe Park Upottery Honiton EX14 9RHRef. No: 23/1588/CPL | Validated: Thu 20 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Reinstatement of a perimeter path to improve access to visitors. A La Ronde Summer Lane Exmouth Devon EX8 5BDRef. No: 23/1582/FUL | Validated: Wed 19 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of agricultural fodder and machinery storage building Readshill Farm Birchill Axminster EX13 7LBRef. No: 23/1577/FUL | Validated: Fri 21 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed widening of existing driveway Nimrods Membury Devon EX13 7TGRef. No: 23/1573/FUL | Validated: Tue 18 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed single storey side extension.42 Elizabeth Road Seaton EX12 2DRRef. No: 23/1575/CPL | Validated: Wed 19 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Raising of existing garage roof and change of use to an annexe Greenhayes Ham Stockland EX13 7HLRef. No: 23/1578/FUL | Validated: Tue 18 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed widening of existing driveway Nimrods Membury Devon EX13 7TGRef. No: 23/1574/LBC | Validated: Tue 18 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of slurry lagoon Land East Of Newcott Farm Yarcombe Honiton EX14 9NDRef. No: 23/1572/FUL | Validated: Fri 21 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed two storey rear extension with new first floor side window 4 Garratt Close Exmouth EX8 5PJRef. No: 23/1576/FUL | Validated: Fri 21 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• New single story extension to replace existing single storey infill extension between rear tenements and removal of kitchen window on East Elevation and replacement with a single door. 4 Lawn View Woolcombe Lane Sidmouth EX10 9BZRef. No: 23/1551/FUL | Validated: Tue 18 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of single storey side extension 1 Northill Cottages Broadhembury Devon EX14 3LPRef. No: 23/1565/FUL | Validated: Mon 17 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replacement of existing two bedroom dwelling and variation to domestic curtilage line Crofters Upottery EX14 9QYRef. No: 23/1562/FUL | Validated: Wed 19 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed detached single storey store The Knoll Stockland Devon EX14 9EFRef. No: 23/1566/FUL | Validated: Fri 21 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed dormer window 2 York Road Seaton Devon EX12 2SARef. No: 23/1561/FUL | Validated: Tue 18 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed 4 new dwellings at Egremont Barns, Payhembury, Honiton, EX14 3JA (Fallback Position to Approved Q Class Permitted Rights Development) Egremont Barn Payhembury EX14 3JARef. No: 23/1556/FUL | Validated: Wed 19 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed first floor extension and rebuilding of conservatory with steel frame. 1 Knowle Hill Budleigh Salterton EX9 7ALRef. No: 23/1554/FUL | Validated: Fri 21 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed replacement of existing corrugated roofing sheets to rear lean-to extension with natural slate tiles and insertion of 2 no. roof windows. Coopers Cottage The Green Whimple Devon EX5 2TZRef. No: 23/1559/LBC | Validated: Mon 17 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1: Red Oak – prune branches to the West side. Cuts distal to previous cuts / pointstem reduction clearance on the church side. T2: Cherry – crown reduce by 1-2m height and spread. Remove deadwood throughout. T3: Yew – reduce radial spread over the boundary by 1.5m length. St Nicholas Church DunkeswellRef. No: 23/1568/TCA | Validated: Tue 18 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• TP1: Magnolia – fell.. Silverdale Bickwell Valley Sidmouth EX10 8SGRef. No: 23/1569/TCA | Validated: Tue 18 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of agricultural storage building and concrete apron (straw storage) Rydon Farm Rydon Lane Woodbury Devon EX5 1LBRef. No: 23/1557/FUL | Validated: Tue 18 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of agricultural storage building and concrete apron (machinery storage) Rydon Farm Rydon Lane Woodbury Devon EX5 1LBRef. No: 23/1558/FUL | Validated: Tue 18 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• To erect 2 bed detached bungalow 34 Raleigh Road Ottery St Mary Devon EX11 1TGRef. No: 23/1538/FUL | Validated: Thu 20 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Roof Dormer to Front Elevation Harwood Lea West Hill Road West Hill EX11 1TPRef. No: 23/1550/FUL | Validated: Tue 18 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replacement of the existing rear conservatory Chamberlains Cottage Brampford Speke EX5 5DRRef. No: 23/1543/LBC | Validated: Mon 17 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replacement of the existing rear conservatory Chamberlains Cottage Brampford Speke EX5 5DRRef. No: 23/1542/FUL | Validated: Mon 17 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replace 2no. ground floor windows on front south west elevation [Previous submission 22/1383/LBC] Cobblers Hawkchurch EX13 5XDRef. No: 23/1535/LBC | Validated: Wed 19 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed rear extension to replace existing sun room 33 Belle Vue Road Exmouth EX8 3DPRef. No: 23/1519/FUL | Validated: Mon 17 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• General purpose agricultural building (phase 3) Buckeshayes Farm Upottery Devon EX14 9RQRef. No: 23/1529/FUL | Validated: Mon 17 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• General purpose agricultural building (phase 1) Buckeshayes Farm Upottery Devon EX14 9RQRef. No: 23/1527/FUL | Validated: Mon 17 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• General purpose agricultural building (phase 2) Buckeshayes Farm Upottery Devon EX14 9RQRef. No: 23/1528/FUL | Validated: Mon 17 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Five caravan bases on existing holiday caravan park Long Range Park Whimple Devon EX5 2QTRef. No: 23/1522/FUL | Validated: Thu 20 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use of bank (Class E) to hot food takeaway (sui generis) and installation of extraction and ventilation equipment with associated external works. 86 High Street Honiton Devon EX14 1JNRef. No: 23/1508/FUL | Validated: Thu 20 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of porch on east elevation, removal of section of boundary bank to create new access to driveway, new fencing along north east boundary, provision of 3 no.new timber gates, and relocation of garden studio and shed The Chantry Combe Raleigh Devon EX14 4TQRef. No: 23/1499/FUL | Validated: Fri 21 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Certificate for lawful development existing use of Wadsbury Farm Cottage as a holiday let Wadsbury Cottage Stockland EX14 9EXRef. No: 23/1495/CPE | Validated: Fri 21 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Change of use from kennels to 3no. dwellings including associated works and parking. Barn Close Kennels Combe Raleigh Devon EX14 4SGRef. No: 23/1496/FUL | Validated: Tue 18 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of porch on east elevation, relocation of front door, new internal configurations to hall, kitchen, utility, WC and store areas; removal of first floor bathroom window, addition of 3no. vents for bathrooms and dryer, moving soil vent; provision of 2no. new timber gates, and new external water tap The Chantry Combe Raleigh Devon EX14 4TQRef. No: 23/1500/LBC | Validated: Fri 21 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposal is to build a moveable cabin on the site of an existing caravan. The proposed cabin would be a wooden single-storey structure, dimensions: 8.2M X 5M. The cabin would be used for family and friends to staySheldon Court Sheldon EX14 4QURef. No: 23/1487/CPL | Validated: Mon 17 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Oak – crown reduction by up to 6m. Removal of dead wood. Prospect Filling Station Lyme Road Axminster EX13 5BHRef. No: 23/1470/TRE | Validated: Thu 20 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Listed building consent for rear extension (part two storey, part one storey) with replacement of 1980s link section, creation of new entrance, replacement fenestration to 1980s element, building and installation of eco plant room to house low carbon heating system and renewable technologies. Replacement rendering to old cottage and improved drainage. Nutwalls Aylesbeare Exeter EX5 2JNRef. No: 23/1465/LBC | Validated: Mon 17 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1, Beech trees : crown lift to approximately 4m from ground level along the internal boundary; target prune the higher limbs that are encroaching into the property back in by 3 – 4m. Prune the lower limbs over the road. T2, Beech -: crown reduction by approximately 30%: up to 4m from tip of crown with maximum diameter cuts of 120mm; crown lift to approximately 3m. Martlets 2 Coppice Close Crewkerne Road Axminster EX13 5SYRef. No: 23/1474/TRE | Validated: Wed 19 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Rear extension (part two storey, part one storey) with replacement of 1980s link section, creation of new entrance, replacement fenestration to 1980s element, building and installation of eco plant room to house low carbon heating system and renewable technologies. Replacement rendering to old cottage and improved drainage. Nutwalls Aylesbeare Exeter EX5 2JNRef. No: 23/1464/FUL | Validated: Mon 17 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Prior approval for proposed change of use of agricultural building to a dwelling (Use Class C3) and for building operations reasonably necessary for the conversion under Class Q(a) and Q(b) Star Barton Farm Cowley EX5 5DGRef. No: 23/1453/PDQ | Validated: Tue 18 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Certificate of lawfulness to establish that the construction of a terrace to be used for agricultural purposes took place in excess of 4 years ago The Workshop Longmeadow Road Lympstone EX8 5LFRef. No: 23/1445/CPE | Validated: Thu 20 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Variation of condition 4 (working hours) of application 14/0187/MFUL (Refurbishment and extension of existing apartment blocks (inc additional levels) and construction of new link apartment block to provide an additional 30 no residential apartments and additional parking provision) ; construction or demolition works shall be carried out, or deliveries received outside of the following hours: 7:30 am to 5:30 pm monday to friday and 8 am to 1 pm on saturdays and not on sundays and public holidays. Fosse Way Court Seaton EX12 2LPRef. No: 23/1442/VAR | Validated: Mon 17 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed creation of a new private access way for agricultural use. Linhayes Farringdon Exeter EX5 2JERef. No: 23/1432/AGR | Validated: Thu 20 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Erection of a detached dependant relatives residential annexe within the existing domestic planning unit (Use class C3) for occupancy exclusively in association with the existing dwelling house on the site. Homefield Oil Mill Lane Clyst St Mary Exeter EX5 1AGRef. No: 23/1425/FUL | Validated: Thu 20 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed single storey building for use as a community room Westclyst Community Primary School Maddick Road Exeter Devon EX1 3YGRef. No: 23/1403/FUL | Validated: Wed 19 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Repair works to old tracks, including resurfacing and provision of pull-in and turning areas. Heathayne Wood ColytonRef. No: 23/1374/AGR | Validated: Tue 18 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Replacement signage on front south west elevation 42-44 Queens House New Street Honiton Devon EX14 1BJRef. No: 23/1368/LBC | Validated: Tue 18 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed earth lined slurry lagoon with floating cover. Phillishayes Farm Upottery Devon EX14 9PFRef. No: 23/1169/FUL | Validated: Wed 19 Jul 2023 | Status: Awaiting decision

Yet Owl still flies!

The licence fee to keep a shotgun in Devon and Cornwall is to go up – although it hasn’t been agreed to what level, or when.

Nearly two years after the tragic shootings in Plymouth, the rise was endorsed by members of the region’s police and crime panel as they were told of measures to reduce the risk to the public.

Alison Stephenson, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk

Five people in Keyham died at the hands of gunman Jake Davison in August 2021, and earlier this year significant failings were found in the police’s handling of the initial shotgun licence given to him.

Speaking to the police and crime panel in Plymouth, police and crime commissioner Alison Hernandez, whose job it is to hold the chief constable to account, said she was assured that appropriate steps were being taken to respond to risk since the shootings.

Ms Hernandez said another £500,000 on top of £750,000 of additional funds had been invested in the force’s firearms and explosives licensing team to train offices in handling licence applications. Staff numbers have also  increased from 44 to 99.

An alliance with Dorset Police has also been scrapped so the force can concentrate on the issues it faces.

Devon and Cornwall Police manages the highest volume of firearms certificates and licences in the country – 40,000. It is claimed this is because of the rural and agricultural nature of the region.

Members of the panel raised concerns over the cost of processing licence applications and pleaded for temporary licences to be scrapped to save money.

“Temporary licences should be stopped and people should have their guns confiscated until they have the appropriate licence,” said Cllr Mandy Ewings (Ind, Tavistock South West).

Cllr Laura Wright (Lab, St Thomas, Exeter) said administrators were vital when it came to tightening up procedures but, at under £15 an hour, they were not coming into the service. More money needed to be made from the licences to pay for the cost of issuing them, she said.

“I pay a licence fee to watch BBC which is £159 a year and I’m happy to pay this but is it right that someone can own a potentially lethal instrument for £79?”

Miss Hernandez said the £79 was not just for one year but for five years: “It’s absolutely out of kilter with public feeling. It cannot be justified that’s it only that over a five year period. For people who don’t use guns in their day to day lives, it doesn’t feel right anyway, and gun users accept it’s got to change. The licence cost has not been reviewed since 2012.”

She said that she would support a fee which was rational but was not supporting “full cost recovery” which drove inefficiencies and put the burden on the customer.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary said that although Devon and Cornwall had made significant progress, concerns remained over a backlog in processing licence applications and the improper use of temporary permits.

Rural voters are becoming increasingly “politically homeless”, ministers have been warned, as polling suggests that support for the Conservatives in the countryside has rapidly declined.

Aubrey Allegretti www.theguardian.com

Labour is the main beneficiary but must “up its game” to see the change translate into votes at the next general election, said Jonathan Roberts, the director of external affairs at the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

Fears about a drop-off in support across traditionally Tory-leaning rural areas have been compounded by a string of byelection losses, most recently in Selby and Ainsty, the North Yorkshire seat in which Labour overturned a mammoth Conservative majority.

Concerns that rural communities have been neglected by Westminster stretch back much further and are the fault of governments of all colours, argued Roberts.

“It’s very difficult for rural people to fully understand who is championing way of life,” he said. “There hasn’t been a robust and ambitious plan to grow the rural economy, and create good jobs and strengthen those communities and allow rural businesses to grow.”

Polling conducted by Survation found that support for the Conservatives among voters in the 100 most rural constituencies had dropped by 18 points to 41% compared with the 2019 general election. The party narrowly stayed out in front of Labour, whose support rose by 16 points to 35%. The Liberal Democrats fell by three points to sit on 13%.

The cost of living, a lack of growth and building more homes were among the most pressing issues highlighted by those surveyed.

Too often, Roberts said, the countryside is viewed “a place for people to go and to visit, rather than a fundamentally important part of our society and economy”.

The Lib Dems have performed well at byelections in rural seats such as Tiverton and Honiton, Somerton and Frome, and North Shropshire, but Roberts argued that at a general election voters are “less likely to cast their vote as a protest and looking at more seriously who is likely to form the next government”.

The CLA, which represents 28,000 rural businesses across England and Wales, fears that the divide between cities and the countryside has been widening. If closed, the productivity gap in the rural economy could raise the economic output of England alone by £43bn, according to the group.

A 28-page strategy for “unleashing rural opportunity” was published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in June.

Roberts acknowledged that the government had shown “some signs of responding” to the CLA’s concerns. But he cautioned: “There’s a question as to whether that’s going to be a little bit too late.”

A more longstanding failure by multiple governments to unlock the potential of the rural economy “has led to a political homelessness of many people in rural areas”, he said.

Jim McMahon, the shadow environment secretary, is among those Labour sources have suggested could be moved in a reshuffle. Roberts also hinted at dissatisfaction with his performance, saying that support for Labour among rural voters in the polls “belies the effort that they’re making to engage with rural communities”.

He added: “I think where the Labour party does need to up its game is on engagement with rural communities.”

Leading environmental groups have accused the Government of using the climate as a “political football”, as they warned they will “not stand by” if Rishi Sunak waters down the UK’s green commitments.

Poppy Wood inews.co.uk 

The National Trust, the Woodland Trust, Greenpeace and the RSPCA are among a handful of organisations who have written to Mr Sunak voicing their alarm that the Prime Minister appears to be poised to downgrade the Government’s green policies.

They demanded an urgent meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss the climate crisis, as they called for “public reassurances” on his plans to take action.

It comes as Mr Sunak has signalled he could delay or even abandon green policies that impose a direct cost on consumers, as the Conservative party looks to create a clear dividing line with Labour ahead of the next general election.

The Prime Minister has hinted he will look again at measures that will carry additional expense to consumers, with sources insisting that protecting households from rising costs is his number one priority.

The move follows the Tories’ surprise win in last week’s by-election in Uxbridge, with support for Labour dented by plans to expand London’s ultra-low emission zone (Ulez) expansion, due to come into force next month.

It has prompted a rethink of the Government’s green policies, with the Prime Minister saying earlier this week that the drive to reach the UK’s net zero targets should not “unnecessarily give people more hassle and more costs in their lives”.

Downing Street also confirmed that the Government will “continually examine and scrutinise” measures including a ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, phasing out gas boilers by 2035, energy efficiency targets for private rented homes and low-traffic neighbourhoods.

But environmental groups said it was “with deep alarm that we have read reports over the last few weeks of your government considering watering down its commitments on almost every front of environmental policy”.

“We will not stand by whilst politicians use the environment as a political football,” they wrote.

“It is courage and leadership that we need now. In the past, we have mobilised many of our members collectively with extraordinary results, and our resolve to stand firm now against any and all attacks on this critical policy agenda remains absolute.”

The groups, which claim to represent more than 20m people in total, warned Mr Sunak that he does not have a “public mandate” for delaying the UK’s climate targets.

They also said the prospect of abandoning climate targets was “baffling” considering the economic benefits that green commitments will deliver.

Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, told i: “The climate and nature crises can’t be a matter for negotiation – they demand our urgent, unswerving attention. Political differences must be set aside if we are to safeguard our economy and food supply, and secure jobs, homes and health for future generations. Ambivalence sends all the wrong signals to the market.”

Ms McGrady warned that wavering on the climate agenda could cost both parties at the ballot box.

“A general election is coming and poll after poll shows that voters are resolute in their commitment to the environment. Instead of being gradually erased, robust green policies should be inked into the manifestos of every political party hoping to form a future government,” she said.

“Only a few years ago, UK leaders set world-leading targets and promised the public good green jobs, cleaner air and seas, and a restored natural environment. Now is the time to double down on those commitments.”

Darren Moorcroft, chief executive of the Woodland Trust, said it was “incumbent” on environmental groups to express their concerns as political parties set out their stall ahead of the next general election, expected in late 2024.

“We will make our voices heard with regard to how people should view any political party as it runs into the general election on what it is doing for the environment,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.

“So instead of backtracking on environmental policies, we believe every political party that’s serious about winning should be setting out plans to get those good green jobs, to get cleaner air and seas to restore our natural environment.”

Labour also faces a reckoning over its green policies, after leader Sir Keir Starmer laid the blame for the party’s failure to take Boris Johnson’s old seat in Uxbridge on the London mayor’s Ulez policy.

At Labour’s National Policy Forum (NPF) in Nottingham day after the by-election, Sir Keir told his party: “We are doing something very wrong if policies put forward by the Labour party end up on each and every Tory leaflet.”

However, party figures have insisted Labour is still committed to its green policies, and sees it as an opportunity to create a clear ideological division between the Conservatives at the next ballot box.

A senior Labour source told i earlier this week that the clean energy target – one of Sir Keir’s five missions – “absolutely” remained in place and that there was no contradiction between pursuing policies to tackle climate change and reducing the cost of living for people.

“There is no circle to square. All our policies are about reducing bills, providing energy security and creating jobs,” they said. “So everything we’re proposing helps with the cost of living.”