A series of road closures spanning several months has been announced for the East Devon town of Colyton as work continues to upgrade the town’s gas pipes.

Becca Gliddon eastdevonnews.co.uk 

Wales & West Utilities said it was ‘progressing well’ with its work to upgrade gas pipes in the King Street area of Colyton, which started in September.

The work is expected to finish by the end of March 2023, and weeks of road closures have been announced to complete the remainder of the upgrade.

The road closures and dates are:

• Dolphin Street (January 3 – 27)
• Church Street (January – February 17)
• Queen Street (February 20 – March 3)

A Wales & West Utilities spokeswoman said: “The work, which started in September, is essential to keep the gas flowing safely to heat and power local homes and businesses.

“Barring any engineering difficulties, it is due to finish by the end of March next year.

“Wales & West Utilities has liaised with Devon County Council to plan the work.”

Abby Smith, managing the Wales & West Utilities gas pipe upgrade work, said most of the gas network was underground and out of sight, but was ‘central’ in the role in the daily lives of people across Colyton.

She said: “We know that working in areas like this is not ideal, but it really is essential to make sure we keep the gas flowing to homes and businesses in the area, and to make sure the gas network is fit for the future.”

She said a team of gas engineers have been on site throughout the project to make sure the work was completed safely, as quickly as possible, while keeping disruption to a minimum.

Ms Smith said: “This work is essential to keep the gas flowing to local homes and businesses today, and to make sure the gas network is ready to transport hydrogen and biomethane, so we can all play our part in a green future.”

Warm hubs set up across East Devon to help with the cost-of-living crisis have already helped more than 300 people after a fortnight of opening.

Becca Gliddon eastdevonnews.co.uk

East Devon District Council (EDDC) said the reaction to the warm spaces – in Axminster, Broadclyst, Exmouth, Honiton, Ottery St Mary, Seaton, Sidmouth and Woodbury – was ‘overwhelmingly positive’.

A number of spaces and EDDC community centres have been identified as warm hubs, and were set up at at the end of November as places to go for people struggling to heat their homes – they can have free hot drinks, snacks, daily papers and game, plus pick up free gloves, hats and blankets.

And Waffle Seaton is open on Mondays for EDDC tenants to have free tea, coffee and toast all day.

The district council said the warm hubs will run until the beginning of April 2023 with a wide range of activities starting in the New Year.

EDDC urged residents to go along, make new friends, and keep warm.

Christmas lunch has been on the menu at the warm hubs.Photo: EDDC.

Councillor Dan Ledger, portfolio holder for strategic development, sustainable homes and communities, said: “It’s really heartening to see residents utilising this project to socialise and interact with each other.

“I cannot thank the officers enough who have been involved in setting these sessions up and delivering them.”

An EDDC spokesperson said: “More than 300 people have made the most out of the ten warm hubs opened across East Devon, in response to the cost-of-living crisis.

“East Devon District Council’s housing service has seen an overwhelmingly positive response to the project during its first two weeks.”

They added: “Officers, along with the help of volunteers, help provide a warm space for residents to play games, have hot drinks and snacks, meet neighbours and friends and collect free warm items such as bed socks, blankets and woolly hats.

“In the run up to the festive season, the hubs have also provided over 100 free Christmas lunches to all visitors, which has proved extremely popular.”

An East Devon warm hub Christmas party.Photo: EDDC

The warm hubs, and opening times, are:

Yesterday, Macavity reminded us of the escapades of ‘we plan anywhere’ Cllr. Hughes (Council Chair 2015) during EDDC’s “build, build, build” era.

Owl thinks this provides an opportunity to review the “goings on” that led to Sidbury Fields being slipped into the Local Plan at the last moment, (and Cllr. Hughes hypocritical attempt to “save them”).

First Macavity’s comment on:

Controversial “Build, build, build” Exeter council boss to step down after ‘golden decade’

…not forgetting Cllr Hughes YouTube video – ‘we plan anywhere’, which was released when Karim was at East Devon District Council

Now to the grubby history of Sidford business park (extract from this post)

“Incredulous locals wonder how it was possible for a council to allocate an ‘employment site’ in its local development plan that is on a flood plain, is a rich wildlife habitat, and whose main access would be a narrow street where two lorries can’t pass without mounting the pavement!

For the dominant Tory group on East Devon District Council it was easy!

First, they let landowners and developers decide where to build. In 2007 they asked East Devon Business Forum how much employment land the district would need over the next 25 years. EDBF was a lobby group which included the Carters of Greendale, the Stuarts of Hill Barton and Tim Ford of Sidmouth. Their answer was predictable: lots and lots!

Second, they put Chair of EDBF, Cllr Graham (‘I ain’t doin’ it for peanuts!’) Brown:  Disgraced ex-EDDC Tory Councillor scandal refuses to die.

in charge of quietly asking landowners where they would like to build. Apparently, the proposal for a Sidford business park was first mooted at one of these confidential meetings in July 2010.

Third, in 2011 they elected Paul Diviani, founder member of EDBF, as leader. Under him the District Council became what many saw as a ‘Development Corporation’, the planning system became less about protecting the environment and more about encouraging building.

Fourth, they didn’t listen to the public or community groups whom they ignored or misrepresented. Sidmouth Chamber of commerce said the business park would be catastrophic for local businesses, Council minutes recorded the Chamber as supporting it!

Fifth, they whipped their large political majority to vote through the Sidford allocation. When hostile public reaction worried them just before the 2015 council elections they voted to ‘remove it’ from the Local Plan. Universal Rejoicing! But in 2016 the Inspector kept it in the Plan. Why? Because East Devon’s chief planning officer had not been instructed to give the Inspector reasons for the council’s change of mind!”

As for Cllr. Hughes:

2019 EDDC’s Hypocrite of the Year Award should go to Tory councillor Stuart Hughes, whose Tory group when it was in power sneaked in permission for Sidford Business Park to be included in the Local Plan at the last minute. Now he is “trying” to get a vehicle weight restriction in the village! (In 2018 he said it was pointless trying to stop the development on Highways grounds).  Extract from this post

2012 to 2016

Whilst it’s true that Councillor Hughes consistently criticised the business park proposal some major questions remain about his record in this whole sorry scandal. These are reviewed here.

Clinton Devon Estates’ head of property and land, Leigh Rix, has announced his retirement from the role at the end of this year.

Owl’s got a little list – of those who won’t be missed!
There’s the City growth director who should really have been banned.
And now the Lord’s estate manager of property and land.
That’s two ticked off the list, that’s two ticked off the list!

Adam Manning www.exmouthjournal.co.uk

Since joining in 2010 from his previous career with the National Trust, Leigh, who will be 65 in January, has overseen the planning and development of new homes and commercial premises, the restoration of historic buildings and agricultural reorganisation across the estate.

Clinton Devon Estates Director John Varley said: “Leigh’s contribution, during his tenure with the estate, has been significant, notably his support in the delivery of new and affordable housing at Plumb Park and phase two of Liverton Business Park in Exmouth. The restored 19th Century China Tower, once a derelict folly near Bicton Arena, is now one of The Landmark Trust’s most popular holiday lets.”       

Leigh said: “I’m privileged to have worked alongside excellent people on some outstanding projects that will contribute to the long-term stewardship of the Estate and I’m now looking forward to working as a consultant and exploring  non-executive positions, whilst continuing to support the work of the CLA and the Historic Houses Association.”

Leigh is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and a member of the Country Landowners Association (CLA). He has also been a member of the South West Council of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and was appointed by the Secretary of State to sit on the Environment Agency’s South West Flood and Coastal Committee, representing agriculture, farming and land management, serving two terms

In a true display of the spirit of Christmas, a kind gesture from a construction company has stopped a local shop being forced to close. Pynes Farm Shop, in Budleigh Salterton, was cut off from the main road by flood water along South Farm Road, but thanks to Kier at Lower Otter, customers are able to receive their Christmas goodies.

Shannon Brown www.devonlive.com 

Henry Riddell, shop manager, said they are “used to the road flooding” but the recent “more extreme” weather – and a ‘waterlogged van’ has made access to the shop impossible over recent days. The Lower Otter Restoration Project, currently being completed down the road from the shop, will aim to prevent future flooding when complete in Summer 2023.

Until then, however, heavy rain still causes flooding along the road. Recent heavy rain has caused more flooding than usual, and Henry said the shop has been cut off from the main road. But, thanks to their neighbours at KIER construction, working on the restoration project, the store is able to open in the run up to Christmas – and the spirit of the season is still alive.

After posting on Facebook on Tuesday, December 20, that flooding had forced the road closure, the farm shop said they’ll “bring the shop to you” by setting up a pop-up shop in their site buildings. The temporary new location is at Kier Site Offices, Granary Lane, EX9 6EW.

“As you turn off the main road to us as normal, instead of going left down the hilll, go slightly right then the entrance is on your left,” a Facebook post said. Henry said it was “less of a drive” to get to the shop, and the new location is right on the main road.

Pynes Farm Shop has temporarily moved into KIER at Lower Otter so customers can still get their orders in time for Christmas (Image: Henry Riddle)

The Facebook said: “Unfortunately South Farm Road is now not only still flooded, but also blocked by a waterlogged van. We don’t think the road will be passable before Christmas, which is clearly a disaster for us.

“But we do have a plan. You can’t get through to us, so we’ll bring the shop to you! Thanks to a lovely offer from our friends at KIER at Lower Otter we can open on Thursday. We are going to do a pop up shop in their site buildings so you can all come and get your veg and meats and goodies. (and collect your turkey orders etc!)

“We will be open 9am to 5pm Thursday, 9am to 5pm Friday and 9am to 1pm Saturday. All you have to do is follow the farm shop signs pointing in to the Kier work site at the start of South Farm Road. There will be plenty of car parking and it will be clear where to go.

“Thanks for your understanding at this difficult time, we appreciate your ongoing support of our small family business. We will be accepting cash and card.”

The store will be open till 5pm today, between 9am-5pm on Friday, and 9am-1pm on Christmas Eve (Image: Henry Riddell)

KIER at Lower Otter yesterday said it was “looking forward to welcoming Pynes Farm Shop” to the site, but reminded shoppers that it was an active and working building site.

“The pop up shop is going to be situated in the canteen, but what we’d like to remind everyone that it is still a working (albeit slowed for Christmas) site. Please can everyone visiting be mindful of this, travel slow into the site and park in the dedicated area as some teams are still working.

“The ground is slightly uneven, so please also be mindful if unsteady on your feet or using walking aids. It is also still wet, so sensible footwear is advised. Please note that Kier and partners, will not accept any responsibility for any issues that might occur when visiting site as a result of this pop up event.”

Six councillors believed the issues of flooding, visual impacts on the landscape and visual impact on heritage sites was insurmountable, while four did not, meaning the controversial proposal was rejected. In the summer, East Devon approved plans for a solar farm to be built in Clyst Hydon and more solar farm applications are on the horizon.

Rob Kershaw www.devonlive.com

Campaigners who opposed plans for a huge solar farm on farmland in East Devon were celebrating an early Christmas present after planners rejected the scheme. Devon CPRE, the Devon branch of the countryside charity, feared councillors in East Devon would back the proposal for the development south of the settlement at Marsh Green to the East of Rockbeare alongside the A30.

Some 60,000 panels were proposed covering more than 200 acres of land across a total of 27 farm fields. Planning officers recommended the scheme go ahead. But councillors voted to refuse permission following a two-hour debate on Tuesday. The 6-4 decision – with one abstention – came as a welcome surprise to opponents of the scheme, including residents in and around Marsh Green.

It followed a site visit by councillors earlier in the day who found the proposed construction area waterlogged after all the recent rain – a fact that backed up the argument that the land at Marsh Green was not suitable for such a development. Taking flooding and other factors into account, namely concerns over visual impact, land classification and impact on a designated heritage asset, East Devon’s planning committee voted against their own officer’s recommendation.

Devon CPRE director Penny Mills was among the opponents allowed to give a statement to the committee. Commenting on the decision to refuse the scheme, she said: “It’s a great Christmas present! We’d like to thank the councillors who voted to refuse it for having the courage of their convictions, for supporting the local community and for standing up for Devon’s countryside.

“We are all incredibly grateful, particularly coming so soon after the disappointing decision by the Secretary of State to permit the Langford solar farm, near Cullompton, on appeal. We hope East Devon District Council shows the same resolve should the applicant in this case decide to appeal.”

She added: “There are currently another two solar farm applications in planning in East Devon and who knows how many more in the pipeline? It’s encouraging that this one at least has been turned down for the right reasons.”

Resident Cyril Emmett, who farmed at nearby Rockbeare for 50 years, also spoke against the plans. He told councillors Marsh Green was not the right place to put a solar farm because it’s a flood valley. He said increased run-off would damage the village and building on the fields would also be a waste of good farmland.

He said: “It’s the right decision. A soil assessment carried out by independent consultants challenged the applicant’s claim that the proposed site was low-grade agricultural land.

“The assessment I commissioned concluded that the applicant’s report was incorrect and should not be relied upon. I’m not totally against solar but panels should be put on rooftops. If there were panels on every roof in the new town of Cranbrook, there would be no need to sacrifice productive farmland for such developments. Food security is paramount.”

Aylesbeare Parish Council had supported the plans due to the need for more sources of renewable energy but they wanted to see some refinements to the proposal. Drainage in the flood-prone area, dirt on the roads from HGVs passing through during the construction process and possible damage to a gas pipeline were among the concerns raised by the council. They also suggested a “more sensible” speed limit on Marwood Road, a narrow route which will be used during construction, fencing which accommodates easy passage for sheep and consultations with the RSPB.

But Rockbeare Parish Council objected to the proposal in the “strongest terms” partly due to the “unsuitability” of the development area. They claimed a solar farm would harm the pre-existing agricultural land and would not be conducive to the grazing of sheep. They raised concerns surrounding the lack of parking spaces around the site and said parking on private roads, driveways and verges would not be “permissible.”

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Richard Lawrence (Conservative, Whimple & Rockbeare) said the proposal went against a part of East Devon’s local plan, which encourages the approval of renewable energy projects as long as “any cumulative landscape and visual impacts” are “satisfactorily addressed.”

He said this had not been adhered to, nor was he convinced by the proposed measures to mitigate flooding. His view was shared by Cllr Philip Skinner (Conservative, Tale Vale) and Cllr Geoff Pratt (Independent, Ottery St Mary).

Cllr Lawrence rubbished suggestions the farm would power over 18,000 homes and predicted the figure would be closer to 5,000. He also raised concerns about the restoration of land which would be temporarily altered during construction and highlighted a lack of clarity as to who would pay for the maintenance of the solar farm. Cllr Pratt added that a solar farm would “destroy the natural environment” and lead to the loss of “extremely productive farmland.”

However, Cllr Olly Davey (Green, Exmouth Town) claimed “no unacceptable harm” would be caused as a result of the proposal being approved and pointed to a report by a conservation officer which stated the effects the development would have on heritage assets would be “less than substantial.”

He agreed the landscape would be altered by the construction of solar panels, but said the “applicants have gone to a lot of trouble to minimise the effect on the landscape.”

“I’m not denying it will change the character of the landscape,” said Cllr Davey. “I think that’s a given, but it is for us to decide whether that is acceptable or not.”

He argued there is “no evidence that there is a carbon deficit in solar panels,” and that they “put a considerable amount of energy into the national grid.” Therefore, he felt that there were no “strong enough reasons” to reject the plan, given the need for renewable energy.

But six councillors believed the issues of flooding, visual impacts on the landscape and visual impact on heritage sites was insurmountable, while four did not, meaning the controversial proposal was rejected. In the summer, East Devon approved plans for a solar farm to be built in Clyst Hydon and more solar farm applications are on the horizon.

Owl will not mourn the loss of Karime Hassan, the architect and facilitator of excessive development on the green fields of East Devon.

Karime Hassan joined EDDC from Exeter City Council in 2002.

In 2005 he was appointed Corporate Director and set up the Exeter and East Devon Growth Point. He also established regeneration programmes for Exmouth and Seaton. This was the same year that the influential (and infamous) East Devon Business Forum was created. He was also the main driving force behind “setting Devon’s first free-standing settlement to be built in Devon since the Middle Ages on its way” (Cranbrook).

In February 2011 he joined Exeter City Council as the Director of Economy and Development after about six months of sharing his time between Exeter and East Devon.

In 2013, controversially, he was appointed both Chief Executive and Growth Director of Exeter City Council.

He was the chief architect of the “Greater Exeter Strategic Plan” (GESP) described by Paul Arnott as: “a devil’s pact between a Labour controlled Exeter City council, which had lost control of its five year land supply, and three neighbouring Conservative controlled districts eager for growth. It goes far beyond their legal duty to cooperate.”

In 2016 Karime Hassan was named Property Personality of the Year at the Insider’s annual South West Property Awards in Bristol (sponsored by the ill fated Midas Group). (Same year he was snapped sitting next to Alison Hernandez at her swearing in).

Interesting to re-read this comment made on East Devon Watch in 2014:

“The case for Exeter taking control of the growth point area is strong, and we know that Exeter is ambitious for expansion both economically and politically. They wanted to become a unitary council, and also had aspirations to absorb Exmouth. EDDC, in political turmoil, having made a colossal mess of the Local Plan, and now proposing a very unpopular relocation, look like sitting ducks.”

Exeter council boss to step down after ‘golden decade’

Anita Merritt www.devonlive.com

After what is being hailed as a ‘golden decade’, Exeter City Council’s chief executive and growth director Karime Hassan has announced he will be retiring next year. He will step down from the role at the end of March marking the end of a challenging and fast-changing decade in the city.

The interim chief executive from April 1, 2023, will be the council’s current deputy chief executive Bindu Arjoon. Karime certainly has big shoes to fill due to the contribution he has made to Exeter during his time in the role.

Last year Karime was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to government in the Queen’s New Year Honours 2021. The 60-year-old has overseen huge growth in the economy and expansion which has seen Exeter become an internationally recognised city of culture.

He said the time was right to step down after almost 10 years as chief executive and overseeing a series of high-profile successes which have transformed the city.

Karime said: “My decision to retire from the council has been very difficult but I think the time is right for me personally and for the organisation.

“I have undertaken a number of roles connected with the city of Exeter for 23 years, during this time I have worked with some outstanding colleagues, leaders and institutions, and I have witnessed the amazing progress of the city.

“It has been a privilege to be part of the collective endeavour and to play a small part in building a stronger city.

“I am delighted that Bindu will now continue this work and despite the considerable challenges that government austerity has caused for local government finance, I know that Exeter can look forward to a bright future if we continue to work together to deliver our common goals.”

Karime’s work with partners across the city is said to have developed a strong culture of collaboration in support of Exeter’s vision for a healthy, inclusive and sustainable city. Likewise, his work with partners across the region has seen Exeter’s economy grow faster than anywhere else in the South West and among the fastest growing in the UK.

Exeter’s reputation as a major retail destination is said to have seen the likes of Ikea and John Lewis attracted to the city after careful negotiation. Karime has also been credited with advancing the city’s sustainability goals with the low carbon task force and Exeter City Futures Community Interest Company.

He has overseen the council’s pioneering Passivhaus building programme and celebrated the city’s numerous national successes including being a host city for the Rugby World Cup.

Council leader Phil Bialyk said: “I want to thank Karime for everything that he has done for Exeter. He has helped to transform the city in recent years and had the vision, when working with previous leader Pete Edwards and most recently with myself, to take the big decisions which have made such a difference to Exeter.

“The successes we’ve enjoyed are too numerous to mention here, but I have to highlight the building of the UK’s first Passivhaus leisure centre and the UK’s first Passivhaus extra care facility. These are really significant achievements which have put Exeter on the map internationally. Neither project would have been possible without the vision, drive and energy that Karime has brought to the role.

“His work through the Place Board has brought together all the key organisations in Exeter and it is his leadership of place which has been truly unique. He leaves a significant legacy to build on and he will be sorely missed by everyone in the city.”

Cllr Bialyk added: “I am delighted that we can announce that Bindu will become our interim chief executive. She has been part of our leadership team here at the council for many years and brings a wealth of experience, skills and expertise to the job at what is a challenging time for local government.

“I know Bindu will be a great success and I very much look forward to starting a new chapter in the successful story of our great city.”

Bindu’s academic background is in economics and has been in local government leadership for 19 years. In her current role as the council’s deputy chief executive, she has been responsible for its transformation programme and has held leadership responsibility for the council’s housing stock, strategic housing, planning, housing needs and homelessness, customer services, welfare reform, revenues, benefits and business rates.

Bindu [Bindu Arjoon] is passionate about supporting young people to achieve their potential, volunteering her time to be chair of the Governing Body of St Leonards Primary School and St Peter’s Secondary School. Bindu is currently chair of the corporation of Exeter College.

She has recently led the transformational One Exeter work programme, designed to enable the council to provide better and more efficient services and deliver the financial savings that need to be made by April 2025. One Exeter aims to transform the way we work, support and develop staff, and ensure a fit for purpose council.

Bindu is leading on the current budget setting process which will be particularly challenging this year in light of the significant financial pressures currently faced by all local authorities.

Bindu said: “I want to thank Karime for everything he has done to make Exeter such a successful, thriving city with a brilliant quality of life and a city where people can reach their full potential.

“I am delighted and very proud to have been appointed interim chief executive and I look forward to continuing the work that has made Exeter so successful in recent years.

“We also know that we face a number of significant challenges, which I will be working hard to overcome together with everyone at the council. Not least of which is the very challenging budget that we will need to set next year to balance the books and ensure the Council remains on a sound financial footing.

“Against a backdrop of significantly reduced Government funding in recent years and the spiralling costs of energy, together with the very significant inflationary pressures, the budget will be tough.

“But we will maintain and improve our frontline and statutory services and by making difficult decisions now we will ensure that we are well-placed to continue to thrive as a city in the future. I am committed to continuing to work with our partners locally to ensure that we are all playing our role in continuing to deliver successes for the city.

“I want to thank all the staff at the council for their continued support and hard work day in, day out, in providing services for our residents.”

The Secret Consultant – The writer is an NHS respiratory consultant who works across a number of hospitals. www.theguardian.com 

This week, the chair of the General Medical Council offered an extraordinary message of support to doctors. What was striking about this was not its tone, but its content. Nowhere was anything said about how to do our jobs, or how to be better doctors; the message was simple. It asked us to be compassionate and to be kind, to ourselves and to one another.

We will need that compassion. This Christmas period promises to be awful, just as tough in some ways as the worst of Covid, and this is what has moved me to write this.

Winter pressures are a feature of life in the NHS. Circulating winter viruses – flu, RSV etc – cause disease spikes each year and result in large numbers of admissions and often deaths. Hospitals fill up.

It has been obvious for months that this would be the case – the “twindemic” of flu and Covid was always going to hit hard – but I’ve been shocked by how unwell patients are, including the young and otherwise healthy, and how our wider immunity has dropped during the pandemic.

There are so many factors combining this year that cumulatively the system is pushed harder than I’ve ever seen it before. There are massively more emergency attendances than usual, with a recurring theme of how unsupported patients feel by their own GPs, even when this is often not the case.

Social care and community mental health provision is wholly inadequate and we are unable to discharge well patients for many days or weeks, leaving patients who do need to come on to a ward waiting in A&E for hours or days at a time.

Ambulances are then unable to unload or respond to new calls, and the patients they do bring in are often sicker after their long wait outside.

In the last few weeks we have been on the highest alert level 4 at least every few days. This usually signifies more than 40 sick patients stuck in A&E, usually for more than 24 hours, all needing urgent treatment but with no ward beds to put them into.

To my knowledge we have not been below alert level 3 since early summer. What used to be a relative rarity even in winter is now depressingly normal. And to add to this situation, we are now facing unprecedented strike action.

Nurses are already striking. In A&E they soak up stress, abuse, staff shortages 24 hours a day; on the wards they are told to take an extra patient here or open up another bay there with no extra staff and no way of closing those beds once they open.

And all of that without anywhere near adequate respect or recompense for what they do.

And our junior doctors will also soon go to a ballot. Their pay on qualification is woeful, given the degree of training and responsibility they carry. Covid disruption and the current pressures mean they are often denied the mentorship, teaching and camaraderie that cemented my love of medicine, and as a result their job satisfaction has plummeted.

I have seen a marked deterioration in their mental health and I hear about their financial worries much more than I ever used to. More and more of them are taking career breaks. I would be amazed if they did not vote for further industrial action.

And how does NHS England suggest we respond to these strikes?

They suggest that hospitals move patients out of emergency departments in preparation, or open extra beds. Oh, and try not to cancel any planned care while you’re at it.

To say I find this insulting is an understatement. It shows a total lack of understanding of what things are like in the average hospital and how hard we work, every day, to move patients onwards and protect planned care.

Do you not think we’ve already thought of that? It deflects responsibility for the problems back to individual teams and implies we’ve not already been doing everything we can. If only we would stop being so sluggish then it would all be fine. I found that statement as notable for its lack of compassion towards the workforce as the GMC’s one was for its warmth.

We are told that the NHS is at “breaking point” and has been for years, underfunded and poorly planned by successive Conservative governments.

But this is different. What is breaking now is not the system, but its people, and in a rapid, tangible way.

I regularly see colleagues in tears. Every few weeks I hear of someone else I know who is leaving, retiring early, going part-time, moving to a less stressful area.

All the time I hear how things have changed, that the pressure is too much now, that we wouldn’t recommend our children to do the jobs we do.

The pandemic has accelerated this and we need compassion more than ever. While I regularly see this from our patients and the public, it is notably absent from our leaders.

Most of all, though, we feel taken for granted. The expectation seems to be that we should just continue doing what we do – without proper appreciation or support – because we are the NHS heroes and that our work is some noble vocation that should sustain us regardless of how hard it may be.

And so these strikes are not just about pay. They are also a cry for help, a critical symptom of a stressed and failing workforce. Perhaps, if we were shown a little more kindness by those in charge, there would be a way forward.

Spire snapped up a private GP services provider for £12million as it expands its business amid growing demand in the UK.

The FTSE 250 healthcare group bought The Doctors Clinic Group, which operates 22 clinics and has more than 700 corporate clients.

www.dailymail.co.uk

The business, which employs 279 people – two-thirds of which are clinicians – is expected to deliver £11million in revenues this year and start turning a profit in 2024.

Spire said the purchase would broaden its healthcare offering amid ‘increased demand’ for its UK services as the NHS struggles to cope with staff shortages and growing waiting lists.

It added the acquisition would complement the work done by its 39 private hospitals and eight clinics across England, Wales and Scotland and allow it to capitalise on the growing need for face-to-face GP visits among Britons.

Spire also noted that demand for occupational health, another service provided by The Doctors Clinic, had been growing in the UK by 7 per cent annually over the last five years as companies sought out better ways to support their employees.

‘The Doctors Clinic Group will provide Spire with a strong platform to enter and expand in the fast-growing occupational health sector, and to increase our capacity to meet the burgeoning need for private GP services,’ said Spire boss Justin Ash.

Spire highlighted that The Doctors Clinic had a ‘particularly strong’ footprint in central London, which would allow it to gain a foothold in the capital’s primary care market.

The firm’s shares rose 0.5 per cent, or 1p, to 221p.

Spire’s move to expand its presence into occupational health comes as businesses across the UK struggle with a tight labour pool as many workers left the job market due to long-term sickness during the pandemic.

The government says it is “extremely concerned” about Devon County Council’s failing children’s services.

“Now considered to be the “third or fourth worst in the country.”

Ollie Heptinstall www.radioexe.co.uk 

The comment by the Department for Education comes after Devon’s MPs were last week told the county’s children’s services are now considered to be the “third or fourth worst in the country.”

Unless there are signs of improvement, they are likely to be taken into special measures next year. This would involve Devon being stripped of its responsibilities and having children’s services placed into an independently run trust.

The council’s children’s services department was rated ‘inadequate’ by Ofsted in January 2020, while Devon was also recently hit with a government improvement notice for its services for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) which it runs in partnership with NHS Devon.

The Conservative-run council and NHS Devon both apologised after a revisit by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission in May found that progress had not been made in fixing four areas of “significant concern” identified in December 2018.

To help try to turn the service around, the council has adopted an improvement plan while changes have been made to the department’s leadership. Melissa Caslake recently left as director of children’s services, with Somerset’s former children’s lead Julian Wooster put in interim charge.

On Mr Wooster’s watch, the Ofsted rating for Somerset’s children’s services rose from ‘inadequate’ in 2015 to ‘good’ in its most recent inspection this July.

Council leader John Hart (Conservative, Bickleigh & Wembury) told last week’s cabinet meeting the council is “taking this very seriously,” while a spokesperson added it is their “main priority.”

But time could be running out at County Hall, with a Department for Education spokesperson warning in a statement: “We are extremely concerned about the current performance of Devon County Council’s children’s social care and local SEND services.

“The children’s commissioner is working closely with the council to ensure that appropriate actions are carried out to improve children’s services in Devon and is closely supporting the recruitment of a new director of children’s services.”

They added the children’s commissioner will be providing a progress update to the department in the new year, which will consider whether a full commissioner review will be required.

Last week, Exeter’s Labour MP Ben Bradshaw said he is “really concerned the political leadership of Devon County Council does not understand the gravity of the situation they are in.”

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service seven or eight other councils’ children’s services have been placed into a trust and warned: “This would incur significant extra costs which would fall on Devon’s council tax payers.”

A spokesperson for Devon County Council said: “We are working closely with government on our improvement plans for children’s social care and SEND services and recognise that there is more to do.

“Improving our support for children in Devon is our main priority.  We have a new structure and processes in place and believe that in collaboration with the DfE and other partners, and families of children and young people in Devon with SEND, we are on the right path.”

Services are being reduced and medics focusing on patients “with the most needs”, says the chief medical officer at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

www.bbc.co.uk

Steep rises in Covid-19, flu, Strep A and other winter illnesses are causing long waits at the hospital said chief medical officer Adrian Harris.

He urged people to “think very carefully” before going to hospital.

“Sadly how we will cope is by having to reduce the suite of services that we offer,” he said.

“We will have to focus as we do in any period of crisis on our patients with the most needs,” he said.

He added that longer waits were “regrettable”, but “the number of patients turning up and the complexity or severity of the illnesses or injuries” made it unavoidable.

“I’d ask the public to think very carefully when they attend whether it’s the right thing to do,” he said.

Mark Hamilton, chief medical officer at the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, advised people to use pharmacies, GPs or the NHS advice line, unless it was for a life-threatening condition.

“Every person that uses those services helps us to treat somebody else in the Emergency Department,” he said.

“It’s particularly difficult at the moment.

“Everything that we can do to try and treat the right patients by using other services means that it’s much easier for people to do their jobs.”

Second home owners in some of Devon’s most desirable hotspots are to be clobbered with a double Council Tax bill. The move has been passed unanimously by councillors in the South Hams, a district which includes Dartmouth, Salcombe, Hope Cove and other sought-after seaside destinations.

Guy Henderson www.devonlive.com 

They say it means owners will now have to pay their “fair share”. The council will now adopt the 100% Council Tax Second Homes Premium as soon as legislation allows. Nearly one in 12 homes across the district is a second home, and that figure is much higher in the coastal towns.

South Hams Council declared a housing crisis in September 2021 and backed its declaration with a 12-point action plan which included lobbying Government to allow local councils to charge double Council Tax on second or holiday homes to ensure they contribute fairly towards the services they receive.

Their lobbying proved successful when in May this year the Government published the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill which included proposals aimed at addressing the negative impact of second homes on the supply of homes for local people. The Bill is likely to become law from April 2024 at the earliest.

Leader of South Hams District Council, Cllr Judy Pearce said: “The long-term viability of communities within the South Hams has been detrimentally affected by the level of second home ownership. The sheer quantity of second homes means that house prices are pushed upwards.

“This can deny a home to a local resident as prices are pushed outside of what they can reasonably afford. This is especially acute for the younger generation.

“I went to Westminster in November to speak to a House of Lords Select Committee to discuss the challenges around short-term lets and the impact that has in the South Hams. It’s truly concerning that with just under 4,000 second homes in the district, this means that nearly one in every 12 homes is a second home.

“We’re not declaring war on second homes. We’re simply levelling the field to make it easier for our local residents to find somewhere to live, let alone somewhere to buy.

“We know that the majority of people can’t afford the prices of houses around the area at the moment. We do stand in solidarity with our local residents because they all have a right to have somewhere decent to live.”

Cllr Julian Brazil, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrat group, added: “This is absolutely the right way forward. It will make a massive difference to us. To people who say it is an attack on second homeowners, it is not. What it is, is asking them to pay a fair share to our communities. They’re in the lucky position to own not one, but two houses, when many of our local families here struggle to own just one.

“The fact that they pay a little bit more should be compared to the increase in value of their second homes. Before the latest hiccup in the economy, house prices in the South Hams increased by around 25% in the last year. Increases of hundreds of thousands of pounds. We are asking them to pay a little bit extra to support the services that we struggle to deliver.

“I’d like to pay tribute to the Leader of the Council. She has worked incredibly hard lobbying MPs for them to understand the issues. I tabled a similar motion about 15 years ago without support but, we have got there in the end.”

Ministers’ refusal to negotiate with striking union leaders on pay goes against the Government’s own official advice on resolving industrial disputes, i can reveal.

Jane Merrick inews.co.uk

The Government’s Risk Register, which assesses the likelihood and impact of different threats to the UK, says “negotiation and mediation” is encouraged “as a means of resolving industrial action both before and during a strike”.

Union leaders have said they will pause the wave of strikes if ministers agree to discuss workers’ pay, which is the number one issue at the heart of the disputes hitting the NHS, airports, railways and other key public services this month.

But while Health Secretary Steve Barclay has held meetings with Pat Cullen, the general secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, he has refused to negotiate on the issue of pay. He has also declined a suggestion from Ms Cullen to use the Acas mediation service.

Ministers have also declined negotiations with the three unions representing striking ambulance workers, and the PCS union on behalf of Border Force staff.

Unite’s general secretary, Sharon Graham, said the revelation showed ministers were being “cavalier with their own rules” and that ministers are “holding the country to ransom”.

The 2020 Risk Register says the threat of industrial action can be tackled through prevention, including “wherever possible, government encourages negotiation and mediation, such as via the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, as a means of resolving industrial action both before and during a strike”.

It also says the impact of strikes can be lessened through monitoring, including “UK Government and the devolved administrations work together closely to monitor impending strike action and resolve it where possible”.

The Risk Register warns that consequences of industrial action may include “disruption to essential services, particularly transport, health and education; disruption to business (via lost working hours); possible public order challenges; economic damage (particularly for transport sector industrial action)”.

Union leaders have warned that ministers’ failure to get round the negotiating table is prolonging the disputes. But the Government has insisted it cannot meet the demands for above-inflation pay rises because it would hit frontline public services.

Rishi Sunak said on Monday he was prepared to hold out for “months” before giving into “unreasonable” pay demands of unions.

But Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The Government could have stopped these strikes taking place. It is clear from the deal done in Scotland a solution can be found and that unions are more than willing to negotiate.

“Instead, it looks like the Government is being cavalier with its own rules, breaking its own Risk Register rules by refusing to negotiate on pay. What a state to be in.

“It’s Steven Barclay who is holding the country to ransom, not the unions. He will have to carry the can if patients suffer. This Government is guilty of criminal negligence in its deliberate hollowing out of the NHS long before now. If the staff exodus is to be sorted there needs to be decent pay. In fighting for that, those taking strike action are actually trying to save the service.”

A PCS spokesperson said: “The Government should practice what it preaches. PCS stands ready to negotiate whenever the Government wants to come to the table. Only then will we be able to resolve this dispute.”

Unison head of health, Sara Gorton, said: “The Government’s let everyone down. Ministers have known this was coming for months and should have made some effort to resolve the dispute. Instead they’ve dug in their heels and done nothing.”

In an interview with the Daily Mail, the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “The Government is acting fairly and reasonably and will always continue to do so. I’m going to do what I think is right for the long-term interests of the country – combating inflation.”

A Government spokesperson said: “We regret the decision taken by unions to strike and we greatly value the work of all their members across the country. We will do all we can to mitigate the impact of this action, but the only way to stop the disruption completely is for union bosses to get back round the table and call off these damaging strikes.

“We want to ensure people are paid fairly, and we have been reasonable in our approach to agreeing to the independent pay review bodies’ recommendations for public sector pay rises.

“An inflation-matching pay increase of 11 per cent for all public sector workers would cost £28 billion, worsening debt and embedding inflation, which makes everyone poorer. That would be a cost to each household of just under £1,000.”

Army reservists could in future be asked to play a larger role in certain crises, according to a government report on the future of resilience, to end reliance on under-pressure Armed Forces.

The report from the Cabinet Office warns that with the Armed Forces “facing pressure as risks multiply” at home and abroad, personnel “cannot be the first port of call whenever an emergency hits”.

Any changes would see the reserves play a “greater role” in military aid to the civil authorities (Maca) protocol operations and in other areas, and use of the Armed Forces for more routine tasks will be “an indication of policy failure”.

A stark illustration of the potential value of gaining planning permission. – Owl

Daniel Clark www.devonlive.com 

The site of a hugely controversial new business park on the edge of a Devon village has been placed on the market. Former farmland in Sidford, earmarked for the Sidford Business Park, has been put on for sale for £4m.

The plans divided the village and had been refused by East Devon District Council because of concerns over dangers from increased HGV traffic through Sidbury and Sidford as a result of the development. There are also worries about the visual impact, as it is in an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.’

But a planning inspector overturned that decision on appeal – one that was described as “basically a two fingers up to the Sid Valley”. A reserved matters application for the details and design of the business park scheme was approved earlier this year.

The scheme was set to see 8,445sqm of employment space built on the outskirts of the village and create 250 new jobs. But now, it seems that it may not go ahead after all, as owners Tim and Mike Ford are selling off the land at Two Bridges Road.

It is understood the pair have decided instead to focus on improvements to the existing Alexandria Industrial Estate in Sidmouth, instead which they own. A planning application for a new access road to make getting in and out of the site easier has been submitted.

The 8,445-square-metre site in Sidford, where some flood improvement work has already been completed, is being marketed as an ‘oven ready’ brownfield site. While it has planning permission for employment use, the sale brochure says that the access is most likely to be suitable for Residential use.

It states: “The owner of the site is a fourth-generation employment land owner of another employment site in Sidmouth. This other site, known as the Alexandria Industrial Estate, is now determined by the owner to be the best location for further employment investment. The proceeds from the sale of land at Sidford will assist employment investment in this alternative location.

“Consequently, the land at Sidford is now offered as an exciting opportunity to an investor who can quickly engage with the Local Plan Review by making appropriate representations. The site is to be sold via an informal tender and offers are invited to be placed on an Option or Subject to Planning basis by February 10, 2023.”

Construction businesses are going bust at their fastest rate in a decade, driving the number of company insolvencies to its highest level since the financial crisis.

Gurpreet Narwan, business correspondent news.sky.com

Rising material costs, staff shortages and plummeting consumer demand are weighing on businesses, forcing them to squeeze their margins to unsustainable levels.

Official figures show that in the second quarter of this year, company insolvencies in England and Wales reached their highest quarterly level since the third quarter of 2009.

In the first half of the year, the Insolvency Service recorded 10,717 company insolvencies.

The construction sector accounted for a fifth of these with 2,094 businesses going bust.

The industry had 1,048 insolvencies in the first quarter of the year, which marked its highest level since the same quarter in 2012.

The industry, which accounts for around 7% of the economy, is especially vulnerable to rising inflation because businesses often operate with slim profit margins.

Construction materials typically account for between 20-25% of the cost of most building projects and the price of core materials, including timber and steel, have rocketed over the past year.

According to figures compiled by the business department, the cost of steel bars rose by 17% in the year to October.

The cost of blocks and bricks has risen by 18% and timber is up 19%.

A recent report by the Federation of Master Builders found that the vast majority – 90% – of its members have been hit with higher costs over the past year.

They are also battling with shortages of key staff, including labourers, carpenters, joiners and bricklayers.

In a sign of the economic malaise plaguing Britain, builders said they were struggling to pass these costs on as clients were pulling projects and refraining from commissioning new ones.

Local builders most vulnerable

Smaller, local builders are especially vulnerable as they are less able to benefit from economies of scale so are more exposed to sharply rising costs.

Mark Wigley, managing director of Osprey Homes, a small-to-medium sized housebuilder in Hertfordshire, said: “It makes the viability of certain projects very difficult, in as much as we have to assemble our financial appraisals well in advance of bidding for new land and that generally takes a minimum of 12 months.

“House prices are not increasingly in line with the costs of our material increases.

“So as a result, the developers are really carrying a lot of additional costs that we’re finding it very difficult to absorb within our day to day business.”

He warned that smaller businesses were at the sharp end of the crisis because they are less able to benefit from economies of scale.

“If we’re not careful, then houses will just be built by the big PLCs who are only really interested in these massive development sites,” he said.

“So these little infill plots, where we are able to demonstrate high quality, will just cease to exist.

“We employ a lot of people within the construction industry and the wider economy.

“So the ripple effect of anything that happens to our industry is quite significant.”

Another twist in the district heating saga – Owl

Lewis Clarke www.devonlive.com

Heat network customers need action now to protect them from the potentially devastating consequences of unregulated price rises and reliability issues, an expert has warned. It is likely that district and communal heat networks won’t be regulated by Ofgem until at least 2024, leaving householders facing another two years of catastrophically high bills whilst the cost-of-living crisis continues. In addition, householders who face issues of intermittent supply of their heating and hot water will remain at the mercy of their provider to find a solution, with no option to seek redress from a regulator.

This news comes after recent supply problems have arisen in Exeter with the E.ON district heat network that supplies the new build town of Cranbrook and surrounding areas. A recent problem has arisen with the valves situated in the heat interface unit within many of the properties served by the network resulting in numerous customers in Exeter being left with no, or very limited, heating and hot water for close to a week.

Dr Catherine Caine, from the University of Exeter Law School, has called on the Government to take action now to help those affected.

Heat networks have the potential to deliver up to 20 per cent of heat to homes in the UK by 2050 and could deliver significant reductions in carbon emissions. However, the sector is currently unregulated which means that the consumers of heat networks can be paying much higher prices for heating systems, which may have also been poorly constructed and which they do not understand. Some bills have risen as high as 700 per cent since April 2022.

There are more than 14,000 heat networks in Great Britain, approximately 2,000 of which are district heat networks and 12,000 are communal heat networks. Combined, these serve around 500,000 households.

Heat networks provide hot water to residential and commercial buildings and remove the need for gas boilers to be installed in individual buildings. Consumers do not receive protection regarding the price that they pay and are often poorly informed about what their heat network is and how it differs from a traditional gas boiler.

Under the Premiership of Boris Johnson, the Energy Bill was introduced in Parliament which, if enacted in law, would appoint Ofgem as the regulator of the sector. Under the Bill, heat network suppliers would be held to a nationally recognised standard when they install and commission their heat network. The Bill also included proposals for consumers to receive clearer information. However, since the recent changes in Government progress on the Energy Bill appears to have been put on hold.

Dr Caine said: “Over summer, progress on the Energy Bill looked very promising, but the half-a-million residents living in homes supplied by heat networks are still supplied by a monopoly that is unregulated – without the ability to switch suppliers. It is very unfortunate that the Energy Bill has been put on hold. The plans for the regulatory framework going through Parliament need to be implemented as soon as possible, and certainly before future systems are constructed so as to ensure these problems do not hinder the positive impact that heat networks can have in the UK.

Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton & Honiton, Richard Foord has called for the Government to publish the findings of their review into the usage of Airbnbs and short-term holiday lets. There are over 8,000 properties across Devon listed on Airbnb and the number of UK listings grew 33% between 2017 and 2018.

Lewis Clarke www.devonlive.com 

There are concerns about the growing size of this market at a time when many local people are struggling to find an affordable place to live. The Government held a review into the growth of short-term tourist accommodation in June – but has yet to publish the findings.

Speaking in a Westminster Hall debate, Mr Foord criticised the ‘unrestricted growth’ of this market. He called for the Government to both publish the review’s findings and act upon them to support local people.

Speaking after the debate, Richard Foord MP said: “Here in the West Country our communities are being put under pressure by the growth of short-term holiday lets. There are more than 11,000 short-term lets, such as Airbnb, in Devon alone – and this is affecting local communities.

“I have many constituents contacting me about their difficulty finding local homes to buy or rent, and they find it galling just how many properties are being snapped up as holiday homes or investment opportunities. Earlier this year there were just three homes available in all of Honiton for private rent. It’s clear to me that we need more affordable homes for local people, not more Airbnbs and short-term lets.

“The Government said it would carry out a review into short-term lets months ago, but disappointingly has not yet published the findings. I simply don’t see what they are waiting for. They should publish the review in full as soon as possible, and act upon its findings to ensure our towns and villages can continue to thrive – without local people being priced out of their own community.”

South West Water (SWW) have confirmed that water has since been restored to areas of East Devon after locals reported more than 24-hours without water. Residents in Axminster and Tiverton faced hours without water over the weekend after a number of pipes burst, and some locals in Seaton say they still do not have water access.

The taps might be running dry, but given the rain we have had, you can bet that the Combined Sewer Outfalls (CSOs) will have been pouring freely into our rivers and into the sea. Strange smells in Exmouth? – Owl

www.devonlive.com

Some locals reported they had no access to water for 36 hours after the pipes burst. A statement from SWW said the company had been working “through the night” to restore water, and had delivered bottled water to residents without water.

Jane, from Seaton, told Devon Live: “I don’t know how many are affected. There is a care home in Seaton without water. “

She continued: “They’ve given different reasons at the moment; one was a burst pipe, another was a pumping issue. We don’t know what is going on but it’s a bit much.”

Jane says she has been unable to shower due to the water issues. She said: “I’ve tried to ring SWW but it was a two-hour wait. When is it going to be fixed? There are elderly and vulnerable people involved. “

A resident in Honiton said they were unable to “drink water, flush the toilet, or shower” from around 10pm on Sunday, December 18. According to the SWW Twitter account, a burst pipe on Saturday (December 17) meant residents in Seaton lost water – this was followed by a second burst pipe which extended the loss.

A statement from SWW, released today (Monday), said water has since been restored to Axminster, though customers may experience a drop in water pressure while “water recharged the system”. The company said “extreme weather conditions, with temperatures moving quickly from -6 to 11 degrees” put pressure on pipes, leading to bursts.

A South West Water spokesperson said: “We know that some customers in Tiverton and Seaton are experiencing disruption to their water supply. We have worked hard all weekend and through the night to restore supplies to customers in Axminster and water is now restored, but customers may experience low pressure while water recharges into the system.

“The extreme weather conditions, with temperatures moving quickly from -6 to 11 degrees, did put our network under pressure and our team are responding very quickly to find and fix bursts. We thank customers for their patience while we work hard to restore all customer supplies.”

From a correspondent:

People with annual tickets won’t get a refund.

Stagecoach says it will happen on MOST routes but does not specify which ones.

Cuts to routes mean that people who used to take one bus now take 2-3 so unlikely to be a saving for them.

(A comment has already pointed out that you first have to find your bus.)

Another correspondent becomes inspired to write a “Carol” for our times.

(Owl enjoys these contributions immensely. Thank you.)

Below is ‘A Christmas Jingle’ to be sung to the tune of ‘Santa Claus is coming to town!’

LAND DEVELOPERS ARE COMING TO TOWN!

You better watch out
you better not cry;
you better not pout,
I’m telling you why –
Land Developers are coming to town!

They’re making a list
they’re checking it twice –
It matters not whether you’re naughty or nice –
Land Developers are coming to town!

They pinpoint those found sleeping –
they avoid those wide awake;
without a five-year housing plan
‘You’re toast – for goodness sake!’

They’re raising a glass
To profits galore –
They really don’t care
If you’re needy or poor –
Land Developers are coming to town!

They’ll build on your green spaces;
High rise is in their scope –
Alas, there’s no protection –
because ‘The Council’ just can’t cope!

You better watch out –
it’s really quite scary –
A Farringdon new town (?) –
Build, build, build in Clyst St Mary –
Land Developers are coming to town!