Exmouth is getting embroiled in the Unitary Devon row that is being promogated by East Devon District Council and Exeter City Council. Quite simply the two councils are vying for their own place in the Devon structure to be continued (EDDC VERSION) or devolved from the Devon wide structure (ECC VERSION).What is at stake here is fundamental to the process of better government and more devolved functions to the population. On one hand there are those who wish to retain the status quo, mainly for their own interests, who include District councillors who fear the loss of their income and spheres of influence. On the other hand there are those who wish to not only retain their existing status but to increase their powers and in so doing presumably retain their not inconsiderable incomes. Taking the Exeter City council's view we (Exmouth) would become a part of a larger Council with responsibility for the whole of the present City and in addition the parishes of Exminster, Exton and Woodbury, Lympstone and Exmouth Town with some other small but not less important sections of East Devon. Budleigh Salter ton and Sidmouth would not be a part of this new council. Budleigh Salterton with its close proximity to Exmouth although fiercely independent is almost irrevocably bound the Exmouth.Historically Exeter has never been enthusiastic about generating closer links with Exmouth. This has been very well illustrated by the City Council's refusal to continue with its responsibilities as the harbour Authority for the river Exe whilst trying to hive this off on to other Councils and communities on each side of the river. Only nowwhen their future is in doubt are they willing to put up a very false front claiming that they always wished to work closely with the parishes and Exmouth in particular, so placing a marker for the setting up of such a new council.East Devon district Council or, the ruling tory members there on, are even more plain in their asperations. This council has already been found in possible breach of the local government protocol by issuing leaflet(s) that extol the political belief that EDDC is a model council and should be allowed to continue, rather than giving the relative facts and leaving the population to make up their minds.There are many who are very confused now about the whole thing and this leads one to believe that the consultation process is being disrupted by the actions of these two councils who are, despite only EDDC being investigated by the Audit Commission, probably both spreading false trails and promoting confusion within the population.For my own view I must say that I fell very strongly that the move to a single unitary Devon, excluding Torbay and Plymouth is the most beneficiary option to pursue. There are several questions in the proposal which need to be asked and which include the status and responsibilities of the 28 local boards that will be the local talking shops, and how they figure in the overall structure. Who or what involvement will the consultative groups have within this structure and are they to become unelected quango's? Exeter, in the Devon wide unitary scheme, will not have an elected council. this is quite wrong as we in Exmouth know. they should be "parished" and a new City council with the same responsibilities as a town council formed as have the other towns in the county.Labels: Local government review
