Concerns for campaigning

Although the Futures Forum doesn't 'campaign' on issues but tries to 'encourage debate' on issues, there are increasing concerns that the ability to campaign is under threat.
This e-mail was received yesterday by many 'campaigners' - from the group 38 Degrees:

The government’s rushing through a new law which, if it passes, will stop us running the type of campaigns which have made us who we are. [1] The campaigns which have saved our forests, fought privatisation in the NHS, and defeated the snoopers’ charter. [2] The campaigns which have seen 1.7 million of us act together, locally and nationally, for over four years. In fact, if the new law passes, and we continue campaigning as we do now, the office team could even risk being sent to jail. [3]

The law’s called the ‘Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill’. And if it goes through without any changes, it’ll wipe out our campaigning by slashing what we can spend during the year before elections. Not just general elections, either. Local elections, European elections and referendums, too. [4]

But if we act now and we act together, we could make the government reverse their plan. Chloe Smith, the minister responsible for pushing this law through parliament, is coming under more and more pressure to re-think. If hundreds of thousands of us speak up now, we could swing her decision.

Can you email Chloe Smith now to tell her why it’s important that we’re able to campaign during elections, and what you think of her plans to stifle us? There’s no template email, because it’s really important that Chloe Smith hears your personal reasons for being a member of 38 Degrees. Anything you write to her now is better than her not hearing from us at all.

Click here to get started:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/m/74c04dde/2d5f6564/517bca5e/466d9cea/1614253221/VEsE/

People power is at the heart of 38 Degrees. We don’t spend too much, but our campaigns do cost money. Without being able to spend - employing staff, buying billboards, or printing leaflets about where politicians stand on local issues - we just won’t be able to make the issues which matter to us all, like the NHS and fair taxation, top of the agenda at the next election.

The three main political parties have a combined membership of around 433,000. [5] There are 1.7 million of us. Per member, the parties would be able to spend over £130 - 38 Degrees would be able to spend around 23p. [6] Put simply, this will make it hard to influence the next election, and every one after that.

Can you email Chloe Smith now?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/m/74c04dde/2d5f6564/517bca5e/466d9cea/1614253221/VEsF/

It’s not clear whether this law is just badly written, or if the government is simply fed up of being criticised - but it’s a huge threat. And it doesn’t only affect us: from big charities to tiny single-issue campaigns, the sector is scared and furious.

The government’s trying to slip this through with as little fuss as possible. Not only did they introduce it on the day before MPs knocked off for the summer, they also tied it into a whole raft of other new rules on lobbying. And some of the new rules, like the register of lobbyists, are things we’ve been pushing for, although they’re not yet strong enough. [7] We still hope to campaign for tighter controls on dodgy lobbying - but before that, we have to fight to make sure we’re not silenced during elections.

Chloe Smith needs to know that whether by accident or intention, this law isn’t fit for purpose. Can you email her now?
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/m/74c04dde/2d5f6564/517bca5e/466d9cea/1614253221/VEsC/

It’s a really worrying time. The potential impact of this law is only just becoming clear. The Cabinet Office says it won’t affect us. [8] But experts we’ve spoken to, from lawyers to charity chiefs, are telling us it will. This threatens the entire way 1.7 million of us campaign together.

It’s not just us. Amazing people-powered campaigns like HOPE not hate’s fight against the BNP in Barking and Dagenham, or Make Poverty History, just wouldn’t be possible during election periods. Right when ordinary people should be able to have the most impact.

It’s no exaggeration to say this law will make it easier for registered political parties like the BNP to campaign without challenge.

The government’s doing its best to rush this law through without consultation or feedback. If we act together now, we can let them know that 38 Degrees is more than just a name - we’re a movement of 1.7 million people committed to campaigning for a better, fairer Britain. We won’t remain silent while they try to stop us.

Can you email Chloe Smith? Our movement may depend on it.
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/m/74c04dde/2d5f6564/517bca5e/466d9cea/1614253221/VEsD/

In hope,

Ian, Susannah, Blanche and the entire 38 Degrees team

PS: These proposals are complicated, and a lot of the detail still isn’t clear. The office team doesn’t have all the answers - we’re still talking to experts and other organisations. In the meantime, we’ve done our best to provide some clarity in the Frequently Asked Questions and Notes sections below.

FAQ

What should I write to Chloe Smith?

Perhaps you could tell her about the first email you wrote to an MP, or the first meeting you attended with other 38 Degrees members. Or perhaps why you think charities, campaigning groups and movements like ours which help people do these things should not be restricted?

Or you could explain your concerns about what could happen if we couldn’t campaign together against the privatisation of the NHS, or against parties such as the BNP? Or - you could just tell her why you’re a member of 38 Degrees.

What are the proposals called, and where can I read more about them?

The plans are called the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill. You can read the Bill documents and watch the progress of the legislation here: http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/transparencyoflobbyingnonpartycampaigningandtradeunionadministration/documents.html

How will it affect our campaigning?

Since the proposals were published, the office team have been meeting with experts and other organisations to discuss the impact of these rules on our campaigning. They’ve indicated that although a lot of the detail is still unclear, they believe the risks to our campaigning are huge.

The law the government has put forward will very strictly limit spending on campaigning during the year before an election. And whereas current limits only count the costs of campaign materials, the new rules would include nearly everything campaigners do, e.g. staff time, travel, and media work. The new limits could stop us from being able to run billboards, or to mobilise in the way that we have during our successful campaigns to save our forests and stop the snoopers’ charter.

What happens if 38 Degrees breaks the rules?

Breaking the rules on spending is a criminal offence. Ultimately, there’s a chance that members of the office team could be sent to jail if the rules were broken. Other organisations are facing the same threat, meaning that the ‘chilling’ effect on campaigning by charities and groups across the country is likely to be huge.

What do other groups think?

There’s widespread frustration. Charities and voluntary organisations are coming together to fight against the plans.

The National Council of Voluntary Organisations and HOPE not hate are just two of the organisations which have already spoken out publicly about the proposals.

Read NCVO’s statement here: http://blogs.ncvo.org.uk/2013/08/18/transparency-of-lobbying-bill-unintended-consequences-or-trojan-horse/

And HOPE not hate’s here: http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/blog/article/2976/the-government-is-trying-to-gag-hope-not-hate

Why is the government doing this?

No one’s certain. Some people are saying that a lot of this is unintended, and just bad, rushed drafting - but we’ve heard that before during our Section 75 campaign. Others say that it suits the coalition parties to silence campaigning organisations who have run campaigns which have caused them embarrassment in the past - such as the NUS’ tuition fees campaign and The Royal British Legion’s Armed Forces Covenant campaign. And of course, our campaign to save the NHS. Some think it’s because some MPs don’t even believe charities should be able to campaign for policy change which relates to their charitable objectives.

What else can we do?

The office team will be working hard over the next few days and weeks planning what we can do to help save our movement as we know it. If you have any ideas, please get in touch and let us know your thoughts by emailing emailtheteam@38degrees.org.uk

NOTES
[1] Parliament UK: Transparency of Lobbying, Non-party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill 2013-14:
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2013-14/transparencyoflobbyingnonpartycampaigningandtradeunionadministration.html
[2] 38 Degrees blog: Great news: government agree to protect our forests:
http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2013/02/01/great-news-government-agree-to-protect-our-forests/
NHS legal advice:
http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2013/03/04/nhs-legal-advice-email-your-mp/
We won!: http://blog.38degrees.org.uk/2013/04/26/we-won/
[3] Electoral Commission: Guidance on preventing and detecting electoral malpractice, pg 104:
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/153836/Guidance-on-preventing-malpractice-web.pdf
[4] Third Sector: Lobbying bill will hinder charity campaigning and fundraising, NCVO warns:
http://www.thirdsector.co.uk/Policy_and_Politics/article/1207867/lobbying-bill-will-hinder-charity-campaigning-fundraising-ncvo-warns/
[5] BBC: Can UK political parties be saved from extinction?:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-12934148
N.B. These figures are from 2011. Recent reports suggest the numbers have declined even more since then, with the Conservative Party now reportedly having around 100,000 members:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/british-politics-at-the-crossroads-tory-membership-plummets-over-disenchantment-with-westminster-8753054.html
[6] Electoral Commission: Party Campaign Expenditure:
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/elections/election-spending/party-campaign-expenditure
[7] Politics website: ‘Hilariously bad’: Lobbyists mock toothless statutory register:
http://www.politics.co.uk/news/2013/07/24/hilariously-bad-lobbyists-mock-toothless-statutory-register
[8] CivilSociety website: Charity lawyer warns new lobbying bill poses ‘existential threat to charity campaigning’:
http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/governance/news/content/15918/charity_lawyer_warns_new_lobbying_bill_poses_existential_threat_to_charity_campaigning

38 Degrees | people. power. change.

See also:
Futures Forum: Lobbying 
Futures Forum: Lobbying and transparency, continued...
http://www.claire-wright.org/index.php/post/new_battle_begins_against_govt_plot_to_outlaw_campaigning/

Cycling: latest press release from Otter Trail

This has been put together for next month's issue of the Ottery Gazette:

Why do more bikes belong to staff than pupils in the bike rack at The King's School?

In a recent meeting I had to explain to Devon County Council that the roads to our school are too dangerous for students to cycle to school safely.

We live in a beautiful rural community where we should be promoting healthy lifestyles, reducing obesity levels and being active model citizens but at present the cars reign supreme on our roads.

The benefits of cycling is finally being targeted by the Government and funding is now available for providing sustainable travel options and we as a community want a slice of that financial pie!

A cycle path from Feniton to Ottery would entice visitors from the main train line to our area and be a vital boost for tourism. I can already see Phyllis (our trusted Tourist information officer) handing out the route maps. Our multi-use path could then continue onto Tipton and be enjoyed by all the different generations within our community but we have to prove this is what our area wants.

Our online petition has over 500 signatures which is an excellent start and if we all, like the Primary and Secondary Headteachers, want safe routes to schools and safe effective multi-use paths in our area, we need many more people to visit our website and record their voice. The final route has not been decided upon and a feasibility study needs to be carried out to establish the most agreeable route possible.   Our group meets regularly to actively campaign alongside our Sidmouth counterparts to gather support and liaise with other significant parties as otherwise the funding available will go elsewhere in the UK.

To celebrate the opening of the Tour of Britain and to raise awareness of our campaign, we are organizing a Family Fun Cycle ride on 21^st September. The ride will begin in Ottery at 11am in the land of Canaan car park and continue onto Escot Estate where we can enjoy a picnic lunch.  We will be supported on the day by cycling experts and cycling trainers so the ride is suitable for all members of the family.

SIGN THE PETITION!

We are so privileged to live in an area with an active community that is committed to developing our town.  A cycle path would hugely benefit our area bringing improved health, tourism and our general quality of life.  

Please visit www.ottertrail.org , sign our petition and spread the word. 

Many thanks, Jo Elliott – Chair of the Otter Trail cycle committee.

And here's the photo that will accompany the article:

King’s School students, along with the Sidmouth group, meet representatives from Devon County Council to discuss details of the campaign..

Futures Forum: Otter Trail petition nears 500
Futures Forum: Futures Forum cycling meeting 20th May: press release
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The Byes in high summer...

A great photo in this week's Herald of the gathering earlier in the summer to celebrate the flower meadow.
Home - Sidmouth Herald 

Meanwhile, some spectacular photos on the Friends of the Byes pages... and some fun ones too:



This is the 2nd year Friends of the Byes have planted the wildflower areas in Sid meadow area of The Byes.
This year we used seeds from http://www.nova-flore.com/ a more wildlife friendly mix of seeds than last year.
The flowers are continuously changing as one type of flower goes to seed and another comes into flower.
Come and have a look for yourself. – à The Byes.

Friends of The Byes / Sidmouth BEE Project added 26 photos to the album July 2013 in The Byes.

3 August

Like · Comment · Share

• Kate Wallace, Penny Thame, Danielle Renee Mendez and 8 others like this.
• 

  Kathy Cuen-Ashby Awesome work! The wildflowers are breathtaking!

  3 August at 10:39
• 

  Danielle Renee Mendez I feel like I was there too. Great photography!! & thx for sharing Kathy!

  3 August at 14:55 via mobile · 1

Friends of The Byes / Sidmouth BEE Project | Facebook 

See also: Futures Forum: Sid Meadow in July... and the Big Butterfly Count
Futures Forum: Sid Meadow in July...
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East Devon AONB: draft management strategy out for consultation

The AONB Partnership is considering its priorities for the next five years...

AONB Management Plan

 

"The natural beauty of the East Devon AONB landscape, its dramatic World Heritage Site coastline, internationally important habitats and species and its cultural heritage, is conserved, managed and enhanced to support and benefit present and future generations."

The East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Draft Management Strategy 2014-19 is now ready for consultation. Hard copies of the draft strategy will be sent to all libraries in and around the AONB as well as to all Parish/Town Councils within the AONB.

The following link will take you directly to the Draft Strategy   The closing date for feedback is 10 October 2013.

Consultation Draft - East Devon AONB Management Strategy

Please send all responses to email: info@eastdevonaonb.org.uk

or in writing to:  

East Devon AONB Partnership, East Devon Business Centre, Heath Park, Honiton, Devon EX14 1SF

If you experience any technical problems accessing the documents on line, please contact the AONB office on 01404 46663 or email: info@eastdevonaonb.org.uk

East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - AONB Management Plan 
See also: Home - Sidmouth Herald
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Science Festival: Enter the Herald's science writing challenge

Another article in today's Herald - and as announced on the Science Festival's own website today:

Herald runs Science Writing Competition for Young Writers

The competition is part of the Science Festival and runs from August to September.

As part of the Sidmouth Science Festival 2013 the Sidmouth Herald is running a writing competition for young people which will run from August until the end of September. 

The prizes will be awarded by TV personality and Geologist, Prof Iain Stewart during the Festival on Saturday 19th October and winning entries will be published in the Herald.

The subject must be related to one of the STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and may be historical fiction, science related fiction or even science fiction. For example, you could write about how Newton discovered gravity or how you imagine technology being used in the future or how engineers are working to find solutions to water shortages – anything as long as it is STEM related.

There will be 4 age groups and prizes for each:
7 -9
9 -11
12-15
16-18 years

Prose should be limited to 250 words for ages 7- 12, and 500 for 13 – 18.

You could also write a poem, an Acrostic using SCIENCE for the beginning of each line or a shape poem. Be imaginative!

Entries close at the end of September so please start thinking and writing during the holidays.

Send your entries either by email to  info@sidmouthsciencefestival.org 

or post them, 

marked Science Writing Competition, to
Sidmouth Herald,
Archant South West,
Fair Oak Close,
Exeter Airport Business Park .
EX5 2UL

Please include your name, age and contact details in your submission so we can get in touch with you.

Sidmouth Science Festival - Science Writing Competition for Young Writers
Vision Group for Sidmouth - Science Festival
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SVEAG project: Electric car charging point at Hunter's Moon Hotel

As reported in today's Sidmouth Herald:

Electric car charging point opens at hotel

Friday, 23 August 2013

Sidmouth's first public charging point for electric cars will be officially opened on Tuesday (August 27).

The point, at the Hunter's Moon Hotel in Sid Road, will be unveiled at 10.30am by the Sid Valley Energy Action Group (SVEAG).

It has been supplied by Zero Carbon World and installed by Sungift Solar of Exeter to connect Sidmouth the UK charging point network.

The opening is chance to see how they work and find out more about the practicalities of owing and running an electric vehicle, say SVEAG leaders.

In attendance will be the UK-manufactured best-selling electric car, the Nissan Leaf, supplied by Hamilton Garage of Sidford.

SVEAG wants to set up a community energy company, aiming to provide many benefits to the businesses and residents in the Sid Valley.

The group is working with local renewable energy organisations to obtain grant funding for feasibility work on solar thermal, solar photo-voltaic, wind, energy efficiency and anaerobic digestion projects.

Home - Sidmouth Herald 
See: Vision Group for Sidmouth - SVEAG monthly meeting


SVEAG is involved in another car event next month:

Double delight as car events combine in Sidmouth

Stefan GordonTuesday, June 25, 2013

THE past and future of motoring will be on show when two successful Sidmouth events combine in September.

A Green Vehicle Show and Classic Car Show were independent hits last year – and now organisers have joined forces.

The Sid Valley Energy Action Group (SVEAG), Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce and The Crash Box Club of Devon have got together with Sidmouth Cricket Club to present the event on Saturday, September 21. Festivities will provide a fascinating contrast between preserved classic and vintage cars on display and the latest alternative energy vehicles.

It will demonstrate how technology is being used to produce fuel efficient and low emission transport.

SVEAG leaders say the aim is to encourage the community to think about how it can save energy and reduce carbon emissions.

Most of the exhibits will be electric and hybrid cars that can be bought today at the showrooms of the local distributors who are supporting the show.

“It will be a unique meeting of the old and the new - a rare chance for motoring enthusiasts of all ages to see the best of the past and the future,” said the SVEAG’s Joel Venn.

The show will be open from 11am to 3pm.

Double delight as car events combine in Sidmouth - News - Sidmouth Herald
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Local Plan: Consultation on Proposed Post-Publication Changes

Following on from the Inspector's comments:
Futures Forum: Local Plan: latest comment on 'minor to major' changes
Futures Forum: District Council's Local Plan: comment from the Inspector: that the proposed changes are in fact major...
there will have to be a further round of public consultations on the Local Plan...

As reported in the Herald today:
Council mistakes lead to new public session on Local Plan
Home - Sidmouth Herald

This was in fact flagged up earlier this month, with comparisons made with South Somerset:

Concerns raised over local plan

Thursday, August 01, 2013

Exeter Express and Echo

CONCERNS have been expressed about the integrity of East Devon District Council's Local Plan.

A planning inspector last month raised concerns over parts of the proposed Local Plan for South Somerset District Council – which shares the same Chief Executive as East Devon. Following a Public Examination of the plan, the inspector initially suggested that the council either withdrew the plan and started the process again or proceeded with the plan in its current state with the likely outcome that it would be rejected. Following representations from the authority, the inspector subsequently confirmed the council could temporarily suspend it for six months while the concerns raised are addressed.

East Devon District Council officials have subsequently rubbished concerns that it faces a similar result as South Somerset because the authorities share Mark Williams as chief executive, branding such claims as a "fanciful non-sequitur".

East Devon's Local Plan, which outlines where around 15,000 homes as well as employment land could be built between 2006 and 2026, is due to go to Public Examination in November.

Ian Makintosh, chairman of the East Devon Alliance campaign group, said he has concerns about the robustness of the Local Plan and pointed to a planning inspectorate's recent finding – that the council cannot demonstrate it has enough land suitable for the demand for houses in the next five years. Local authorities are expected to demonstrate five years as part of the Government's National Planning Policy Framework. "What has happened at South Somerset throws into question the competence behind our Local Plan and we are concerned what happened there may happen in East Devon at public examination stage," he said. "As long as there is no Local Plan the land is at risk of developers."

Tony Green, member of campaign group Save Our Sidmouth (SOS), said members were also fearful that East Devon's Local Plan may fall short of an inspector's expectations.

Concerns raised over local plan | This is Exeter

Here is the invitation to make representations from the District Council: 

Consultation on Proposed Post-Publication Changes to the Local Plan

East Devon District Council invites you to make representations on the Proposed Post- Publication Changes to the Local Plan. The consultation will run for six weeks from Friday 23 August 2013 until 12 Noon on Monday 7 October.

The Council submitted its Local Plan and associated documents/evidence for examination on 2 August 2013. The submission material included a schedule of proposed changes to the Publication Draft of the Local Plan which was approved by Full Council on 24 July 2013. However, on 15 August 2013 the Planning Inspector (Mr Anthony Thickett BA(Hons) BTP MRTPI Dip RSA wrote to the Council indicating that it would be appropriate to consult on these changes.

Representations should be made regarding the Proposed Post-Publication Changes only, though you may wish to refer to background evidence/reports produced to support the Local Plan. These are available in the Local Plan Document Library which is available at www.eastdevon.gov.uk/lpsubmission. Please refer to the change number your representation is in regards to. This can be found in the left-most column of the table in the Schedule of Proposed Post-Publication Changes available at http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/lpchanges and at the Council Offices. A Representation Form is also available at this address along with a Guidance Note for making representations at this stage. This is the preferred method for making representations, however any representations submitted during the consultation period will be taken into account, reported back to Full Council and forwarded to the inspector.

Representations should be emailed to localplan@eastdevon.gov.uk or sent to Planning Policy, East Devon District Council, Knowle, Sidmouth, EX10 8HL.

Yours faithfully,

Graeme Thompson

(Planning Policy Officer)

Here is today's comment from Sidmouth Independent News:

Make your new comments on the Local Plan

And when does consultation on the 53 major amendments to the Local Plan start?  Today:  the day before a long bank holiday and with no announcements in the press to tell people that it has started.  It mentions that they will be writing to all those without email addressed and to statutory consultees.  But when will those people receive their letters – perhaps more than a week into the new consultation period.  Is this proper procedure one has to ask.

How many people know that the site is up and running and the clock has started ticking?

If you wish to make comments online go to

http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/lpchanges

and make sure you make as many comments as possible.

You have until 12 Noon on Monday 7 October 2013 to submit your comments

23 August 2013 – noon 7 October 2013

Mr Anthony Thickett has been appointed as the Independent Inspector and he has advised that he cannot undertake his examination of the document because there are 53 changes from an earlier version that he feels should be consulted on first.  The new consultation will cover all the changes made since the previous consultation – not just the 53 mentioned by the Inspector. But it is only those changes to the earlier version of the plan that may be the subject of any new comments.

The changes made to the Local Plan that the Inspector insists should be consulted on are HERE.

http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/proposedchanges.pdf

Comments on these changes (and only these changes) can be made HERE

http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/lpchanges

Representations should be emailed to localplan@eastdevon.gov.ukor sent to Planning Policy, East Devon District Council, Knowle, Sidmouth, EX10 8HL. Representations received after 12 Noon on 7 October 2013 may not be accepted.

Make your new comments on the Local Plan | Sidmouth Independent News
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