Regarding our blogpost of 18 September (https://saveoursidmouth.com/2015/09/18/attempts-to-make-freedom-of-information-requests-more-difficult-will-impede-work-of-groups-such-as-sos-please-sign-petition-now/), the role of FOIs in the call for transparency at EDDC, with particular reference to Knowle, is further discussed at this link: http://futuresforumvgs.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/the-freedom-of-information-act.html

Much of what has been achieved in the Save Our Sidmouth (SOS) campaign against both the Knowle fiasco and the Local Plan, has been achieved through requests made under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.
The Government is proposing to change this act to make it harder and more expensive for the public to ferret out facts from Public Bodies.

SOS supporters are therefore urged to sign the petition against changes,detailed here: https://speakout.38degrees.org.uk/campaigns/protect-freedom-of-information

Note: The many FOI requests to East Devon District Council (EDDC) include several submitted by SOS members, notably Richard Thurlow (Chair) and Jeremy Woodward. All the requests are listed, with responses, on the http://www.whatdotheyknow.com website, e.g. https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/disclosure_of_progress_reports_f#incoming-649684 (NB. Scroll up to top of page at the link given)