See http://saveoursidmouth.com/2014/04/16/sidford-fields-possible-visual-impact-from-the-a-3052-of-the-proposed-5-hectare-business-park/

On Wednesday (26th Feb) the EDDC council voted to push ahead with the relocation, probably to a SkyPark site (pending yet more consultation!), with costs of close to £1,000,000 approved for the purchase of land for the newbuild offices.
For a fuller report, please see following link…http://saveoursidmouth.com/2014/02/27/knowle-sale-and-skypark-spend-voted-through-under-veil-of-cabinet-minutes/

On Thursday morning (27th Feb) Cllr. Claire Wright was interviewed on Radio Devon about the motion to have an independent survey of the Knowle Buildings done – Cllr. Diviani declined to make any comment

For Full story – http://saveoursidmouth.com/2014/02/27/knowle-sell-off-diviani-declines-radio-devons-invitation-to-be-interviewed-this-morning/

For Radio Interview – http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01r46tb Claire Wright Interview on BBC Radio Devon – from 40.10 mins

Last week Devon County Council (DCC) voted 32-23 against letting members of the Youth Service speak for 3 minutes about the proposed £970,000 cuts to their budget, on the grounds they had not sought permission within the deadline and to allow them to do so would set a bad precedent.

They failed to mention the deadline for submission was Friday 14th February, 7 days before the meeting, but news of the cuts was only released “accidentally” on Thursday 13th February, so leaving the Youth Service very little time to organise. The organisers contacted the council requesting permission to speak during the week in the run-up to the meeting, which confirms the council were fully aware of their request days beforehand, so could easily have avoided this shameful episode. For webcast of the DCC decision, see following link from 20.20 mins onwards.

Webcast of DCC Decision – http://www.devoncc.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/118409

And for Cllr. Moulding’s written justification of the decision, please see DCC Reply- http://www.claire-wright.org/index.php/post/why_devon_county_council_tories_voted_against_against_allowing_young_people

To sign the Youth Service petition please follow the link… http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/john-hart-protect-our-youth-services-from-budget-cuts

For latest news on the Local Plan Examination Hearings, please see recent posts on this EDA website.

Some Conservative Councillors voted against the motion (only slightly differently worded) that they had vociferously backed and voted for at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. No debate was aired, to indicate what had caused this complete reversal. A recorded vote was proposed, but firmly rejected ‘en bloc’ by the Tory Councillors. (Of course, it’s not obligatory to follow a whip. As Cllr Tony Howard told a group of EDA members at last night’s meeting, he has voted against the whip at least twice at the DMC.)

Comment on today’s EDDC press release is at this link: http://saveoursidmouth.com/2014/02/27/council-leader-says-eddc-will-be-engaging-with-customers-and-stakeholders-on-office-relocation/

This speech was made last night:

EAST DEVON DISTRICT COUNCIL MEETING
26 FEBRUARY 2014

KNOWLE RELOCATION NOTICE OF MOTION

COMMENTS BY CLLR ROGER GILES

Chairman, when I first heard of the proposal to relocate the EDDC offices from The Knowle to Honiton, I thought that the principle of it had some merit.
To go from Sidmouth, despite all its many charms, to a much more central East Devon location at Honiton and the benefit of a railway station as well as the A30 and A35 appeared to be sensible.
To have new designed-for-purpose offices, rather than a converted hotel with myriad corridors and staircases also seemed sensible on the face of it.
Of course the principle often becomes much less attractive when the details of what is necessary become known – particularly the costings.

The costs of the project have rocketed.

And the principles behind it have been abandoned.

No longer is a central location proposed – but a location virtually in Exeter.

Quite understandably the people of Sidmouth and Sidmouth Town Council were very concerned about the proposed relocation. Concerned about the effect on The Knowle and its magnificent grounds and trees. Concerned about the effect on Sidmouth`s economy and the loss of jobs. Concerned about the consequent and excessive provision of 5 hectares of employment at Sidford.

But Sidmouth`s loss was to be Honiton`s gain. Lots of jobs for Honiton people, and a boost for Honiton`s economy.

Not now!

When this relocation project was first proposed the economy was relatively buoyant; people were relatively well off; and this Council was also relatively well off.

Not now! There is a much harsher economic climate. Many ordinary people – the better off – have had to pull their belts in. Many more are in a far far worse situation and are really struggling to pay their bills – including their Council Tax bills. This Council is suffering from unfair financial settlements from the Government.

It is important that we do not lose sight of the purpose of East Devon District Council. EDDC exists to provide services for the people of East Devon. To provide those services it spends taxpayers` money. Of course to enable it to provide services for the people of East Devon EDDC needs offices.

It does seem to me that there are some people who are running this Council who have lost sight of the purpose of EDDC. People who seem to be determined to press ahead, with what many members of the public see as a vanity project, regardless of the cost; regardless of what the people of East Devon think; regardless of the cost to EDDC`s reputation. And I very much suspect regardless of what the staff of EDDC think.

Yesterday afternoon all EDDC councillors received a letter from Mike Owen on behalf of the Cranbrook Consortium expressing concern about the decision to go for Skypark. The letter asked for the process to remain open.

Chairman the Council should listen to Mike Owen. But the Council should also listen to the people of Sidmouth; and also listen to the East Devon Council Taxpayer.

I urge the Council to support the Notice of Motion. To halt the reckless charge towards this damaging and hugely expensive project. And to stop the chain of devastation that would be left in its wake.

At what cost? Well, risking the economy of two major East Devon towns, for a start.
See this report on Full Council meeting: http://saveoursidmouth.com/2014/02/27/knowle-sale-and-skypark-spend-voted-through-under-veil-of-cabinet-minutes/

Some Councils decide to move with good reason, and clear cost-savings. East Devon District Council’s plan to relocate to newbuild offices at the faltering Skypark, has no such certainty.

So tomorrow’s Full Council meeting will hear vigorous calls from Councillors and the public, for more complete information about relocation costs and how they were arrived at. (In fact, EDDC’s own Overview and Scrutiny Committee recently voted with a two-third’s majority, and no objections, to ask for precisely that). The necessity for the move has also been called into question.

Despite a Councillor’s mention to an EDA member this evening that nothing is set in stone, the Cabinet seems to be feverishly pursuing the purchase of land for new offices at Skypark. The Full Council will be asked to approve £1,000,000 for this purpose, tomorrow evening (6.30pm at Knowle, Sidmouth). £350,000 (not including officer time) has already been spent, and an additional budget of £400,000 (over two years) has also been set aside just for preparing the move.

Other Councils, meanwhile, are responding to Government cuts in a different style, as reported in the Western Morning News:
http://www.westernmorningnews.co.uk/Councils-look-new-homes-Government-cuts-bite/story-20691834-detail/story.html