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Category Archives: East Devon Business Forum


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TAFF on East Devon Business Forum can’t look at planning, or Local Plan…

….because of legal restraints. So said EDDC’s Chief Executive at tonight’s first meeting of the Task and Finish Forum at Knowle.  This advice was accepted by TAFF Chairman, Cllr Troman, who had noted with some disappointment that two members of the committee (of 6) were unfortunately absent.  He also remarked on the ‘record number’ of members of the public present.

Here’s a brief resume. (More to follow in the next few days. Comments also at http://sidmouthindependentnews.com )

Independent Councillor Claire Wright’s motion that TAFF should  look at the Business Forum’s influence on planning policy was not seconded.

The Chairman was ‘disappointed’ that the Honorary Secretary of the Business Forum, Nigel Harrison, had not provided him with a full copy of the EDBF official constitution,  for reference at this meeting.

Cllr Mike Allen asked the Chief Executive “What is the current legal relationship between EDDC and the Business Forum?” After some hesitation, Mark Williams’s answer was, ” a type of joint body”.

 

 

 

 


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URGENT! Will TAFF on the EDBF go off course?

The East Devon Business Forum has been widely criticised as a lobby group of developers and landowners who, allegedly, have had an undue influence on planning in East Devon. Hopes were raised that the TAFF committee set up to investigate links between the Council and the Forum would reveal if there was any truth in this perception.

Amazingly, the draft template for the scope of the enquiry, just published, excludes from discussion planning policy and the East Devon Local Plan. (Like a Jimmy Savile investigation excluding mention of sexual abuse?)

So expect a vigorous debate this Tuesday, 6pm at Knowle, at the first meeting of this Task and Finish Forum (TAFF), to decide its agenda.

Media reporters will be there. Public urged to attend, to ensure Councillor members of the TAFF Committee can fulfil their task, specified by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Sep 2012), ‘to.produce an in-depth report on the East Devon Business Forum to include all business engagement and its relationship with the council.’

You will recall that this  O&S Committee resolution was initially incorrectly minuted. The minutes were subsequently revised, following a complaint by Councillors involved, and by SOS observers. The resolution quoted above is from the revised minutes.


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East Devon Business Forum…cause for concern?

This question will be investigated by the  Special Committee (TAFF) set up to scrutinise the East Devon Business Forum.

The all-important agenda  for this Committee  will be agreed next Tuesday (6pm 11 December, at Knowle).   Media and public in attendance.

The draft scoping template for this agenda, now on East Devon’s website, gives some cause for concern. See  http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/business_taff_111212_combined_agenda.pdf

More comment on this and related issues at http://sidmouthindependentmews.wordpress.com