Three quarters of the 100 constituencies worst hit by sewage spills last year are held by Conservative MPs.

Adam Vaughan www.thetimes.co.uk

Environment Agency data showed that discharges of raw sewage into seas and rivers doubled in duration last year to a record 3.6 million hours.

Among the top 100 constituencies in England worst affected by the dumping, which typically happens when sewers are overwhelmed by heavy rainfall, 75 were held by Tory MPs. Three of the seats were held by the Liberal Democrats, and the rest by Labour.

Rishi Sunak’s seat in Richmond, North Yorkshire, was the tenth worst on the list. Yorkshire Water spilt sewage for almost 42,000 hours from storm overflows in the constituency. The water company was the second worst nationally last year for sewage discharges, with almost 78,000 across its region. Water companies have blamed the high spills on wet weather.

Torridge & West Devon, held by the Tory MP and former attorney-general Sir Geoffrey Cox, was the worst-affected seat in England. South West Water, which last year reported a half-year profit of £85.9 million, was responsible for almost 100,000 hours of spills in the constituency, a 65 per cent increase on 2022.

The Liberal Democrats, who conducted the analysis, said Tory MPs would face a “reckoning at the ballot box” from Conservative voters angry over sewage pollution. The party has made the state of rivers and seas a top campaigning priority before the general election. Sir Ed Davey, the leader, seized on the issue after crediting it with helping the Liberal Democrat Sarah Green win the by-election in Chesham & Amersham, Buckinghamshire.

Almost all of the seats in England saw an increase in the duration of sewage spills last year. With the ground saturated after persistent rainfall, sewage treatment plants regularly reached capacity and sewer networks suffered from “infiltration” as groundwater seeped into pipes.

Several of the badly affected constituencies are held by ministers, including Central Devon where the work and pensions secretary, Mel Stride, is MP and where South West Water released sewage for more than 60,000 hours. North East Cambridgeshire, held by the environment secretary, Steve Barclay, had a smaller duration of spills, about 8,000 hours, but a 182 per cent increase in how long each lasted.

Other cabinet ministers with constituencies in the top fifth of those worst affected include Richard Holden, Gillian Keegan, Chris Heaton-Harris, Mark Harper, Michelle Donelan, Victoria Atkins and Lucy Frazer. Collectively, seats held by cabinet ministers had about 265,000 hours of spills last year.

“These figures show the worst-hit areas by soaring levels of sewage dumping are held by Conservative MPs, including Rishi Sunak’s own constituency,” Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat environment spokesman, said. “It shows Conservative ministers are turning a blind eye to rivers and beaches being ruined by filthy sewage dumping in their own backyards.”

Water companies have now paid out a total of £78 billion in dividends since privatisation in 1991. The Financial Times found firms in England and Wales had paid £2.5 billion in dividends since 2021. Barclay wanted to ban dividends for firms which broke the law on water pollution, but the Treasury rejected the idea.

The findings on spills echo a Times analysis of earlier data, which showed that out of 79,467 sewage releases in marginal constituencies in 2022, more than 39,000 were in Conservative seats. Marginal seats are those won in the 2019 general election by less than 10 per cent, and are considered crucial to the outcome of an election expected later this year.

The issue of water quality has been elevated in recent weeks by a series of celebrity protests, with the former Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey and the actor Steve Coogan protesting at Windermere over sewage discharges.

The Conservative Party has not responded to requests for comment.

Ministers in London talk about sums spent on pothole repairs, but on the ground in Devon we are not seeing it. Why cut NI if we have to spend greater sums making up for crumbling infrastructure? I admire Stephen’s approach: “I’m doing this to help others” – Richard Foord MP on “X”.

Philippa Davies www.exmouthjournal.co.uk

A man whose car was damaged by a deep pothole in the road is making a legal claim against Devon County Council for the repair costs.

Stephen Lee from Beer incurred a bill of £466.63 after damaging a wheel and tyre of his car on the badly potholed Seaton Road near Southleigh in December.

He made a claim for compensation from the council, through its official application process, but it was rejected.

He has now lodged a claim through the Small Claims Court on the basis that Devon County Council has failed in its legal duty of care to maintain the roads properly.

Mr Lee says he’s taking this action to make a stand on behalf of all motorists in Devon who’re having to put up with the poor state of the highways: “I can afford the money but I’m doing this as a matter of principle to help others.”

The council had refused to pay compensation because its legal department didn’t consider that the authority would be held liable for the damage to Mr Lee’s car. He was told that, although the council has a duty to maintain the highways, it cannot reasonably be expected to prevent or respond immediately to all defects.

But in his legal claim form, Mr Lee states: “My claim is that the council have a duty of care to maintain the roads so that they remain safe.”

He told the Herald: “They say ‘we’re short of money’, and I know other counties are as well, but the problem is that they haven’t invested the repair money properly in the past, they’ve just patched up, they’ve not done preventative maintenance.

“If they’d drilled along the side of the road, dug down and put in concrete, it would have protected the surface from water penetration from underneath.

“My argument is this: these things happen and the council are notified about it and they try to get it fixed as soon as possible, but the problem is that this has been going on for years, they do a cheap cosmetic repair but have historically failed to invest in preventative maintenance and the state of the roads now is that they’re dangerous.”

After having his compensation claim rejected Mr Lee returned to the scene of the pothole incident he had reported to the county council, and saw that the relevant section of road had been recently ‘patched up’ – but there was another large pothole right next to it that had been ignored.

He said: “The real point of those photos is that the system is not working – they’ve done the repair but left other holes in the same immediate vicinity.

“The roads in Devon are the worst I’ve seen anywhere, and I’ve driven all over the country.”

Mr Lee lodged his small claim on Friday, April 12. He is claiming a total of £529.67 – the cost of the repairs, plus interest, plus the court fee of £50. Devon County Council has 28 days to respond.

Release £8.3bn HS2 money for potholes now, DfT urges Treasury

The vast majority of the money isn’t available to spend until the end of the decade. Only £300 million for the first two years has so far been allocated.

Ben Clatworthy www.thetimes.co.uk

HS2 money that was redirected to fix potholes should be made available sooner to fix crumbling roads, officials have said.

Ministers have pledged to resurface 5,000 miles of road using £8.3 billion of cash that would have been spent on the new HS2 line north of Birmingham.

However, the vast majority of the money isn’t available to spend until the end of the decade. Only £300 million for the first two years has so far been allocated.

The Times understands that the Department for Transport (DfT) is urging officials at the Treasury to unlock the funds earlier, allowing work to begin sooner. At present the money will be spent over an 11-year period.

“If we were going to go by the letter of HS2 funding, that means all of our funding comes towards the back end of the decade,” a DfT official said. “We don’t think that’s a particularly helpful way of doing things. We’ve had a conversation with the Treasury over what that looks like.”

Last month, an annual report into the state of the carriageways said that local roads are heading to “breaking point”, with less than half of the network now deemed to be in a good condition.

More than 100,000 miles of road, representing more than half the network, have less than 15 years’ structural life remaining, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), which collects data from local authorities.

It said the continued decline in conditions is “reflected by the cost of tackling the backlog of carriageway repairs, which has increased to a new record high of £16.3 billion”. A one-time catch-up would take ten years to complete.

After weeks of speculation over the soaring costs of the scheme, Rishi Sunak announced in October at the Tory party conference in Manchester that the northern leg of HS2 would be axed.

The decision was criticised by leaders in the north of England, including Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, and Andy Street, the mayor of the West Midlands.

Sunak insisted that the £36 billion saved by not building phases 2a and 2b of the high-speed line would be injected into more than a hundred transport schemes across the UK as part of a new Network North programme.

Announcing in November the £8.3 billion for roads, Mark Harper, the transport secretary, said: “Today’s biggest-ever funding uplift for local road improvements is a victory for all road users, who will enjoy smoother, faster and safer trips as we use redirected HS2 funding to make the right long-term decisions for a brighter future.”

Local highway authorities were given an extra £150 million last year. They will receive a further £150 million this year, with the rest of the funding allocated through to 2034.

A source close to Harper said the DfT and Treasury discussions formed part of the “usual dialogue of government”, adding: “We have already paid the first tranche of money into local authorities’ bank accounts and work is under way.

“It’s absolutely usual for us to be talking to the Treasury, especially about such a large amount of money. These are normal conversations.”

The AIA report found that across England and Wales, local authorities would need an extra £1.22 billion each year to maintain road networks to their own targets. It amounts to £7.2 million per authority.

Rick Green, the AIA chairman, said the extra Network North money was welcome but is “clearly not going to be enough to halt the decline” in the quality of local roads.

A spokeswoman for the DfT said: “Local highway authorities are responsible for maintaining their road networks but we are supporting them with the biggest-ever increase in funding, with £8.3 billion of reallocated HS2 funding over the next ten years — enough to resurface the equivalent of over 5,000 miles of roads across the country.

“As is the usual process, we will provide further detail on future years’ funding in due course.”

The domain “richardfoord.uk” was bought by Oliver Kerr, who works part-time as Mr Jupp’s campaign manager, and is paid by taxpayers to also work for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

Works for the Standards Authority.You couldn’t make it up! – Owl

“The Office of Mr Jupp has acted deceitfully, and without integrity. This behaviour has no place in Devon.” Richard Foord MP

Ten days ago incurious Simon Jupp told the BBC he was “not responsible for the web domains”. – Owl

David Parsley inews.co.uk

A Conservative MP has admitted that one of his campaign staffers registered web domains in the name of a Lib Dem rival that directed voters to the Tory’s own campaign website, i can reveal.

As i reported earlier this month, web domains that purported to link to sites connected to Liberal Democrat MP Richard Foord actually directed people to the campaign website of Tory Simon Jupp.

Mr Jupp and Mr Foord have both seen their constituencies abolished under boundary changes and are fighting a tight race in the new seat of Honiton and Sidmouth, in Devon.

While the website links were disabled, following the discovery of what the Lib Dems called a “deceit”, Mr Foord asked Nominet, the UK’s registrar for website domain names, to investigate who was behind the ruse.

An email sent from Nominet to Mr Foord on Thursday revealed the name of the person who bought at least one of the domains, while the Lib Dems believe the same person was responsible for at least one of the other two.

The web addresses richardfoord.uk, richardfoord.co.uk and richardfoord.com were, until 8 April, all linked directly to Mr Jupp’s website.

Nominet found richardfoord.uk was bought by Oliver Kerr, who works part-time as Mr Jupp’s campaign manager, and is paid by taxpayers to also work for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority.

It is understood that Mr Foord believes Mr Kerr also bought the .com address, as it was purchased at the same time as the .uk domain.

Nominet has offered Mr Foord the opportunity to report the matter to its dispute resolution service, and said it would investigate if a complaint was made.

He is now preparing to bring the matter to the attention of Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and will also write to Mr Jupp to ask for an explanation.

Mr Foord – currently MP for Tiverton and Honiton – told i: “This is a new low for the Conservative Party. Just this week, we have seen Conservative MPs caught in a honeytrap, trapped in a flat, and now a local Conservative MP seeking to trick the public with an online trap.

“In my time as MP, many people in mid and east Devon who have needed help have been able to contact me through my website. Yet we now find out that the office of Simon Jupp attempted to divert the public with dishonest election campaign tactics.

“In the Army you learn about integrity – it’s a core value in our Armed Forces. These values of honesty and integrity should be key to all those in public life too.

“The Office of Mr Jupp has acted deceitfully, and without integrity. This behaviour has no place in Devon.”

Mr Jupp, currently MP for East Devon, claimed he was not aware that Mr Kerr had bought the websites in Mr Foord’s name.

“The individual responsible has apologised for making an error of judgement, without my knowledge or approval, and no longer owns the website domains in question,” Mr Jupp told i. “That is the right thing to do, and I am glad he’s apologised and reflected on his actions.”

Mr Kerr said: “I would like to apologise to Richard Foord for buying these website domains. I bought them independently. I wasn’t asked to buy them by anyone.

“I regret my actions and no longer own the website domains in question.”

According to political forecasting website Electoral Calculus, Mr Jupp has a 54 per cent chance of winning the Honiton and Sidmouth seat, while Mr Foord is on 45 per cent.

Web domains are inexpensive to buy and easy to direct to any website as long as no one has already bought the name.

For example, domain names ending in .uk can cost as little at £10 a year, with the first year coming in at less than £1. A .co.uk domain will cost around the same amount and a .com address tends to be a little more expensive at around £18 a year.

Once the web domain name is owned it is a simple process to redirect it to any other website already in existence.

When asked on social media how he voted on “the ridiculous smoking law”, Simon Jupp replied:

“Hello. I did not vote for it as I’m concerned about the impact on retail workers and the difficulty of implementing the policy. I’m not a smoker, I don’t like smoking at all – but I have concerns about the plan.”

The questionnaire replied:  “…….I’m glad you voted against.” (See below)

As Owl reported yesterday Simon Jupp didn’t vote for the “law” but neither did he vote against it. In fact he sat on the fence and ABSTAINED.

Readers will recall another classic equivocation which he trots out regularly:

“I would never vote to pollute our water.” 

Which leads to the “Sixty-four thousand Dollar” question: how should we “read” Simon Jupp’s statement on the misleading website links:

Mr Jupp told the BBC he was “not responsible for the web domains”

Richard Foord MP on “X”

John and I may disagree on a lot, but I cannot fault his willingness to speak truth to power. He has [been] vocal on the issues facing Devon, not holding back or pulling his punches towards Conservative bosses in Westminster.

Claire Wright on “X”

I spent 8 years working with John Hart. We were political opponents and had a few run ins, but he was fair and decent, always telling me in person why he wasn’t going to support a motion… but sometimes he did I wish him a long and happy retirement

Cllr Paul Arnott on “X”

I was at a Team Devon meeting of all Devon district leaders today when John let us know of his news. His chairing of Team Devon was a fine example of cross county and party co-operation. Thanks John. It’s been great to work with you.

A decent “old school” Tory, one of the few with principles, who was prepared to put Devon before party and speak truth to power especially in negotiating the tricky subject of devolution. He was not afraid to say “no” to a Tory Government, for example on imposing “Mayors” on rural communities. – Owl

Adam Manning www.exmouthjournal.co.uk

The leader of Devon County Council has announced he is leaving the post after 15 years.

John Hart became Leader of Devon’s opposition Conservative Party in 2007 and won power of the county council in the 2009 election. He has remained Leader since then.

The Devon Conservative Group will hold a ballot to decide the County’s next Leader, and Mr Hart will remain in post until then.

He said: “It is the right time for me to stand down as leader. The county council is in a good position with a balanced budget.

“We’ve managed the budget this year so that we can now propose an allocation of an extra £10 million to repairing potholes and carrying out extra drainage work on our roads.

“We’ve concluded an agreement with the Government for £95 million of national funding to support our special needs education and, within weeks, we will hopefully finalise our devolution deal.”

Mr Hart was first elected to his home ward of Wembury and Erme in 1989 and now represents Wembury and Bickleigh after boundary changes.

He said: “It has been a real privilege and pleasure to serve the people of Devon for so long and I particularly want to thank the people of my ward for their continued support.

“Devon is the county in which I grew up and have lived all my life, in which I’ve run my family business, got married and raised my children and it is the county which I love.

“I must pay tribute to my wife Rita and my children for their support which has enabled me to do this job in the way that I have.”

Mr Hart said he was also proud of his record of producing balanced budgets in every year of his leadership except one exceptional year during Covid.

“Devon County Council has been a huge part of my life and I have thoroughly enjoyed working with some excellent councillors and officers to provide vital services to the people of Devon.”

Devon’s longest-serving MP, Sir Gary Streeter, said: “John has been a tower of strength in the life of the county for three decades or more.

“He has been a great servant to the people of Devon and epitomises the best principles of public service. On top of all that, he has been a wise counsellor to me on many occasions.”

Christine Channon preceded Mr Hart as Conservative leader and was county council leader for two years during the coalition administration between 2001 and 2005.

She said: “John combines great political skills with a limitless capacity for hard work.

“He’s known for being at his desk early in the morning and he’s still there when almost everybody else has gone home.

“His door is always open to councillors of all political persuasion as well as council officers. They are customarily greeted with great good humour and he always listens to their concerns.

“John has made his mark regionally and nationally as well as in Devon as exemplified by the Western Morning News regularly naming him as one of the most influential people in the South West in its annual surveys.

“He will be sorely missed as leader and we all wish him and Rita well for the future.”

Richard Foord, MP for Tiverton & Honiton

You cannot open a newspaper or turn on the radio without hearing of appalling loss of life in the Middle East – and worrying risks of escalation too.

Yet we cannot allow ourselves to forget another major conflict taking place on Europe’s doorstep – Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It has been 782 days since Vladimir Putin ordered Russian forces to undertake full-scale war on the people of Ukraine. Since the conflict began, tens of thousands of lives have been lost, millions have been displaced, and casualties on both sides have been high.

Despite some early successes, Putin has failed in his objective. He wanted a swift conquest of Ukraine, and to encourage other Eastern countries to crawl back into Russia’s sphere of influence. To date we have seen the opposite happen – with many in the West rallying to support the Ukrainian people.

In the UK we have a proud record of supporting Ukraine as it stands up to a bully, while caring for the displaced. We were the first country to provide various types of material, and generous people in East Devon opened their homes to those fleeing the conflict. Here in Devon, we’ve also seen huge efforts being made to help deliver support to those still in Ukraine who are caught up in this imperialist war.

Medics4Ukraine is a local initiative based out of Axminster and linked to a company called World Extreme Medicine. Since 2022, they have been delivering medical supplies and life-saving training to those on the frontline in Ukraine. Mark Hannaford, Luca Alfatti and their team have done incredible work. Last week they delivered their 22nd convoy of supplies. This represents over £3.1 million worth of medical kit donated and training delivered, with around 900 people trained.

I met with Mark and Luca last year. They proposed to me that we should get the Government to agree to donate surplus equipment and dressings that were past their expiry date to Ukraine, where they would be in high demand. Having raised this with the Secretary of State for Health in Parliament multiple times, I am glad to see this approach has been endorsed by ministers – who confirmed earlier this month that a further £2 million worth of surplus supplies are being released to Ukraine. This will enable Ukrainians to better treat infections and wounds.

Medics4Ukraine are close to hitting their £100,000 fundraising target. If you want to support their work, consider donating and helping this proud Devon initiative continue to make a difference for Ukrainians: http://www.gofundme.com/f/medics4ukraine

A building on Exmouth seafront will be knocked down this afternoon.

Demolition work on the Coastwatch House will begin today after Storm Kathleen destroyed its foundations last week.

As global warming continues we can expect storms to become more energetic and their frequency to increase – Owl

Adam Manning www.exmouthjournal.co.uk

The high spring tides, combined with the storms last week, undermined the corner of the building.

It has now been declared unsafe by Building Control and a Dangerous Building notice was served by East Devon District Council (EDDC).

Demolition has been arranged to start on April 16, and neighbouring businesses have been informed.

The Mamhead slipway remains closed to the public while the work takes place.

Exmouth was badly hit by the storms last week.

Drain overflows on the beach were also exposed.

A spokesman for EDDC said: “Contractors placed boulders and concrete blocks in front of the building as a temporary measure to take the brunt of the waves, and to prevent damage, but the building could not be saved from being further undermined.

“We have been working with NCI Exmouth throughout, and we thank them for their assistance, and we sympathise with them over the loss of this building.”

Richard Foord votes “aye”

“No vote recorded” is the official record for Simon Jupp last night.

Owl assumes that he was in Whitehall though he could have been taking an extended weekend “reaching out” to Richard Foord’s constituents in places like Honiton and Axminster.

[Update 10:20 am Jupp was in the House of Commons on Monday voting down the Lord’s amendments to the Rwanda Bill and spoke on Tuesday in the debate on energy security.]

Sitting on the fence would seem to fit with the conflict between his declared  “libertarian” instincts (See this post) and his wanting to be seen as “loyal”, given his PPS status.

In his short political career Simon has worked closely with right-wingers.

He was a SPAD to Dominic Raab before his selection as the Tory candidate to succeed Hugo Swire. (No vote recorded for Raab).

In October 2022 Simon Jupp “united” behind Liz Truss (voted “No” ). As a result he was also “newly promoted” as a PPS to  Simon Clarke (voted “No” ) when he became Secretary of State for Levelling-up, Housing and Communities.

He was sacked alongside Clarke but promoted again within a month as the Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the new Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper (voted “for”).

Here is a list of those Tory MPs who voted “No” last night.

Conservative (59):

1. Kemi Badenoch (minister)
2. Steve Baker (minister)
3. Alex Burghart (minister)
4. Andrew Griffith (minister)
5. Julia Lopez (minister)
6. Lee Rowley (minister)
7. Gareth Johnson
8. Craig Whittaker
9. Adam Afriyie
10. Sarah Atherton
11. Richard Bacon
12. Shaun Bailey
13. Simon Bayner
14. Jake Berry
15. Graham Brady
16. Suella Braverman
17. Paul Bristow
18. Rehman Chishti
19. Christopher Chope
20. Simon Clarke
21. Brendan Clarke-Smith
22. Dehenna Davison
23. Sarah Dines
24. Jonathan Djanogly
25. Jackie Doyle-Price
26. James Duddridge
27. Mark Eastwood
28. George Eustice
29. Nick Fletcher
30. Mark Francois
31. Richard Fuller
32. Chris Green
33. Jonathan Gullis
34. Darren Henry
35. Adam Holloway
36. Paul Holmes
37. Eddie Hughes
38. Tom Hunt
39. Robert Jenrick
40. Greg Knight
41. Edward Leigh
42. Andrew Lewer
43. Marco Longhi
44. Rachel Maclean
45. Anthony Mangnall
46. Karl McCartney
47. Anne Marie Morris
48. Tom Randall
49. Jacob Rees-Mogg
50. Laurence Robertson
51. Gary Sambrook
52. Alec Shelbrooke
53. Greg Smith
54. Alexander Stafford
55. Jane Stevenson
56. John Stevenson
57. Desmond Swayne
58. Liz Truss
59. Giles Watling

[More than 100 abstained]

Did you really need to buy the book?

In 2020, Tory ministers promised 40 new hospitals as part of a new buildings programme, but the National Audit Office has discovered that the scheme will not be delivered by 2030 as was pledged.

Andrew Gregory www.theguardian.com 

Millions of patients are being put at risk in crumbling hospitals that are unfit for purpose, MPs have said, as figures reveal more than 2,000 NHS buildings are older than the health service itself.

Health bosses have repeatedly warned ministers of the urgent need to plough cash into replacing rundown buildings in order to protect the safety of patients and staff. The maintenance backlog has risen to £11.6bn in England.

Now analysis of NHS Digital data has found that at 34 out of 211 NHS trusts in England at least one in four buildings have been standing since before 1948, the year the NHS was founded.

Sewage leaking from sinks on to wards are among the issues affecting more than 2,000 buildings that predate the health service. Last month it was reported that the ceiling of an intensive care ward collapsed on to a patient on life support and a falling lift broke a doctor’s leg. One hospital is said to have been using its intensive care unit as a storeroom because it deemed it unsafe for patients.

In 2020, Tory ministers promised 40 new hospitals as part of a new buildings programme, but the National Audit Office has discovered that the scheme will not be delivered by 2030 as was pledged.

The Liberal Democrats’ health and social care spokesperson, Daisy Cooper, described the situation as a “national scandal”, with millions of people “treated in old and crumbling hospitals that are no longer fit for purpose”.

“Patients and staff deserve the dignity of safe, modern and clean hospitals,” Cooper said. “But instead this government has shamefully chosen to raid capital budgets for fixing crumbling buildings to plug the gap in day-to-day costs, while hospitals are literally falling apart.

“Rishi Sunak needs to get a grip and announce a plan to fix our crumbling hospital buildings. Patients should not have to pay the price for this Conservative government’s chronic neglect of the health service.”

The head of NHS Providers, which represents health trusts, said the safety of patients and staff was at risk, with too many NHS buildings “in a very bad way”.

Saffron Cordery, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, said: “The situation is just getting worse year after year. The safety of patients and staff is at risk. NHS trusts have an £11bn-plus list of essential repairs waiting to be done and the backlog is mounting at an alarming rate.

“The eye-watering cost of trying to keep creaking buildings and out-of-date facilities going is soaring. To be properly equipped to give people first-class care, the NHS needs safe, 21st-century buildings and facilities.”

The Guardian revealed last week that thousands of pests including rats, cockroaches and bedbugs were being found in NHS hospitals every year.

Hospital bosses are having to spend millions of pounds on pest control after discovering lice, flies and rodents in children’s wards, breast clinics, maternity units, A&E departments and kitchens.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We’re investing record sums to upgrade and modernise NHS buildings, with £4.2bn invested last year alone, which has helped us achieve the biggest five-month fall in waiting lists in the past 10 years.

“This is on top of expected investment of over £20bn for the New Hospital Programme – with four hospitals already open and another four due to follow this financial year and a further £1.7bn for more than 70 hospital upgrades.”

A problem like Thames Water is everyone’s problem. People with only a passing interest in finance will still feel the ripple effects should it become insolvent.

Anna Isaac www.theguardian.com 

It won’t be because the water stops coming out of the tap or the cleanliness of Britain’s rivers – so clearly scarred by the effects of creaking infrastructure and raw sewage – worsens.

It will be due to the rising cost of investment, a burden borne by the private sector, and, by extension, households and businesses. If the company collapses, a slice will be trimmed from many British pensioners’ pots, managed by mega funds that are owners of Britain’s water companies.

Whether or not the crisis triggers a full-blown nationalisation and pulls a water company on to the government’s balance sheet is uncertain. But the odds are clearly going in that direction.

Ofwat, the water industry watchdog, has “far less time to find a solution than it thinks”, one major bond investor in Thames told the Guardian. Another lender to the operating company said “there are six weeks left to save it”.

So grim is the outlook for bondholders at Thames’ operating company that the Investment Association, the trade body for fund managers, has already issued a rallying call to Thames’ lenders, laying the groundwork for intensive lobbying of the government and, ultimately, potential legal action. This work is only preliminary for now but it indicates the potential fightback against Ofwat and the Treasury by investors should Thames’ entire operation run aground.

A light was shone on Thames’ notoriously complex ownership structure when a holding company – Kemble – defaulted on a debt repayment. It is widely expected to go bust, collapsing one storey of a fragile house of cards.

What matters now is whether or not the ringfenced operating company, the part that is regulated by Ofwat, stays solvent.

Many different groups hope it staves off insolvency. Chief among them are Ofwat, the Treasury, and lenders to Thames’ operating company. But it is also laden with about £15bn debt, which is increasingly expensive to service. Appetite to pump more money into the part that keeps the taps on is going to depend on two things: whether or not bills can rise by enough to make a return attractive enough for investors to put in fresh money, and whether Thames can convince Ofwat that its efforts to reform itself – with a new and improved turnaround plan – can justify that bill hike.

How much Thames’s 16 million customers have to pay for their water depends on this negotiation. Thames’s owners want to raise bills by 40% and it would probably not be the only company in England to push through bill increases of that scale if it can persuade Ofwat it has changed its ways. On average bills are already expected to rise by 35%.

Thames can only hope to raise its bills if there is enough heft in its plans to change how it manages its assets and governs the business. It must convince Ofwat that those Victorian pipes it claims to be mending are really getting replaced, and that shiny efforts to build super sewers really do lead to a new and effective wastewater system that does not spill sewage into rivers and streams each time the rain comes down.

What is unclear is just who might come forward with the necessary cash even if the bills and governance can be straightened out. Ofwat and the Treasury are desperate to keep attracting the kind of patient cash that pension funds and long-term investors offer. Thames’s travails will be watched closely by the nimble, global mega funds that Britain needs to overhaul and upgrade its infrastructure, from power lines to new windfarms.

A plausible turnaround plan could sway Ofwat’s thinking on whether or not a bill hike will actually achieve results. And Ofwat wants those investors committed for the long haul – a 25-year, rather than five-year, horizon.

There is no single, universal view about how to press ahead among the shareholders of Kemble, the holding company of Thames’ operating arm. Many of the investors in Kemble’s debt and equity are also creditors to the operating company.

Some investors are more amenable to finding a way through than others. Quiet words in quiet corners are under way.

Time is short, however. One of the major indications that bondholders in the operating company are waiting for is Ofwat’s decision on Thames’ bill increases, expected in June. That verdict must be taken by the regulator’s 23 May board meeting. In the view of some major bondholders, that leaves only six weeks to save their investment in the water operating company.

Ofwat declined to comment on “speculation” but said it was working on its draft decisions, due in June. “We will continue to monitor Thames Water as it seeks to turn around its performance for customers and the environment,” a spokesperson said.

According to the company’s internal estimates, Thames believes it can operate for 15 months based on its current spending plans, even without fresh investment. But Thames’ problems will come home to roost well before then.

“Planning permission is a state asset and should be priced accordingly. Landowners and developers should pay for it. This way we will find the money for our social housebuilding.

Many other countries do this…… most of the uplift in UK land values arising from planning permission remains uncaptured by the state.”

Julian Richer www.thetimes.co.uk 

Far too many people in this country cannot afford a decent roof over their heads — a growing scandal that is having huge social consequences. I’ve seen this problem worsen, with housing ministers coming and going (15 since 2010!) while little gets done. I’m originally a retailer, but I also have a keen interest in property. We are facing an immense challenge on housing, but I believe there are several important things we might do.

At least eight million people are in housing need, plus millions more in the private rented sector who live with the fear of arbitrary eviction or rents rising beyond their reach. A general election is looming. I’m calling on politicians from all parties to make housing a priority and be ready to take bold decisions.

A new mindset is needed. Good-quality social housing is the best way out of our crisis. Social renting should be a valid option for people from all walks of life. The stock should be well maintained and well managed.

The housing crisis cannot be talked about without a rational and intelligent look at land and planning — and specifically, land value capture.

Planning permission is a state asset and should be priced accordingly. Landowners and developers should pay for it. This way we will find the money for our social housebuilding.

Many other countries do this. But the Scottish Land Commission reported that most of the uplift in UK land values arising from planning permission remains uncaptured by the state.

Capturing it would allow us to replace much-discredited Section 106 agreements, which ask developers to make contributions that benefit the surrounding area. The existing Community Infrastructure Levy should also be updated to charge developers for the full cost of linking their projects to roads, sewerage etc.

Another big elephant in the room, which very few are aware of, is Harold Macmillan’s Land Compensation Act of 1961, which we urgently need to repeal.

Before this legislation came in, local authorities had the power to compulsorily purchase land at existing use value. The 1961 law forces the state to compensate landowners for the potential value. State-built housing schemes were now unaffordable. That is a big (and largely unknown) reason behind the situation we are in now.

Paying landowners existing use value (and I would be perfectly happy with a 100 per cent uplift to farmers for their “inconvenience”) would take a huge cost out of the building equation. Councils would be able to turn on the housing supply tap at scale. Indeed, once built, there would be a huge increase in asset value (profit) for UK Plc.

Here are a selection of points from my manifesto to put things right:
1) There should be priority reform for renters, including:
a) The banning of revenge evictions;
b) The extension of assured short-hold tenancies for up to five years by mutual agreement.
c) Tenants being evicted only for major contract breaches;
d) The statutory inspection of private-sector rental properties, with councils taking tough action against rogue landlords;
2) We need a responsible landlords’ charter or accreditation scheme in the meantime, which would include “voluntary” adherence to the above. I am happy to set this up myself if the response is favourable;
3) Taxpayer-funded subsidised home ownership schemes should be scrapped. They push up prices and do nothing for the less well-off;
4) The Land Compensation Act 1961 must be repealed as an absolute priority;
5) “Right to buy” should be scrapped;
6) Planning permission must no longer be given away;
7) Permitted development laws must be tightened up so they are not misused for shoddy housing;
8) The use of anonymous offshore trusts should be banned and companies blocked from buying property or land unless the beneficial owners are disclosed and funds proven to be legitimate;
9) Quality standards should be set for sustainable housing so it’s built to last;
10) Benefit payments must cover the cost of social housing rents.

The housing supply disaster can be addressed only by politicians working together beyond the usual four-year cycle, and through a change in mindset.
It also calls for a willingness to tackle the complex, messy business of managing expectations and balancing competing interests. In a democracy, this is part and parcel of creating change for the better.

Julian Richer is a retailer, philanthropist and author. 

Questions for, but no answers from, Simon Jupp.

Mystery deepens over Devon Lib Dem ‘website’ redirecting to Tory rival

Bradley Gerrard www.devonlive.com

Three web domains in the name of a Lib Dem MP but that redirected people to a Conservative rival’s website now appear to have been disconnected. Pressure began growing on Simon Jupp (Conservative, East Devon ) last week to explain why the web addresses – RichardFoord.co.uk, RichardFoord.com and RichardFoord.uk – sent users to Mr Jupp’s website.

Mr Foord (Liberal Democrat, Tiverton and Honiton ) will contest the new Honiton and Sidmouth seat against Mr Jupp at the forthcoming general election. Now, just days after news of the web domains emerged in a national newspaper, they do not connect to Mr Jupp’s website.

A Google search for them still lists them, but the links are no longer active. Mr Jupp said he was “not responsible for the web domains”, and the Electoral Commission said it is not an issue they will be looking into.

But Paul Arnott (Liberal Democrat, Coly Valley), the leader of East Devon District Council, an area currently represented by Mr Jupp, said it was up to the Conservative MP to explain what he thinks occurred.

“As leader of East Devon District Council for the last four years, I have made it a priority at all times to make sure the council and all local politicians operate at the highest level of truthfulness and transparency,” he said.

“At this stage it is not certain what has happened here, but I do think the absolute onus is on Simon Jupp to give a full, frank and immediate explanation of what has happened.”

A spokesperson for Mr Foord said: “When we talk to people across Mid and East Devon, they tell us they want their representatives to play it straight and be honest.

“Links that look genuine but simply redirect to Conservative websites only serve to arouse suspicion and undermine trust.

“People deserve better from their MP, and at the election they have a chance to demand better by voting Liberal Democrat.”

• Discharge of Condition for 23/2702/FUL: Condition 6 (colour and finish of external surfaces to building) Shapwick Grange Uplyme DevonRef. No: 24/0755/DOC | Validated: Fri 05 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of conditions for 22/1102/FUL : Condition 4 (landscaping) 4 The Old Stables Winslade Barton Clyst St Mary Exeter EX5 1ATRef. No: 24/0752/DOC | Validated: Fri 05 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of condition for 23/2678/FUL: Condition 6 (colour and finish of external surfaces to building) Shapwick Grange Lane To Shapwick Grange Uplyme DevonRef. No: 24/0757/DOC | Validated: Fri 05 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of Condition for 23/1254/FUL: Condition 5 (Tree Protection Plan) & Condition 9 (Hard Surfacing) Long Acre Lyme Road Uplyme Devon DT7 3XARef. No: 24/0758/DOC | Validated: Fri 05 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of conditions for 21/0527/VAR : Condition 4 (landscaping) Winslade Barton Clyst St Mary Exeter EX5 1ATRef. No: 24/0753/DOC | Validated: Fri 05 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T4, Lime : remove broken branch T9, Cherry : crown lift to 2m above ground level. T14, Alder : crown reduce by 2m. T15, Alder : crown reduce by 3m. Fire Station Canaan Way Ottery St Mary Devon EX11 1AQRef. No: 24/0742/TRE | Validated: Thu 04 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of Condition for 23/1398/FUL: Condtion 3 (Materials) & Condition 7 (Landscaping) 9 West Hill Lane Budleigh Salterton Devon EX9 6AARef. No: 24/0748/DOC | Validated: Thu 04 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Certificate of existing lawful use for an extension as an unrestricted residential dwelling (C3 Dwellinghouse) Chapel Cottage Cowley Devon EX5 5ENRef. No: 24/0737/CPE | Validated: Wed 03 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Certificate of lawfulness for the proposed construction of a conservatory23 Shale Row Tithebarn Exeter Devon EX1 3XHRef. No: 24/0736/CPL | Validated: Wed 03 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of condition for 16/0658/LBC: Condition 2 (materials) Hill Farm Hayes Lane East Budleigh Devon EX9 7DARef. No: 24/0727/DOC | Validated: Wed 03 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Prior approval (class Q) for a change of use of agricultural buildings to a single dwellinghouse (use class C3) and for building operations reasonably necessary for conversion Halls Farm Higher Metcombe Ottery St Mary EX11 1SSRef. No: 24/0708/PDQ | Validated: Tue 02 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Prior approval (class Q) for a change of use of agricultural buildings to 2no dwellinghouses (use class C3) and for building operations reasonably necessary for conversion Halls Farm Higher Metcombe Ottery St Mary EX11 1SSRef. No: 24/0707/PDQ | Validated: Tue 02 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Discharge of Condition for 23/2169/FUL: Condition 4 (Materials) & Condition 5 (Landscaping) Windward Mare Lane Beer Devon EX12 3NBRef. No: 24/0713/DOC | Validated: Tue 02 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Removal of rear utility room to be replaced with single storey rear extension, additional solar panels on front facing elevation and glass balustrade on existing balcony area and external staircase on North East/Side elevation. Abbots Mews Combe Raleigh Honiton EX14 4TQRef. No: 24/0717/FUL | Validated: Tue 02 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Prior approval (class Q) for a change of use of agricultural buildings to a single dwellinghouse (use class C3) and for building operations reasonably necessary for conversion Halls Farm Higher Metcombe Ottery St Mary EX11 1SSRef. No: 24/0706/PDQ | Validated: Tue 02 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed detached annex for resident, and minor landscaping works. 14 Roundhouse Lane Exmouth Devon EX8 3BZRef. No: 24/0701/FUL | Validated: Fri 05 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1, Maple: remove eastern branch that overhangs garden and is growing into Prunus (cut back to stem). T2, Cherry: remove ~80% of water shoots along lateral branches, all 2m with diameters 50mm. T3, Yew: crown lift and prune lower branches, overhanging eastern hedge, reducing branch lengths by 1m, maximum diameter cuts (mdc), 50mm. Reduce lower branches growing toward south western corner of neighbouring property by removing branches 1m, mdc 50mm. T4, Bay: crown lift to give approximately 2m clearance from the ground. Prune branches away from phone line to give 30cm clearance. T5, Maple: pollard to 1.2m in height. T6, Cherry: fell to ground level. Bramley Corner Russet Mews Talaton Road Whimple Exeter EX5 2QQRef. No: 24/0694/TCA | Validated: Thu 04 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed conversion to 4no. residential flats and retention of part commercial element as offices including replacement of various windows and external doors Fairfield House New Street Honiton Devon EX14 1BSRef. No: 24/0669/LBC | Validated: Thu 04 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Proposed conversion and partial change of use into 4no. residential flats and retention of part commercial element as offices including replacement of various windows and external doors Fairfield House New Street Honiton Devon EX14 1BSRef. No: 24/0668/FUL | Validated: Thu 04 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Concreting farm access and yard area Woodhayne Farm Whitford Shute EX13 7NRRef. No: 24/0666/FUL | Validated: Fri 05 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• T1, Oak: Prune back off building to give a minimum clearance of 2-3 metres. Stuckeys House West Hill Road West Hill Ottery St Mary EX11 1TURef. No: 24/0663/TRE | Validated: Tue 02 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Demolition and replacement of an existing timber lean-to. The Tithe Barn The Old Rectory Huxham EX5 4EJRef. No: 24/0651/LBC | Validated: Sat 06 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of managers’ accommodation and extension to Lily Farm Vineyard business premises Lily Farm Vineyard Dalditch Lane Budleigh Salterton EX9 7AHRef. No: 24/0640/FUL | Validated: Wed 03 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Certificate of Existing Lawfulness for confirmation that Planning Permission has been implemented and that continued development of dwellings as per the application 19/2349/FUL is legal Synderborough Farm Sidbury EX10 0QJRef. No: 24/0626/CPE | Validated: Wed 03 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Siting of rural workers dwelling (static caravan) in support of rural business (retrospective) Clapperentale Farm Escot Park Ottery St Mary Devon EX11 1LURef. No: 24/0605/FUL | Validated: Fri 05 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Construction of deck in rear garden [Retrospective] 10 The Grove Sidmouth Devon EX10 8ULRef. No: 24/0546/FUL | Validated: Thu 04 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision
• Alterations to front elevation to include: 1no. illuminated facia sign; 1no. hanging sign at first floor; 2no. wall lights at ground floor either side of entrance; 1no. chalkboard ; 4no. floodlights along eaves; 1no. pictorial sign writing at first floor; alterations to court yard elevation to include: 2no. wall lights at ground floor either side of door entrance; 1no. transom entrance sign on door and 1no. pictorial sign writing The Three Tuns 133 High Street Honiton EX14 1HRRef. No: 24/0105/LBC | Validated: Thu 04 Apr 2024 | Status: Awaiting decision

Without much evidence, Whitehall has believed that larger councils are more efficient. The average size of English local authorities is now 10 times that found in comparable western European countries.

Editorial www.theguardian.com 

The phrase “all politics is local” is most often associated with Tip O’Neill, former speaker of the US House of Representatives. But such sentiments come to die in England, where decision-making is concentrated in Whitehall ministries. With English council and mayoral elections in May, local government is increasingly that in name alone. Westminster’s creeping preference for single-tier authorities and austerity has seen bigger councils and smaller budgets. Crucially, local government is losing its link to places that matter to local people. Fifty years ago, a more grassroots approach meant people would know their councillor. Now most voters couldn’t name them.

With budgets set by central government, local authorities are being drained of resources to safeguard and improve their area’s social, economic and environmental wellbeing. Years of shrinking finances have closed care homes, creches, youth clubs and libraries. Bin collections, bus routes and school crossing patrols have gone too. Councils are viewed in Whitehall as local service delivery agencies and expected to clean up any mess made in SW1.

In England, devolution and economic development are bound together, as if the former was necessarily conducive to the latter. Metro-mayoralties – the big devolution policy since 2010 – were conceived as ways of “agglomerating” workers around a big city. This model is a democratic improvement on the single tier of local government favoured for decades. The mayor handles strategic conurbation-wide issues and district councils deal with more local issues. But rural counties lacking an economic focus cannot adopt this template. Growth, rather than giving expression to a political community, drives mayoral devolution. By contrast, with London’s assembly and Scottish and Welsh parliaments devolution empowered distinctive political identities.

A looming financial crisis in England presents an opportunity for change. Since 2018, eight councils have declared themselves insolvent. None had done so in the preceding 18 years. Four in 10 authorities are at risk of financial failure over the next five years. Sir Keir Starmer has said devolution would be a major priority for a Labour government, the odds of which are shortening. He should use this moment to rethink local government.

A new report for Compass and Unlock Democracy, entitled Power to the People?, offers creative fixes for Sir Keir to reimagine local democracy. It proposes an English subsidiarity bill to provide a framework for councils’ power, responsibilities and funding to protect against institutional churn; a “fair funding bill” to “address the austerity-driven collapse” in frontline services; and for councils to get a statutory voice within Whitehall. These are big changes, but local government is in big trouble.

Without much evidence, Whitehall has believed that larger councils are more efficient. The average size of English local authorities is now 10 times that found in comparable western European countries. The US state of Wyoming has more than 170 units of local government to serve 580,000 people. The more populous North Yorkshire region, stretching 110 miles from Whitby to Skipton, is represented by one unitary council. The last royal commission to consider the future of local government reported in 1969. In their book The Strange Demise of the Local in Local Government, the academics Steve Leach and Colin Copus say it “struggled to balance its desire to recommend larger units of local government with its recognition that such units would have a damaging effect on voter engagement”. This remains a central question of governance. Democracy in England suffers without an adequate answer.

Extinction Rebellion has hit out at ‘plastic pitch’ plans for Exeter claiming the move to artificial turf could harm birds relying on ‘up to 2.5 million worms’ living under a rugby ground.

Local Democracy Reporter eastdevonnews.co.uk 

Exeter environmental campaigners have made another move in their ongoing protest against an artificial turf pitch planned at a city green space, writes local democracy reporter Bradley Gerrard.

The city’s Extinction Rebellion group has attached what it called a “hard-to-remove” banner high above Flowerpot Playing Field, near St Thomas, where Exeter College is planning to install a new playing pitch.

The campaign group’s banner reads “Save our green space from wildlife destruction and plastic pollution”, and marks the ongoing fight against the scheme that was approved by Exeter City Council in February last year.

The group in action, putting up a protest banner. Photo: Exeter Extinction Rebellion.

A spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion said the group feared the impact on local wildlife from an artificial playing surface.

“There could be up to 2.5 million worms under the Flowerpot rugby pitch,” the spokesperson said.

“The birds in the fields need these worms for food.

“For some species of UK birds numbers are just a quarter of what they were 50 years ago, and each small decision that makes their lives harder means more birds die.

“We must not allow their extinction.”

Exeter College, which has not yet started the implementing the scheme, said it is committed to “embedding the principles of sustainable living and development” across all its activities, and that the pitch would help ensure a healthy lifestyle for its students as well as the city’s residents.

“The Playing Pitch Strategy for Exeter has identified a lack of facilities for the local and wider area,” a spokesperson for the college said.

“This is stopping local rugby clubs developing more teams, particularly for women and girls.

“The new 3G pitch will help to address this concern, as it will be available when other facilities may be out of action due to the weather.”

The new facilities, once complete, will be available for local teams in the same way as the college’s existing facilities are, and available for hire in the evenings and weekends when they aren’t being used by the college.

Extinction Rebellion believes few people know the new scheme will be surrounded by a three-metre-high fence, and that public feeling about what it calls a “plastic pitch” are negative.

Exeter College said, however, that it is “taking every step possible to ensure the project would enhance wildlife” – including by planting new trees and a wildflower grassland.

Furthermore, it said the pitch has been designed using the “highest environmental standards and uses the latest materials and techniques” to minimise its impact in use and at the end of its life.

The synthetic turf will use a single polymer construction, which the college said is “fully recyclable”, rather than latex.

The pitch will use also 100 per cent natural wood pellets, which can be recycled, rather than rubber crumb, which is conventionally used on such pitches, and sand will also be used.

But improvements are still required

Devon’s children’s social services are now improving, four years after it was rated inadequate by the regulator.

Bradley Gerrard, local democracy reporter www.radioexe.co.uk

In a letter following a visit in March, Ofsted, the education regulator whose remit also covers children’s services, outlined clear progress but also highlighted area where further work is required.

It said a key failing at its last inspection following a period of “slow and inconsistent progress” was that senior leaders did not have what they called a clear line of sight into what was happening to children.

“Positively, the current leadership team, including heads of service and service managers, has improved its line of sight by introducing manageable spans of responsibility, and staff report a more open culture that encourages them to raise concerns,” inspector Steve Lowe said.

However, he noted that quality assurance – essentially the assessment of its decision about children – had increased in volume “but is yet to become the valuable, independent insight into practice that is required as an additional safeguard to children.

“Rapid improvement in the impact of quality assurance, primarily within children’s social care but also alongside statutory partners, is a key next step,” Mr Lowe added.

A crucial development, however, was the moves the council has made to improve what Ofsted calls the county’s ‘front door’ – essentially the point at which children connect with the service.

At its monitoring visit last summer, Ofsted said the new senior leadership team had identified a “significant number of children” referred to the front door who had not had the risks they faced assessed for several weeks, leaving many vulnerable.

“At the point of the last monitoring visit, the senior leadership team had already prioritised making this service safer,” Mr Lowe said.

“The team’s response has been effective, eradicating the waiting list and establishing a permanent workforce in the multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH) that is making better use of simpler processes.

“During this visit, inspectors did not find any decision in the MASH that had left children at unassessed risk of significant harm.”

While inspectors said “substantial improvements still need to be made”, they acknowledged that senior leaders have a “credible plan” for change.

Ofsted said the service “too readily accepted” parents’ refusal to let social services visit their children alone to carry out assessments.

“Too often, this focus on adults rather than children leaves children without a voice,” Mr Lowe said.

Encouragingly, the service’s response to demand is “now under control, with minimal delay in decision-making by team managers” – an improvement from concerns about children being “unmanageable” at previous Ofsted visits.

Elsewhere, Ofsted said the council’s children’s services need to keep better joined-up records, noting that only some information is kept about families, “reducing the ability to analyse cumulative risks”.

It added that records of whether children had benefited from lower-level, non-statutory support were “not linked to children’s records, increasing the likelihood that the same solution will be offered in the future despite not having been effective the first time.”

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, the council’s cabinet member with responsibility for children’s services, said it is “important to see, and for inspectors to note, the improvements that our teams are making.

“For that, I want to thank our teams for their hard work and commitment. But it’s equally important for us to hear from inspectors that we’re not yet there, and that further improvements are needed in some areas of our work.

“Today’s report should be seen on the one hand as saying we are a council that is making the right moves in the right direction, but also that we have room to improve and that we must continue at pace with our improvement plans.”
 

Pressure is to be put on South West Water to fund water testing kits so it can carry out regular monitoring on the Taw and Torridge rivers and their tributaries as North Devon Council steps up its campaign for clean water sources.

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

It follows a public meeting organised by the council in February when organisations including South West Water and the Environment Agency agreed to work together to find solutions.

The water company, which reported 38,000 sewage spills in 2022, is investing £2.8 billion into improving water quality with a pledge to fix storm overflows at beaches and eradicate pollution.

But it says it is only responsible for 30 per cent of water quality issues, with agricultural and surface water run-off from developments accounting for many incidents.

Eighty-three out of the 98 bodies of water tested in North Devon have failed to meet good ecological standards.

While the district’s beaches are mostly rated excellent, rivers and steams have most problems.

An army of volunteers in the district have been trained as ‘citizen scientists’ by the Westcountry Rivers Trust to test water for phosphates and add their findings to a national database.

When 12 or more surveys are taken over a year, a scorecard is produced for the catchment, summarising the state of the water.

Cllr Peter Jones (Ind, Witheridge) who has been driving North Devon’s approach, told the council’s policy development committee that there is no shortage of people who want to become volunteers. But funding kits is more challenging as they cost around £40 each.

“I don’t think it will be a problem to get a venue and organise the training, it’s the kits we need, and it would be good if South West Water offered to help us fund them. It’s hard to justify using council money on this at the money.”

Other grants will be sought and parish councils will be asked if to contribute. The committee was told that a holiday complex at Croyde Bay is supporting Georgeham Parish Council to test local water courses.

Members agreed to support the West Country Rivers Trust on social media, and invite stakeholders to another meeting within the next year to discuss progress.

They will also ask planning officers how they think changes can be made to stop pollution occurring from new developments. They are prepared to lobby South West Water and the government if legislation needs to change.

The water company says it is looking at working with councils to find green solutions like reed bed sewage systems which treat waste water naturally before it is discharged back into the environment.

Councillors said old combined sewage systems which meant that rainwater, domestic sewage and industrial waste water are conveyed in the same pipes to sewage treatment works are a big part of the problem when they overflow, dumping raw sewage in rivers and coastal waters.