Let’s get Ottery Town Council and East Devon District Council’s achievements into perspective. Both town and district have seen some very significant achievements in recent times, in spite of limitations to available funds...
The criticism that EDDC is receiving ... regarding their proposed move to SkyPark/Cranbrook is based on ill-founded information.
When the Knowle is vacated there will be revenue-generating opportunities from whatsoever takes its place, which can be expected to provide economic benefits to Sidmouth.
The new build for the western growth area of the district will provide much-needed business and employment for the young families as they set up new homes.
This area, with its developing infrastructure, is a success story for East Devon. It is East Devon District Council and Devon County Council ... who are leading the way for substantial growth and expanding business.
John V Rowland
Ashley Brake
West Hill
Home - Sidmouth Herald
The letter is presented in full on independent Cllr Claire Wright's blog - together with several comments:
2. At 07:33 pm on 18th Apr Conrad Black wrote:
Moving the EDDC to Skypark is possibly the most stupid thing you could have chosen to do unless you are wanting to use public funds to puff up a moribund development and support the private developer(s) who can’t get any traction themselves?
As to the move from the Knowle, if there was a panic when Axminster Carpets looked like folding, and that was a disaster and something MUST be done, how come it is that ceasing 400 high grade administration jobs is totally unimportant and cannot possibly create any harm - in other words we don’t give a tuppeny damn for what happens to Sidmouth and we can control the votes to make sure logic has no part in a decision.
EDDC should perhaps take a look at some of the lessons being learnt the hard way by other public authorities investing in expensive new offices. www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news...
When so many public services are being slashed, can they honestly justify squandering millions on a new building?
In October the ECHO revealed how the authority was strongly criticised in two reviews into the way it was run.
They exposed how Merseytravel’s “vanity project” waterfront HQ is running at an annual £4m loss.
The full impact of the “very expensive and as of yet unjustified” move to the new building at Mann Island was just one of many shocking revelations.
6. At 12:24 pm on 19th Apr Sandra Semple wrote:
Could Mr Rowland tell me about anything that Tangible that Tory councillor Graham Brown did for his community?
7. At 08:04 pm on 19th Apr Peter Bending wrote:
Sandra. Don’t forget Ex Cllr Brown did one good thing for Feniton, He got caught, and because of that we now have hard working, community minded, INDEPENDENT Councillor who does what she thinks is right and not what she is told to think.
Letter in today’s Ottery Herald reminds me of… - Claire Wright
There are other issues raised by John Rowland's letter:
> "When the Knowle is vacated there will be revenue-generating opportunities from whatsoever takes its place, which can be expected to provide economic benefits to Sidmouth."
This assumes there will be 'benefits' for Sidmouth following relocation - and not substantial job losses:
Open Letter from SOS in today’s Sidmouth Herald | Save Our Sidmouth
Now EDDC obliged to revise its own Outline Planning Application for Knowle, Sidmouth, for the FOURTH time! | Save Our Sidmouth
It seems, then, that most people take it for granted that a decision to leave Knowle for SkyPark has been taken - which is contrary to the official line:
East Devon resident’s battle for transparency on office relocation project - Claire Wight
In October the ECHO revealed how the authority was strongly criticised in two reviews into the way it was run.
They exposed how Merseytravel’s “vanity project” waterfront HQ is running at an annual £4m loss.
The full impact of the “very expensive and as of yet unjustified” move to the new building at Mann Island was just one of many shocking revelations.
6. At 12:24 pm on 19th Apr Sandra Semple wrote:
Could Mr Rowland tell me about anything that Tangible that Tory councillor Graham Brown did for his community?
7. At 08:04 pm on 19th Apr Peter Bending wrote:
Sandra. Don’t forget Ex Cllr Brown did one good thing for Feniton, He got caught, and because of that we now have hard working, community minded, INDEPENDENT Councillor who does what she thinks is right and not what she is told to think.
Letter in today’s Ottery Herald reminds me of… - Claire Wright
There are other issues raised by John Rowland's letter:
> "When the Knowle is vacated there will be revenue-generating opportunities from whatsoever takes its place, which can be expected to provide economic benefits to Sidmouth."
This assumes there will be 'benefits' for Sidmouth following relocation - and not substantial job losses:
Open Letter from SOS in today’s Sidmouth Herald | Save Our Sidmouth
Now EDDC obliged to revise its own Outline Planning Application for Knowle, Sidmouth, for the FOURTH time! | Save Our Sidmouth
It seems, then, that most people take it for granted that a decision to leave Knowle for SkyPark has been taken - which is contrary to the official line:
East Devon resident’s battle for transparency on office relocation project - Claire Wight
Appeal against ICO decision re EDDC relocation info - a Freedom of Information request to East Devon District Council - WhatDoTheyKnow
> "The new build for the western growth area of the district will provide much-needed business and employment for the young families as they set up new homes... This area, with its developing infrastructure, is a success story for East Devon. It is East Devon District Council and Devon County Council ... who are leading the way for substantial growth and expanding business."
This assumes that 'young families' will benefit from the housing at Cranbrook - rather than find most of it unaffordable:
An honest look at Cranbrook and ‘growth point' - Claire Wright
www.cpredevon.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/housing-in-devon.pdf
There is also the assumption that the SkyPark project will provide jobs in abundance for 'young families' - but how well do these pay?
380 new jobs as green light looks set to be given to Exeter Ikea store
> "The new build for the western growth area of the district will provide much-needed business and employment for the young families as they set up new homes... This area, with its developing infrastructure, is a success story for East Devon. It is East Devon District Council and Devon County Council ... who are leading the way for substantial growth and expanding business."
This assumes that 'young families' will benefit from the housing at Cranbrook - rather than find most of it unaffordable:
An honest look at Cranbrook and ‘growth point' - Claire Wright
www.cpredevon.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/housing-in-devon.pdf
There is also the assumption that the SkyPark project will provide jobs in abundance for 'young families' - but how well do these pay?
380 new jobs as green light looks set to be given to Exeter Ikea store
How much do you get paid at ikea? - The Student Room
Is a major function of local government 'developing infrastructure' - which amounts to subsidising big business:
There are more questions than answers ….. | Sidmouth Independent News
The Distorting Effects of Transportation Subsidies : The Freeman : Foundation for Economic Education
And is encouraging 'growth' therefore simply a matter of attracting these big businesses to even bigger 'industrial parks'? Is this not unreliable, unsustainable and counterproductive?
Large businesses mean large problems when they come under stress | Sidmouth Independent News
Flybe cuts another 500 jobs to 'secure future' - Telegraph
BBC News - Council demands Sainsbury's depot site answers
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.
.
Is a major function of local government 'developing infrastructure' - which amounts to subsidising big business:
There are more questions than answers ….. | Sidmouth Independent News
The Distorting Effects of Transportation Subsidies : The Freeman : Foundation for Economic Education
And is encouraging 'growth' therefore simply a matter of attracting these big businesses to even bigger 'industrial parks'? Is this not unreliable, unsustainable and counterproductive?
Large businesses mean large problems when they come under stress | Sidmouth Independent News
Flybe cuts another 500 jobs to 'secure future' - Telegraph
BBC News - Council demands Sainsbury's depot site answers
.
.
.
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