An excellent question from a member of the public at last night’s EDDC’s full council meeting asked, “Why do so few people bother to vote in local elections?” There seemed general agreement that it would be good to encourage more participation especially from the young.
And presumably this would mean trying to persuade younger working people- including young mums – to stand for councils to make them look more like society as a whole.
By the end of the meeting, however, this message seemed lost on some of the more reactionary members of the Majority
Cllr Claire Wright, recently elected to Devon County Council with the largest majority in the county, asked, reasonably, if the timing of meetings at the Knowle could take into account time pressures on mothers like herself with young children.
Several Tory gentlemen snapped back that they didn’t have problems, demonstrating their machismo and organising skills.
Then Deputy Leader Andrew Moulding rudely commented that he doubted whether Cllr Wright “would be able to cope” with her new responsibilities.
SIN has no doubts about Claire, but is a bit worried that the likes of Cllr Moulding might not be able to cope with the 21st Century!
Dinosaurs grazing at the Knowle?
24 May19 Responses to “Dinosaurs grazing at the Knowle?”
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March 1, 2014
[…] This is of course the same Councillor Moulding who was so concerned last year that a colleague might not be able to cope with her responsibilities…as reported by SIN: https://sidmouthindependentnews.wordpress.com/2013/05/24/dinosaurs-grazing-at-the-knowle/) […]
Sidmouth Independent News 
I am quite sure that there would be uproar if EDDC meetings clashed with the Lodge meetings that certain members attend.
Of course, Blessed Margaret not only had a very rich husband but also relied on nannies to bring up her children. Blessed Randall-Johnson and Diviani are unencumbered. Many of the current National Cabinet were sent to boarding schools at an early age.
No wonder they are out of touch with real life.
No not dinosaurs… East Devon is Triassic not Jurassic – around 40 to 60 million years earlier. So, only likely to have had reptile like species living in or around the Knowle area and represented by the geology we see today… That might alter the line you are taking. Triassic period does not have any fossils either – just lots of 240 million year old pebbles…
WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! Marker. At Seaton (which is in East Devon though I admit you would hardly know it so little attention does it get from EDDC) you can walk to all three periods – Beer cliffs (also in East Devon) are Cretaceous and moving from Axmouth (also in East Devon) to Lyme Regis it changes to Jurassic though I admit that I am not sure whether the Jurassic is within the East Devon border or not.
Really, you must be more careful with your so-called “evidence” .
Oh, and I forgot: Seaton DOES have a zone fossil, to be found at Seaton Hole. It is about the size of a pinhead but it does exist. The late well-known geologist and palaentologist Colin Dawes of Lyme Regis took great pride in showing it off.
I was focussing on the Knowle – Triassic. Keep your hair on!
Is this site aimed at promoting Claire Wright and rubbishing all conservative councillors?? Appears so. Is that independent?
If other councillors were as good as Ms Wright (see her majority in her area) I am sure this site would be compilimenting them. Sour grapes here, methinks. Or perhaps a whip?
I like it S Beard… Have looked at all the posts on Ms Wright’s blog 90% of them are complaining, campaigning or just plain agitating… I know that’s politics – especially if you are climbing the pole to be an MP… But doesn’t the lovely Mr Potter and also Bloxham do more in terms of POSITIVE contributions in BUILDING a better East Devon rather than always knocking those who are giving up time to work for a better future… It is easy to do what Mrs Wright does… It is not so easy to do something that adds value for future generations – ie deliver stuff… Ho hum Mr B… Maybe you are onto something… Mad, swivel eyed loons don’t like change, preferring to block change rather than embrace it… Could it be that they aren’t actually conservatives in this case!!!???
I am as appalled by the sexist and childish behaviour of many EDDC “leaders” as are any normal and honorable people. But to suggest that Freemasons lodges are involved in this pathetic show is not credible. Let’s stick to the facts – a popular and independent councillor- Claire Wright – (who’s views on many things do not match mine, but for whom I have great respect and for whom I would vote were I in her ward) is continually insulted by the EDDC leaders. The only conclusion to be reached is that they are intimidated by anyone of intelligence who dares to look after their constituents rather than follow the Diviani line.
And for the record I declare that I am a Freemason and I have never sought to gain any advantage by this – indeed I am obliged to declare the fact whenever it may be deemed to influence any matter. I also believe wholeheartedly that the vast majority of masons abide by these rules.
I don’t think to be fair that is what was said. The point was that those same councillors who critiise others for not attending meetings might be happy to be absent if those meetings conflict with more enjoyable ones, such as Masonic meetings or social occasions but show no understanding of how meeting times can be difficult for working parents who must balance the needs of their families.
Marker and Hibou – it appears that left wing ex polytechnic academics are enjoying the fun of stirring up trouble! Reminds me of the days in 1970s at university when extremist organisations took forward the debating chambers to the horror of the silent, more rational, majority. The trouble is we appear to have more retired rich socialist academics down here than most other places. A bit worrying for folk who just want to get on with their lives and earn a decent living!
No Simon Beard listed in East Devon. ‘the silent, more rational, majority’. That is the exact stance on Democracy taken by Mr Diviani !
“Not A Developer” – I have re-read the original comment and have to say you are right, and I stand corrected about my interpretation of it. Thank you. Of course, as you would expect, my comments on the downright rudeness of the EDDC leaders still stand.
A rather elitist comment Mr Beard. I would be interested to hear what you regard as extremist organisations.
Good question for Mr Beard!
But a pity this conversation has swung off the point of the 24 May SIN post, ‘Dinosaurs grazing’ , which was about the offensive remarks, directed at Councillor Wright at the recent Full Council meeting at Knowle, and why more people don’t bother to vote (Councillor Wright’s own Ward being a remarkable exception. See chart at SIN post, also 24 May, Councillors’ “absolutely outrageous behaviour” to fellow Councillor)
SIN will bring these central matters back into focus, in a new post later today.
I am beginning to wonder which of the contributors above is using
a nom-de-plume to conceal the fact he is the EDDC’s Tory whip.
hibou. I am happy that you stand corrected, I did not suggest the Freemasons were behind it, merely that people have different ideas about what other meetings/duties might be important enough to miss an untimely council meeting for. Whilst many of the members are retired, others, often the younger ones, are employed and cannot keep taking time off for meetings. It was clear that some of the old guard think that anyone with a life outside the chamber should be disqualified from being a councillor. However, I should like to see a council that is more representative of its constituents, and if that means making some accommodation for working members. or those with families, then so be it. Whilst I don’t subscribe to quotas, I should like to see more younger parents, as they are under-represented. Other sections of the community are certainly over-represented.