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Wednesday 16 July 2014

District Council: vote on restricting public speaking........ full council meeting Weds 23rd July

The District Council has considered whether or not to restrict public speaking at its planning meetings:
Futures Forum: District Council: to vote on restricting public speaking at planning meetings: decision postponed
Futures Forum: District Council: vote on restricting public speaking
Futures Forum: District Council: vote on restricting public speaking..... Weds 4th June

At the full Council meeting of 9th April, a majority of Members supported the proposal: 

"that the management of Development Management Committee meetings be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for detailed consideration."

http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/council_mins_090414.pdf
Warning! Full Council on 23 July is when changes to public speaking may be approved. | Sidmouth Independent News

The Overview and Scrutiny Cttee of 15th May agreed to restrictions:
www.eastdevon.gov.uk/osc_mins_150514.pdf
EDDC public speaking clampdown plans make it through scrutiny committee - Claire Wright

The Cabinet then made the decision to restrict public speaking on 4th June:
www.eastdevon.gov.uk/cabinet_mins_040614.pdf
Cabinet votes through public speaking restrictions without comment - Claire Wright

The final decision is going to be made by the full council on Weds 23rd July:
East Devon District Council - Council Agendas and Minutes
www.eastdevon.gov.uk/230714_council_agenda.pdf
EDDC Decision to curb Public Speaking is imminent | Save Our Sidmouth

A motion by independent councillors is to be put at that meeting:

"This council believes wholeheartedly in democracy and the fundamental right of its citizens to be fully represented by their elected members. 

"This council also believes in the democratic process and commits to do everything within its power to enhance the role of the elected member.”

East Devon independent councillors worried over desire to stifle democracy - Claire Wright

A parallel question should be asked:
How long do "non-members of the public" have to speak at planning meetings? 
Unlimited time, apparently - as in the case over 300 new houses for Gittisham, as reported by Cllr Claire Wright:

There was just 15 minutes of public speaking. I spoke as Devon County Councillor for the ward and Cllr Mike Allen spoke as adjacent ward member. Cllr Susie Bond spoke as ward member.

The committee debate still took around an hour.

Something for Cllr Bloxham to ponder I think.

300 houses between Gittisham and Honiton APPROVED - Claire Wright
Here is a clear message from the East Devon Alliance blog's home page:

23 July 2014
EDDC full Council to vote on curtailment of public right to speak at EDDC meetings

EDDC’s Executive Board has already voted for the curtailment of the rights of the public to speak at its meeting but it needs the rubber stamp of the full Council which will meet on 23 July 2014. Details HERE

It is not too late to get this decision reversed. Write to your local councillor asking how he or she is planning to vote on this issue on the day and why and turn up on the day to show your support for ever-eroding democracy in East Devon.

A motion challenging what Independents see as a clampdown on free speech, is proposed by Councillors Claire Wright and seconded by Cllr Ben Ingham. Cllrs Roger Giles, Trevor Cope and Susie Bond have also signed up to it. Below is an extract from Councillor Wright’s blog on the issue below:

“The motion will be debated at the full council meeting of Wednesday 23 July, which starts at 6.30pm.

It reads: “This council believes wholeheartedly in democracy and the fundamental right of its citizens to be fully represented by their elected members. This council also believes in the democratic process and commits to do everything within its power to enhance the role of the elected member.”

Recently, EDDC has seen a series of restrictions on the freedom of speech including:

- Recommendations to dramatically reduce public speaking at planning committee meetings. This matter will also be decided at July’s council meeting – see here for more information – http://www.claire-wright.org/index.php/post/stormy_debate_stalls_public_speaking_restrictions

- Restrictions on public speaking at all committees

- An agreement (contested by the independents at the April full council meeting) that any motion not immediately relevant to the business of the council will be referred to a council committee first.”


East Devon Alliance | Bringing together the people of East Devon
Curtailment of public right to speak at EDDC meetings – your chance to stop this | East Devon Alliance
How you can help prevent the restrictions to Public Speaking at EDDC | East Devon Alliance

And yet, as the EDA blog also points out, things are seen differently at County level:
DCC relaxes rules on public speaking just as EDDC tightens them | East Devon Alliance
Proposal to allow members of the public right to question politicians at Devon County Council meetings | Exeter Express and Echo
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