Blog
Date
30th and 31st October 2007 Highway maintenance is becoming an
emotive issue as I found out yesterday with a call from a local
resident who thought that 106 agreement money had gone to pay for
the reconstruction of footways in another part of Sidmouth. No
matter what I said the caller still wouldn't have it that this was
not the case. If only local authorities could ask developers for
funding towards highway and footway maintenance, all the backlog of
work that has come about through poor government settlement could be
completed now that would be good.
Date
28th and 29th October 2007 Now I've seen some interesting
ways to get kids involved in composting but the Roly Pig takes some
beating. These composting pigs that eat kitchen and other food waste
come in several brightly painted colours and produce A1 compost in a
12 week cycle. One of my fellow County Councillors has provided
several of these pigs to schools within his area around Barnstaple and
having seen them in action I am going to see if schools and
pre-schools in my area would be interested in adopting one of these
pigs. Date
27th October 2007 Wow that must have been one of the longest
Fire Authority meetings I can recall with such an important issue
being discussed as to whether dual crewing of the aerial appliances
should be introduced at Torbay, Exeter, Plymouth and Barnstaple. I
went into the meeting with an open mind however I wasn't convinced by
the case that was being put forward for change and felt that the lives
of both the public and our fire fighters could have been put at risk
by going down the dual crewing avenue and therefore I voted against
the proposal. Date
26th October 2007 Great news about ambulance/paramedic
cover in Sidmouth as the WCAT do a complete 'U' turn and not only
reinstate but increase cover at the Ambulance Station. It just goes
to show that if you make enough noise in the end someone does listen
to you. We now must continue the fight to ensure that our
Westcountry News Service remains here is the south west and isn't amalgamated
with other areas by ITV. Date
25th October 2007 Isn't it typical you miss the local news
once and everyone says that they have seen you on it. This time it
was regarding Broadclyst and their quest to be able to join the East
Devon Carnival Circuit. Carnival's are part of our culture and
certainly play an important role in boosting the local economy.
There are already eight carnivals on the East Devon Circuit and if
Broadclyst are given the green light then they will be the ninth.
This may however cause problems as some of the Devon clubs like to
take part in carnivals in Somerset and there are also not enough
Saturday's available. It will be an interesting debate at the next
carnival committee meeting.
Date
24th October 2007 The internet is truly amazing last night I
was trawling through Google in search of Ron 'Spook' Dickson and
Nightmare who appeared at Carinas in the 80's and guess what I found
Ron along with his telephone number and spent 30mins or so reminiscing.
With Halloween just around the corner one thing is for sure he is
going to be very busy. I now look forward to receiving a copy of his
album this time on CD. Date
23rd October 2007 The end of the month must be drawing near as I
have already received a question by one member for the meeting of the
Town Council regarding the upgrading of the crossing from a Pelican to
a Puffin (Pedestrian User Friendly Intelligent) in Radway outside the Conservative Club. Those who are
regular readers of my blog will no doubt already be aware of my
concerns of this crossing which is often not functioning due to its
age and the difficulty in obtaining spare parts. I also have concerns
over the short time period for pedestrians especially those not so
agile in getting from one side of the road to the other before the
lights turn green. A bid for funding has been submitted for 2008/09
and I am pleased to say that this is the first crossing on the list to
be upgraded. Date
22nd October 2007 Start of yet another week my doesn't
time fly. This week is of course half term and those involved in
tourism are hoping that the weather will remain dry and sunny which
will certainly help in making up for the poor start of the season. I
see that we are going to be graced with the presence of the remains
of the MSC Napoli until next spring, well I fear the worse as it is
hardly likely that we shall have two relatively quiet storm free
winters and if it does get bad the remains of the ship could well
cause pollution problems. Lets keep everything crossed that we can
get through the next 14 weeks without problems. Date
21st October 2007 Well the rugger result didn't turn out the
way we wanted it and nor did the F1 Championship and so commiserations
to Lewis Hamilton who just missed out on becoming the first Englishman since Damon Hill to lift the F1
crown. We'll all be cheering him on again next year.
Date
20th October 2007 World Cup Rugby fever has really taken
off in a big way and all we can do is wish our lads all the best and
look forward to them becoming the first squad ever to win back to back
World Cups. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't team up with Kenny
Rogers and do a remake of his classic track. Date
19th October 2007 Has the price of petrol and diesel gone up again?
It certainly appears that they have as it was only earlier this week
that diesel was on sale at Tesco at 98p a litre today the price is
99.9p other petrol stations are charging over £1.00 and unleaded
isn't far behind. The pending Turkish northern Iraq conflict will
drive prices up even more and this could well see the demise of many
rural petrol stations over the coming months. Here at Sidmouth we are
now down to our last petrol station in Woolbrook Road if that closes
there may well be an increase in cyclists and horse riders on our
roads as the nearest fuel available will be almost 10 miles away. Date
18th October 2007 Presenting a cheque today for £1,500
from my locality budget to Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce who have
taken up the gauntlet in raising the funds required to provide
Sidmouth with a CCTV system. At present criminals from across the
border (Somerset/Dorset) see us as a bit of a soft touch and so
hopefully it won't be too long before we have a system up and
running and I wish the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Chris
Taylor all the very best in his endeavours.
If you would like to donate towards the CCTV system contact Chris at
C&C Electrical Radway, Sidmouth. Date
17th October 2007 Green light given for the cycleway from
Sidford to Sid Park Road at a total scheme cost of £361k now that
is good news...what's even better news is that the first phase will
be started in the current financial year and will see the section
from Sid Park Road to Primley Road being constructed with a new
bridge over the River Sid.
Date
16th October 2007 At long last some movement is afoot on the
Sidmouth to Sidford Cycleway as it goes to the County Council
Executive to seek their agreement for the construction of the scheme
which is estimated to cost in the order of £361,000 of which there is
£189,000 of funding available in the current financial year from
Local Transport Plan funding which will enable the section from Sid
Park Road to Primley Road to be constructed. Two further phases of the
scheme will be required from Primley Road to Sidford Byes Lane with a
link to the college and the Fortescue Road link. I first called for
this scheme on the completion of the Sid Park Road to Salcombe Road
Cycleway and that was almost 10 years ago....I'm certainly pleased
that I didn't wait any longer the wheels of local government do turn
very slowly. Date
15th October 2007 Had the pleasure in presenting a defibrillator
to Derek Marchant of the Sidmouth Rugby Club on Saturday morning. This
very important piece of life saving equipment cost over £1,000 and
Roy Parsons set about fund raising more than £300 and then Derek
mentioned it to me and I agreed to providing the remaining £979 reqd
to purchase the equipment from my County Locality/Community budget.
Date
13th October 2007 At full council on Thursday I raised the
issue of Satnav and the problems that are being caused by HGV's being
directed down unsuitable roads, Fortescue Road is certainly one that
concerns me. Many local authorities are working together and assisting
the Ordinance Survey who have been commissioned by the Department of
Transport in developing a new freight map to help overcome this problem.
I asked the question are Devon working with others on this and if not
can steps be taken to do so at the earliest opportunity. I have been
assured that a full report will be going to a future Executive and so
fingers crossed something should be happening if it isn't already. Date
12th October 2007 The County Council unanimously agreed to my
notice of motion yesterday in endorsing representations to Ofcom,
the LGA, Members of Parliament and the ITV deploring the proposal to
close ITV's news operation in Plymouth and instead operate a
regional service from Bristol. Our news would be severely diminished
if this should go ahead and I believe that the local economy would
also suffer if this proposal should go ahead as many events that are
given much needed publicity on Westcountry's what's on diary and
attract visitors who are staying and have seen the local news won't
come. I would ask everyone to sign the petition to the Prime
Minister by going to and clicking on the following link. http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/SaveITVnews
Date
11th October 2007 Good news may be on the horizon as it
appears Stagecoach may have found the ideal location for their depot
to operate their buses from in and around Sidmouth. They have had
proactive talks with South West Water re: the Waste water treatment
works on the A375 between Sidford and Sidbury. It would appear to tick
all the boxes and I do hope that they are successful as moving away
from Sidmouth would lead to a diminished bus service. Date
10th October 2007 School Crossing Patrol at the rear entrance to
Sidmouth College has been given the green light which will be welcomed
by the parents of children who attend St Nicholas School and Sidmouth
Infants and who are eager to commence a walking bus to the schools.
Now all that needs to be done is find someone who is interested in
carrying out this very rewarding job.......anyone interested? if so
let me know. Date
8th October 2007 HGV's using satnav are causing all sorts
of problems around the County and here in Sidmouth we are also
experiencing problems with HGV's heading along the A3052 being
directed to the town via Fortescue Road. I have been pushing for an
weight limit on this section of road for some considerable time and
with the increased use of satnav designed for cars being used by HGV
drivers this weight limit is needed asap and I shall be shouting
about it until it is implemented. Date
7th October 2007 Good night for the Tango Juvenile Carnival
float 'Abracadabra' at Ilminster where it took 2nd place kicking the
100' Brimgrovers JCC into 3rd. Sidmouth Royalty also did well at
Broadclyst picking up a 3rd place but even more important will be
featured this week in a news item on Westcountry with the TV's
reporter taking a ride on the 'Blue Christmas' float. Carnival's are
part of our culture and I do hope that Broadclyst will be successful
in coming onto the East Devon Circuit.
Date
6th October 2007 The weekends here again and the weather is set
to be sunny and warm and so time to get out in the garden and prepare
for what the weathermen predict will be a cold winter...I perish the
thought. I have recently received several representations for
consideration to be given once again to Alexandria Road being made one
way between the Arcot/Woolbrook Rd junction and the turning into the
Industrial Estate. I do believe that this has some merits as long as
Winslade Road remains two way. I would welcome your thoughts on this
suggestion. Date
3rd October 2007 Lets talk tar macadam and Millford Road/Salcombe
Road where the constant wet surface created by those travelling through
the ford is always in a dire condition no matter how many times it is
resurfaced or patched up. I have now requested that someone should see
if there is a more porous surface treatment that can withstand the
constant wet conditions. Date
2nd October 2007 The momentum to save Westcountry News being axed
by ITV is growing. At last weeks East Devon Executive the members agreed
to lobby Ofcom, the LGA and ITV on the issue and next week I shall be
moving a notice of motion at both Sidmouth Town Council's Tourism and
Publicity Committee and at the County Council meeting next
Thursday. Date
1st October 2007 Well here we are at the start of another exciting
month and what have we got to look forward to? Petrol and Diesel on the
way up by 2p per litre taking prices at some garages to over £1.00 per
gallon this surely will see Labours popularity wane. As from 2008 there
will be a steady withdrawal of the light bulb as we know it. First to go
will be the 120 watt, and 100watt followed by 60 and 40 watt. This will
mean that all carnival floats will have to use low powered lights non of
which can either be dimmed or used on light controllers and so carnival
will either have to adapt or die. My club the Tango Juvenile Carnival Club
have been using the low powered lights in the roof of our float for
the last two years but still rely on coloured light bulbs for our flashing
light patterns. Anyway better watch this space.
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