East Devon Alliance
Official East Devon Alliance statement issued, on cooperation with Independent Group at EDDC
“The Independent East Devon Alliance looks forward to the promise of change made by the new ruling Independent Group. We will act as a critical friend, serving the best interests of the people of East Devon. There are challenging times ahead and only by working together will the Council be able to deliver change for the better. We are pleased that the Leader of the Independent Group accepted our request to explore democratic reform and a move from Cabinet governance to the more democratic Committees system in which all councillors play an equal part.”
East Devon Alliance tops polls in ALL Axe Valley wards as EDDC slips from Tory hands for the first time in its 45-year history. A truly historic moment! Many thanks to all who voted for change.
Left to right: happy East Devon Alliance Independents Dan Ledger (Seaton), Paul Hayward (Yarty), Sarah Jackson (Axminster), Paul Arnott (Coly Valley) and Jack Rowland (Seaton), who ALL topped the polls in their wards and were elected to EDDC for the first time, pictured at the count in Honiton this afternoon.
Together with EDA Independents in other wards, other Independents, Lib Dems and one Green, they have broken Tory rule in East Devon for the first time in its entire 45 year history. A colossal thanks to everyone who voted for us – we will work hard to change our district for the better.
SEATON result (elected) Dan Ledger (EDA) 1561, Jack Rowland (EDA) 1392, Marcus Hartnell (Con.) 1095, (not elected) Peter Burrows (Lib Dem) 515, Jacquie Russell (Con.) 504, Juliette Williams (Lib Dem) 300, Abi Jones (Lab.) 298, Terry Burrows (Lib Dem) 257.
COLY VALLEY: (elected) Paul Arnott (EDA) 938, Helen Parr (Con.) 851, (not elected) Andrew Pearsall (Con) 625, Carol Dawson (Lab) 382.
I’m talking tomorrow at The Beehive, Honiton – alongside @ClaireWrightInd – about my campaigning at Devon County Council for hospitals, cycle routes and road safety. Still some places free!
‘TIME FOR A CHANGE IN EAST DEVON’ – the East Devon Alliance’s open conference, 10-1 (doors open 9.30). Speakers (apart from Claire and me) include EDA leader and EDDC Councillor Cathy Gardner, Geoff Jung (also on EDDC) and Pam Barrett, Independent Chair responsible for the revolution in Buckfastleigh Parish Council. The inimitable Paul Arnott of Colyton, Chair of EDA, will preside. See you there!
‘Time for a Change’ in East Devon – @EDevonAlliance holding conference to bring together everyone fighting on health, environment, planning and other issues
Saturday 26th May, 10-1.30, Beehive, Honiton. A must-attend event for everyone who would like to see a change in local politics. If you’d like to come, please book your place via this link (there is no charge). I hope to see you there. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/45482525458?aff=d43c421797
All across East Devon people are worried about their HEALTH, their HOMES and their JOBS. Never has it been more important to involve yourself with local democracy in your district.. YOU CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.
The EAST DEVON ALLIANCE is trying to help with all of this, an umbrella group of Independent people, who since 2015 have won 7 district council seats and 1 county seat. The EDA is free from the negative influence of national parties who – at East Devon District Council – have acquired the arrogant habits of a Conservative one-party state.
This conference is for YOU. Speakers will include County Councillors CLAIRE WRIGHT and MARTIN SHAW, and PAM BARRETT, Chair of the Independent Buckfastleigh Town Council and regional expert on transforming democracy from the bottom up.
In two sessions you will be able to hear our experience and then CONTRIBUTE your own personal views:
a) how did the democratic deficit in East Devon happen? Or – the problem.
b) what can we do about it through democracy in our parishes, towns and district. Or – the solution.
Please come. We are all volunteers but if we band together now to fight for hospitals, homes and jobs we have a chance to change how our local area is run.
Parking: nearest is Lace Walk. 2 minute walk. If full, New Street, 5 mins
Hospital beds: public meeting with Claire Wright
CLAIRE WRIGHT, the Independent County Councillor on Devon’s Health Scrutiny committee who proposed the successful resolution to refer hospital beds closures to the Secretary of State for Health, will be speaking at a public meeting NEXT SATURDAY, 18th March at 4.30 in the Colyford Memorial Hall (A3052).
Claire has campaigned tirelessly to protect the NHS in Devon, as has EDDC Councillor CATHY GARDNER, Leader of the East Devon Alliance, who will also speak.
They will be joined by Independent East Devon Alliance candidates MARTIN SHAW (Seaton & Colyton), PAUL HAYWARD (Axminster) and PAUL ARNOTT (Sidmouth). All welcome.
DOWNLOAD POSTER for this event.
“Who Cares What You Think?” East Devon Independents’ conference
EDA has now organised an open conference on 23rd April for the Independent councillors to report back to interested voters on what has been happening in EDDC since last May. It will also to discuss the challenges facing the region, especially the so-called ‘devolution’ deal which will see the Local Enterprise Partnership, with a majority of business people, given a key role in governing Devon and Somerset.‘Devolution’ without democracy?
‘To most people “devolution” implies greater local involvement, local democratic power’, says the East Devon Alliance in a new Press Release (full text here), ‘but the process being followed for the “Heart of the South West” devolution bid has no democratic element at all:
- Input has been sought from the business community but neither the public nor elected Councillors have been consulted about either the process or on the content of the bid
- The information submitted so far has the logos of the Councils and implies endorsement by council members that has neither been explicitly sought or given
- The seven Nolan Principles have not been followed.’
EDA calls for the Heart of the South West devolution planning process to be more open and democratic, that both the public and elected representatives are regularly consulted, and that decisions involving the use of public funds (e.g. business rate revenue) to be made in public by accountable, elected representatives.
Seaton & Colyton MATTERS 