Futures Forum: Sidmouth Town and District council elections > HUSTINGS event > Tuesday 30th April > candidates' manifestos
With a call for voters to cast their vote:
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
Here's the latest blog entry from Feniton's current Councillor Susie Bond:
Less than a week to go …
The District Council elections are now looming after what feels like the longest build-up ever.
This time round the atmosphere has been far more frenetic. I’ve been out leafleting and chatting to anyone who wanted to chat, but the cynicism on the doorstep is almost palpable.
I’m being told that everyone’s had enough of politics. No-one’s going to vote because apparently it doesn’t make any difference. Millions turned out to vote on their nation’s future, only to have the result of their vote largely ignored. Yes … dare I mention the word … it’s Brexit. I believe that the Brexit effect is likely to impact on the local council elections (2 May), both here in Feniton ward and across the country, with people turning their backs on the ballot box.
Whatever you feel about Brexit, the candidates standing in the District Council elections are there because they want to do the very best for their communities. This is your opportunity to express your opinion … and it’s certain that if you don’t vote, nothing will change.
One kind supporter suggested that Claire Wright and I could resolve the Brexit negotiations on our own. Apart from banging heads together, I’m not sure how!
On my first day on the stump, I met a gentleman who asked me what I was doing. When I explained, he said he didn’t trust any of the councillors because they are all corrupt and had I seen the size of their cars at the Council HQ! I told him that I drive a 03 reg VW Polo … and he responded that my bank account must be bulging. I thought it was rather a depressing exchange!
I met a sweet dog when I was out last week. It was a Poodle Shih Tzu cross and her delightful owner said that the combined name was rather tricky for her. The dog barked at me as I opened the gate, barked at me as I walked down the drive and barked at me as I put my leaflet on the door mat, as the door was ajar. I turned and walked back to the gate, only to discover the dog at my heels, in silence because my leaflet was clamped between her jaws. She looked at me with great disgust and dropped the leaflet at my feet. I felt that if dogs could vote, this one shared the general disenchantment of the electorate and would not be turning up to the polling station!
Elections are always a time of anticipation and change, but the bombshell which has landed at this 11th hour is that the excellent Tory councillor, Ian Thomas, Leader of East Devon District Council, has resigned the Party Whip and is now standing in the forthcoming election as an Independent. The Independent Group is delighted that he’s turned his back on party politics. Unsurprisingly, the Conservatives remain tight-lipped on the subject.
The last full East Devon District Council meeting was on Wednesday evening and apart from a planning meeting next week (complete with 400 page agenda), it’s full steam ahead to the election on Thursday!
Numerous kind people have offered support throughout the election period as well as help on the day. I cannot begin to express how immensely grateful I am to them for their encouragement.
If you live in Feniton, your polling station is the Sports & Social Club in the village. If you live in Buckerell, you can vote at Doug’s Shed (Splatthayes) and if you live in Gittisham, your polling station is the Village Hall.
The polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. on Thursday 2 May, so hopefully everyone will have ample time to have their say.
Less than a week to go … | Susie Bond
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If you’ve registered for a postal vote, you will probably have already cast your vote, but if, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the daily grind you forgot to put it in the post, don’t worry! You can take your completed polling papers to the Sports & Social Club in Feniton between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. tomorrow and hand them in to the presiding officer there.
Last Sunday, the sun beamed down on Feniton on what must have been the most successful Fun Day in its history. Crowds gathered on the playing fields in the heart of the village to be entertained by Honiton gymnasts (a breath-taking display), Tale Valley choir, Otter Morris dancers, Honiton Twirlstars, Zorbing (now that looked fun!) and lots more besides.
There were plant stalls, cake stalls, face painting, glitter tattoos, coconut shy and a mass of bouncy castles and slides. In fact, all that you would expect to see at a village fete, but SO much more.
The Neighbourhood Plan has been almost three years in the making, involving a large number of dedicated volunteers interested in the future of the village and how it will progress over the next 15 years.
This weekend will see the launch of the snappily titled ‘Pre-submission Consultation draft Plan: Regulation 14 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012’. All the statutory consultees, landowners, local businesses and local organisations will receive an email or letter by post outlining where the draft Neighbourhood Plan can be viewed and how to submit their comments. At the same time, every household in the Plan area will receive a leaflet outlining where a hard copy can be accessed in the village and where to find the link to the Plan on the Parish Council website.
Infrastructure refers to structures, systems, and facilities serving the economy of a business, industry, country, city, town, or area, including the services and facilities necessary for its economy to function.
I would have thought a gym would come under sports facilities like swimming, sports halls, tennis courts etc.
If it was available it would be almost the exact amount we need for the 'infrastructure' just off the beach to stop the town disappearing into the sea :-)
What is encouraging though is that it is included, along with other things, as a 'wish list' if not a plan! There was a significant study conducted by Sustrans published in 2014 "Feniton to Sidmouth (Otter Valley) Trail" and Sustrans are starting a new study in January in association with the Otter Trail Group and various organisations with an interest in cycling in Sidmouth. The study will consider:
Sid Valley Area
The study will look at the potential for increasing the number of cycle trips in Sid Valley through the enhancement of existing facilities for cycling, and identifying potential new facilities. This will be researched through a desk top study of the key attractors in the Sid Valley, (schools, employment sites etc.), census and other available data, and seeking corridors to focus on to meet the potential demand for movement by cycling and walking.
Options for improving and creating a limited range of corridor routes will then be examined on the ground, focussing we anticipate on no more than three key corridors.
East Devon AONB
A desk top survey of the AONB will be undertaken to establish the location of existing signed cycle routes, and we will research other initiatives for developing new routes, e.g. The Otter Trail and the Stop Line Way.
We will audit the existing National Cycle Network route between Budleigh Salterton and Seaton, through the AONB and recommend enhancements if necessary.
We will make recommendations for linkages between the Sid Valley provision and the proposed and existing long distance routes.
We will recommend new and enhanced routes and facilities, but the scope of the project does not extend to public or other consultation, nor contacting private or other land interests which could be affected. We will however consult the Highway Authority, Devon County Council and East Devon DC with reference to the local plan. We will engage with the community by making contact with local interest groups and making connections through our local Sustrans volunteers and the SG members
We will seek to align our recommendations with public policy and the AONB management plan.
The Study will be funded by the Sustainable Development Fund managed by East Devon AONB, with matched funding of 25% from the Locality Fund, and will be completed in March 2017.
If so then 'we' would mean Sustrans.
http://eastdevon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/infrastructure-provision-and-community-infrastructure-levy/provision-of-infrastructure/infrastructure-delivery-plan-idp/
as you can see it is an East Devon area document and the press article was just some extracts.