Climate change: calling for a new approach to ensure communities are resilient to the threat of flooding >>> >>> "We can’t win a war against water by building away climate change with infinitely high flood defences."

The Environment Agency has just launched a key strategy: 

Environment Agency Chair calls for new approach to flood and coastal resilience

Environment Agency Chair, Emma Howard Boyd launches long-term strategy to tackle flooding and coastal change.

Published 9 May 2019
From:Environment Agency

• EA preparing for 4°C rise in global temperature and will develop new standards of flood resilience for communities
• All infrastructure resilient to flooding and coastal change by 2050
• £1 billion per year needed in traditional flood and coastal defences
• Climate change & population growth set to double number of properties built on flood plain over next 50 years

Launching a major, long-term strategy to tackle flooding and coastal change, Environment Agency Chair, Emma Howard Boyd has said ‘we cannot win a war against water’ by building higher flood defences and called for a new approach to ensure communities are resilient to the threat of flooding posed by climate change.

Opening an 8-week consultation on the new strategy, Emma Howard Boyd said that the Environment Agency is preparing for a potential 4°C rise in global temperature and urgent action is needed to tackle more frequent, intense flooding and sea level rise.

Among the recommendations in the strategy, the Environment Agency has committed to working with partners to develop consistent standards for flood and coastal resilience across the country. To achieve these standards, communities should have access to a range of tools which give them control of how they prepare for and respond to flooding and coastal change, based on the challenges or flood risk that particular location may face.

These could include traditional defences, temporary barriers, natural flood management, sustainable drainage systems, effective flood warnings and emergency response, alongside designing and adapting existing properties and new development so they can recover quickly from a flood.

Launching the strategy at Brunel University in London, Emma Howard Boyd said:

The coastline has never stayed in the same place and there have always been floods, but climate change is increasing and accelerating these threats.

We can’t win a war against water by building away climate change with infinitely high flood defences. We need to develop consistent standards for flood and coastal resilience in England that help communities better understand their risk and give them more control about how to adapt and respond.
Currently, two thirds of properties in England are served by infrastructure in areas at risk of flooding and for every person who suffers flooding, around 16 more are affected by loss of services such as power, transport and telecommunications.

The strategy calls for all infrastructure to be flood resilient by 2050 and the Environment Agency has committed to working with risk management authorities and infrastructure providers to achieve this.

In addition to resilience measures, an average of £1 billion will need to be invested each year in traditional flood and coastal defences and natural flood management. The National Audit Office has previously reported that for every £1 spent on protecting communities, around £9 in property damages and wider impacts is avoided.

As well as taking precautions to prepare for flooding and prevent damage, the strategy calls for more to be done to encourage property owners to ‘build back better’ after a flood. This could involve home improvements to make them more resilient, such as raised electrics, hard flooring and flood doors. The Environment Agency will work with government, insurers and financial institutions to review how to bring about this change by 2025.

Over 5 million people in England are at risk from flooding and coastal erosion. Yet only a third of people who live in areas at risk of flooding believe their property is at risk. The strategy pledges to build a nation of ‘climate champions’ working with the school curriculum to educate young people about the risk and continuing to develop accessible digital tools to communicate flooding. 

Environment Agency Chair calls for new approach to flood and coastal resilience - GOV.UK

The press has taken up the headline-catching possibility of having to relocate coastal communities:
Climate crisis: flooding threat ‘may force UK towns to be abandoned’ | Environment | The Guardian
Climate change could 'force UK residents to abandon their towns' | The Independent
Climate change: UK communities may need to move away from coasts and rivers – Channel 4 News
Environment Agency warns climate change could force communities at risk of flooding to move | Environment | Eastern Daily Press

Rather, the CEO of the Environment Agency, speaking last month, made the point that we can see this as an opportunity - especially as an opportunity to build coalitions. Sir James Bevan finished his speech thus: 

Seventh and final lesson from Brexit for how to tackle this climate emergency; and it’s this: if you want to succeed, build a broad coalition. Not just cross party, but between government, business and the third sector, and critically with the public. While climate change isn’t the new Brexit, pulling together as a nation to focus on tackling climate change could help bring our country back together. After nearly three years of argument over Brexit, all the polls show that most people want to move on. Many want something bigger to believe in that they can work towards and connect with on an emotional level. Climate change could provide that rallying point. Because while there may or may not turn out to be a Plan B for Brexit, there is no Planet B for us.

Climate Change: Turning emergency into opportunity - GOV.UK
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East Devon Heritage Strategy and Local List of Heritage Assets >>> report from strategic planning cttee

Last month's District Council Strategic Planning Committee considered its heritage strategy:
Futures Forum: East Devon Heritage Strategy and Local List of Heritage Assets >>> report for strategic planning cttee

The 'draft minutes' have just been published:
Browse meetings - Strategic Planning Committee - East Devon

Interestingly, East Budleigh has been chosen as a pilot scheme - because of its relative size and because of good contacts with the Otter Valley Association.

Nevertheless, due to the intervention of Cllr David Barratt of Sidmouth, it was made clear that the Sid Vale Association would be involved in a second, larger pilot scheme: 

Heritage Strategy 

The report presented to the committee outlined the outcome of the public consultation on the Heritage Strategy and sought agreement to the adoption of the East Devon Heritage Strategy 2019 – 2031, subject to amendments outlined in the report and to the introduction of a pilot scheme for a Conservation Area review in a phased approach for East Budleigh including the Otter Valley Association. 
The Service Lead, Planning Strategy and Development Management advised that 34 responses to the consultation had been received from consultees including local history and amenity groups, neighbourhood planning groups, and town and parish councils. Members noted that the responses received were largely positive including minor comments about detail and engagement with other groups and comments about the timing and monitoring of the action plan. Members also noted a positive response had been received from Historic England endorsing the strategy. 

The Committee were supportive of the recommendation and comments included:

 Clarification was sought about recommending East Budleigh for the pilot scheme. In response the Service Lead, Planning Strategy and Development Management advised East Budleigh was a typical example of a conservation area with a community group and neighbourhood planning group that were keen to be involved. 
 Clarification was sought if East Budleigh had been chosen because of its historic association. In response the Service Lead, Planning Strategy and Development Management confirmed this was the main reason and drew attention to the Otter Valley Association and the Neighbourhood Planning Groups. 
 Clarification was sought whether the parish council was aware of the proposal. In response the Service Lead, Planning Strategy was not able to confirm but advised the Policy Team had liaised with all the community groups. 
 Clarification was sought on the Sid Vale Association’s interest on the pilot scheme and whether two schemes could be run at the same time. The Service Lead, Planning Strategy and Development Management advised he was aware there had been interest but wanted to use a smaller town for the pilot to learn from; 
 The need for an additional planning officer to help undertake the task. In response the Chief Executive confirmed that additional staff resources were not envisaged; 
 The need to protect heritage; 
 The need to engage with national bodies including The National Trust; 

RESOLVED: 
1. That the East Devon Heritage Strategy 2019 – 2031 as detailed in this report be approved. 
2. That the pilot scheme for a Conservation Area review for East Budleigh including the Otter Valley Association as described in the Heritage Strategy be approved.


Printed minutes 26th-Mar-2019 10.00 Strategic Planning Committee.pdf
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Regenerating Seaside Towns > parliamentary committee report: they need to "reinvent themselves with a long-term, place-based vision."

How can we 'reinvent' the seaside town?
Futures Forum: “Belligerence and creativity” >>> entrepreneur-led revitalisation of seaside towns >>> "People aren’t interested in that old seaside ice cream cone and walk along the beach any more. They’re looking for more."

Back in the autumn, a Lords' committee looked into what might be done:
Futures Forum: Regenerating Seaside Towns: parliamentary committee calls for evidence

The VGS sent in a contribution:
Vision Group report published by House of Lords committee on “Regenerating seaside towns and communities” - Vision Group for Sidmouth

And the Lords' full report has been published today:
Regenerating Seaside Towns Committee - UK Parliament

It's been looked at across the media:
Seaside towns are being killed off by poor broadband, says Lords report - Telegraph
Seaside town reinvention 'should start with Blackpool' - BBC News
LocalGov.co.uk - Your authority on UK local government - Peers recommend tax incentives for seaside landlords

Cornwall needs a much better rail link:
What the House of Lords believes Cornwall is missing - Cornwall Live

This is what ITV news has to say: 

Seaside towns need to be urgently reinvented, report warns

Seaside towns need to be reinvented to attract tourists and residents and become desirable places to live and visit, a parliament report has said. The report called on improvements to education, housing and transport links, so seaside towns can "reinvent themselves with a long-term, place-based vision."

In the Future of Seaside Town report, peers said poor transport links to seaside towns are "severely hindering" opportunities to improve tourism and attract funding.

They warned young people are at a disadvantage because of their limited access to education, especially post 16-education.

The report called on the government to improve digital connectivity, most notably high-speed broadband, saying doing so would provide an opportunity to "overcome the challenges of peripherality in coastal areas."

Coastal towns which emerged as leisure and pleasure resorts in the 19th century have been neglected for “too long”. The House of Lords select committee said these places should once again be “celebrated as places that can provide attractive environments for residents and visitors."

The peers also called for ministers to set out how coastal areas will benefit from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which will replace EU funding after Brexit, and to increase resources for the Coastal Communities Fund.

"What is needed is a package of strategic initiatives and interventions where national and local government work together to address issues such as transport, housing, post-school education and high-speed broadband." Lord Bassam of Brighton

Places like Brighton and Bournemouth have shown that the seaside can successfully reinvent itself.

Lord Bassam of Brighton said: “The potential impact of Brexit on these towns, particularly the hospitality sector, also remains an open question. A single solution to their economic and social challenges doesn’t exist. What is needed is a package of strategic initiatives and interventions where national and local government work together to address issues such as transport, housing, post-school education and high-speed broadband."

He added: “The committee is confident that if our recommendations are pursued, seaside towns can once again become prosperous and desirable places to live in and visit.”

A spokesman for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “The Government is determined to ensure our economy works for everyone and every place. We are on track to invest £200 million in the Great British Coast by 2020 and recently announced a £36 million package of support to projects in coastal communities through our Coastal Communities Fund and Coastal Revival Fund.

"We have also made a commitment to support towns to harness their unique strengths to grow and prosper through the £1.6 billion Stronger Towns Fund. We recognise the challenges facing our seaside towns and will carefully consider the committee’s recommendations to build on the significant steps we have already taken to help coastal communities thrive.”

Seaside towns need to be urgently reinvented, report warns - ITV News
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East Devon Heritage Strategy and Local List of Heritage Assets >>> report for strategic planning cttee

The District Council's heritage planning officer has been consulting widely over their Heritage Strategy:
Futures Forum: East Devon Local List of Heritage Assets >>> process to go out to public consultation

Yesterday, the council's Strategic Planning Cttee met up to consider the results of this consultation:
Agenda for Strategic Planning Committee on Tuesday, 26th March, 2019, 10.00 am - East Devon

And the report's recommendations are as follows:

Heritage Strategy 

Purpose of report: 

To advise Members on the outcome of the public consultation on the Heritage Strategy and propose that it be adopted. 

Recommendation: 

1. The East Devon Heritage Strategy 2019 -2031 be adopted subject to amendments arising from the consultation as set out in this report. 

2. That a pilot scheme for a Conservation Area review involving the community as described in the Heritage Strategy be agreed for East Budleigh including the Otter Valley Association. 

Reason for recommendation: 

To gain formal approval for the amended Heritage Strategy 2019 – 2031 and to gain approval for a pilot scheme involving the community at East Budleigh.

Item 7 Heritage Strategy Committee Report.pdf

Congratulations to the Otter Valley Assn - who have really pushed for this strategy and listing:
Futures Forum: Community Assets @ Budleigh Salterton
Futures Forum: District Council postpones yet again its review into heritage assets
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Brexit: and raising constitutional questions that MPs are struggling to answer

Democracy isn't working: we need to reconsider how we should be doing it better:
Futures Forum: Brexit: and the case for more horizontal, collaborative and diverse networks

We could look across the Irish Sea for ideas on how to break the current impasse:
Futures Forum: Brexit: and how the Irish referendum's "deliberative democracy" countered fake facts
Futures Forum: Brexit: and the Citizens' Assembly for informed public debate
Futures Forum: Brexit: and a citizens' assembly to break the deadlock
Futures Forum: Brexit: and deliberative democracy @ Radio 4

And we could look beyond:
Futures Forum: Barcelona’s Experiment in Radical Democracy
Futures Forum: Other ways of doing politics >>> "New experiments in democracy around the world are trying to take politics back to ordinary people"

Here is part of a piece in today's Financial Times which asks a few questions - and gives a few insightful answers:

Who governs Britain?

Brexit has consumed parliament and raised constitutional questions that MPs are struggling to answer

Henry Mance 

YESTERDAY

On August 29 2013, the British submarine HMS Tireless was somewhere in the Mediterranean, ready to go to battle. But unusually, its commanders were watching the House of Commons.

MPs were debating whether to authorise strikes against the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad. Tracking events in parliament via the BBC website, the submarine’s commanders realised, before any order came through, that they would not be firing cruise missiles after all.

The Syria debate was the first time since the American war of independence that a British government had lost a vote on military action. Mindful of how little scrutiny had been applied to Tony Blair’s blueprint to invade Iraq in 2003, many MPs had wanted to avoid the same mistake. Some hadn’t wished to block strikes on Syria altogether, just to force David Cameron to revise his plan. Instead they not only inadvertently stopped the UK going to war: they also caused Barack Obama to abandon the US’s own plans to bomb Syria, leaving Assad’s regime free to commit further atrocities.

The events of August 2013 put the current crisis in perspective. Long before Brexit, MPs had started to take back control. Long before Brexit, they had learnt it was no simple task.

So, for all the hyperbole, this week’s votes to reject Theresa May’s Brexit dealand extend Brexit talks beyond the March 29 deadline were arguably not the most dramatic decisions that the Commons has made in the last decade, or even the most confused. Nor have the past three years been the unhappiest time in Westminster’s living memory. That prize goes to the MPs’ expenses scandal of 2009-10.

What does make the Brexit crisis unique is its constitutional havoc. Never in recent times have so many parts of the British system been under so much strain for so long. The 1956 Suez crisis was over within a month; this has been two and a half years of parliamentary trench warfare.

Cabinet meetings have leaked, party discipline has disintegrated, parliamentary conventions have been rewritten. Strip away the chaos and the farce, and the Brexit process “has shown our unwritten constitution is basically broken”, says Stewart Wood, a Labour peer.

But the break did not start where one might expect — between the House of Commons and the House of Lords, the executive and the legislature, or even the executive and the judiciary. It started with parliament versus the people. “When you have a referendum in a parliamentary democracy, MPs don’t know what to do — they don’t know what their job is,” says Lord Wood.

Referendums have never had much of a place in the British constitution. They are a recognition that the legitimacy of governments and parliaments goes only so far: that some issues, of national identity or cultural norms, do not fit on the left-right scale that governs our elections.

Clement Attlee called them “alien to all of our traditions”. Perhaps that reflected an idealised vision of parliament as a place where views were not merely represented, but moulded. As Edmund Burke told his electors in 1774, “Parliament is not a congress of ambassadors from different and hostile interests . . . parliament is a deliberative assembly of one nation, with oneinterest, that of the whole.”

Whatever the reason, before Brexit only two UK-wide plebiscites had been held — one in 1975 on membership of the European Community, another in 2011 on changing the voting system for MPs. In both, MPs and voters agreed.

The Brexit referendum was the first time that Britain’s electorate has voted for an outcome with which its MPs disagreed. Nearly 52 per cent of UK voters backed Leave, while nearly 75 per cent of today’s MPs voted Remain. That was only half the problem. The other is that most of the 25 per cent of MPs who did vote Leave disagreed with how the government (led by former Remainers) interpreted the vote. So parliamentary democracy and direct democracy became incompatible.

One way out of this would have been to ask the people to rethink or accept revised terms. It happened in Ireland in 2008, on the Lisbon treaty, in Greece in 2015, on an EU bailout, and in Colombia in 2016, on a peace agreement with Farc guerrillas. But in June 2016, no one could become Tory leader on such a pledge (ask Jeremy Hunt: he tried). Instead, the division between parliament and the people morphed into a stalemate between parliament and the executive. Before this week’s losses, May’s government had already recorded the worst Commons defeat ever on her Brexit deal. In December, it also became the first ever to be found in contempt of parliament, over its initial refusal to publish a legal opinion on its Brexit deal.

...

Democracies have short memories. Eight years after invading Iraq, the UK pursued regime change in Libya. After the Brexit crisis, could we have another referendum? Another EU vote, another Scottish independence referendum, even a repeat of the 1973 Northern Ireland border poll?

If we do, it will rely on MPs agitating and legislating for one. And perhaps they will consider examples of how parliamentary and direct democracy can be bound together. Ahead of Ireland’s vote on abortion, the government prepared a draft piece of legislation, so the meaning of the mandate was clear.

A more immediate question is where this crisis takes Britain’s political system. Will it create an appetite to reform or a desire not to reopen old wounds? At the very least, MPs could demand the right to determine the Commons agenda. Historian Vernon Bogdanor sees Brexit as a broader “constitutional moment” to correct years of tinkering such as the Fixed-term Parliaments Act.

Others think the answer is for the Commons to be less assertive. A group of Conservative lawyers recently argued that MPs should not be given a vote over future military action, as they have been since the Iraq war. Two leading candidates to succeed Bercow as speaker — the Conservative Eleanor Laing and Labour’s Lindsay Hoyle — would be less reformist. Lord Lisvane argues that MPs will find they don’t have the capacity to run the government. “My guess is that in a year or two’s time a lot of this passion will have been spent. I think we’ll go back to the default setting.”

Except that a generation of MPs doesn’t know where the default setting is. They see the role of a backbench MP not as an extra, but a protagonist. They have been radicalised and have already started to rebel against the party system. “The discipline has collapsed and I suspect it won’t come back after Brexit,” says Lord Wood.

Scarred by Iraq and the expenses scandal, empowered by Bercow and hung parliaments, encouraged by weak party leadership, the Commons is restless. But its limitations remain. It is an odd assortment of people, lacking in mechanisms for building coalitions. It is a caretaker boss who doesn’t relish long-term responsibility. Perhaps we should not expect more. What the UK needs most of all now is not a stronger parliament. It is a half-decent government.

Henry Mance is an FT political correspondent

Follow @FTLifeArts on Twitter to find out about our latest stories first. Subscribe to FT Life on YouTube for the latest FT Weekend videos

Who governs Britain? | Financial Times
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Devon Maritime Forum > March newsletter

Some great things going on in the maritime world - as posted by the DMF in their latest newsletter:

We hope you had a fantastic February and a marvellous start to March, here is the latest newsletter from the DMF! This month's newsletter features your usual roundup of local and national stories, key marine research and reports and information on consultations you can get involved with. There's also the latest on our Marine Pledge campaign and how you can get involved and a special feature on the 'SeaBin' project'. Read on to find out more... Forum News The Devon Maritime Forum are taking part in the Year of Green Action alongside the Devon Local Nature Partnership and will be collaborating with partners around a monthly theme. Those who attended the #DMF19 Winter conference will be familiar with the Marine Pledge campaign (below) which will be launched soon. WE NEED YOU We are looking for locations to send the pledge cards to enable them to reach a wide and diverse audience. If your organisation regularly sees members of the public and would like to be a host for the pledge cards, please contact jay.boyle@devon.gov.uk Upcoming Events MAR 18-22: Collecting and Identifying Seaweeds (Beginner and Advanced Sessions) The Marine Biological Association, Plymouth MAR 23-24: Porcupine Marine Natural History Society Annual Conference St Fagan's Museum Cardiff MAR 19: The Birds of the Exe Estuary (Talk) Methodist Church Hall, Bovey Tracey APR 12: The South West Marine Ecosystem Conference The Roland Levinsky building, Plymouth University Local News Drinking water fountains could be installed all over Plymouth three could appear before the summer and a fourth will be put in at Central Park more Cabinet Minister sees world-leading marine and maritime excellence in action the Rt Hon David Lidington CBE MP, has seen first-hand how the University of Plymouth is carrying out world-leading research more New Exmouth water sport centre 'to be open by summer 2020' a final agreement between developers Grenadier and East Devon District Council will be signed off more South West Water leads ReFill revolution to combat plastic pollution South West Water is making 3,000 refillable bottles available to communities in Devon and Cornwall more CONGRATULATIONS: East Devon’s Seaton Wetlands awarded top national accolade popular wildlife haven is runner-up in Best Nature Reserve category in BBC Countryfile Magazine’s 2019 Awards more National & International News Plymouth University leads first UK-wide assessment of changes in plankton community scientists have completed the first ever assessment of how plankton communities are changing in coastal waters and shelf seas around the UK more Fishermen’s beacons stop sea life dying in lost nets fishing nets and pots lost or abandoned at sea are far more lethal to marine life more Strengthened protections for Isles of Scilly seabirds Natural England announces plans to extend Isles of Scilly Special Protection Area by almost 13,000 hectares more How plastic from clothing gets into seafood microplastics, meaning any plastic object smaller than 5 millimeters, constitute the vast majority of plastics polluting marine habitats more BP Marine Unveils New Very Low Sulphur Marine Fuel BP Marine, part of British oil and gas major BP, is starting the sale of very low sulphur fuel oil more Plymouth to trial innovative new Sea Bin to tackle plastic pollution A new ‘Sea Bin’ is to be trialled as part of the city’s ongoing commitment to tackle plastic pollution. A Sea Bin is a floating rubbish bin that can capture annually 90,000 plastic bags, 35,700 disposable cups or 16,500 plastic bottles. It is one of the latest projects to be developed to support the Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City Plan for Plastics, led by the city’s Plastics Taskforce which is made up of a range of local partners more Find out more about the SeaBin Project Marine Management Organisation (MMO) South West Marine Plan The UK Marine Management Organisation (MMO) Iteration 3 for marine planning for the emerging South West Plan is STILL OPEN. If you want to have your say on: preferred draft policies; draft supporting text for policies including on implementation; and the next steps in marine planning. Simply fill out the survey online by 29th March 2019. Research and Reports Marine Heatwaves Destroy Ocean Ecosystems Like Wildfires Destroy Forests more (Nature Climate Change) Revised Salmon and Trout Protection Byelaws more (Environment Agency) Scientists use acoustic tracking of marine predators to assess positive impacts of offshore mussel farms more (University of Plymouth) Coastal Change Management Areas Opportunities for sustainable solutions in areas subject to coastal change more (Natural England / Royal Haskoning) Plymouth Sound National Marine Park 'A gift from the city to itself - study creates a blueprint for city marine parks' Experts in maritime law, marine ecology, marine policy, social science and ecological economics led new research more Consultations Marine Management Organisation: Iteration 3 online engagement (29 Mar) DEFRA Consultation on the introduction of catch recording for licensed fishing vessels under 10 metres in length (2 Apr) Devon & Severn IFCA Diving Permit Conditions (12 Apr) Devon & Severn IFCA Potting Permit Conditions (12 Apr) Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Strengthening the UK’s offshore oil and gas decommissioning industry: call for evidence (8 May) Sea-Changers marine conservation charities and not-for-profit organisations funding application If you have any news or events that you would like included in the next edition of the DMF newsletter please get in touch Devon Maritime Forum · County Hall · Exeter, Dev EX2 4QD · United Kingdom .

Home - Devon Maritime Forum
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SW Mutual bank > "A new community high street bank for the South West could step in where the Big 4 have left...."

Last night's meeting to consider a mutual bank for Sidmouth was well attended by both members of the public and Councillors:
Futures Forum: A Bank of the South West > Tony Greenham in Sidmouth to present SW Mutual bank > Tuesday 12th March
Futures Forum: A Bank of the South West > filling the gap left by current bank closures > public meeting: Tuesday 12th March

South West Mutual bank has been building up its profile.

Here is a BBC Spotlight feature broadcast on 27th December 2018: 

"A new community high street bank for the South West could step in where the Big 4 have left...."



Spotlight1 Medium - YouTube

With more press coverage on the SWM website: 

February 18, 2019
East Devon set to invest £50,000 in local bank
This article is reproduced from DEVON LIVE - see the original article by following this link
CONTINUE READING

December 15, 2018
Councils agree to invest £100k support new local bank
Published by BBC South West, Andrew Segal, 16:48 10 Dec 2018
CONTINUE READING 

East Devon set to invest £50,000 in local bank
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Help shape the positive development of our community > get in touch with the Vision Group!

Next Tuesday sees the SW Mutual bank presenting its proposals at a public meeting:
Futures Forum: A Bank of the South West > filling the gap left by current bank closures > public meeting: Tuesday 12th March

The meeting is being hosted by the Vision Group - as part of its remit to "help shape the positive development of our community" - as as highlighted in the lead letter in the latest Herald: 

Letter to the editor

VISION GROUP SEEKS SID VALLEY VISIONARIES!

Dear Sir,

Some fifteen years after the SVA and Town Council proposed the setting up of the Vision Group for Sidmouth, officers are hanging up their hats, satisfied with notable successes that are part of Valley life today.

Perhaps most familiar are the Café Scientifique and the Science Festival, but the group also gained Transition Town status – which is all about building local vitality and resilience.

The VGS has been involved in the Beach Management Plan since its inception and pushed for sustainable development at Port Royal – as well as being part of the campaigning group Save Our Sidmouth.

More recently there have been public meetings on cycling, health, climate change and a plastic-free Sidmouth – all working with other local community groups.

And next Tuesday 12^th March at 7pm, the Vision Group will be hosting a meeting where the South West Mutual bank will be proposing an alternative to the traditional banks – which have been steadily abandoning our high street.

The event will be held at the Leigh Browne Room opposite the Hospital and is open to all.

Looking to the future, the VGS hopes to help out with the Community Actions which will be coming out of the Neighbourhood Plan.

The Vision Group has always been open to all – and now seeks new members.

If you have ideas which could impact and help shape the positive development of our community in the coming years – do get in touch with the VGS at www.visionforsidmouth.org/contact

Peter Murphy

on behalf of the Vision Group for Sidmouth

Vision Group seeks Sid Valley visionaries! - Vision Group for Sidmouth
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Financing future energy capacity, including renewables > Parliamentary Committee launches inquiry and asks for evidence: "A bigger shift in our energy infrastructure to a low cost, low carbon energy system is necessary."

There are questions around nuclear energy in the UK:
Futures Forum: The weakening business case for nuclear energy
Futures Forum: Energy infrastructure @ Hinkely C >>> losing control and paying tithes to Direct Foreign Investors

And in parallel, there is more interest in renewables:
Futures Forum: Getting the government to adopt the Community Energy Manifesto
Futures Forum: Small-scale low-carbon generation reintroduced in the UK
Futures Forum: Climate change: the CPRE and renewable energy in Devon

Meanwhile, a parliamentary inquiry into the future of energy has been launched: 

MPs launch inquiry into government energy policy after nuclear setback

August Graham
Friday 1 March 2019 12:00am

MPs are set to review the government’s plans for Britain’s energy sector after a string of major projects were abandoned by international companies.

The Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy Committee said it would look into the government’s plans to see if they are fit for purpose.

It will examine if the country needs a new approach to speed up investment into low-carbon, low-cost energy and secure supplies in the long term.

The decision comes after Japanese firms Hitachi and Toshiba pulled out of the Wylfa and Moorside nuclear projects, dealing a serious blow to the government’s plans. The committee also said it will investigate concerns over foreign investors in British nuclear. This comes amid worries about Chinese involvement in major projects.

Committee chair Rachel Reeves said: “In the wake of investment decisions over nuclear plants at sites such as Moorside and Wylfa, a giant hole has developed in UK energy policy. With coal due to go off-line, and the prospects for nuclear looking unclear, the government needs to set out how it will create the right framework to encourage the investment needed to plug the gap.

“In this inquiry, we want to examine the government’s approach to creating the right conditions for investment to deliver the secure energy capacity to meet the nation’s needs. A bigger shift in our energy infrastructure to a low cost, low carbon energy system is necessary.

“As a committee, we will want to consider what more the government needs to do to attract greater investment into financing future energy capacity, including renewables.”

MPs launch inquiry into government energy policy after Hitachi and Toshiba abandon nuclear plants | City A.M.

As the East Devon Watch blog comments:

Owl says: Such a shame that our Local Enterprise Partnership – dominated by people with a vested interest in the nuclear industry – has put all our growth and regional investment eggs in the Hinkley C basket!

“MPs are set to review the government’s plans for Britain’s energy sector after a string of major projects were abandoned by international companies” | East Devon Watch

See also:
Futures Forum: Is the Heart of the SW Local Enterprise Partnership delivering value for money? "Its below average performance - from unlocking investment to falling productivity - surely can only be seen as a failure?"

Here's what the Committee has to say on the future of energy: 

Committee explore finance and investment in UK’s future energy infrastructure

28 February 2019

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee has today launched an inquiry to examine the outlook for future investment in energy infrastructure in the UK. The Committee will be looking at whether the Government needs a new approach to bring forward investment to deliver a low carbon, low cost energy system and secure energy supplies for the long term.

Inquiry: Financial energy infrastructure
Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee

Purpose of the inquiry

The Committee’s inquiry is launched in the wake of recent decisions by Hitachi and Toshiba to halt new nuclear projects at Wylfa and Moorside and concerns over how the UK’s ‘nuclear gap’ for low carbon electricity can be filled. The inquiry will examine the challenges to raising finance in clean energy technologies such as renewables and storage. As part of its look at the Government’s approach to attracting investment in energy, it is also likely to look at the potential future financing of nuclear power, and concerns around foreign investors in this technology.

Chair's comments

Rachel Reeves MP, Chair of the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee said:

"In the wake of investment decisions over nuclear plants at sites such as Moorside and Wylfa, a giant hole has developed in UK energy policy. With coal due to go off-line, and the prospects for nuclear looking unclear, the Government needs to set out how it will create the right framework to encourage the investment needed to plug the gap. In this inquiry, we want to examine the Government’s approach to creating the right conditions for investment to deliver the secure energy capacity to meet the nation’s needs. A bigger shift in our energy infrastructure to a low cost, low carbon energy system is necessary. As a Committee, we will want to consider what more the Government needs to do to attract greater investment into financing future energy capacity, including renewables."

Send in your views

Evidence is invited on potential investment across the energy sector, including power plants, system flexibility, and heat decarbonisation.

The Committee is inviting written submissions on the following points:

• How do recent investment decisions on nuclear and trends in low carbon investment affect the UK investment outlook for energy infrastructure? Is there a case for changing the Government’s current approach to delivering a low cost, low carbon energy system? How could the ‘nuclear gap’ be filled?
• How attractive is the UK energy sector for investment compared to other countries? Are there particular technologies which are more – or less – attractive to investors under current arrangements?
• How has Government policy improved the UK energy investment environment over the last three years? 
• What types of investor can we expect to finance future UK energy infrastructure? What are their criteria for investment, including on risks and returns? Does it matter if investors for specific technologies are largely from overseas?
• What role should the Government play in providing financial support and sharing risks for new energy infrastructure? Are existing financing mechanisms, notably the Contracts for Difference, fit for purpose? Are there any practical issues, or potential unintended consequences, that could affect the feasibility of implementing alternative support models (such as a Regulated Asset Base)?
• What further steps should the Government take to increase investor confidence in the UK energy sector? 

The deadline for written submissions is 3 April 2019.

Send in your views for the financial energy infrastructure inquiry.

Committee explore finance and investment in UK’s future energy infrastructure - News from Parliament - UK Parliament
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Getting the government to adopt the Community Energy Manifesto

"A coalition of 20 charities, green campaigners and community energy groups has published a new manifesto calling for stronger support for community energy schemes to help improve their dwindling prospects."

Manifesto demands stronger support for community energy - edie.net

"The UK government is consulting on the design of the future energy system, to determine new rules and regulations around how we buy, sell and manage our energy. It is vital that the voices of community energy groups are heard and that the value they can bring is fully considered in these plans"

Community_energy_manifesto.pdf 

The consultation is still open:
Futures Forum: Small-scale low-carbon generation reintroduced in the UK
Futures Forum: Call for evidence on small-scale renewable energy in the UK > deadline 30th August ... ... ... Plus a consultation on plans to close the Feed-in tariff scheme

The 10:10 campaign group is urging us to write to our MP to at least get the Mnister to consider this manifesto: 

Ask your MP to support community energy

February 26, 2019

Imagine a world where your electricity comes from a solar park or wind turbine just down the road. Where local people own a collective stake, and get to share in the profits. Where local renewables mean funding for local projects and good causes.

Community energy is building exactly that vision.

And in a speech last month Claire Perry - the energy minister - signed herself up to that vision: "From power stations to solar panels, the future is local - community energy is a key cornerstone of government’s ambition for a low-carbon energy system."

But since 2015, a raft of government cuts have halted progress. Since then, hardly any new community energy groups have got off the ground.

If Claire Perry wants community energy to play a pivotal role in stopping climate change, she needs to take real action to put it back on track.

That’s why groups from across the country have published a new Community Energy Manifesto. It is an eight point plan for giving community and local energy groups the support they deserve.

We need to make sure the minister reads and enacts this manifesto as soon as possible. Will you write to your MP telling them you support community energy - and asking them to write to Claire Perry on your behalf?

WRITE TO YOUR MP NOW

Ministers have promised to consider what support community energy needs this year. That means there’s an opportunity to bank real wins, and ensure groups get the policy they need to transform the energy system.

Community energy puts power back in the hands of ordinary people, puts money back into local areas and builds support for renewable energy across the country. It should be right at the heart of the government’s thinking.

Will you write to your MP asking them consider their proposals?

WRITE TO YOUR MP NOW

Ask your MP to support community energy — 10:10
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Save our high streets > parliamentary report published

Back in May last year, parliament launched an inquiry into the state and future of our high streets:
Futures Forum: Save our high streets > use them or lose them to on-line retailers

The findings have just been published: 

High streets and town centres in 2030

Report Summary

Author: Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Date Published: 21 February 2019

This is the report summary, read the full report.
Download the Full Report [PDF 1,092KB]

Contents
— High streets and town centres today
— An intervention leading to large-scale structural change
— Central government action
— Local action
— Retailers
— Landlords
— Conclusion

High streets and town centres today

The six months over which our inquiry took place appeared to be the most turbulent for the high street so far. Barely a week went by without headlines pronouncing the 'death of the high street' or a major retailer announcing a restructuring or a fall in profits.

Video: High streets and town centres - report animation

An enormous change has taken place in retail in recent years. The traditional pattern of making purchases in physical stores, both in and out-of-town, has been profoundly disrupted by the growth of online shopping. The impact of this on our high streets and town centres in the form of store closures, persistently empty shops and declining footfall is clear for all to see.

Against this concerning backdrop, we make a set of recommendations to Government, local government, local communities, retailers and landlords to be acted on now. 

...

High streets and town centres in 2030 - Report Summary - Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee 

There 's been plenty of comment: from the Guardian: 

Ministers urged to provide rescue package for ailing high streets

MPs committee report suggests online sales tax and more help for local authorities

Sarah Butler
@whatbutlersaw

Thu 21 Feb 2019 06.01 GMT

The government should consider taxing online sales, deliveries or packaging and cutting property taxes for retailers as part of a package to help revive the UK’s ailing high streets, according to an influential group of MPs.

In a report published on Thursday, the housing communities and local government committee says local authorities need more help, including extra cash, to redevelop town centres. It also suggests an overhaul of planning regulations, including scrapping rules that allow developers to turn offices into flats without special permission.

Clive Betts MP, the chair of the committee, said it was likely that “the heyday of the high street primarily as a retail hub is at an end”. However, he added: “This need not be its death knell. Local authorities must get to grips with the fact that their town centres need to change; they need to innovate, setting out a long-term strategy for renewal, reconfiguring the town centre and finding new ways of using buildings and encouraging new independent retailers.” 

...

Ministers urged to provide rescue package for ailing high streets | Business | The Guardian

From the Telegraph: 

However hard you try, you'll struggle to rebrand our dreary town centres

DEBORA ROBERTSON
21 FEBRUARY 2019 • 7:39PM

We must make our high streets beautiful again

In this week’s plodding exercise in stating the bleedin’ obvious, a report from the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has addressed the need for towns to up their game or die. With one in every five pounds spent in Britain now spent online, many town centres are at crisis point.

We are all of us aware of the plight of our high streets – dreary, identikit stretches of the same brands, plate-glass-and-plastic storefronts, often shuttered at night with metal grilles, making many town centres feel like very hostile places indeed. Then there is the scourge of empty shops, and the possibility of a dozen different kinds of coffee but...

However hard you try, you'll struggle to rebrand our dreary town centres 

With more comment:
MP's Report On The High Street Falls Short - Forbes
Could a new tax on online shopping save the high street? - Chronicle Live
A UK government report says e‑retailers should pay higher taxes s- digitalcommerce360
Time is right to revive and reimagine the high street - Federation of Master Builders
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