Better Value for Supermarket Land in South Molton
When the Conservatives took over running the Civic Centre and NDDC in 2007 there were two Tesco deals on the table.
One store is in Barnstaple, on the Seven Brethren. The former administration was willing to accept £3,250,000 from Tesco for the site. The Conservatives were then elected and settled for £7,750,000 from Tesco! That store is now built and trading.
The other Tesco deal was for South Molton. Tesco already have an option on some land in South Molton. However, to build a decent sized supermarket Tesco need further land that is owned by North Devon District Council. The idea was sell this land to Tesco for £3,250,000.
Your Conservative Councillors continued to support this plan until 2010. New information was then received that a review of this deal may possibly obtain better value for money for the folk of North Devon. It was then thought a legal challenge from Tesco may ensue if negotiations were halted. Further advice to the Conservative Councillors was that Tesco could always challenge but this new situation could be robustly defended. On that basis your Conservative Councillors decided they would not negotiate with Tesco further.
The ball was started rolling by agreeing to have the permanent sheep pens removed; these are opposite the cattle market this would free up more land. However, at this point the elections for NDDC were now due and therefore we could not take this further until after the election.
Our plan was to carry out a complete review of the area and then consult residents on their views.
Of course we would not get the money from Tesco and the project could take 3 to 4 years to bring forward. Howeve,r we were confident that one of the other supermarket giants would be very interested.
Cllr Des Brailey
Dear Conservative members and friends
I have continued to make enquiries as to what is happening with the Mariners Day Centre, which I think is essential to many people, both those that used to attend it and their carers. Why can’t someone just tell me what is happening?
Braunton is such a great place to live and visit. We have been striving for over four years to get a BMX track for the youth of Braunton; work is still going on with regard to this. Your Conservative members of the Parish council are fighting hard against the issuing of permits for Caen Street Car Park. If it goes ahead it will take in excess of £10,000 per year out of the budget. Any extra money that the Car Park makes is to be used for projects to enhance our area. You are all aware that the Car Park was refurbished with the money taken from the pay and display machines. With this money we have been able to keep our precept at the same level for the fourth year running. This has to be good news in light of the difficult financial climate we are living in. Councils around Braunton have had to increase their precept, we have been so lucky.
If you have any problems or difficulties that I could assist with please contact me by phone or through the office – 01271 343101.
Jasmine Chesters
Listening to Young People
Conservative Councillors Mrs Pat Barker and Philip Webb recently took part in a “Political Speed Dating” event at Braunton Community College. The Councillors were questioned by around twenty pupils from Year 8 in groups of two or three and found it fascinating to listen to the views of these youngsters and to understand the issues that concern them. It was a good opportunity to be able to explain what the Council does and some of the difficult decisions it has to make. The event concluded with coffee and cakes and we had to be quick off the mark before the students devoured all of the goodies on offer!
Conservative District Councillor Philip Webb has agreed to give £250 from his Community Grant Fund to support the continued visits of the Waverley and Balmoral ships to Ilfracombe. The Waverley is the last ocean going paddle steamer in the world and the Balmoral recently celebrated her 60th birthday. They are extremely popular tourist attractions and bring many thousands of tourists from South Wales and the Bristol area to the town to boost its economy. Both ships require expensive servicing and maintenance each year and Councillor Webb’s grant will help the charity that runs these vessels with such costs.
Councillor Webb with the Captain
of Balmoral on her 60th anniversary
The Balmoral
The Waverley
Conservative Councillors Support Local Business
Conservative Councillors Mrs Pat Barker (Georgeham & Morthoe) and Philip Webb (Ilfracombe West) have been very active in supporting Philip Dennis Food Service Ltd with their planning application for a wind turbine at their site at Mullacott Cross Industrial Estate near Ilfracombe.
Philip Dennis Food Service Ltd is a well respected and long established local company that currently employs 57 people at this site and plans to expand further now that its planning application has been granted. It will be able to reduce its energy bills by £180,000 a year thus protecting jobs and improving profitability. Philip Dennis will be the first frozen food wholesaler in the UK to have its own renewable energy source via its wind turbine.
The planners at North Devon Council had recommended refusal but Councillor Mrs Barker negotiated with them and Councillor Webb was instrumental in arranging a letter of support from Ilfracombe Town Council to be sent to the planners.
Both Councillors are very supportive of local businesses and congratulated John Dennis the Chairman of the company during a recent visit. Councillor Mrs Barker is Deputy Leader of the North Devon Council Conservative Group and Philip Webb is Shadow Executive member for Strategic Planning and Development at Ilfracombe.
Councillors Mrs Pat Barker and Philip Webb with Chairman John Dennis and his wife Elizabeth
Revamp of North Devon Council Constitution
Following the election the dust has settled and as the largest group with 18 member of the council we were not able to form an administration because the smaller groups seemed to favour the Liberal Democrats and joined with them to form an administration. We as the largest group will now form a formidable opposition. While we will embrace those things that we feel are beneficial to our North Devon residents we will of course highlight any irregularities that occur and come to light.
One area we are concerned about is the setting up of a new procedures committee. It is the make up and authority of the committee we have a problem with. This committee will revamp the North Devon Council Constitution these are the rules and procedures that council follows. We support that, however, this committee will then give itself the power to review councillors allowances and this will be done with 5 members from the new administration and one member from our group. I feel this is undemocratic. The 5 will press through any new arrangements and the one individual will be isolated should our group not agree.
Procedures Committee will consist of group leaders, lead by Mair Manuel. This means we have one representative for 18 members and then three group leaders representing 10 members between them and Brian Greenslad representing 14 members. My point is this is not democratic and this needs to be reviewed.