correspondence for august 2014
Filming Council Meetings etc. In a boost for local democracy and the independent free press, councils in England were brought into the 21st century on 6 August 2014 after Local Government Secretary, Eric Pickles, signed a Parliamentary order allowing press and public to film and digitally report from all public meetings of local government bodies.
Following the passage of both primary and secondary legislation, the move opens councils’ digital doors, covering broadcasters, national press, local press, bloggers and hyper-local journalists and the wider public. The new law aims to end active resistance amongst some councils to greater openness. Councils have even called the police to arrest people who tried to report, tweet or film council meetings, or claimed spurious ‘health and safety’ or ‘reputational risks’ to digital reporting. This new law builds on Margaret Thatcher’s successful Private Members’ Bill from 1960 which allowed for the written reporting of council meetings by the press. The new rules will apply to all public meetings, including town and parish councils and fire and rescue authorities.
The Openness of Local Government Regulations 2014, which apply to England, give rights to members of the press and public to:
Following the passage of both primary and secondary legislation, the move opens councils’ digital doors, covering broadcasters, national press, local press, bloggers and hyper-local journalists and the wider public. The new law aims to end active resistance amongst some councils to greater openness. Councils have even called the police to arrest people who tried to report, tweet or film council meetings, or claimed spurious ‘health and safety’ or ‘reputational risks’ to digital reporting. This new law builds on Margaret Thatcher’s successful Private Members’ Bill from 1960 which allowed for the written reporting of council meetings by the press. The new rules will apply to all public meetings, including town and parish councils and fire and rescue authorities.
The Openness of Local Government Regulations 2014, which apply to England, give rights to members of the press and public to:
- use modern technology and communication methods such as filming, audio-recording, blogging and tweeting to report the proceedings of the meetings of their councils and other local government bodies
- see information relating to significant decisions made outside meetings by officers acting under a general or specific delegated power
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Ward Boundaries. West Devon Borough Council is warning that proposals for new council ward boundaries will be ‘detrimental’ to democracy and local communities. The Local Government Boundary Commission is consulting on draft recommendations which propose that West Devon should continue to have 31 borough councillors in future but fewer single member wards and larger wards for some rural areas. The Council’s official response to the draft proposals outlines four main concerns: the reduction in the number of wards represented by a single councillor, the size of the proposed Bridestowe and Dartmoor wards, the accuracy of projected electoral figures and the impact on communities with common interests and links.
The council has also come up with its own alternative proposal which would see an additional councillor for the existing Hatherleigh and Lew Valley wards and revised ward boundaries in Tavistock. Under the council’s alternative proposals, the existing Hatherleigh and Lew Valley wards would be redrawn into Hatherleigh and Meeth, Inwardleigh and Okehampton Brightley and Beaworthy, Highampton and Northlew – each represented by a single ward member. Parts of Whitchurch would also be moved into the Tavistock South ward to give greater electoral equality and some addresses would be moved from the Walkham ward to Buckland Monachorum to ‘tidy up’ long standing anomalies.
The council has also come up with its own alternative proposal which would see an additional councillor for the existing Hatherleigh and Lew Valley wards and revised ward boundaries in Tavistock. Under the council’s alternative proposals, the existing Hatherleigh and Lew Valley wards would be redrawn into Hatherleigh and Meeth, Inwardleigh and Okehampton Brightley and Beaworthy, Highampton and Northlew – each represented by a single ward member. Parts of Whitchurch would also be moved into the Tavistock South ward to give greater electoral equality and some addresses would be moved from the Walkham ward to Buckland Monachorum to ‘tidy up’ long standing anomalies.
A short update from the DNPA Planning service
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The War Memorials Trust is working in partnership with the SmartWater Foundation on a project called In Memoriam 2014 which will provide greater protection for war memorials in the United Kingdom. In Memoriam 2014 is a national project which will, with the assistance of local communities and groups, locate, log, maintain then protect the nation's war memorials in time for Remembrance Day 2014. It is being promoted by Devon and Cornwall Police.
SmartWater is a crime prevention fluid which will make memorials uniquely identifiable and offer robust traceability should a theft occur. It is a high temperature solution that can withstand burning or melting making it harder for criminals to dispose of stolen memorials. Academic research carried out by Perpetuity Research Group on over 100 criminals demonstrated that professional criminals are deterred by the product. Furthermore, SmartWater has a 100% conviction rate. In Memoriam 2014 is specifically designed for at risk metal components; however, if you are concerned about other components such as stone, we can assess these cases and issue a SmartWater stone marking product.
SmartWater is a crime prevention fluid which will make memorials uniquely identifiable and offer robust traceability should a theft occur. It is a high temperature solution that can withstand burning or melting making it harder for criminals to dispose of stolen memorials. Academic research carried out by Perpetuity Research Group on over 100 criminals demonstrated that professional criminals are deterred by the product. Furthermore, SmartWater has a 100% conviction rate. In Memoriam 2014 is specifically designed for at risk metal components; however, if you are concerned about other components such as stone, we can assess these cases and issue a SmartWater stone marking product.
An update from the Citizen's Advice Bureau
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The merger of the Devon Playing Fields Association, the Devon Association of Community Buildings and the Community Council of Devon is now complete.
Community Council of Devon Annual Conference - Rural Renaissance - 25 September 1000-1600
As the state and local government retreat from providing services and funding we are told that communities will find a way. But how are rural communities and communities of common interest not only going to fill the gaps, but make things better?
This is the theme of this year’s Rural Futures conference. ‘Rural Renaissance’ will bring together a collection of speakers who will explore the mechanisms by which communities can help themselves and what is needed to enable change to be effective.
We also have an expert panel to debate rural issues, to provide you with a chance to ask questions and contribute your thoughts.
We will help local community leaders understand both the mechanisms of change and the ways in which it can be managed to the advantage of their communities. It is a day to gather information, exchange ideas and explore opportunities.
Devon County council will be present to review the current state of the County and what the future holds.
The day will include a trade exhibition of goods and services of interest to rural communities and all the Community Council’s advisory services will be available.
As the state and local government retreat from providing services and funding we are told that communities will find a way. But how are rural communities and communities of common interest not only going to fill the gaps, but make things better?
This is the theme of this year’s Rural Futures conference. ‘Rural Renaissance’ will bring together a collection of speakers who will explore the mechanisms by which communities can help themselves and what is needed to enable change to be effective.
We also have an expert panel to debate rural issues, to provide you with a chance to ask questions and contribute your thoughts.
We will help local community leaders understand both the mechanisms of change and the ways in which it can be managed to the advantage of their communities. It is a day to gather information, exchange ideas and explore opportunities.
Devon County council will be present to review the current state of the County and what the future holds.
The day will include a trade exhibition of goods and services of interest to rural communities and all the Community Council’s advisory services will be available.
Princetown Traffic Order. The advert for this proposal will be in the Tavistock Times Gazette on 31st July - a copy of the advert with statement of reasons, draft order and plan are attached. Comments or objections to the proposal are called for by 21st August.
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WDBC 'Our Plan' update.
You are able to view all of the consultation responses in full on the Council’s website using the following link http://www.westdevon.gov.uk/article/7632/Consultation-Responses---Topics-and-Challenges. WDBC have also prepared a short film which sets out the different things Our Plan will cover. You can view the film on the Council’s Youtube channel using the following link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biShnPNZh6c. |
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West Devon Homes is to merge with DCH (formerly Devon & Cornwall Housing).A series of consultation events are planned: the closest will be Tavistock on 18 August.
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The Exminster Neighbourhood Development Plan and supporting documents are available for consultation and can be viewed: Online at www.teignbridge.gov.uk/exminster ; Facebook: facebook.com/PlanTeignbridge . It may be of benefit in deciding whether DFPC should move in this direction.
Broadband. Connecting Devon and Somerset launched its new website on Wednesday 30 July. The programme has reached a point in the roll out where it is able to share more detailed and wider ranging information than it has been able to until now. The new website is easier to navigate with more features including a zoomable base map that will make it far simpler for residents and businesses to find detailed information that is relevant to them. The website address remains the same www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk.
Related message from Cllr John Sheldon:
Parishes & Towns within West Devon are now able to see the proposed ‘coverage’ and ‘time line’ for ‘better broadband’.
Whether this actually goes ahead in any particular location is subject to evaluation and then survey.
But the commitment and purpose of the Connecting Devon & Somerset (CDS) Programme is to provide by funding 90% access to superfast broadband (fibre) by December 2016.
Having access is not the same as getting superfast (over 24 Mbps) for all.
After a recent makeover for CDS – check you postcode and zoom down to your premises. Openreach (OR) has also had a makeover this week.
There is now a new expression of interest form which goes beyond the old one and into an ‘Exploring Solutions Category’.
I have registered again – I would recommend everyone does. There is also a useful map and further new categories of ‘waiting’.
Running a Business? – You can now register this on the same form. You can even leave comments.
Regards – Cllr John Sheldon
Related message from Cllr John Sheldon:
Parishes & Towns within West Devon are now able to see the proposed ‘coverage’ and ‘time line’ for ‘better broadband’.
Whether this actually goes ahead in any particular location is subject to evaluation and then survey.
But the commitment and purpose of the Connecting Devon & Somerset (CDS) Programme is to provide by funding 90% access to superfast broadband (fibre) by December 2016.
Having access is not the same as getting superfast (over 24 Mbps) for all.
After a recent makeover for CDS – check you postcode and zoom down to your premises. Openreach (OR) has also had a makeover this week.
There is now a new expression of interest form which goes beyond the old one and into an ‘Exploring Solutions Category’.
I have registered again – I would recommend everyone does. There is also a useful map and further new categories of ‘waiting’.
Running a Business? – You can now register this on the same form. You can even leave comments.
Regards – Cllr John Sheldon
The latest Devon Senior Voice 'Everyone's Tomorrow' newsletter.
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The latest Healthwatch Devon 'Voices' newsletter.
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WEST DEVON POLLING REVIEW
West Devon Borough Council is currently carrying out a review of polling districts and polling places.
The Council needs to consider locations as well as facilities for all of its polling districts and would welcome any views on the polling stations in your area. Your suggestions will be carefully considered and changes made where practical and possible.
If you require any further information you will find the consultation document on West Devon’s website www.westdevon.gov.uk
West Devon Borough Council is currently carrying out a review of polling districts and polling places.
The Council needs to consider locations as well as facilities for all of its polling districts and would welcome any views on the polling stations in your area. Your suggestions will be carefully considered and changes made where practical and possible.
If you require any further information you will find the consultation document on West Devon’s website www.westdevon.gov.uk
South West Water - Drains
1 August 2014
Dear Mr Tigwell
Thank you for your email received on 18 July 2014, regarding the smell emanating from the road drains on Tavistock Road, Princetown, Yelverton Pl20 6QF. While I was unable to discuss this with you when I telephoned today I am pleased to be able to respond to you in writing.
I have discussed your concern with Steve Woodman, Asset Manager. Steve confirms that he will arrange for a Waste Water Engineer to attend and investigate the smell coming from the road drain and the subsidence of the road drain at the corner of the Prince of Wales Pub. While I do not have scheduled date for this work I will continue to monitor the situation and telephone you with an update no later than 12 August 2104.
Steve also asked me to confirm that, while an investigation will be carried out, as the drains in question are located in the highway any repair and maintenance work may be the responsibility of the Highways Department of Devon County Council.
I hope this response has been helpful but if there is specific information you wish me to consider, please contact me on 01392 672402. For any general enquiries, please call our 24 hour Helpline on 0844 346 2020.
Yours sincerely
Peter Byrne
Customer Manager
Services Helpline: 0844 346 2020
DX no: 119850 EXETER 10
Fax no: 01392 423792
Minicom: 0800 169 9965
Our ref: PB/Case-1523216
1 August 2014
Dear Mr Tigwell
Thank you for your email received on 18 July 2014, regarding the smell emanating from the road drains on Tavistock Road, Princetown, Yelverton Pl20 6QF. While I was unable to discuss this with you when I telephoned today I am pleased to be able to respond to you in writing.
I have discussed your concern with Steve Woodman, Asset Manager. Steve confirms that he will arrange for a Waste Water Engineer to attend and investigate the smell coming from the road drain and the subsidence of the road drain at the corner of the Prince of Wales Pub. While I do not have scheduled date for this work I will continue to monitor the situation and telephone you with an update no later than 12 August 2104.
Steve also asked me to confirm that, while an investigation will be carried out, as the drains in question are located in the highway any repair and maintenance work may be the responsibility of the Highways Department of Devon County Council.
I hope this response has been helpful but if there is specific information you wish me to consider, please contact me on 01392 672402. For any general enquiries, please call our 24 hour Helpline on 0844 346 2020.
Yours sincerely
Peter Byrne
Customer Manager
Services Helpline: 0844 346 2020
DX no: 119850 EXETER 10
Fax no: 01392 423792
Minicom: 0800 169 9965
Our ref: PB/Case-1523216
THE government has confirmed a two-year funding package for a newly created National Rural Crime Network (NRCN) operating across England and Wales. Funding of almost £40,000 was announced by the Home Office on Monday 28 July. It will be used to provide information and support for rural communities by encouraging direct interaction between businesses, organisations and the police. The concept for a rural crime network was developed by the Rural Services Network, working alongside most of those PCCs serving rural communities. For the full article, click here.