Save Our Sidmouth


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On what basis will District Councillors vote this week, on the office relocation project?

EDDC’s office relocation project is on the agenda this Wednesday (17th December) for the last Full Council Meeting of the year. How well-informed councillors are about this doubtfully chameleon project, is of serious concern. One example is illustrated here: http://eastdevonalliance.org/2014/12/14/how-much-of-knowle-is-up-for-sale-do-councillors-really-know/

More on the subject here: https://saveoursidmouth.com/2014/12/11/feedback-from-public-open-meeting-with-sidmouth-district-councillors-called-by-sid-vale-association/


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Feedback from Public Open Meeting with Sidmouth District Councillors, called by Sid Vale Association

Knowle relocation, and the proposed Sidford Fields Business Park (Local Plan) were the topics for an exchange of views between District Council representatives for the Sidmouth area, and the public packed into the hall on Tuesday evening (9th Dec). Of the seven Councillors invited by organisers, Sid Vale Association, only one was unable to attend due to another engagement.
The meeting was diplomatically chaired by SVA Chair, Alan Darrant, who requested that the tone of the evening’s discussion should reflect “light rather than heat”. Councillors Christine Drew, Sheila Kerridge, Frances Newth,Peter Sullivan and Chris Wale, were invited to speak first. The many questions from the floor included some from Richard Thurlow, on behalf of Save our Sidmouth, challenging the financial and energy saving basis of the office relocation project; and one from Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for East Devon, Councillor Claire Wright, about spiralling costs and secrecy of the relocation plan process.

More detailed reports at these links:
http://eastdevonalliance.org/2014/12/10/last-nights-meeting-with-sidmouth-district-councillors/
http://eastdevonalliance.org/2014/12/11/the-excellent-move-to-knowle/
http://eastdevonalliance.org/2014/12/11/power-and-absolute-power/


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Running costs of alternative sites for EDDC HQ

Richard Cohen has today replied to SOS Chair Richard Thurlow, as follows:

Mr Thurlow

Thank you for your enquiry regarding the comparison of Annual Running Costs.

You are correct that during year one the differential in electricity and gas costs when comparing the Knowle with proposed new office at Heathpark and a refurbishment of Exmouth Town Hall is £50,200. Using a 2% pa general increase for inflation, but with 10% pa for electricity and gas the difference progressively increases to some £366,000 by year twenty.

Also, please be aware that in addition to electricity and gas costs there are other elements including Business Rates, Maintenance (planned, reactive, grounds), insurances and other running costs that have also been taken into consideration.

Regards

Richard Cohen
Deputy Chief Executive
East Devon District Council

Mr Thurlow’s original letter (5th Dec 2014) is copied here:

Dear Mr Cohen,

Your report to Cabinet, of 3/12/2014, (Agenda item 11), contained the statement:

7.

Knowle has annual energy costs of £83,900 pa compared to a predicted energy cost for

Honiton/Exmouth combined of £33,700 pa.Even after repairs, Knowle energy costs would

still be double those of the Honiton/Exmouth alternative.

8.

Based on Dept. of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) current fuel price indices, gas has

increased on average 18.8% pa between 2003 and 2013 whilst over the same period,

electricity has increased on average by 11.9% pa. Allowing a modest 10% pa inflation rate

for energy and 2% for general inflation, the total savings in running costs of

Honiton/Exmouth over Knowle are of the order of £5.55m over 20 years

The difference between the two costs is about £50,000 pa.

Please let me know how this adds up to a saving of £5.55m over 20 years, even allowing for hypothetical increases over 20 years.

regards

Richard Thurlow