News from Budleigh Salterton
We now have until 26 September 2008 to respond to the Boundary Commission' proposals for the reorganisation of local government in Devon.
There have been two documents issued by the local authories that particularly affect us in East Devon.
In their document welcoming the Boundary Commission proposals Devon County Council make two telling points: there is no option to return to the status quo within the terms of reference and the proposals must result in a saving of cost to the public (which we take to mean the ratepayer).
In a highly critical paper the East Devon District Council completely rejects the proposals and the Devon County Council's comments and suggestions. The EDDC document is 'knocking copy' in the full sense of that description. Lacking balance and depth it howls with rage at what it sees as Devon CC's incompetence in financial matters, claims that the wealthy East Devon will be milked to help the poorer areas and wishes all to know what a fine body of administrators they (the EDDC) are.
Pity, then, that their Ward Councillors and champions did not seek to join the Town Council when they had the chance.
Both the papers are flawed and have the feel of being rushed out without proper attention to key areas such as education (schools) and housing stock. Clearly much the worst of them is that produced by the self-congratulatory EDDC.
What we have asked EDDC (and received no reponse) is: who paid for the negative printed leaflet and letter sent to all households signed by Sarah Randall Johnson? It had all the signs of panic filled screams about loss of councillors' paid and comfy employment prospects. if this is true the Boundary Commission may be on the right track!
Meanwhile, back in good old Budleigh Salterton, we have yet to make a contribution to the debate. It will not be long delayed, though, because the Town Council is about to issue a paper with ideas and more sensible proposals. They will be published here over the next 3 weeks.
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The Boundary Commission has published its proposals (7 July 2008) for changes to local government and both Devon County Council and the East Devon District Council have rushed to add their comments
Read a summary of this 47 page document by clicking below
The Boundary Committee's website where the full text is to be found is:
http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/boundary-reviews
A Quality Council for the town?
This question is now much more important following the Boundary Commission proposals.
Consider the following arguments (DEFRA source)
The Quality Parish and Town Council scheme was launched in June 2003, following the publication of the Government's Rural White Paper, 2000
Quality status and the Community
The Napoli Wreck - more information
Have you seen those barges (one actually) that are towed by a tug sheltering off Babbacombe bay in the teeth of the many gales we have endured recently?
It looked like many, but we are assured that there is only one barge being filled with the engine components of the Napoli as they are cut free from the hulk lying off Branscombe beach.
The barge and tug seek shelter when the storms arrive. Hopefully we shall not see another ecological disaster, in Torbay this time, when a barge full of scrap metal breaks free from its tow.
Still no news from Devon County Council about progress from the Inquiry, it seems. We can find no entry later than 2 May 2008. Perhaps we are not looking in the right place. Like so many websites hosted by public authorities it is very difficult to separate the wheat from the chaff. We have complained before about pretty websites that contain huge volumes about how well the public is served but low volumes about facts and figures.
More news in due course...........more
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Winton's Children .........more