There were good speeches by all Councillors for the motion, but the ensuing “debate” largely consisted of a re-statement of entrenched positions.It was noticed that the new District Council Chair, Stuart Hughes, who had just before the election declared himself against the move from Knowle, voted against putting the move on hold.
Several questions were put by the public, including this one by Mike Temple of Knowle Residents’ Association:

MT’s Speech for June 3

Others are referred to in this Express & Echo report, which includes photos of the debate: http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/Angry-exchanges-Sidmouth-council-debates-motion/story-26636164-detail/story.html

East Devon District Council has today lost its Appeal to withhold certain documents relating to the Knowle office relocation project. The case stemmed from a Freedom of Information request (FOI) made by Jeremy Woodward, a member of Save Our Sidmouth, in February 2013.

Extraordinarily, the judge’s report contains a final paragraph that is highly critical of the public authority involved.

Under the heading Other Matters, it concludes, ‘We believe this appeal could and should have been dealt with completely at the hearing in August 2014 and the decision promulgated six months ago had the Council discharged its responsibilities properly.’

Links to the report here: 031 040515 Decision  and here: 032 050515 Judge Open Directions

For main body of the report, go to: http://www.informationtribunal.gov.uk/DBFiles/Decision/i1540/East%20Devon%20District%20Council%20EA.2014.0072%20%2805.05.2015%29.pdf

A press release by SOS will be issued shortly.