Localism

     An interesting development in recent months has been the willingness of Exmouth Town Council, in the guise of its Conservative mayor Darryl Nicholas to in the nicest possible way call a spade a spade with regard to the relationship between Exmouth and EDDC, as personified by Sidmouth. The particular areas in which it was manifest related to the disproportionate new housing burden to be placed on Exmouth in the local development plan, and the apparent unfairness in rates of snow clearance within the district. There was at one point even a suggestion that the impending departure of Sara Randall Johnson as council leader represented an opportunity for change.

     The snow clearance claims were dealt with by a spokesman who defended clearing the council's headquarters as their duty of care to employees and clarified the minimal cost. Presumably there was also a duty of care to others who had to go to work such the carers visiting elderly people in their homes, one of whom fell and smashed her elbow. The spokesman also indicated that the County Council had responsibility for clearing the highways etc., but did not comment on the alleged preferential treatment given to some towns over others within the district.

     The challenge over the allocation of new housing seemed to have borne fruit, as EDDC promised to reconsider in a further consultation process. However, the fightback has begun.

     Despite the blight that EDDC decisions have brought to parts of for example Exmouth and Seaton, often overruling town planners, when a local TV programme makes a feature on new developments spoiling the environment it focuses on a development in an AONB just outside Sidmouth. I would agree that it is not a desirable development, but it is hardly a reflection of the bigger picture. And up pops our old friend Sara Randall Johnson to pontificate about the difficulty of complying with the council's obligations.

     Am I too much of a conspiracy theorist in assuming that this is the first public step in reinforcing their original projections by emphasising the burden being placed on Sidmouth? And is not the main reason they have allowed this development out of town is that they are determined that they shouldn't have to do their fair share within its boundaries?