Devon’s food supply, NHS, farming, etc. are dangerously exposed to No Deal Brexit – the County Council must tell Theresa May on Thursday to stop this irresponsible course of action
There are mounting fears that if Theresa May allows a ‘No Deal’ Brexit to happen on 29th March, Devon will suffer serious harm including:
- shortages of imported foods, especially as Devon is near the end of many supply lines
- escalating staff shortages in the NHS and social care as European nurses and care workers are deterred from coming to take up jobs
- shortage of workers in the tourism and hospitality sectors – and care workers migrating to these jobs because of higher pay
- thousands of tons of animal feed blocked from coming in through Plymouth
- lamb exports to Europe prevented by Brexit red tape
- exporting businesses unprepared for the extra bureaucracy
- more business failures over the next year or so (Brexit has already been implicated in the Flybe, Barden, Ambrosia and Appledore crises).
After Devon County Council leader John Hart said in January that the council ‘hadn’t got a clue yet‘ about planning for a ‘No Deal’ Brexit, its chief executive was appointed by the Government – with barely 6 weeks to go before the UK crashed out of the EU – to coordinate local government responses in the South West. But whatever councils do at this late stage, they can only mitigate, not prevent, the likely harms.
Even if No Deal is averted, Brexit has already led to an economic slowdown and job losses, as well as discrimination against Europeans living in Devon. Exit on the terms agreed by May will be less bad than No Deal, but far worse than the bespoke membership of the EU which the UK currently has. When County Councillors consider the situation on Thursday, they have a duty to tell May to take urgent steps to prevent No Deal – and allow the public to vote on whether they want her Brexit or her remain in the EU.
School students’ climate protest in Exeter – we are following up at the County Council on Thursday
After hundreds joined the protest in Exeter yesterday (Devonlive picture) on Thursday I shall be seconding Green county councillor Jacqi Hodgson’s motion that Devon declare a ‘climate emergency’ (item 20 on the agenda).
Poll shows that @ClaireWrightInd could oust Tory @HugoSwire in a 2019 General Election
In a fantastic boost for the chances that East Devon will soon have an Independent MP, a YouGov poll which interviewed 40,000 people nationwide tips the East Devon constituency (including Exmouth, Sidmouth, Budleigh Salterton and Ottery St Mary) as the one seat in Devon that the Tories would lose if a General Election were held now. (Alas, Seaton and Colyton are not in this constituency.)
Claire, who is my Independent colleague on the County Council, increased her vote by 8,000 in 2017. She now needs a 6.7 per cent swing to win. The results last time show that Labour and the LibDems cannot win, and that Claire is the pro-NHS, pro-Europe candidate to support in East Devon.
| 2017 RESULT | EAST DEVON | VOTES | % | CHANGE +/- % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conservative | Hugo Swire | 29,306 | 48.5 | +2.1 |
| Independent | Claire Wright | 21,270 | 35.2 | +11.2 |
| Labour | Jan Ross | 6,857 | 11.4 | +1.1 |
| Liberal Democrat | Alison Eden | 1,468 | 2.4 | -4.4 |
| UKIP | Brigitte Graham | 1,203 | 2.0 | -10.6 |
| Independent | Peter Faithfull | 150 | 0.2 | +0.2 |
| Independent | Michael Val Davies | 128 | 0.2 | +0.2 |
Vote for Seaton Wetlands in the Best Nature Reserve category of BBC Countryfile Magazine’s 2019 Awards
The full story and link to vote are here
Local bus service 20, Seaton-Colyford-Colyton to Honiton and Taunton, will continue with a new contractor from 28th May
Bus Service 20: Seaton – Colyford – Colyton – Shute – Wilmington – Honiton – Dunkeswell – Hemyock – Culmstock – Nicholashayne – Wellington – Taunton
The County Council contract for operating Service 20 reaches the end of its statutory maximum eight-year term on 25th May 2019.
Following a retender, a new contract has been awarded to Dartline who will operate the service in place of Stagecoach from Tuesday 28th May (Monday being a Bank Holiday with no service).
There are no changes to the route, timetable or single or day return fares. Weekly tickets will also be available. The National Bus Pass continues to be valid as now.
Neil Parish votes FOR Theresa May’s deal after all
Despite having suggested he wouldn’t, Parish supported the government. Hugo Swire voted against.
Seaton Town Council issues statement on Peter Burrows’ actions, announcing meeting on 21st when a motion calling for his resignation as a councillor will be debated
The statement issued by the Town Clerk earlier today:
On Monday evening 7th January 2019 at the Seaton Town Council meeting, Councillors were advised by Cllr Burrows that he had been involved in an altercation on Facebook which resulted in him referring to himself as Mayor and using a Twitter account named “Seaton TIC” to ask members of the public to “avoid” The Hat micropub. However, Mr Gary Millar, proprietor of The Hat, had not been involved in the altercation and was therefore an entirely innocent party.
Seaton Town Council wishes to make it clear that despite using the term “Mayor”and using what purported to be a Tourist Information Centre account, Cllr Burrows was not authorised to use his title for personal matters, nor was he authorised to represent the TIC. He was acting in a purely private capacity and the Council dissociates itself from his actions. Nevertheless, we apologise unreservedly to Mr Millar and The Hat for the impression which Cllr Burrows gave that he was acting on behalf of the Council.
On Monday Cllr Burrows tendered his resignation as Chairman and Town Mayor because he recognised that his behaviour had brought his office as Town Mayor and the Council into disrepute. The Council will now report Cllr Burrows to the Monitoring Officer for breaching our Code of Conduct. The Council will also be considering a motion at a meeting on Monday 21st January, calling for Cllr Burrows to resign as a Town and District Councillor. The Council has also asked Cllr Burrows to close the Twitter account involved and he has done this.
Seaton Town Council enthusiastically supported the opening of The Hat and recognises the distinctive contribution this attractive, well-run establishment has already made to the town’s life. The Council is keen to support the town centre and The Hat is exactly the kind of new business we want to see in Seaton. Mr Millar has conducted himself with dignity throughout this affair and we deeply regret the harm Cllr Burrows attempted to cause to The Hat. We wish it and Mr Millar the very best for the future.
The first man known to ride a penny-farthing on Seaton esplanade, our historian and only Freeman, Ted Gosling, is 90 next week – nice write-up in @Devonshiremag
Go to http://devonshiremagazine.co.uk/currentissue/ and click for full screen. It’s on page 18. An opportune moment to think about how the Axe Valley community can secure his greatest legacy, Seaton Museum.
Seaton & Colyton MATTERS 