Save Our Sidmouth

The Development Management Committee (DMC) will be presented with a special ‘additional report’ next Tuesday afternoon (26th August,at Knowle). The report is expected shortly after the 2pm start of the DMC meeting. Recently introduced Government rules mean that press and public are allowed to film and record the session.

Matt Dickins (Planning Policy Manager)’s report to DMC entitled “Emerging Work on Defining an Objectively Assessed Housing Number for East Devon” is now available to view on line under http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/development_management_agenda_mins_remit.htm
The link to the actual report is here: http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/dm260814-emerging_housing_numbers.pdf

A press release about the report is on EDDC’s homepage here: http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/communications_and_consultation.htm?newsid=1174

PLEASE NOTE: Under the new public speaking rules passed by Full Council in July, two members of the public are allowed to speak on planning policy items.

Footnote: EDDC has been widely criticised for such things as alleged over-provision of employment land; errors in the commuting calculations; the lack of a five year land supply; endless delays with the Local Plan; and what many believe to be serial incompetence. East Devon certainly now finds itself in a defenceless position, and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) may not be wholly to blame. The emerging figures for future housing and employment provision for our District may leave many councillors, and the unsuspecting public, in a state of shock.

The following e-mail, dated 12th August 2014, been received by Chair of Save Our Sidmouth, Richard Thurlow, and is copied with his permission:

‘Dear Mr Thurlow

Thank you for your email sent in respect of the new regulations and guidance for filming Council meetings.

The regulations came out too late to include on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee agenda for its meeting of Thursday this week and so to address this, at the start of the meeting, the Chairman will read out the new rights for the public to record meetings.

For future agendas as standard, the wording will read:

This meeting is being audio recorded by EDDC for subsequent publication on the Council’s website.

Under the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014, any members of the public are now allowed to take photographs, film and audio record the proceedings and report on all public meetings (including on social media). No prior notification is needed but it would be helpful if you could let the democratic services team know you plan to film or record so that any necessary arrangements can be made to provide reasonable facilities for you to report on meetings. This permission does not extend to private meetings or parts of meetings which are not open to the public. You should take all recording and photography equipment with you if a public meeting moves into a session which is not open to the public.

If you are recording the meeting, you are asked to act in a reasonable manner and not disrupt the conduct of meetings for example by using intrusive lighting, flash photography or asking people to repeat statements for the benefit of the recording. You may not make an oral commentary during the meeting. The Chairman has the power to control public recording and/or reporting so it does not disrupt the meeting.

Members of the public exercising their right to speak during Public Question Time, but do not wish to be recorded, need to inform the Chairman who will instruct those taking a recording to cease while they speak.

The Constitution will be up-dated as soon as possible to reflect this.

With best wishes and thanks for your interest.

Diana Vernon
Democratic Services Officer’

Diana Vernon

Democratic Services Manager

The following press release from Chair of Save Our Sidmouth, Richard Thurlow, has been issued today : SOS press release re. filming EDDC meetings

The next open council meeting of major public interest is the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, 14th August 6.30pm Knowle. Report on changes to public speaking rules, and on proposals for changes to Full Council meetings, are significant. Full agenda at this link: http://new.eastdevon.gov.uk/media/329042/140814-combined-os-agenda.pdf