Would you agree that the damage done to the reputation of this Council, by the ‘Councillors-for-Hire’ revelations in the Daily Telegraph in March, was severe and should be urgently addressed? If so, could you please explain why approval for a ban on councillors acting as agents for developers has been postponed until Full Council in October, whereas restrictions on councillors using social media has been fast-tracked for consideration this evening?

Shouldn’t the priority have been the other way round, as what brings a council into disrepute is what the council leadership does and has done, rather than comments by councillors pointing it out?

Jacqueline Green, an East Devon Alliance supporter, was obliged to pause in mid-question, to ask if the Chief Executive would do her “the courtesy of listening”. Councillor Diviani  avoided addressing the matters highlighted, by simply saying that he could not comment on the Telegraph article “as there is an on-going police inquiry”.

For Richard Thurlow’s representation on behalf of SOS, go to  our  post on 25th July

Following Jeremy Woodward’s pictogram and letter featured in the Sidmouth Herald last Friday (19th July), on the carbon costs of relocation*,  SOS readers may be interested in the (DRAFT) document at the following link. The forewords (on page 3) from the Councillor and the Chief Executive, and from the Carbon Trust , are especially relevant:

Carbon Management Plan 2009 Brown as Environment Portfolio holder

*See information in our 16th July post, Knowle’s future..the sustainable, cost-effective, option.

More on this subject at http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com A matter of (Carbon) Trust (21st  July)

SOS has been told on good authority, that EDDC has spent at least £400.000 to date on its controversial plans to uproot its staff from Knowle, Sidmouth, to  new yet-to-be-built offices at Honiton or perhaps Cranbrook. . The project will be principally funded by the sale of the Knowle buildings, and is intended to be “cost-neutral” .

East Devon taxpayers familiar with what has happened just over the border, in Dorchester, are not convinced.  This poster has details Knowle for sale final