Knowle relocation project: BREAKING NEWS >>> >>> District Council withdraws appeals and commits to publishing full Pegasus contract

There have been all sorts of questions around the Pegasus buy-out of Knowle. 
To take but one example:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: Is PegasusLife targetting retirees outside Sidmouth?

It's all part of the mess which is called the 'relocation project' - which has been going on and on for ages and ages - and which has involved the bizarre and the ridiculous:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: of Tribunals, moving to Skypark and granting oneself planning permission

In October last year, the Information Commissioner told the District Council to release the full contract with Pegasus, plus the process behind it:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: BREAKING NEWS >> >>> Information Commissioner tells East Devon District Council to publish documentation

The District Council didn't want to play game:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: and clashing with the Information Commissioner over publishing key documents
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: >>> Information Commissioner tells East Devon District Council to publish documentation >>> Decision Notices now available on-line

And so it went to Tribunal:
Futures Forum: Knowle relocation project: District Council to defy Information Commissioner - and to take FOI requests to Tribunal >>> press release

Now the District Council has decided to publish the full documentation - as reported in today's press:


EDDC withdraws from legal battle over relocation transparency
23 January 2017 Stephen Sumner

District chiefs have backed down and are now set to release details of a deal to sell their Knowle HQ to a developer.

EDDC withdraws from legal battle over relocation transparency - News - Sidmouth Herald

East Devon Council to release previously confidential documents about Sidmouth HQ sale
By EdOldfield | Posted: January 23, 2017
East Devon Council is to publish previously confidential documents relating to the sale of its HQ.
The action follows the authority's decision to drop its appeal against a ruling by the Information Commissioner which ordered it to release the documents.
The information relates to the bidding process for the council site at Knowle, Sidmouth, and its contract with the buyer Pegasus Life.

East Devon Council to release previously confidential documents about Sidmouth HQ sale | Exeter Express and Echo


EDDC FORCED TO PUBLISH DOCUMENTS ON KNOWLE RELOCATION – AGAIN
23 JAN 2017
Owl loves the EDDC description: “there were no costs to the taxpayer because they were all ‘internal’. Everything that happens at Knowle obviously costs us absolutely nothing!
EDDC forced to publish documents on Knowle relocation – again | East Devon Watch
EDDC finally to disclose details of Knowle sale agreement | Save Our Sidmouth


Here's the full press release from the District Council:

Statement - East Devon District Council withdraws appeals against Information Commisioner's decision

When this content has been created

23 January 2017

Council to publish next tranche of relocation information, covering period up to September 2016

East Devon District Council has taken the decision to withdraw its appeals against the Information Commissioner Office’s (ICO) decision, which ordered the council to release details of the bidding process for its council offices at Knowle, Sidmouth and the contract it has with PegasusLife, the buyer of Knowle. The council previously stated in November 2016 that the appeals were lodged due to the way the ICO handled these requests and because of the sensitivity of the information at that moment in time. With the PegasusLife planning application having been refused, it is considered that this sensitivity has now been reduced and that publication of the information is acceptable. In addition, the ICO, through the appeal process, has clarified that the council was right to question the way the decision was made and, as such, the council has now obtained much needed clarity on the position relating to the confidentiality of tendering processes, not just for Knowle, but for all its commercial activities.
Mr Jeremy Woodward has been provided with the information that he requested and copies of the documents in question will be available on the relocation pages on the East Devon website.
The council would like to reaffirm its commitment to publishing information relating to the relocation project as and when it is appropriate to do so. The next tranche of paperwork, which covers up to September 2016, should be available online very shortly.
Furthermore, we can confirm that there has been no cost to us - or East Devon taxpayers - for undertaking this appeals process. Each of the parties to the appeal agreed to bear their own costs and our costs were all internal.

23 January 2017 - Statement - East Devon District Council withdraws appeals against Information Commisioner's decision - East Devon
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