Save Our Sidmouth


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Chance to ask questions about Knowle relocation costs

Questions can be put this Thursday 30 Jan, 6.30 p.m at Knowle, when the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meets.

Please note that in addition to the public question time at the start of this meeting, members of the public may ask questions after an agenda item. They should however inform the Chair and Democratic Services Officer of when they wish to speak, before the meeting starts.

Save our Sidmouth understands that Richard Cohen will be presenting a proposal,for adoption by the Cabinet,for a budget for the preparation for EDDC Office Relocation,of £200,000 per annum for the next two financial years.
EDDC’s response to a Freedom of Information request about Knowle relocation costs by SOS Chair, Richard Thurlow, is to date, 32 days overdue.


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Time for FOI re Knowle?

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has now led to the Information Commissioner obliging East Devon District Council to release previously withheld documents, which should have been in the public domain. The issue will be discussed on BBC Radio Devon tomorrow (Tuesday 28th January). See: http://eastdevonalliance.org/2014/01/27/eddc-forced-to-release-documents-on-exmouth-seafront-covenants-bbc-radio-devon-reports/

The Information Commissioner’s Office says that they expect EDDC to improve their unsatisfactory method of dealing with FOI requests.

And the SIN blog has this suggestion: http://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com/2014/01/25/knowle-developers-the-correspondence-with-developers-prior-to-the-planning-application-refusal/


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Knowle relocation costs continue to rise

At the recent Overview and Scrutiny Committee budget meeting it was agreed (not unanimously) to support the inclusion of £200,000 for the Knowle relocation project in the 2014/2015 budget and another £200,000 in the 2015/2016 budget. These items are designated capital expenditure. Previous expenditure on the project is designated as revenue spending.

The public will be interested to know how the sum of £400,000 has been arrived at, what calculations had been made, and precisely what the money would be used for.
There will be a chance to ask these and other questions you may have, at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on Thursday 30th January, starting at 6.30pm.
Please tell friends and neighbours who may not know. SOS looks forward to seeing you there!