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Category Archives: East Devon Business Forum


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Reminder: Your presence at this Wednesday’s meeting, will get TAFF (and democracy) back on track.

Sidmouth Councillor Graham Troman will be valiantly chairing the Task and Finish Forum (TAFF) at Knowle on Weds 23 Jan. It starts at 6pm.

The subject for scrutiny is of course East Devon Business Forum and its relationship with EDDC.

But this TAFF is being obstructed (see 19 Jan post on this website)….THIS IS A  SERIOUS  MATTER, for  East Devon’s future.

A public show of support is urgently needed to back this  TAFF Watchdog Committee. At present, it’s having its teeth pulled.

More at http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com


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EDDC business lobby investigation has been muzzled.

Disturbing events are unfolding at the TAFF (Task and Finish Forum) , set up recently by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee  ‘to produce an in-depth report on the East Devon Business Forum, to include all business engagement and its relationship with the Council.’  It was unusual to see a Chief Executive at the first meeting, sitting alongside the TAFF Chairman, Sidmouth Councillor, Graham Troman, and giving advice.  Mark Williams said that it was not appropriate for the TAFF to  discuss Planning ,though it was not made clear why he seized on this particular topic, nor what the source was for the ‘legal advice’ he had consulted on this matter.

Cllr Troman had even more of a surprise this week, when his own agenda which complied with the scope of this TAFF, was overridden. It has been replaced by one which omits the crucial controversial issues which it is this Committee’s purpose to examine.

Scrutiny Committees, of which TAFF is a working  part,  are of course intended to be independent. Their function is to hold councils and their leaders to account.

Members of the public who believe  this democratic safeguard should be adhered to, can support this TAFF Committee and its courageous Chairman, by coming to the next meeting on Wednesday, 23rd January,  6pm at Knowle.

The poster in the link below may be useful:

INVESTIGATION MUZZLED poster 180113


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TAFF Committee agenda on East Devon Business Forum veers wildly off course, of course!

As SOS predicted, the agenda for this special Committee set up to scrutinise the EDBF, has been interfered with.  The TAFF Chairman is being prevented from doing his job, which includes setting the agenda according to the scope agreed.  THIS RAISES SERIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES, explained here:
Scrutiny committees are watchdogs which have the right in the EDDC Constitution to hold any part of the Council to account. For example Article 7 states they “operate within the guiding principles of effective scrutiny promoted by the Centre for Public Scrutiny, namely;

1. Provide a ‘critical friend‘ challenge to the Cabinet as well as external authorities and agencies.

2. Reflect the voice and concerns of the public and its communities

3. Take the lead and own the scrutiny process on behalf of the public

4. These Committees will also review the outcomes of Council decision-making on behalf of the public.” 

ANY ATTEMPT TO LIMIT OR SUBVERT THIS ROLE RAISES SERIOUS LEGAL QUESTIONS,  particularly if a Chief Executive and senior colleagues were found to be involved.

More on http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com today.