Exmouth Town Ward - Independent Representation

29/07/2019

I've just joined the campaign against bad trade deals with Trump which put our NHS and food standards at risk. Will you?

12/06/2019

Some was safely and responsibly removed from Exmouth Community College by men in white space suit overalls over the holidays some years ago. Other schools are not so lucky !

My Mum died on Sunday 26th June 2016 from mesothelioma, a cancer that comes from exposure to asbestos. It can lie dormant for a long time, meaning that victims are diagnosed with the illness 15 to 60 years after their exposure. Mum believes she was exposed to asbestos in the schools she taught in. B...

08/04/2019

A new way forward !
This is my final posting before I hand over the page to Paul Millar and Joe Whibley your new Independent candidates for Exmouth. I am so sorry to be unable to continue with this work because I love Exmouth and sought to listen to the pressing concerns of local residents, in the hopes of representing them fairly and forcefully. This determination to continue to get the best for you is up for grabs in the next election ! I sincerely hope that our future will be one of fair and consistent representation and would like to say a huge THANK YOU to all who voted for me.

13/11/2018

Following last night's council meeting-----

Now is your chance to air your views on the Queen's Drive Space. Go to E.D.D.C. planning portal and look up 18/2496/FUL for a chance to comment on planning issues for the future use of the 'temporary attractions.' In a nutshell, the play area for the under 7's and the appearance of the food court have been popular but events have been very variable , with one well attended and another attracting only about 15 people at times. People still have not got what they asked for years ago- more toilets, with showers and changing rooms in useful positions. Recent requests have been for more play areas for the 7-year-olds and over, with family acitivites; shade, wind and rain cover- which could be achieved with a sails possibly- and more bins. The success of the food court depends upon the weather and although they pay rent and some 'events' charged, council tax money pays for the rest of the attractions- they are not 'free'. A ciriticism was that it was really difficult to find out information on the events happening. This is on public land on a site which was previously paying rent to operate there. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of public money have been spent here. What would you like ? What could be provided at reasonable cost? Hopscotch and four square marked out on the ground ? A large heavy blue fishing net strung up for srambling about on? A paddling pool? An information centre? The current play area is only about a quarter of the size of previous play facilities. If we do not ask, we will 'get what we are given' as one councillor remarked. !

13/11/2018

Now is your chance to air your views on the Queen's Drive Space. Go to E.D.D.C. planning portal and look up 18/2496/FUL for a chance to comment on planning issues for the future use of the 'temporary attractions.' In a nutshell, the play area for the under 7's and the appearance of the food court have been popular but events have been very variable , with one well attended and another attracting only about 15 people at times. People still have not got what they asked for years ago- more toilets, with showers and changing rooms in useful positions. Recent requests have been for more play areas for the 7-year-olds and over, with family acitivites; shade, wind and rain cover- which could be achieved with a sails possibly- and more bins. The success of the food court depends upon the weather and although they pay rent and some 'events' charged, council tax money pays for the rest of the attractions- they are not 'free'. A ciriticism was that it was really difficult to find out information on the events happening. This is on public land on a site which was previously paying rent to operate there. Hundreds of thousands of pounds of public money have been spent here. What would you like ? What could be provided at reasonable cost? Hopscotch and four square marked out on the ground ? A large heavy blue fishing net strung up for srambling about on? A paddling pool? An information centre? The current play area is only about a quarter of the size of previous play facilities. If we do not ask, we will 'get what we are given' as one councillor remarked. !

15/10/2018

On holiday folks. Not given up just away for a while. Still keeping up with news though. Floods Post Office Homelessness Seafront never far from mind.

11/08/2018

CONSULTATION ABOUT THE CONSULTATION ! YOUR CHANCE TO COMMENT ON THE PLANNING PROCESS.

Many thanks to the Exmouth Journal for publicising the consultation about the consultation.

You may wish to contribute to E.D.D.C.'s public consultation about the way public consultation is conducted.

In the Journal of August 8 , Councillor Paul Diviani is quoted as saying
"It is vital we engage people in these issues as they impact on everyday lives and quality of life of all residents."

Responses must be made by August 18 . Find the document at this link ; http://eastdevon.gov.uk/media/2546869/2018-sci-v4.pdf

04/08/2018

Are you interested in the progress of seafront developments ? S.E.S. is all about open consultation, encouraging people to gain awareness of seafront issues, be they business, environment or exciting ideas for the future and making sure the council know local concerns. Recent initiatives include the proposal of the 'Exmouth Egg' - a geodome over the re-opened ponds to create an all year round water play area, work hub, mindfulness labyrinth and more. New members welcome.

25/07/2018

According to Streetscene 20 tons of litter was generated over the Spring bank holiday weekend. The council workers did an excellent job of clearing it all away but there were still complaints from residents. Why can't visitors take it home with them ? They buy it and bring it here- so why can't they take it home again ? Of particular concern is the portable barbecues which leave black charcoal in the sand- especially all around Orcombe Point. How hard is it to chuck a bucket of sea water over it then put it in the bin once it has cooled down ?

03/07/2018

Very interesting discussion this morning at District Management Committee about the application for 350 houses with only "up to 18" social houses. Thanks to all the councillors- and it was the majority- who expressed alarm, concern and regret that the original offering of 88 social houses and 22 intermediate dwellings has been reduced to only 5% of the total planned build. The explanation was that our current planning laws and guidelines allow for negotiated adjustments or 'viability ' testing. There is a plot to be put on one side for community use such as sports fields,which could be developed at a later date into a primary school should this be deemed desirable; also there is a plot for commercial development of small and start up business premises. These two factors have been in the balance against allowing more land for affordable/social housing.
Access and congestion of already busy junctions was discussed at length but as the plans were already recommended to be passed at a higher level, it was fairly pointless to object.
Dinan Way was originally built to link to a new road over the common, reducing congestion on A 376. This new road has not been built and there is no foreseeable funding for it, so any additional population movement will inevitably flow back to the 376.
This whole development is one to watch- it is not in Town Ward but issues include more people for our health service to care for, transport , flooding, not enough single bedroom homes in the new offer as well as the need for more secondary school places if all this goes ahead.

02/07/2018

Land At Goodmores Farm Dinan Way Upper Lovering Exmouth EX8 5BA
Ref. No: 14/0330/MOUT
10 am tomorrow at Sidmouth Council Offices- this application will be looked at by District Management Committee. 350 proposed dwellings with 'up to 18' social homes included. Great article discussing the need for social housing and problems funding it in Guardian online "British governments used to cough up for social housing. Not this one" by
Jonn Elledge. How many social homes will actually be built as "Up to 18" means likely less than 18?
I will be there to observe how decisions are reached on this important issue.

24/06/2018

The Exmouth Egg is a creative concept of what could be put in place on the Queen's Drive Space. It brings together popular ideas from Teignmouth- with its lovely waterplay "Splash" area for children and elements from the Eden project with a geo-dome full of plants . The idea is to re-open the ponds then build a geo-dome over them so that they can be used by children all year around.The whole site could cater for all ages and abilities , providing excellent access and modern 'changing places' toilet facilities for adults. There could be public loos, showers and beach changing areas. Studio space for yoga, mindfullness ,creativity, education, science exploration. A visitor's centre and information element could be combined with local geography and school activities. A botanical garden element with nature resources to support local wildlife threatened species could be combined with an aviary area, perhaps with humming birds or finches,or free access to the outside to encourage native species to nest or feed there. A much needed work hub and hotdesking area would draw people in - if they had to walk through a labyrinth set out to draw them past all the other age groups and activities, they and their visitors would have a great opportunity to see Exmouth community in action. Public opinion has been expressed on pages related to Exmouth. Thanks to Anna Fitzgerald artist for the Exmouth Egg idea and Tim Mann graphic designer for the work hub idea. Public opinion has been expressed on pages related to Exmouth. Now let's have your ideas !