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Update 2008 No. 6

 

Published 17th July 2008

 

Dear Summerway Friend,

Please read only what catches your interest in this latest update.  On Tuesday, I received further direct confirmation that it was Exeter City Council which broke off negotiations with the Club, and not that the Club wouldn’t negotiate as has been falsely claimed.  This additional evidence has been circulated to the Committee.

Chatting with Dave, our Treasurer, last week at the Heavitree courts, he said something which struck me as being particularly apt and rather neat.  Dave has kindly granted permission to quote him, so here goes:  “Able to judge only in terms of money, the City Council regarded the Club as worthless, when in reality the Club and our children are priceless.”

Since Update No.5 last month, five pages have been added to our www.summerway.org  website.  The first three are emails to Ben Bradshaw MP, copied to Hannah Foster (the Conservative PPC), as indicated in the previous Update.  The other two are letters of objection in cases where national and local government are using the same dubious tactics as were used against Summerway and The Orchard.

•  Emails to MP (1 of 3)  -  General.  Covers issues relating to the Club, 10p tax band and informs that my local Post Office is one of those scheduled for closure.  (more)

•  Emails to MP (2 of 3)  -  Just 2%.  Did you realise that Exeter City Council thinks that one of its officers is worth more that 50 full time teachers and the benefit of the Club to 4,250 children?  (more)

•  Emails to MP (3 of 3)  -  Money or People?  Issues relating to the damage done to community, now being further exacerbated by Post Office closures.  (more)

•  Post Office Closures - A Consultation?  This is just a personal view.  You may see things differently and to a greater depth.  I would be prepared to listen and learn if this is the case.  (more)

•  £70,000 for a Status Symbol.  The residents of Heavitree are not happy, and called a public meeting about it.  Jenny, Andy and Phil accompanied me, and we observed the public’s overwhelming demand for reconsideration.  Subsequently, I submitted my own objection to this profligacy and attempt to bully.  Much concerning the ‘Heavitree Archway’ has appeared in the local press recently.  (more)

The Heavitree residents seem to have views similar to ours concerning the City Council’s lack of respect for democracy and its differing understanding of what constitutes consultation.  I hope to compare notes with the meeting organisers in a week or so, after the planning committee has made its decisions.  I think we may have found some allies.

•  What’s Happening Now?  There’s lots on the horizon, and much currently ongoing.  The Watchers group is growing at a healthy rate.  I really appreciate this live link with so many good friends with whom I have shared so much in the past, as well as all those new friends who are supporting the Club in its wish to serve future generations of children.  Much time has been spent recently cataloguing the Freedom of Information documents received from the Councils.  I ought to add a page to the website about this, as it is both interesting and highly revealing.  Consideration is also being given to a submission to the Boundary Commission.

All feedback is welcome.  I am listening hard to what people are telling me, and hope my efforts to present the consensus of your views to the relevant authorities and individuals will prove adequate and effective.

Warmest regards,

Jim.