The Futures Forum blog is alive and well - as the Vision Group's news pages

Exactly six months ago, the Futures Forum of the Vision Group stopped producing blog pieces:
Futures Forum: All good things must come to an end: thank you and goodbye from the Futures Forum blog

Meanwhile, however, the Vision Group's own news pages have been covering pretty much the same key aspects of life in the Sid Valley and issues around the Transition Town movement:



Recent News - Vision Group for Sidmouth

And of course, the FF site continues to provide an archive - storing information from April 2013 to May 2019 - which can be accessed through the search panel and the labels on the right >>>
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All good things must come to an end: thank you and goodbye from the Futures Forum blog

We seem to have reached a certain point where we are very much looking to new futures, new starts and a lot of anticipation.

We have a substantially new Town Council in place - which met last night and voted for continuity but with renewed vigour:
Sidmouth Town Council appoints chair and vice-chair | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Annual Town Meeting > Monday 20th May > challenges and opportunities

The District Council is now dominated by Independents:
Futures Forum: District Council elections: "Independents deliver blow to the Conservatives'" > further reports

And will be meeting tomorrow:
WEDNESDAY crunch day for Indies at EDDC … and us | East Devon Watch
Futures Forum: As Independents seek to create a working coalition, the District Council meets for the first time since local elections > Wednesday 22nd May

The EU parliamentary elections will be happening on Thursday - and will be having a profound effect on life in the West Country:
European Elections 2019: Why should you vote? | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
Futures Forum: Brexit: and the EU elections: the latest South West poll results
Futures Forum: Brexit: and the EU elections: Democratic Audit looks at what will happen in the South West

Back here in Sidmouth, not only do we have well-established festivals looking forward to the summer: 
The Sidmouth Folk Festival – 2nd – 9th August 2019
Paul Taylor-Mills returns to Sidmouth with Summer Play Festival 2019 | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

But we have thriving relatively new ones:
Sidmouth Sea Fest delivers diversity and creativity | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Sea Fest > staging 'Fish out of Water', a new play on the life of Stephen Reynolds

As far as this blog is concerned, it started six years ago with Port Royal:
Futures Forum: Port Royal future: ‘Let’s get the community on board’

And we seem to have sorted at least the Drill Hall for the moment:
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: selling the Drill Hall, rather than producing a masterplan > East Devon's MP calls for a "masterplan for the Port Royal and Ham car park in Sidmouth"

A less successful end-game has been the struggle over Knowle, which began here:
Futures Forum: Save Our Sidmouth

And has ended here:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: parkland transfer to Town Council > latest
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: an overspend on loans
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: or, how a new HQ costing £8.7m is valued at £3.5m

It seems the right moment, then, to allow fresh blood onto the Sidmouth scene and to make this the last - but the blog itself will remain online as a resource.

Meanwhile, here's a list of other news sources to dip into:
BBC Local News: Sidmouth
ITV Local News: Sidmouth
Sidmouth Nub News

Also:

News from Sidmouth Town Council
Latest News from Sid Valley Help

And of course:
Sidmouth Herald
Devon Live: Sidmouth

Local News - Radio Exe

Plus the excellent and provocative:

East Devon Watch

And there is a lively local social media page:
Sidmouth Community public group | Facebook

Finally, there are of course the Vision Group's very own daily news pages: 



Recent News - Vision Group for Sidmouth
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Sidmouth Annual Town Meeting > Monday 20th May > challenges and opportunities

There is quite a new tranche of Town Councillors at Sidmouth:
Futures Forum: BREAKING NEWS: Sidmouth shake-up

Tomorrow, Monday 20th May, they will be joining colleagues for the Annual Town Meeting - at which chair and committees will be voted in:
Agenda_STCAnnual-200519.pdf

The Town Council is responsible for quite a lot:

Including a substantial budget of over £0.5m:
Sidmouth Town Council agrees 4 per cent precept increase, a part of council tax, that will help pay for projects including swimming platform | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
Grants galore for good causes thanks to Sidmouth Town Council | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

It supports important services:
Hop on! Sidmouth Hopper Bus reveals new routes and extra days for 2019 | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

It has a key role in determining planning decisions, for example:
Town council support demolition of Sidmouth's St John Ambulance Hall for smart apartments | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

And is part of the Beach Management Plan's steering group:
The plan to protect Sidmouth’s crumbling cliffs is set to be finalised - Devon Live

It has taken the initiative over key issues:
Vision to make Sidmouth first mental health friendly town | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

And it's taking on more responsibilities:
Knowle parkland in Sidmouth could transfer to council by autumn | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

There are new challenges and opportunities - as highlighted on the VGS news pages:
Money available for Historic High Streets - Vision Group for Sidmouth

And there will indeed be money issues:
LocalGov.co.uk - Your authority on UK local government - Council governance systems ‘inadequate’ for austerity era
More freedom urged over councils’ finances | Public Finance 
Financial control needs to be devolved from Westminster | Public Finance
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Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > "Contributing to an awareness of the upcoming elections and the importance of voting."

The hustings in Sidmouth went well last night:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > political speed dating

To quote a commentator:

"I thought it was a good convivial event which achieved its purpose for voters who attended. It was good to see the candidates being engaged and convivial with each other, and all in all I think the event was worthwhile, contributing to an awareness of the upcoming elections and the importance of voting."

There is further lively comment happening on the East Devon Watch blog:
Tories no-show at Sidmouth hustings last night | East Devon Watch

The organisers of the event were at pains to contact all the candidates. 

• All current Councillors who are standing in contested wards were contacted.
• However some of the other candidates did not have email addresses readily available.
• The following agents, political parties and representative groups were contacted with the request that the invitation to the hustings be passed on:
• Devon UKIP: local agent
• East Devon Conservative Party: office@eastdevonconservatives.org
• East Devon Labour Party: local agent
• East Devon Liberal Democrats: info@eastdevonlibdems.org.uk
• Independent East Devon Alliance: info@eastdevonalliance.com
• Sid Valley Democracy: sidvalleydem@gmail.com

• Otherwise, letters of invitation were sent to those with no such contact address or party/group affiliation.
• The following candidates sent in their apologies:
• Stuart Hughes (District Conservative; Town Independent)
• Ian McKenzie Edwards (Town)
• Louise Thompson (Town Independent)
• Jenny Ware (District Conservative; Town Independent)
• Otherwise, several candidates did not attend or send in apologies, despite their agents, political parties and representative groups being contacted.

Here is more information about the candidates:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > Tuesday 30th April > candidates' manifestos

Finally, it was noted that several members of the public popped into the Hall to 'have a look' but did not want to venture in - feeling either that 'there was no point in voting' or that 'all politicians are corrupt/useless/a waste of time'...

Let's hope that voters do nevertheless turn up tomorrow on voting day:
East Devon Elections – Why go to the Hustings? - Vision Group for Sidmouth
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > Tuesday 30th April > meet the candidates in one-on-one Q&A sessions
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Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > political speed dating

The District Council has done 'speed dating' whereby councillors meet up with students for head-to-head questioning:
Political speed dating - East Devon
18 March 2019 - District, parish and county councillors take part in fast paced political speed dating at The King’s School, Ottery St Mary - East Devon
King's School students go speed dating | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
Political speed dating at King’s School | Susie Bond

Other councils have done a similar thing - but for the actual elections.

In Sheffield in May 2014:

Election candidates in a Sheffield Council ward will take part in ‘political speed dating’ at a community hustings. Candidates for Crookes ward will sit at tables for questions by groups who move on to the next party after 10 minutes.

‘Date night’ on the cards for Sheffield Council election candidates - The Star

And in Totnes in April 2015:

Welcome to POLITICAL SPEED DATING! Which candidate will you fall in love with and vote for on May 7? To get you chance to meet every candidate up close and look them directly in the eye as they answer your questions, just come along and take your turn at each candidate's table.

This isn't the normal General Election Hustings where only a few lucky people get to put a single question to the candidates. Oh no! We've put every Totnes Constituency Parliamentary Candidate in the hottest of seats! All five Prospective Parliamentary Candidates for the Totnes Constituency will available for your questions, so you can sit down one-on-one with each of them, and ask anything on your mind.

GENERAL ELECTION 2015 | POLITICAL SPEED DATING | MEET ALL THE TOTNES CANDIDATES

That's how it works! And the same will be happening tomorrow night in Sidmouth:
Local elections May 2019 - Vision Group for Sidmouth
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > Tuesday 30th April > candidates' manifestos
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Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > Tuesday 30th April > candidates' manifestos

This week sees candidates for both council elections making themselves available for questions from their electorate:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > Tuesday 30th April > more details

Here are the lists of candidates from the council's website for the District Council:
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903680/sid-rural.pdf (1 seat)
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903695/sidmouth-sidford.pdf (3 seats)
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903683/sid-town.pdf (2 seats)

Following a Boundary Commission review in 2017, the district will be divided into 30 electoral wards for this election and there are 60 district councillors representing the wards.Who is my councillor? - East Devon

Here are the wards for the District Council - and Sidmouth has 6 places:
district-ward-composition.pdf
East Devon District Council Elections - 2 May 2019 - East Devon

And here is the list of streets for each ward:
Street Index
Local elections May 2019 - Vision Group for Sidmouth

Here are the lists of candidates from the council's website for the Town Council:
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903869/sid-east-tc.pdf (1 seat)
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903872/sid-north-tc.pdf (4 seats)
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903686/sidford-salcombe-regis-tc.pdf (2 seats)
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903692/sidford-village-tc.pdf (2 seats)
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2903689/sidford-south-tc.pdf (5 seats)

These are the contested seats:
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2878768/contested-towns-and-parishes.pdf

And these are the uncontested seats:
For Sidmouth (Primley), Sidmouth (Sidbury) and Sidmouth (West)
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2880014/notice-of-uncontested.pdf
Town and Parish Elections - May 2019 - East Devon

Unfortunately, no street index is available.

The Herald has the manifestos for candidates standing in the District Council election: 

East Devon elections 2019; Meet the candidates for EDDC's Sidmouth and parish seats

11 April 2019

Clarissa Place

East Devon District Council elections are fast approaching with candidates hoping to win electorates votes on May 2.

Meet the candidates standing in Sidmouth’s Rural, Sidford and Town wards.

A hustings event will be held in Sidmouth on April 30.

Sidmouth Rural (one seat)

David Barratt (Independent)

I am currently a Town and District Councillor. As a true Independent, I work with Councillors from any Party on individual issues, gaining agreement through trust and respect, not constant opposition. I stand by my record of fighting strongly against inappropriate development, notably the Sidford Business Park proposal, and I will be speaking to object at the upcoming Appeal. There is a lot left to do. I promise to work hard to do it.

Ray Davison (Labour)

Ray has been a member of EDDC standard’s committee and active school governor in Exmouth for over thirty years. On Labour’s national policy forum he successfully moved the amendment which secured abolition of National museum and gallery charges. “In these days of masterplans, outsourcing and so-called regeneration projects with their commercially protected internal debates and Chinese whispers, the key issues of public transparency and accountability to voters need addressing to ensure that public assets are protected and retained.”

John Loudoun (Independent East Devon Alliance)

I live in Sidbury within the Sidmouth Rural Ward. I have a strong commitment to public service. I will stand up for Sidmouth and Sid Valley. I want better and more efficient services for local residents and visitors. I will have no personal vested interest to pursue and I want to make improvements to our lives locally. Tough times need high standards and leadership. I will provide both.
Facebook election page: JohnLoudoun4SidmouthRural
Website information: eastdevonalliance.com

Lewis Ragbourn (Liberal Democrat)

Lewis, who is a retired wine trade professional, lives on the outskirts of Sidford. He is strongly committed to protecting the interests of rural areas, alongside the considerable development challenges facing Sidmouth. He considers that East Devon District Council is too remote and secretive and would press for greater accountability and openness. He believes that local councils need to do all they can to combat climate change, including by increased recycling and plastic reduction.

Chris Wale (Conservative)

Having had the privilege of growing up in Sidmouth I know many people within the Sid Valley. Having served 12 years as the district ward member and 18 years on Sidmouth Town Council, I am seeking re-election as I believe the next four-year term will be crucial to the health, safety, prosperity, and happiness of everyone in Sidmouth and Sid Valley Rural requires a strong knowledgeable councillor who will represent them regardless of their political persuasion.

Sidmouth Sidford (three seats)

Stuart Hughes (Conservative)

I believe the record shows the results achieved on a wide range of issues that I am someone who stands up for what is right for both the individual and wider community. If re-elected I shall continue to provide a strong voice on East Devon for the Sid Valley giving 100 per cent in my community leadership role working with residents, community groups, schools, town and county councils on local issues and enhancing and safeguarding local services.

Dawn Manley (Independent East Devon Alliance)


Sidmouth is a beautiful town to live, work and play in. I was fortunate to have been born and lived my 49 years here. We have seen many changes, with some good and some not so good, and have been an Independent councillor for eight years. If re-elected I will continue to represent the people, not some distant party political machine with no care for what is important in our unique community. I stand for people not politics.

Zachary Marsh (Conservative)

“I have lived in East Devon all of my life and am a Sidford ward resident. I want local people to feel their councillors are working with them, not over them. That for me means fighting Sidford Business Park, supporting our brilliant small businesses, and properly grappling with issues of parking and policing to improve the quality of life for residents. Sidmouth needs action not words and EDDC needs stable, proven Conservative leadership.”

Colin Mills (Labour)

Colin was born and brought up in Sidmouth. He served as a parish councillor in the Chilterns and worked as a volunteer for the local Oxfam, Chiltern Open Air Museum. He worked in the civil service and graduated from the Open University. Combatting isolation and loneliness in the elderly and retired is also another of his concerns. Planning, education and libraries are areas in which he intends to address.

Marianne Rixson (Independent East Devon Alliance)

“As a councillor, I have opposed the Sidford business park due to inadequate road access, flooding and harm to our AONB; supported the successful Drill Hall campaign; spoken out against high business rates; challenged issues such as poor broadband coverage,120% increase for parking at Sidford and introducing charges for public toilets. If re-elected, I will continue to fight for the interests of Sid Valley residents and a new access to Alexandria Industrial Estate.”

Jenny Ware (Conservative)

Jenny Ware was born in Sidmouth. Her family dates back many generations. She successfully ran her hairdressing business “Jenstyle” in the town centre. “I was born in the beautiful Sid Valley which I am so blessed to be able to call my home and if I am elected as your ward councillor I will do my utmost to be there for you and to listen and help where I can to resolve your problems.”

Ken Warren (UK Independence Party)

“My wife and I are from the Midlands but so love Sidmouth we retired here. As your representative I will work to focus council spending on essentials, because I believe people and local businesses are better judges of how their money should be spent. I will challenge any plans to build over our lovely countryside – and don’t even think about windmills! Moreover, your vote for me will signal your dismay at the unfolding Brexit betrayal.”

Sidmouth Town (two seats)

Denise Bickley (Independent East Devon Alliance)

“I am a keen environmentalist, founder of Sidmouth Plastic Warriors and Regional Representative for Surfers Against Sewage, running regular beach cleans and helping to gain ‘Plastic Free Community’ status for Sidmouth. I am standing because I strongly believe we should all put something back into our community. I will always act according to my conscience and the people I represent. I am not a fan of party politics and believe it’s time for change.”

Nicholas Diprose (Labour)

Nick has lived in Sidmouth for three decades and feels qualified to represent Sidmouth at both town and district level. Nick will do his best to listen to all representations without favour, and to respond with the necessary vigour, whilst acting with dignity and empathy. Nick comes from a strong trade union background, specialising in occupational safety and health, teaching health & safety at work to reps over the South West and at City College Plymouth.

Cathy Gardner (Independent East Devon Alliance)


“As a councillor and local resident I have spoken up for the town using any means possible. I intend to continue to do that if re-elected to represent you. I will: encourage collaboration to support our high street and improve the street scene; call for action on the delayed Beach Management Plan; push for improvements at Port Royal to capitalise on the redevelopment of the Drill Hall; and call for transparency on the true cost of relocation.”

Sheila Kerridge (Conservative)

SHEILA has lived in Sidmouth for 46 years, married to Martin for 50 years, and owned and traded as Vinnicombes Bakers and Confectioners in the town. SHEILA’s previous experience as a councillor includes serving on EDDC as tourism champion, STC on its tourism & economy committee and the Sidmouth Parishes Pathways Partnership. She is very interested in sustainable tourism within our town and keeping our pathways and bridal ways safe for all our residents and tourists.

Timothy Venner (Conservative)

“I am a lifelong lover of Sidmouth. As a lifelong Conservative my priorities for Sidmouth and East Devon are a council run efficiently keeping council tax low by strict financial control. My main concerns are keeping East Devon a place where young people can return from education to work and find family housing to ensure a balanced age profile for benefit of all. Beach stabilisation is urgently needed, an area in which I have extensive knowledge.”

Who is standing for Sidmouth in East Devon District Elections 2019? | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

And here are the Town Council candidates' manifestos: 

East Devon elections 2019; Who is vying for a Sidmouth Town Council seat?

11 April 2019

Clarissa Place

Residents will head to the polls on May 2 to elect their chosen candidates to represent them on Sidmouth Town Council.

The Primley, Sidbury and West wards will not be contested on election day resulting in standing candidates to be elected unopposed.

Deirdre Hounsom, Emma Murdoch and Jeff Turner will take the seats as the Primley ward members, John Loudoun will represent Sidbury and Louise Cole will retain her seat as the west ward representative.

The remaining candidates vying out for the remaining seats.

Sidmouth East (one seat)

Marc Kilsbie (Independent)

No statement provided.

Louise Thompson (Independent)

“I love living in Sidmouth, and am proud to have returned home to live in the town I grew up in. I co-launched The Lighthouse community business hub this year, and want to continue to contribute to our wider community. If elected I am keen to focus on initiatives that support our local economy, the environment, and the range of opportunities and facilities available for all ages to thrive here at work and play.”

Sidmouth North (four seats)

Charissa Evans (Independent)

“I aim to protect our beautiful green spaces, ensuring that Sidmouth is a place for all ages to enjoy and feel secure in. Having taught in state schools for twenty years, I’m passionate about Youth Services and acutely aware of the demand for activities and areas for our growing population. Increasing cuts to services mean we must unite. We must protect our High Street, and boost Sidmouth’s economy by encouraging people to shop locally.”

Stuart Hughes (Independent)

“Having represented the North Ward since first being elected to the Town Council 28 years ago I have worked hard in supporting the community, and as both Snow & Road Warden have gone the extra mile in helping the town become more resilient in times of inclement weather. Re-elected I shall continue to work in champion the completion/implementation of the cycle/footpath links to Sidbury and Feniton and help deliver the climate change agenda.”

Sheila Kerridge

SHEILA has lived in Sidmouth for 46 years, married to Martin for 50 years, and owned and traded as Vinnicombes Bakers and Confectioners in the town. SHEILA’s previous experience as a councillor includes serving on EDDC as tourism champion, STC on its tourism & economy committee and the Sidmouth Parishes Pathways Partnership. She is very interested in sustainable tourism within our town and keeping our pathways and bridal ways safe for all our residents and tourists.

Dawn Manley (Independent)

“Sidmouth is a beautiful town to live, work and play in. I was fortunate to have been born and lived my 49 years here. We have seen many changes, with some good and some not so good, and have been an Independent councillor for eight years. If re-elected I will continue to represent the people, not some distant party political machine with no care for what is important in our unique community. I stand for people not politics.”

Andie Milne (Independent)

“I moved to Sidmouth nine years ago, from the moment I arrived I have been active with various community voluntary organisations. Since being a member of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group I have become passionate about positive communication between the residents of Sidmouth and elected town council members. If you vote for me, I will endeavour to promote transparent communication by listening and facilitating the best action plans to benefit all those who reside in our beautiful town.”

Jenny Ware (Independent)

Jenny Ware was born in Sidmouth. Her family dates back many generations. She successfully ran her hairdressing business “Jenstyle” in the town centre. “I was born in the beautiful Sid Valley which I am so blessed to be able to call my home and if I am elected as your ward councillor I will do my utmost to be there for you and to listen and help where I can to resolve your problems.”

Edward Willis Fleming

“Sidmouth matters, to everyone who lives, works or visits here. I want to serve both young and old, to help preserve and improve, enhance and advance our precious green and blue spaces and our incredible built environment. By helping to found Sidmouth Arboretum and The Sidmouth Trust, and as a local business person, I hope I’ve shown how much Sidmouth matters to me. Let me help represent your concerns too and what matters to you.”

Sidmouth Salcombe Regis (two seats)

Ian Barlow

“Most people know me as a local businessman but for the last eight years I have also been your local town councillor, most recently as it’s vice chairman. I have used the experience gained from 40 years living and working here to help transform Sidmouth Town Council into the most proactive, efficient, innovative and courageous town council in East Devon. I seek your vote so I can continue this work for the benefit of us all.”

David Barratt (Independent)

“I am currently a Town and District Councillor. As a true Independent, I work with Councillors from any Party on individual issues, gaining agreement through trust and respect, not constant opposition. I stand by my record of fighting strongly against inappropriate development, notably the Sidford Business Park proposal, and I will be speaking to object at the upcoming appeal. There is a lot left to do. I promise to work hard to do it.”

Cathy Gardner

“The Town Council should be more open and proactive for all parts of the Sid Valley. Cuts to street cleaning by EDDC have led to more litter and weeds: we need a street cleaner to clear up problem areas and do small jobs abandoned by EDDC. I fought relocation from the Knowle and to ‘Retain, Refurbish and Reuse’ the Drill Hall - which is now happening! The Town Council must now push ahead to improve Port Royal, using s106 money from Sanditon.”

Sidmouth Sidford Village (two seats)

Peter Blackmore

“Whilst living In Sidmouth for 11 years, I have seen many changes in the Town and going forward I plan to make the council more accountable for. Its important to improve the Health and Wellbeing of our citizens,young and old. I am a committee member of The Gig Club, was involved in the campaign to protect the Drill Hall and I will be campaigning to Stop the Sidford Business Park other sites are available.”

Jack Brokenshire (Independent)
Residents of Sidford. Thank you for your faith in me in the past years and hope you will have faith in me for the next four. We do not want the business park at Sidford for obvious reasons. Traffic congestion. Danger. It is bad enough trying to cross the roads now especially at the bottom of Sidford high street. Possible chance of flooding. Packhorse bridge in times of the floods cannot take any more.”

Ian McKenzie-Edwards

“I have been a town councillor since 1988 the majority of the time representing Sidford. I have always involved myself in all aspects of council activity. As a planning committee member I oppose the Sidford employment land proposal. Sidford still has a sense of community based on its two halls. Now EDDC have moved I would like to see the town council be as proactive as possible in securing the future of the valley.”

Colin Mills (Labour)

“Colin was born and brought up in Sidmouth. He served as a parish councillor in the Chilterns and worked as a volunteer for the local Oxfam, Chiltern Open Air Museum. He worked in the civil service and graduated from the Open University. Combatting isolation and loneliness in the elderly and retired is also another of his concerns. Planning, education and libraries are areas in which he intends to address.”

Marianne Rixson

“I’d like the Town Council to adopt a ‘can do’ attitude, put the community first and welcome public engagement. I have fought the proposed industrial site at Sidford because of the adverse impact HGVs would have on both villages; other sites are available for local employment. I will campaign against any plans to charge for public toilets, which would be disastrous for residents and visitors. I will also support initiatives to save our high street. “

Sidmouth South (five seats)

Denise Bickley

“I am a keen environmentalist, founder of Sidmouth Plastic Warriors and Regional Representative for Surfers Against Sewage, running regular clean-ups. I believe we should all put something back into our community. I have many ideas to help Sidmouth: encouraging events that will benefit the community; protecting the natural environment; supporting local businesses and re-energising our town; supporting our youth services; making volunteering easier to get involved in; researching the possibility of evening classes and improving the town’s website.

Kelvin Dent (Independent)

“I am standing for re-election in Sidmouth Town Council’s South Ward where I live with my wife, Sue, and which I have represented since 2013. My present duties include chairing the Planning Committee and organising the Hopper Bus which I hope to continue if I am re-elected. I also want to safeguard the Knowle park and gardens for public enjoyment. My hobbies include playing music for various groups which help raise money for local charities.”

Nicholas Diprose

Nick has lived in Sidmouth for three decades and feels qualified to represent Sidmouth at both town and district level. Nick will do his best to listen to all representations without favour, and to respond with the necessary vigour, whilst acting with dignity and empathy. Nick comes from a strong trade union background, specialising in occupational safety and health, teaching health & safety at work to reps over the South West and at City College Plymouth.

Christopher Lockyear

“Sidmouth is home and I am proud of where we live. I am a Governor of Sidmouth College and chair the programme committee of the Sidmouth Science Festival. The Council needs to ensure Sidmouth remains an attractive place to live and work, but also to visit. We have a fantastic natural environment which we must preserve. We also have a huge amount of human talent, of all ages, which we must use to benefit all.”

John Rayson

“There are a number of challenges facing our town–the loss of public halls, crumbling cliffs, shops closing and adjusting for the move of the district council out of Sidmouth. I hope to continue to play a part in sorting out these problems. The whole Port Royal area should be developed. I would like to see our own Jurassic coast centre as part of any development. There is also wide support for a pier or jetty.”

Paul Wright

“I have been pleased to represent the Sidmouth South ward for the past four years, acting as councillor with financial responsibility for the past three years. During my time, I have led the introduction of water refill stations around the town to reduce plastic waste, introduced a wildflower meadow at St Margaret’s and a sea swimming platform for this summer. Married and father of four teenagers, we have lived in Sidmouth for over ten years.”

East Devon elections 2019; Who is vying for a Sidmouth Town Council seat? | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
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Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > Tuesday 30th April > meet the candidates in one-on-one Q&A sessions

The Vision Group will be putting on hustings for the upcoming elections:

Futures Forum: Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > Tuesday 30th April > more details

The Herald has put out a reminder:

East Devon elections 2019: Quiz candidates at husting events

24 April 2019

Clarissa Place

Residents will be able to quiz some of the election candidates in the run up to polls as husting events have been organised in Sidmouth and Ottery.

Sidmouth residents will be able to meet both town and district candidates at an event organised by The Vision Group of Sidmouth on Tuesday, April 30, at St Teresa's Hall.

All candidates will be available to speak on a one-to-one speed dating set-up. Town council candidates will be available from 7pm to 8pm and from 8.10pm to 9.10pm for district council contenders.

East Devon elections 2019: Ottery and Sidmouth to hold husting events | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

The Herald is also providing full details of each candidate:
East Devon elections 2019; Who is vying for a Sidmouth Town Council seat?
East Devon elections 2019; Meet the candidates for EDDC’s Sidmouth and parish seats

And it today's Herald, the lead letter, from VGS member Peter Murphy, asks a question - and provides a few answers:

Dear Sir

East Devon Elections – Why go to the Hustings?

As I recall, analysts commented when the result was declared that if many Brexit remainers had bothered to vote in the referendum, the outcome may well have very well been different. Did complacency rule I wonder? It seems that ‘not voting’ can give rise to regret if the outcome is not what one hoped for, and expected! Here in the Sid Valley, voters turned out in their droves to have their say.

Brexit was, and is, an issue of massive importance to the future prosperity of not just the UK, but for the many issues it raises. But here in East Devon, candidates for both local and district elections are setting out their stalls to gain our votes on the issues that matter here. From the campaign leaflets I’ve had through my letterbox (Sidmouth North) from East Devon Alliance and Conservative candidates in recent days, the important issues cover the full spectrum of maintaining a diverse and prosperous future for the Sid Valley, referring to, and mirroring in many ways the key findings of the Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan, now with the Inspector for examination.

Hustings are usually organised in the community interest by independent groups, to bring together voters and candidates for discussion. The Sidmouth hustings, organised and moderated by the Sidmouth Vision Group, have opted for a ‘Speed Dating’ format to facilitate one-on-one Q&A sessions. One might perhaps presume that election candidates will be eager to receive the views of their voters and maybe listening more intently than at other times in the election cycle.

The Sidmouth Hustings will be held at St Theresa’s Hall in Connaught Road on Tuesday 30th April, with Local Election candidates available from 7.00 pm and District Council candidates from 8.10 pm. As a member of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group I certainly have some questions I would like to pose before I cast my votes, and hope to see many residents doing the same. To paraphrase one candidate re-standing for election “Just vote!”

Peter Murphy

Sidmouth

Disclosure: Member of Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan and Sidmouth Vision Group.

East Devon Elections – Why go to the Hustings?
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Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan > Town Council to set up a Community Action Coordination Group

The Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan has been formally submitted:
A NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN FOR THE SID VALLEY 2018-2032 - Submission Version

And is now with the Examiner:
Futures Forum: Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan > unanimously endorsed by District Council > consultation ends 8th March > Examiner appointed

Looking ahead, hopefully once the Examiner is satisfied and the plan is voted through by the residents of the Sid Valley, the next stage would be to look at the Community Actions:
Futures Forum: Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan: "the next phase of its contribution" >>> community actions

And the Town Council has just shown its commitment to the process of ensuring that the Community Actions happen:

SIDMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL 

Minutes of the Meeting of Sidmouth Town Council held at the Council Chamber, Woolcombe House, Sidmouth, on Monday 8 April 2019 at 6.30pm

Neighbourhood Plan Community Actions

Members were asked to consider the discussions and recommendations from an informal joint meeting of the Council and Sid Valley Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group regarding the Neighbourhood Plan Community Actions.

RESOLVED: that

1. following Local Government Elections in May 2019, the Council sets up a Community Action Coordination Group, to help facilitate the implementation of Neighbourhood Plan Community Actions;

2. the steering group to consist of Councillors alongside a number of volunteers (in a similar model to the NHP Steering Group) and report progress to full Council quarterly;

3. the Council’s Committees and Working Groups champion relevant Community Actions as appropriate.

Mins-STC-080419.pdf

The Vision Group hopes to help with that stage:
Futures Forum: Help shape the positive development of our community > get in touch with the Vision Group!
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Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > Tuesday 30th April > more details

Next month we will have local elections:
Futures Forum: Lists of candidates for District and Town Council elections 2nd May
Futures Forum: Good news from East Devon as it prepares for local elections

And today's Herald mentions a hustings event: 
Who is standing for Sidmouth in East Devon District Elections 2019? | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

Here is the Vision Group's press release for the event:

VISION GROUP HOLDS HUSTINGS FOR LOCAL ELECTIONS

At the end of the month, the Vision Group for Sidmouth will be putting on a 'meet the candidates' event in the run-up to the District and Town Council elections.

It will take the form of a 'speed-dating' format, in which candidates will be seated at tables around the hall and voters will be encouraged to hop from one table to the next, putting their questions to each candidate in their ward.

All the candidates for both the Town and District councils have been invited and will be available for questions from the public on a one-to-one basis.

Those standing for the Town Council will take up position for the first hour, followed by those standing for the District Council during the second hour.

The full list of street addresses for each ward will be available so that attendees can see which ward they are in and so which candidates they can question.

The evening will be moderated by the Vision Group, who have been putting on hustings events for elections since the group was founded back in 2005.

The event will kick off at 7pm and finish at about 9pm, on Tuesday 30^th April. 

It will be held at St Teresa's Hall on Connaught Road and will be open to all.

Local elections May 2019 - Vision Group for Sidmouth 

And here's the invitation to candidates from the Vision Group:

TO ALL CANDIDATES

AND/OR THEIR AGENTS, POLITICAL PARTIES AND REPRESENTATIVE GROUPS

Dear Candidates,

INVITATION TO HUSTINGS

The Vision Group for Sidmouth will be holding a public meeting on Tuesday 30^th April to enable voters to pose questions to both District and Town Council candidates before the local elections of Thursday 2^nd May. This date has been chosen so as to avoid the Easter holiday.

We would very much welcome your participation in this event, as this will enable you to meet the electorate and put your case to attendees.

The event will take a ‘speed-dating’ format: each candidate will be seated at their own table with name tag/ward details, allowing members of the public to sit and interview each of you for a short period before moving on to the next candidate for their ward.

The timings are:

• 7 - 8pm for Sidmouth Town Council candidates; and

• 8.10 - 9.10 for EDDC candidates.

By having both sets of candidates at the one event, it is hoped to maximize interest and attendance from the public. The central location of St Teresa’s Hall on Connaught Rd has been chosen for easy access. The press will be invited to attend and we suggest that candidates have copies of their election ‘pledges/manifestos’ available for the public and press.

Finally, we would be grateful if agents, political parties and representative groups could forward this invitation to their candidates, as we have not been able to secure the full list of individual email addresses. Furthermore, if you are aware that any candidates have for some reason not received this invitation, we would be very grateful if you could forward this to them. Thank you.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Local elections HUSTINGS - Vision Group for Sidmouth
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Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > Tuesday 30th April

Next month we will have local elections:
Futures Forum: Lists of candidates for District and Town Council elections 2nd May
Futures Forum: Good news from East Devon as it prepares for local elections

The Herald has published manifestos from the candidates:
Who is standing for Sidmouth in East Devon District Elections 2019? | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
East Devon elections 2019; Who is vying for a Sidmouth Town Council seat? | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

And it also mentions that there'll be a hustings event at the end of the month: 

Meet the candidates standing in Sidmouth’s Rural, Sidford and Town wards as well as the candidates for Newton Poppleford and Beer and Branscombe.

A hustings event will be held in Sidmouth on April 30.

Who is standing for Sidmouth in East Devon District Elections 2019? | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald

The Vision Group will be putting on the hustings event at St Teresa's Hall in Sidmouth on Tuesday 30th April:

Local elections HUSTINGS - Vision Group for Sidmouth

For more information:
Local elections May 2019 - Vision Group for Sidmouth
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Coastal Communities Fund for the South West

We've just had the 'stronger towns fund' or something like that, which has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Brexit:
Futures Forum: Brexit: and the Stronger Towns Fund

And there's the annual bung to 'coastal communities': 
Futures Forum: Coastal Communities Fund and the South West

Which is yet another fund graciously bestowed by central government upon lowly local government:
Coastal communities - GOV.UK

This year's has been announced - and a couple of pieces of the pie goes to the South West:
£15m boost for coastal communities in the South West - Radio Exe
Pirate FM - News - Cornish coastal community projects get share of £15.4m
Coastal Communities funding for Weymouth Quay Regeneration Project | Dorset Echo
Government £2.7m for new North Devon Leisure Centre and Northam Burrows Centre | Barnstaple, Bideford and Ilfracombe News - North Devon Gazette

A more serious endeavour was put together by the Lords' Regenerating Seaside Towns Committee last October:
Futures Forum: Regenerating Seaside Towns: parliamentary committee calls for evidence

The Vision Group made a submission:
Vision Group sends in report to House of Lords committee on “Regenerating seaside towns and communities”
Vision Group report published by House of Lords committee on “Regenerating seaside towns and communities”
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