Category Archives: Misc

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

17 Oct 2017

Posted under

Misc

Want to hold our Local Enterprise Partnership to account?


HOTSW LEP (and ex-well-paid ex-South West Regional Development Agency) CEO Chris Garcia and

unidentified? Steve Hindley (HOTSW Chair and Chairman of property developer Midas Group)
https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/markets/sectors/nuclear/contractors-change-designs-due-to-hinkley-labour-drain/10014282.article

“The Heart of the South West LEP is holding its conference and annual general meeting on 10 November in Taunton. The morning session will have updated on the LEP’s achievements and the forthcoming Productivity Plan, with business support taster sessions taking place throughout the afternoon with the HotSW Growth Hub. For more details and to register visit:”

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/heart-of-the-south-west-lep-annual-conference-agm-registration-38103734295

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

7 Oct 2017

Posted under

Misc

Ah, it’s not council housing, it’s “affordable” rents from developers!

“We will provide £2bn more funding [ie not BUILDING, FUNDING] for the affordable housing programme.

This will increase the government’s 2016-21 affordable homes programme to £9.1bn. This extra £2bn will lever in a total investment of £5bnn (public and private) in new housing. [Is the private sector really chipping in, of course not, it’s creative accounting!]

In those areas of the country where rents are high, we will allow bids for social rent, which are further below market rents. [ALL areas of the country have rents t

With a typical subsidy of £80,000, £2bn investment can supply around 25,000 homes available for social rent.

This compares with an additional 6,800 social rent homes delivered in 2015-16.

To help encourage more investment in social housing, we will create a stable financial environment by setting a long-term rent deal for councils and housing associations. This will give them the security and certainty to invest and build more.

We will encourage councils as well as housing associations to bid for this funding so that we can deliver a new generation of council homes in this country.”

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2017/oct/04/conservative-conference-2017-theresa-may-to-announce-council-house-building-programme-politics-live

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

3 Oct 2017

Posted under

Misc

DCC East Devon Alliance Councillor Shaw gets new NHS scrutiny debate

THURSDAY 5 OCTOBER, 2.15 pm
ITEM 15

“There WILL be a debate at the County Council on Thursday on my motion calling for Health Scrutiny to look again at the issues it failed to scrutinise properly in July, and for the County to let the Secretary of State know of the concerns about the CCG’s decisions and the process. The Leader, Cllr John Hart, has told me that they will agree to a debate rather than having the motion forwarded first to Cabinet, as is the normal procedure.

The agenda for the meeting is here:

http://democracy.devon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=132&MId=2091&Ver=4

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

18 Sep 2017

Posted under

Misc

“Is Britain turning into a home buyer’s paradise?” asks Daily Mail

why?

“In August, the average price tag of a home was £313,663, compared to £310,003 this month, Rightmove’s latest house price index reveals.”

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-4888380/Is-UK-turning-buyer-s-paradise.html

Well, prices often drop a little in September because families often rush to complete home purchases before the new school year.

So, er, no, it hasn’t become a “house buyers paradise” – though it MIGHT become a LITTLE nearer to paradise if we can BOGOF (buy one, get one free) though! Then we’re talking!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

17 Sep 2017

Posted under

Misc

Exmouth councillors who voted to close the Fun Park

The following spoke for closure:
Bruce de Saram, John Humphreys, Brian Bailey, Pauline Scott, Jill Elson.

Also voting for closure:
Mark Williamson, Cherry Nicholas, Darryl Nicholas, Maddy Chapman.

Bill Nash absent.
So was Philip Skinner, Chair of the Exmouth Regeneration Panel

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

13 Sep 2017

Posted under

Accountability, Democracy, East Devon Tories, EDDC, Hugo Swire, Misc, Neil Parish, NHS (local), Paul Diviani

A response to Councillor Shaw’s response to Councillor Allen’s response to Diviani’s vote at DCC!

Comment post to Councillor Shaw’s post:

“If councillors like Mike Allen want to distance themselves from Paul Diviani and regain some respect from the electorate, the first step will be to vote against him at today’s council meeting.

Any councillor voting against the motion of no confidence, then they are aligning themselves with Diviani’s anti-democratic approach of ignoring the electorate, his own council, and other councils he was supposed to represent, and they are showing everyone that they are no better than he is.

And if Mike Allen was relying on Hugo Swi[r]ne and Neil Pari[s]ah to fix the NHS issues in East Devon he was backing the wrong horse.”

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

9 Sep 2017

Posted under

Misc

Tory donor peer says May is stupid , should stop criticising excessive pay and her job should go to someone from a council estate

“Theresa May is a “hopeless” leader of a “weak” government and Britain would be better off with an administration like Tony Blair’s in the early years, a major Tory donor has said.

Lord Harris of Peckham said the Prime Minister is “no Thatcher” and criticised her “shell-shocked” general election performance, in which the Tories disastrously lost their House of Commons majority from a position of apparent strength.

In a scathing interview, Lord Harris suggested Mrs May’s record as home secretary was not “that great”, described her attacks on aspects of capitalism and big business as “stupid”, and warned she was making a “mistake” by criticising excessive pay.

The peer instead backed Scottish Tory leader Ruth Davidson for the top job.

“She’s very practical, very solid and won’t give in,” he said.

“She’s clever as well as growing up on a council estate. I think she’s top class.

“They should get her in as an MP… see how she gets on working her way up and I think in three or four years’ time she’d make a great prime minister.” …”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/09/08/tory-donor-brands-theresa-may-weak-hopeless/

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

8 Sep 2017

Posted under

Misc

Woodbury Common money spinner for Clinton Devon Estates? Rent a hut?

The various protections on Woodbury Common must be a real headache for Clinton Devon Estates which controls the land via the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust

Fear not, they have a plan!

Rent-Iron-Age-hut anyone – just an idea …

http://www.devonlive.com/news/history/2500-year-old-iron-age-429852

“… The nationally important archaeological site and prominent landmark was previously put on Historic England’s at risk register when it became apparent that the area was suffering, predominantly from erosion due to a high volume of visitors but also due to damage from tree roots and scrub growth.

But last year the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust secured funding from Natural England’s Countryside Stewardship scheme to undertake extensive restoration work that will directly contribute to conserving and protecting the site, resulting in its eventual removal from the at Risk Register.

The funding will enable better interpretation at the monument, creating a sense of welcome for visitors so they become aware of its archaeological significance upon arrival, while promoting an understanding and appreciation of its national and historical importance.

… Volunteers are being sought to assist with some of the work, and the Trust plans to establish a volunteer archaeological monitoring scheme to give local people with an interest in archaeology or natural history the opportunity to be involved in ongoing preservation work. The Trust is also planning on hosting guided walks for people to learn more about the site.”

http://www.devonlive.com/news/history/2500-year-old-iron-age-429852

Note:

Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust is an environmental charity and forms part of conservation group that includes a Land Management Company. It is funded by Clinton Devon Estates with financial support from DEFRA.

Additional support comes from charitable donations. The Trust’s outdoor countryside learning education work is supported by the Ernest Cook Trust and the Otter Valley Association.

Clinton Devon Estates owns 80% of what remains of the Pebblebed Heaths, the core area of which is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation and a Special Protection Area. The Commons owned by Clinton Devon Estates include Aylsebeare, Harpford, Hawkerland, Colaton Raleigh, Woodbury, Bicton, East Budleigh, Dalditch and Mutter’s Moor (the latter is not a Common), with all but Aylsebeare and Harpford managed by the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust.

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

7 Sep 2017

Posted under

Misc

Budleigh Salterton mail gets eaten by snails

“Royal Mail apology after Budleigh Film Society letter ‘damaged’ by snails

Budleigh Film Society recently discovered why it hadn’t received a particular membership letter – it was attacked by snails.

An envelope which contained a cheque for the membership fee of the club was devoured by hungry snails in one of Royal Mail’s post boxes.

The group’s membership secretary Fiona Hennah was surprised to discover a letter from Royal Mail explaining the issue.

In the letter, Royal Mail Exeter said: “The item was found during a scheduled collection from a posting box and has been damaged by snails.

“Unfortunately, we find that slugs and snails still occasionally manage to creep into the apertures, fall down into the box and start eating the glue/adhesive on the stamps and envelopes.”

Fiona said she was surprised to receive the letter from Royal Mail and that most of the envelope was eaten away but the cheque remained intact.”

http://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/news/budleigh-film-society-letter-damaged-snails-1-5183556

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

26 Aug 2017

Posted under

Accountability, Austerity cuts, Golden Triangle LEP, Great South West LEP, Local Enterprise Partnership, Misc, Scrutiny, Transparency

Comments

1 Comment

Forget Heart of the South West, hello Great South West!

Not much in the way of money passing through their hands these days, thanks to former heavy reliance on government handouts and EU money.

Now, forget the “Heart of th South West” LEP and the “Golden Triangle” LEP and look forward to … well leave you to make up your own minds by letting them explain themselves.

But they soldier on, making more invisible clothes for the emperor, bigging up projects that are grinding on, avoiding talk of those that are stuck or being downgraded.

Here’s highlights from their August newsletter where we find an interesting new development.

First of all, the LEPs are all struggling to achieve anything so they are trying to find safety in numbers:

“This message and strong business interest have been taken forward into the Great South West brand. The work is at an early stage and is yet to involve more partners in the region; it is meant to be a flexible concept which partners can use on a project by project basis when it adds real value. Importantly, it aims to give us added weight with Government and other key stakeholders when we need to communicate across a larger geography. The concept has been progressed by the South West Leaders’ Forum and will continue to be developed through partnership and consultation with local authorities, MPs, business and the education sector.”

And so, our LEP will now aim to be part of a conglomerate called – wait for it

THE GREAT SOUTH WEST

to rival the (currently rather dead in the water) “Northern Powerhouse”.

Here’s how they explain it:

“In order to compete with other UK and international regions, ‘Great South West’ aims to bring together a wide range of stakeholders from across the whole of the South West including Local Authorities, LEPs, MPs, Business and Education. It’s being created as a vehicle to promote all that is great about the region and to act as a common banner to communicate a clear focus on the opportunities to deliver prosperity.

With over £100bn of business opportunities, the South West has much to contribute; a dynamic and progressive South West economy can generate the critical success factors needed for a successful national economy.

As a region, the South West is diverse with different priorities covering different geographies. By working together, we will develop strategies and actions to secure enhanced funding and investment creating a prosperous region for all of us.”

AND it even has a brand new web page!

http://greatsouthwest.org.uk/pages/contact-us/94

But don’t worry, the current and former members of our LEP are not neglecting their nuclear interests:

“In response to the Government’s commitment to work on an ‘early sector deal’ with the nuclear industry in the Industrial Strategy, NSW (made up of HotSW, West of England, Dorset and GFirst LEPs together with the private and academic/skills sectors) and its equivalent partners in the North West, have set out an approach to the Nuclear Industry Council to making the UK a global lead for the nuclear industry. …

The approach is an early stage and we will refine this through continued dialogue with Government on an effective nuclear sector deal. NSW believes it’s a major step forward and a testament to its integrity and profile that the North West consortium supported this joint approach.”

Lots and lots of scope for wasting more and more money there!

And last, but very much not least our LEP finally seems to realise that Brexit is upon us! And it has ANOTHER new sub-group:

“The Brexit Resilience and Opportunities Group continues to draw together intelligence to understand the threats of Brexit in our area and maximise any opportunities.

Good information is crucial and the Group is still looking for more businesses to give their views on how their business will be affected by leaving the EU. The more people that respond, the better the results will be in building a meaningful response across all sectors.”

Summary: Heart of the South West LEP quietly morphing into …. drum roll… another iteration of the

South West Regional Development Agency

originally cut off in its bureaucratic prime by – the Conservative Government in 2012:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regional_development_agency

Newsletter:
http://mailchi.mp/heartofswlep/august-heart-of-the-south-west-lep-newsletter

And still as unaccountable and non-transparent as ever – just BIGGER!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

25 Aug 2017

Posted under

Misc

Comments

1 Comment

Internal audit, external audit or no audit?

“Gambling addict Mark Conway diverted Dundee Council money to his own account for seven years after running up online gambling debts and was only left with £7,337. …

He admitted defrauding £1,065,085 between August 2009 and May last year. The money was lost betting on football matches and only £7,337 was recovered.”

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4822146/Gambler-siphoned-1m-council-cash-account.htm

SEVEN years!

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

5 Aug 2017

Posted under

Misc

Left or centre? NHS or arms sales? New definitions

Our MP frequently visits the Middle East at the same time as our arms salesmen in his capacity as Chairman of the Conservative Middle East Council.

Indeed, in South America, when he was a Minister, he was alleged to have been an arms dealer himself:

https://www.vice.com/en_uk/article/9bgdme/a-british-defence-minister-acted-as-an-arms-dealer-to-colombia-849

Here he talks about his attitude towards selling arms to Saudi Arabia:

https://www.hugoswire.org.uk/sale-arms-saudi-arabia-0

“… Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking into account the precise nature of the equipment and the identity and track record of the recipient. The Government has consistently said it does not, and will not, issue licences where it judges that the proposed export would provoke or prolong internal conflicts, or where there is a clear risk it might be used to facilitate internal repression or be used aggressively against another country. I have always fully supported this stance.

Saudi Arabia has publicly stated that it is investigating reports of alleged violations of International Humanitarian Law. This is an important process and the UK is fully behind thorough investigations into all allegations of violations of International Law. Finding a political solution to the conflict in Yemen is the best way to bring long-term stability and peace talks are a top priority.”

and a couple of other articles for balance:

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/saudi-arabia-arms-sales-yemen-war-uk-government-us-donald-trump-obama-aid-a7643066.html

“Since the conflict began two years ago in March 2015, the US and UK have together transferred more than US$5 billion worth of arms to Saudi Arabia which is leading the military coalition in Yemen. This is more than 10 times the estimated US$450 million that the US State Department and the UK’s Department for International Development have spent or budgeted to spend in aid to Yemen over the past two years. …

Weapons supplied in the past by states such as the UK and USA have been used to commit gross violations and helped to precipitate a humanitarian catastrophe. These governments have continued to authorize such arms transfers at the same time as providing aid to alleviate the very crisis they have helped to create. Yemeni civilians continue to pay the price of these brazenly hypocritical arms supplies.” …”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/saudi-arabia-yemen-uk-bombs-sold-arms-deal-used-unlawful-attacks-claims-a7776071.html

“… Conservatives are being pushed to make public a report, commissioned by former Prime Minister David Cameron, that investigates whether Saudi Arabia funds terrorist groups. Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the report was confidential, and Ms Rudd said the report was “never meant to be seen”.”