I was unable to attend the exhibition but have acquired the paperwork as Gittisham is in my county council ward. Cllr Susie Bond is the EDDC ward member. In this latest major planning proposal (there have been so many major planning applications in my ward!), the fields targeted by developers, Welbeck, were designated as a “reserve site” in EDDC’s local plan. But [...]
I am awaiting a review of my freedom of information request decision, to release minutes of meetings on the subject of the office move, in a redacted form. So far EDDC has refused to publish them because they say they are commercially sensitive and would be meaningless with redactions. This decision is currently being reviewed by senior officers. [...]
the latest update at 05:32 this morning is as follows: “Between 15 and 50 mm of rainfall has fallen over Devon in the past 24 hours with the highest amounts of rain falling on Dartmoor and Exmoor. Rivers have re-acted to this rainfall and are high across Devon. Further showers are forecast for Monday 28 October with some heavy showers possible. Rivers will remain high during Monday 28 [...]
The motion, proposed by Cllr Ben Ingham, called on the government to introduce such a levy for large stores and proposed that the resulting revenue be used for local benefit. The motion was: “That the Secretary of State gives Local Authorities the power to introduce a local levy of 8.5% of the rate on large retail outlets in their area with a rateable annual value not less that £500,000 and [...]
Before you go to bed secure anything in the garden that is too big to be put away. Everything else, put indoors or in the garage, if you have one. Best of British.
During the forward plan agenda item I asked that the task and finish forum be set up, as agreed at Wednesday evening’s full council meeting. (TAFFs are the property of the OSC.) Chairman, Cllr Tim Wood agreed and asked for volunteers. Only mine and Cllr Giles hands went up. It was agreed that other councillors would be invited to join the TAFF. But officers present said that [...]
The motion was: “This Council recognises the great value of trees to the East Devon landscape, particularly ancient woodland, and also the importance of trees to wildlife. This council is concerned at the loss of trees as a result of development proposals, and is particularly concerned at the removal of trees by developers ahead of receiving planning approval. This Council: 1. calls on the [...]
http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Cancelled-meeting-signify-end-controversial-East/story-19992631-detail/story.html?ito=email_newsletter_exeterexpressandecho The next meeting of a group of East Devon business leaders, many of which were former members of a heavily criticised business collective which disbanded six months after its disgraced chairman resigned and after members deemed its [...]
But the figure also appears in July’s cabinet papers - here - http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com/2013/10/25/eddc-cabinet-has-collective-amnesia-about-4-8m-loan/
I raised the issue under the forward plan once again at last night’s overview and scrutiny meeting and asked that the office move be brought forward for scrutiny next month instead. I highlighted the question of Barry Sangster at Wednesday night’s full council meeting re the £4.8m loan, and said it was a scheme of significant financial risk that needed urgent examination. But several [...]
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/3days/125305.aspx http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings For comprehensive advice on what to do before, during and after flooding please visit the Environment Agency website, where you can also sign up for flood alerts http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/default.aspx Information on how individual [...]
I took a different view and said that I thought it was important that the points were made in public, so that residents could see that we were fighting their corner. It is their money after all. The letter has been a while coming and required some chasing, but I think the arguments are well made…........................................................ To Eric Pickles, secretary of [...]
Connecting Devon and Somerset broadband project has come under fire recently, with accusations of secrecy. I have also asked (via a simple email not under FOI because I hadn’t realised it may be confidential information!) about plans for my own ward, but have not yet had a response. Read more and see a map of future likely broadband progress, at Cllr Thomas’s blog here - [...]
May the force be with Feniton residents in particular. No doubt village flood wardens, Cllr Susie Bond and Jayne Blackmore will be very busy helping the village prepare. I am keeping everything crossed that no one is flooded. Photograph: The Ottery Road out of Feniton.