Limited edition set of official Rugby World Cup 2015 Exeter Host City Rugby balls have gone on sale

November 17, 2014, 5:22 am

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A limited edition set of official Rugby World Cup 2015 Exeter Host City Rugby balls have today gone on sale. The Heart of Devon Tourism Partnership is making 250 Rugby balls available, with a set of 12 being donated to local charities, and the rest being sold to raise funds to help promote Exeter to encourage tourism in the build up to next year's Tournament. Once the balls, priced at £25 each, are sold, no more will be available to buy. Derek Phillips, chairman of the Heart of Devon Tourism Partnership, said: "We're getting ready to welcome Rugby fans and the world to the Heart of Devon. Offering official Rugby World Cup 2015 Exeter Host City Rugby balls is a great way to let Rugby fans, sport clubs, businesses, community groups and charities show their support and get involved. "Working with Visit Devon, Visit England, England Rugby 2015 and Exeter City Council, our aim is for as many people as possible across the South West, the UK and beyond to know that Rugby is just one brilliant element of a fantastic package that we can offer visitors and tourists here in the wonderful Heart of Devon." The Rugby balls can be ordered via a form available on the Heart of Devon website www.heartofdevon.com/rugbyworldcup and are also on sale at the Exeter Visitor Information and Ticket Centre at Dix's Field, Exeter, EX1 1GF. The centre is also selling official Rugby World Cup 2015 merchandise and clothing. Charities interested in applying for a Rugby ball earmarked for fundraising purposes should contact victoria.hatfield@exeter.gov.uk The three Rugby World Cup 2015 matches being played at Sandy Park are: Tonga v Namibia, September 29, 2015 Namibia v Georgia, October 7, 2015 Italy v Romania, October 11, 2015 Exeter City Council will be operating a Fanzone celebrating Rugby World Cup 2015 showing matches on a big screen at Northernhay Gardens in the city centre, during the Tournament itself, dates of opening to be confirmed. The Heart of Devon Tourism Partnership and Exeter City Council is working with Visit Devon, Visit England and England 2015 on a wide range of initiatives to promote the area over the next 12 months.

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Update: A376 at Exmouth expected to reopen as clean-up continues

November 17, 2014, 5:47 am

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Devon County Council workers have been mopping up today after a busy few days, with heavy downpours causing more problems on the county's road network over the weekend. Parts of East Devon took the brunt of the storms, with Sidmouth, Exmouth, Newton Poppleford, Tipton St John, Metcombe, and Woodbury worst affected. The A376 at Exmouth remained closed at Monday lunchtime after the road surface at Courtlands Cross started to lift on Saturday evening. A gas leak was found which has been repaired. Work is ongoing to restore the road surface, and it is hoped it will re-open under two way temporary traffic lights by 4pm today (Monday). Until it opens, a diversion route is in place via Woodbury on the B3180 to the A3052 and vice versa. Investigations are also being carried out on the drainage system beneath the road. Elsewhere, around 40 tonnes of earth is being removed from Station Road, between the Bowd and Sidmouth, following a landslip. It is expected to re-open later today. In Sidmouth, Bulverton Road is closed as debris washed onto the road, and is currently being cleared. Cadhay Lane in Ottery St Mary has also been closed while damage to a culvert is inspected. There is surface water on the B3181 Hay House Junction at Broadclyst, but it is passable with care. Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management and Flood Prevention, said: "The weekend's weather has been atrocious, particularly in East Devon. The intense rainfall over the weekend caused some localised problems across our highway network. "Despite regular cleaning of gullies, such sharp downpours have again caused high levels of runoff in some locations, which carried soil and grit into gullies causing them to block. Fallen leaves and vegetation have caused further problems, washing onto gully grating and blocking the flow of water into the highway drainage system, and other drains have been inundated by the volume of water." Over the weekend, the A3052 at Four Elms Hill was closed overnight on Saturday due to large amounts of debris being washed onto the road. Debris was removed and gully covers were replaced, and the road was reopened at 7.30am on Sunday. Flooding was reported in the Pound Lane area of Exmouth, and in Sidmouth there was also flooding on Cotmaton Road, Woolbrook Road, Temple Street and Arcot Park.

Thousands raised for the Exeter Foundation by intrepid cyclists

November 17, 2014, 6:06 am

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More than £6,000 has been raised for the Exeter Foundation by a group of nine cyclists, who biked approximately 300 miles around the borders of Devon. The Tomahawk Tour raised a total of £12271, which has been split between the Exeter Foundation and Exeter Youth Rugby. Foundation XV member South West Communications Group (swcomms) played a major role in the Tomahawk Tour, which took place between the 3rd and 6th of September. The company's managing director Harry Langley helped organise the 300-mile event and two swcomms' employees, Dave Maskell and Timm Sharples, were among the nine volunteer riders. The rest of the team was made up by parents of children in Exeter Youth Rugby. The team took four days to cycle around the borders of Devon. The ride began at Sandy Park and followed the coastal route to Plymouth. Day two took the cyclists along the Tamar River to Barnstable while day three saw the team cross Exmoor and into Ilminster. The last day started at 6.30am with the team riding into Exmouth for 11am where they were met by Exeter Youth Rugby members and their families to cycle the Exe Estuary Trail to the club's new base at Oil Mill Lane. swcomms was also a gold sponsor of the event along with Kelway. The platinum sponsors were Exeter Airport, Gulf Aviation, Premier Communication Electronics and Towergate Insurance. For more information about the Exeter Foundation, please visit www.exeterfoundation.org.uk or email enquiries@exeterfoundation.org.uk

Taxi customer denies groping a hen night party goer after they shared a cab home, Exeter Crown Court told

November 17, 2014, 6:20 am

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A taxi customer has denied groping a hen night party goer after they shared a cab home. Jamie O'Loughlin allegedly put his hands under the guest's dress and pushed her up against a fence as he grabbed her bottom and private parts. The party goer told a jury at Exeter Crown Court he tried to force her hands into his lap as they shared a taxi and carried on his assault after they got out. O'Loughlin, 43, of Tiverton, denies sexually assaulting the woman in October last year. Miss Bathsheba Cassel, prosecuting, said the woman had been on a hen night in Exeter and Tiverton and ended up outside the Half Moon pub in the town where she met O'Loughlin. She said they agreed to share a taxi with two other men, both of whom were dropped off first, meaning they got out together a short distance from each of their houses. Miss Cassel said: "He took hold of the woman and would not let her go. He spoke lewdly to her and repeatedly touched her breasts and between her legs. "The assault lasted approximately 15 minutes even though throughout she consistently and repeatedly pleaded with him to let her go and stop the sexual touching. "She was also trying to physically push him away but he did not let go or stop touching. We say it was a predatory assault on a lone female late at night by a defendant in drink. "He groped her buttocks and between her legs and told her he wanted her and wanted to touch her even though she made it clear she was not consenting. "He pushed her against a garden fence and continued groping her. He told her if she kissed him he would let her go. She eventually agreed but it did not stop the assault. It continued for well after until he suddenly let her go." The woman said she was so traumatised she has not been able to wear the same dress again ever since. She said: "He was heavier and stronger than me and backed me up against a fence. He had his hands on my bum and between my legs and was pushing upwards against my thong. "He was saying he had to have me and had to feel me and wasn't going to go until he did." The trial continues.

New Age travellers site on outskirts of Exeter set to be cleared after 12 years

November 17, 2014, 6:38 am

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A woodland site in the outskirts of Exeter which has been occupied by travellers for more than a decade will soon be cleared, it has been revealed. Teignbridge District Council has revealed the current unauthorised traveller camp at Haldon is due to close on December 8, with it then being cleared and returned to woodland. The £1 million new site will be managed by Teign Housing, which has appointed someone to run the site on a day-to-day basis. It is due to open on December 5. Ten of the 15 pitches on the new site have been allocated and the remaining five are being held-back at the moment for any remaining residents on the current site to transfer. A Government grant has funded the new site and the clear-up of the current encampment. The site just off the A38 has been used by travellers illegally for 12 years. It is thought to be the first campsite in Britain purposely built for New Age travellers. It is thought some of the travellers on the existing site have been are put off by lease agreements, rent, service charges and council tax and prefer to stay 'off the grid'.

Exeter Chiefs and LV= call centre staff help Children in Need appeal

November 17, 2014, 6:59 am

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Volunteers at an Exeter call centre took more than £60,000 of donations for Children in Need. Around 100 staff at the city offices of insurance firm LV= manned 65 lines between 6.45pm and 11pm on Friday, handling over 2,000 calls. Exeter Chiefs players Sam Skinner and Stu Townsend, who have both played for England under-20s, supported their charity efforts by serving drinks and snacks to the volunteers for the first part of the evening. Steve Knight, chief operating officer at LV=, said: "We've worked with Children in Need for seven years now, however this is the first time we have opened our Exeter call centre. "It was a fantastic success with around 100 of our employees taking donations. The team had a great time and took around 2,000 calls and donations in excess of £60,000."

No Exeter Chiefs players in England squad

November 17, 2014, 7:00 am

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Despite sitting second in the Aviva Premiership, Exeter Chiefs do not have any players in England's 28-man squad preparing for Saturday's game against Samoa. Head coach Stuart Lancaster announed his squad this afternoon, with the team due to be named on Wednesday. Winger Jack Nowell was in the squad the previous two weeks and centre Henry Slade was also involved two weeks ago. But neither of them will be involved this week so can prepare with their Chiefs teammates for Saturday's match at home against Wasps (3pm). Luther Burrell is back in the squad after proving his fitness against Exeter on Friday evening, Semesa Rokoduguni, who missed Saturday's 31-28 defeat to South Africa with a thigh injury, has not recovered sufficiently to retake his place while Bath colleague Kyle Eastmond suffered concussion towards the end of the match on Saturday. "We have narrowed the group to give us more focus in training," said Lancaster. "It's good to have Luther back in camp after recovering from his hand injury and we'll see how he gets on in training this week. "Roko will stay with Bath as he returns to fitness. Kyle suffered a bang to the head at the end of the game and he will be undergoing the graduated return to play protocol with us."

Hundreds more streetlights to be switched off across Exeter this week

November 17, 2014, 7:09 am

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Around 650 streetlights in residential streets in Duryard and Pennsylvania in Exeter will be converted to part-night lighting from Wednesday. Streetlights previously on all-night will be switched off from about 12:30am to 5:30am, before coming on again until dawn. The change is part of Devon County Council's on-going programme to reduce costs and carbon emissions across the county. Lighting on the main roads and busiest routes, including Prince of Wales Road, Union Road, Pennsylvania Road, Stoke Hill, Higher Kings Avenue, Higher Hoopern Lane, Sylvan Road, Lower Argyll Road, Copplestone Drive, Streatham Drive and Rosebarn Avenue will remain lit all night. This latest phase of Devon's part-night lighting scheme takes the total number of converted residential street lights to over 44,000, having already been introduced in communities across Devon. Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: "The on-going introduction of part night street lighting across Devon is proving to be a success in cutting carbon emissions and costs. We need to reduce our energy bills and emissions – just as any business or household would. "The feedback we received during the city-wide consultation events has helped develop the scheme and we have been able to create a network of busy 'walking home routes' which will remain lit all night. Busy areas of the city centre and main roads will also remain lit all night." Councillor Percy Prowse, local Member for Duryard and Pennsylvania, said: "I'm pleased we've been able to keep residents up to date with regular newsletters on this issue and largely people are content, but where there were some concerns about very steep steps, namely in Linnet Close, Plassey Close, Widecombe Way and Galmpton Rise, I'm glad to hear the lights will be left on all night." Devon County Council is responsible for over 77,000 street lights, which cost around £3.2 million in electricity in 2013/14 and produce nearly 20,000 tonnes of CO2. "This accounts for around 30% of the County Council's annual emissions, which stands at almost 62,000 tonnes of CO2, and is the equivalent of the total annual energy use of 7,300 average Devon homes or a town about the size of Honiton. The conversion to part-night lighting across Devon began in 2009. The policy has so far reduced CO2 emissions by more than 4,000 tonnes and is saving around £450,000 a year from the Council's electricity bill.

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Concerns over impact of future housing developments on main Exeter to Exmouth road

November 17, 2014, 7:45 am

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A leading county councillor has expressed concerns at the impact future housing developments in Exmouth will have on the busy A376 to Exeter but has stressed that "improved public transport" is the answer. So far, 350 homes have been earmarked at Goodmores Farm off Hulham Road and a further 350 approved at Plumb Park near Littleham, with 150 proposed for a site between Hulham Road and Higher Marley Road. Residents have taken to Facebook to express their concerns via the Exmouth Voice page that when there are more houses built, the road network will not be able to cope, particularly if unforeseen circumstances arise such as that we have seen over the last two days with the diversion from the busy A376 due to flood damage. In response, Devon County Council ward member for Exmouth, Councillor Eileen Wragg said she too is concerned at the impact hundreds of proposed new homes in Exmouth will have on the busy A376, but she said she believes the answer lies in the improvement to public transport. "Safety of the public was paramount in this situation so the county council cannot be criticised for taking the decision to close part of the road and they have been working as fat as they can to resolve the issue," she said. "The proposed Dinan Way link road would not have alleviated the problem because it links motorists to the A376. "I am worried about the impact on the road network as a result of new homes, but installing new roads is a difficult business because of land ownership and purchase of land. "And any new roads have to be funded by developers, it's as simple as that. "Public transport is not an option for everyone depending on where their place of work is, but improved public transport is the way of improving the issue of heavy traffic in and out of Exmouth."

Council officials request financial details relating to Honiton's community complex from the town council

November 17, 2014, 7:57 am

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East Devon District Council officials have requested the financial details relating to Honiton's community complex from the town council. A district council spokesperson confirmed that as title holder for the Beehive and a financial contributor, requesting such information is "routine" and the authority was ensuring a "thorough" approach. A district council spokesperson, said: "The district council has asked Honiton Town Council to provide a financial statement and other information relating to the completion of the Beehive, details of any relevant operational issues and an outline of the proposed new management regime for the facility. "As title holder for the building and also as a financial contributor to the project, following due process is a matter of routine. "This is what the district council is doing by ensuring that it is thorough in its pursuance of all relevant documentation as to the current and future governance of the Beehive." As previously reported by the Echo, HONITON town councillors this month agreed to borrow an extra £100,000 in case extra payment is required to cover the costs of the construction of the town's ambitious £2m Beehive project. After a heated discussion at the full council meeting on Monday, November 10, there was a 50/50 split between the councillors, with half in favour of the borrowing plan and half against it. The mayor's casting vote swung it in favour of the recommendation. An application will now be made to the Public Works Loan Board for the funds. The council was informed that an estimated £98,000 is needed to cover any outstanding construction costs, as a "worst case" scenario. The Beehive Community Complex has been a 20-year vision of the town council and is widely regarded as a huge asset to the community, with about 1,000 people making use of it each week. The controversy arose in discussion about a current dispute over invoices covering additional building costs of about £75,000 for the Beehive Community Complex, which are described as a variation to the initial build quote by building contractor Midas. But it is understood that this disputed amount has already been paid, so some councillors were concerned at the prospect of taking out a loan while the dispute over the invoices still had not been settled, in case a rebate is in fact due to the council. According to a report drawn up by the town clerk and presented to the council, the loan would be repaid over 25 years, at no extra cost to the tax payer, through funds generated from the Beehive car park and surplus money accrued via the precept for the existing loan. The report confirms that the loan is to ensure that the council's reserves are not depleted. The report added: "Although the building is complete and a Certificate of Completion is obtained, additional variations brought to the town council's attention are being addressed and discussions are continuing to establish why these were not included in the original specification. "Every attempt is being made to ensure that the town council only pays for genuine variations that were essential to the project. "The council is working closely with the project management team to ensure that final account will only reflect the actual cost that the town council is liable to pay." Deputy mayor, councillor John Zarczynski, who voted against the loan, said: "I understand the reasons the council needs to raise the extra funds – in case we are held liable for contractual changes that our project management team is in the process of negotiating with Midas over. "But, as councillors are fully aware, there has been an overspend of disputed invoices and until this is fully resolved we don't know how much we will be liable for on the final bill." Residents have recently seen a 30 per cent council tax rise to help pay for a 28-year, £53,500-per-year loan that the town council took out to pay for the Beehive. Some town councillors have raised concerns at the financial impact.

Psychiatric nurse jailed for fondling a patient in her bed at a Devon hospital

November 17, 2014, 8:43 am

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A psychiatric nurse has been jailed for fondling a patient in her bed at a mental hospital after he developed an infatuation with her. Carl Tinker became obsessed with the attractive 30-year-old while he was treating her at a Devon hospital and started a physical relationship by kissing her during an escorted shopping trip. He went on to touch her breasts under her pyjamas as she lay in bed and to grope her over clothing on another visit to her room. Tinker was more than ten years older than the patient but carried on seeing her after she was discharged and kissed and fondled her again after visiting her home. Tinker was found guilty of abusing his position as a nurse after a jury rejected his claim that he had been very fond of the woman but not crossed the line by touching her. He was jailed after a judge told him he allowed his obsession with the woman to overwhelm his professional responsibilities. Nursing assistant Tinker, aged 49, who now lives of Trinity Street, Huddersfield, denied three counts of sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder by a carer. He was found guilty and jailed for two years and three months by Judge Phillip Wassall. The judge told him: "You were a care worker and this woman was temporarily suffering from a serious mental disorder. The fact is you simply fell for her. "You became infatuated with her and allowed your feelings for her to completely overcome your common sense and professional good judgement. "This was not deliberate cold blooded grooming. It was a fascination which led you to draw her into a relationship. "The reason the law exists is to protect people when they are very vulnerable from people who care for them. It was likely any show of affection would be seized upon and returned. "Anyone who was in a position of caring for those with mental disorders must expect immediate custody because these offences need to be taken very seriously to deter others." Richard Crabb, prosecuting, said the three offences were committed while the patient was being treated in Devon. There was greater sexual contact after she was discharged but this was not illegal as she was no longer in his care. Nigel Wraith, defending, said these revelations had ended an otherwise blameless 23 year career as a nursing assistant, but he now helps look after his father in Huddersfield. He said Tinker now plans to set up his own business making rustic furniture. He has had to live with this case hanging over him for years. During a trial in September the woman told the jury she spent two short stays in hospital in the summer of 2007 and Tinker was kind and friendly to her. She said she did not report the incidents at the time because she had consented to all the activity and only realised it was illegal when she started a university course in social care. Tinker said he found the woman attractive but went no further than holding her hand.

Devon holiday camp manager denies raping a teenage worker in his chalet

November 17, 2014, 8:50 am

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A holiday camp manager has denied raping a teenaged worker in his chalet after rigging her shifts to make sure she missed her last bus home. David Mason took advantage of the naïve 19-year-old who was left with no option but to share his accommodation at the camp in Devon, a jury have been told. He was the catering manager at the holiday park when the alleged sex attacks took place almost a decade ago. The teenager, who has since been diagnosed as autistic and a mood disorder, worked for him in the kitchens at the resort during the summer season and alleges she was subjected to regular assaults. Mason, 55, of Grove Cottages, Bournemouth, Dorset, denies four charges of rape. David Sapiecha, prosecuting, said he used his position to manipulate the woman into submitting to sex and exploited her obvious vulnerability. He said Mason ignored her objections and used acts of violence including biting her and burning her with a cigarette to enforce his will through fear. Mr Sapiecha said: "In this case the jury must consider the power relationship. He was manipulative in what he did after she started work and changed her rosters so she had to work late and miss both the last public bus and a staff bus. "He made her miss the buses. He had control over that. He was also paying her more than other workers. She needed the money and felt she had to do what he wanted because he was the boss. "He also bit her roughly and on one occasion used a lighted cigarette on her and she was worried. The four alleged rapes are examples of what she says happened numerous times. "Soon after she started work he changed her hours meaning she had no simple way of getting home and she ended up having to stay the night in his chalet. "She thought one would sleep in the bed and the other on the sofa but he got into bed with her and began sexual activity. It developed and whenever she stayed he had sex with her. "He was using her. This was not a normal give and take relationship. She did not want it but felt compelled. He was her boss. She needed the money, and there was a nasty side to him that worried her. "She did not have the mental character and fortitude to turn him down but she did make it clear she did not want it to happen. At times she tried to push him away but he would bite her more harshly." He told police she instigated sex after he put her up in his chalet one night. He said they both enjoyed consensual sex during the summer. He denied arranging to pay her extra or plying her with vodka. The trial continues.

A pub footballer allegedly attacked a teammate after a charity match in Exeter

November 17, 2014, 8:59 am

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A pub footballer allegedly attacked a teammate after a charity match. Colin Roast set on victim William Hart in the gents at an Exeter pub and hit his head so hard against a urinal that it smashed, a jury has been told. The two men had just finished a charity football match in which they both played for the Green Gables before going to the Buddle Lane pub to drink. Exeter Crown Court has been shown CCTV images from the pub showing Roast following Mr Hart into the toilets and coming out 33 seconds later, followed after another eight seconds by Mr Hart, still pulling up his trousers. Roast, aged 47, of Kinnerton Court, Exeter, denies causing actual bodily harm in the alleged attack in June last year. Miss Janice Eagles, prosecuting, said the two men were distantly related by marriage and there was ill feeling between them because Roast believed Mr Hart had slept with his wife. She said Roast had made threats to Mr Hart's mother, telling him he was going to cause him serious damage and telling her 'he's no longer a boy and he's going to take the punishment'. Mr Hart was called as a late replacement in a charity match to play for the Green Gables at Salmon Pool Lane and Roast was on the same team. They went back to the pub and were drinking outside if different groups outside before the incident which happened shortly before 3.30 pm. Miss Eagles said CCTV showed Roast visiting the toilets a minute before the attack and leaving. He then returned straight away when he saw Mr Hart going to the gents and followed him in. She said:"We say Hart was using the urinal when he noticed someone come in. He says Roast punched him and grabbed him in a headlock. "He tried to release the grip but Roast forced him against the toilet, which broke causing a wound to the back of his head. "When Roast came out he was heard to say 'family or not, he should not be screwing my wife'." Mr Hart suffered a four to five centimetre wound which needed stitches. Roast told police the injuries were accidental. He said Mr Hart came towards him as he went into the toilets and he slipped on the wet floor when he pushed him back. He said Mr Hart was unsteady on his feet after drinking a yard of ale. The trial continues.

Protest at County Hall in Exeter over proposed hospital bed closures

November 17, 2014, 10:28 am

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Residents of Ottery St Mary have gathered at the steps of County Hall this afternoon in a bid to win councillors' support in their fight against the NHS's proposed hospital beds closures. Brandishing placards bearing slogans including 'Save Ottery Hospital' and 'Save our Beds', a coach load of between 30 and 40 campaigners united to express their concern at the effects the closures may have on some of their community's most vulnerable members. The North, East and West Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is proposing to close all inpatient beds at Ottery St Mary, Axminster and Crediton hospitals, as well as Ottery's Minor Injuries Unit, which has now closed due to under staffing issues. The CCG, which is £14m in debt, unveiled its plans on Wednesday, September 17, launching a 12-week consultation which is due to come to an end in December. The CCG's Transforming Community Services document for Eastern Devon explains that the healthcare vision is for a model where community healthcare is more closely integrated with social care. It also explains that the aim is to improve care in the community, increasing the number of healthcare professionals and therefore close hospital beds to fund this change. Devon County Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee is due to discuss the proposals at their meeting today, at 2pm. A bus, paid for by Otter Nurseries, left Ottery at 1pm so campaigners could make their stance before the meeting. The general feeling among the protesters was one of concern that care in the community can never replace the care provided in community hospitals. Retired doctor, Bradshaw Smith, 80, said: "Care in the community is all very well, but what about the person who needs help late in the day on the weekend, or in acute situations? Will the care be available then? "And what happens after a person is tended to at home? "For some people, a hospital bed in a community hospital, is what they need." Joyce Cuerden, 71, added: "Some people when they come out of hospital, need constant nursing, so a community hospital bed is what they need, how will this same level of care be achieved in the community? "I've experienced the wonderful nursing care at Ottery hospital, which has a calm and caring environment, which is necessary for a lot of people before they go home to recuperate." Under the CCG's proposals, the aim is to improve care in the community, increasing the number of healthcare professionals and therefore close hospital beds to fund this change. As previously reported by the Echo, despite telling Devon County Council's Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee that the hospital was "running out of capacity", in a statement the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust backed the CCG's reasoning for the changes, stating that the current model of provision is "simply not sustainable or affordable". But Ottery St Mary ward member, Councillor Claire Wright, who is also a member of Devon County Council's Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee accused the CCG of pursuing an "ideological" way forward rather than the "right way" forward for patients. Cllr Wright, who attended the protest before the meeting, has also long called for details of the financial justification for the proposals and said the lack of information is akin to a lack of transparency in the process.

Devon and Cornwall Police commissioner Tony Hogg slams long waits for callers dialling 101 non-emergency number

November 20, 2014, 3:25 am

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Devon and Cornwall's police commissioner has slated the non-emergency 101 system as "patently inadequate" after an investigation found a fifth of callers wait more than 20 minutes for a full response. In a report published today Tony Hogg said action was urgently needed to improve an "unacceptable" system. But a senior police officer said there had been a "missed opportunity" to detail exactly what was 'acceptable' for a call centre handling thousands of both 999 and 101 calls daily. Mr Hogg said he was concerned long delays in 101 may discourage people from calling in the first place. "There is evidence that people are thinking 'why bother?" he said. "This may breed apathy and disillusionment in the policing system." He added: "The results (of the investigation) are that half of callers will wait more than 10 minutes. That is simply not good enough and wouldn't be tolerated in industry, so there's no reason we should tolerate in the police." At present, calls to the 101 service are picked up by switchboard with 86% answered in 30 seconds. However most are transferred to the force enquiry centre, with callers waiting an average of six minutes, half waiting 10 minutes and a fifth waiting longer than 20 minutes. Mr Hogg said the call handlers were professional, well trained and focussed on providing the best possible service. However, he said they were being let down by a system which should perform better. Chief Superintendent Jim Nye, commander of the operations department, accepted the report but said it only addressed timeliness rather than extent and quality of care given to victims. The operations room deals with 600,000 non-emergency calls every year. The same team of operators deal with 999 emergencies, which on an ordinary day can number 500 but under circumstances like the winter storms can treble. "Priority will always be given to 999 calls," said Chief Supt Nye. "Any major incident will always generate a significant amount of 999 traffic into the contact centre and that builds delays into the 101 system." Chief Supt Nye said the report had been a "missed opportunity" to detail what exactly was acceptable. "I recognise the timeliness issue but it would have been nice to have some comment on what acceptable was," he said. He said Devon and Cornwall Police are also well into a project to improve 101, which included an automated answering service and an online tracking system for crime.

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Police in Devon release CCTV of men wanted over "nasty" attack on two teenage women

November 20, 2014, 3:30 am

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≪ Previous: Devon and Cornwall Police commissioner Tony Hogg slams long waits for callers dialling 101 non-emergency number

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POLICE are appealing for help in identifying two men who launched a nasty attack on two teenage women in the centre of Newton Abbot. One of the women was allegedly punched in the head and thrown on the floor and the second woman was thrown backwards into a post box. Both the 18 and 19-year-old women were injured and received medical treatment. One was given stitches above her left eye. The attack took place outside Burger King, Queen Street between 1.45am and 2.15am on Saturday October 25. Police have released CCTV images of the suspects and are appealing to anyone who recognises either man to contact them. PC Graham Root said: "The two females were walking along Queen Street and as they approached Burger King a man eating a kebab smashed a bottle of beer at their feet. "A verbal altercation ensured, at which point the man allegedly punched one of the females to the head and threw her to the floor. "Her friend tried to intervene but a second man allegedly hit her in the face with his kebab before throwing her backwards into a post box. "This was a nasty attack. "Both females had to receive medical treatment for their respective injuries." The man who allegedly threw the beer bottle is described as being white and wearing a black shirt or top. The other man is described as being 5ft 10ins tall with mousy coloured short hair and wearing a blue top. Anyone with information can phone 101 quoting police reference CR/117521/14 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or report online at www.Crimestoppers-uk-org.

Crowds set to enjoy Exeter's Christmas lights switch-on in Princesshay and Guildhall Shopping Centre

November 20, 2014, 3:30 am

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Thousands of people are expected to pack into the city centre to watch Exeter's Christmas lights being switched on. And the ceremony in the city centre also marks the start of Christmas late-night shopping. The lights will be switched on at 6.30pm today (Thursday, November 20) and the event runs from 4pm to 8pm. European Athletics Championship Gold medallist Jo Pavey, and BBC Devon's Judi Spiers, together with members of Exeter Chiefs rugby team, switch on the city centre's Christmas lights in Princesshay. TV star Caroline Quentin had been due to attend but pulled out earlier today. A ceremony will also be held at the same time to mark the light up at the Guildhall Shopping Centre. Visitors and shoppers to Princesshay will be treated to a festive programme of entertainment throughout the event. Local band To the Sun, the Exeter University Jazz Orchestra, Exeter University Soul Choir will perform and Exeter's X Factor finalist Shelley Smith will close the show. There will be performances from Razzmatazz Theatre School, Wonder Production Pantomime and Pinhoe Pantomime cast, will also keep the crowds entertained. Compering the main event will be Heart Radio's breakfast presenters. Jo Pavey said: "It's such a huge honour to be asked to switch on the Christmas lights as I am very proud to have been born and brought up in the Exeter area. "I have been a member of Exeter Harriers athletics club since I was 13, so it's nice to be able to represent the city when I compete. I attended Exeter College and still live just outside the city and so it is really lovely to be asked to do something like this in my local community." Caroline Quentin said: "As patron of Families for Children Adoption I am delighted to be switching on the Christmas lights in Princesshay. "My charity has a long association with the management team at Princesshay with them welcoming us for many adoption awareness events throughout the year." Meanwhile at the Guildhall Shopping Centre, the fun starts at 4pm with Ashley Jeary from Radio Exe broadcasting his show live from the centre, with highlights including Chiefs v City in a fun quiz, and the announcement of a Christmas car competition winner. Centre mascot Bertie and Santa Claus will be roaming around meeting and greeting young visitors. After the lights are switched on, local band Sound of the Sirens will be performing live. The popular street food market will be open from 9am until 9pm, along with a pop-up pub. Customers will have a chance to be entered into a free prize draw to win a selection of prizes including £50 Love To Shop and £50 Sainsbury's vouchers and a Kobo e-book reader.

Row over 'insane' plan to scrap Exeter city centre management partnership

November 20, 2014, 3:42 am

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Concerns have been raised about the impact of plans to dissolve Exeter's city centre management partnership in the lead-up to Christmas. The partnership – which brings together council and business representatives to promote the High Street and surrounding area – is set to be wound up on November 28. It is unclear what will happen to the city centre manager post – held by John Harvey since 1997 – at the end of the financial year. Exeter City Council has blamed a funding shortfall for the sudden decision to dissolve the partnership, after Devon County Council withdrew its £20,000 a year contribution. In a letter to members, partnership chairman David Shawyer and Councillor Rosie Denham, Exeter's portfolio holder for economy and culture, argued that "the future focus of effort and resource has to come from" the proposed Business Improvement District. A vote on establishing a BID will be held in February. If approved by a majority of businesses in the area, it would start operating in April. But with the letter noting that "a successful vote is far from guaranteed", some have questioned why the partnership is being wound up now. Guildhall Shopping Centre manager Andrew McNeilly described the decision as "insane". He said: "I can completely understand that if the BID is successful there's no place for the partnership. "So if a BID is created we need to put in place an exit strategy for the partnership, when it would be dissolved and the relevant parties are able to potentially apply for a position within the BID partnership. "But I'm at a complete loss to understand the insanity of a decision to get rid of the partnership a month before Christmas and leave us with no ambassadorial representation for the city centre, and therefore no coordination between local authority teams and local businesses." Councillor Denham said activities undertaken in managing the city centre would continue to be carried out in the interim. But Mr McNeilly was unconvinced, arguing that the city centre manager performed an important ambassadorial role, as well as communicating information and coordinating activities. "I don't know who has authorised this but they should take a look around the country and see how many other cities don't have city centre managers – why should Exeter?" he said. "There's an assumption that if the BID is successful somehow this will magically be in place from April 1, but engaging the right individuals to run it could take three months, so actually we could be talking about eight months without a city centre manager. "And if the BID doesn't go through, then what? "It just seems insane. From a business perspective, I do not understand the logic." Mr McNeilly, a member and former chairman of the city centre management partnership board, also criticised the way the move to scrap the body had been handled, adding: "I have a significant number of concerns, and as a financially contributing board member frankly I'm pretty disgusted that I wasn't even consulted." Explaining why she is recommending that the partnership be dissolved, Councillor Denham said: "Devon County Council has ended its £20,000-a-year contribution to the partnership. "Funding has always been split between the two councils and private business and therefore the unilateral withdrawal from city centre management means that it is appropriate that a new governance emerges for the city centre led by the private sector." Councillor Denham added: "Under Andrew's chairmanship in 2013 of the city centre management partnership board, the county council withdrew from the partnership and withdrew its funding. "Sadly, there has been no proposal on the table to replace that funding or indeed to come up with any other financial model for funding the activities of the board. "Although the board was refreshed last year, and the chairman and others tried to increase membership, the board has been unable to meet. Therefore, in practice we ceased to have a functioning partnership, against this background the board chairman and I have written to the members of the partnership to formally consider dissolving the partnership. "It is right that the partners of the board are consulted on the future and that is exactly what the letter to the membership has done." Mr Shawyer, franchisee of McDonald's in Exeter High Street, added: "There is a pressing need to review how the private sector can and should take up the leadership and resourcing of whatever approach is now needed to the threats and opportunities specifically facing Exeter's city centre businesses." He added: "The proposed Business Improvement District provides a real opportunity for businesses to work together, supported by the city council, to effectively shape the future of the city. "We should work hard collectively, putting all our efforts toward a successful vote and the implementation of a range of successful projects to enable the city centre to thrive. A successful vote is far from guaranteed and the levy payers will need to work well together to establish the BID before it can develop a more strategic role." Wayne Pearce, Princesshay centre manager, said: "From our point of view the introduction of the BID, which we expect to go ahead in the spring, would mean that a number of activities which would have previously been undertaken by the city centre management partnership would now be carried out by the BID company. "I don't have any particular concerns about Christmas because planning for most of the activities like the lights takes place earlier in the year so these plans are already in place. "I'm confident that the outcome of the ballot this time will be a 'yes' vote, and that there will be a smooth transition." Mr Harvey said he was unable to comment at this stage.

Scammers net over £100,000 in new Devon phone frauds

November 20, 2014, 3:57 am

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Three further incidents of telephone fraud have been reported to police in the Honiton, Crediton and St Agnes areas of Devon and Cornwall, totalling £138,000. Fraudsters contact victims by telephone informing them that their accounts have been fraudulently accessed or that the bank has increased security. Victims are then instructed to contact a false helpline or redial a legitimate number, with the current line kept open. The victim is tricked into thinking they are being put through to their bank. The victim is then instructed to attend their bank and withdraw money (typically ranging into several thousands) or divulge cards or pin numbers. Police are warning the public, particularly older residents, not to go along with this scam and to report any attempts to the police, by calling 101. Detective Chief Inspector for Devon and Cornwall, John Shuttleworth, said: "Telephone fraud has a devastating effect on victims, who are often elderly and in many cases are vulnerable. Victims have been scammed out of thousands of pounds, often their life savings. "Progress is being made with making arrests of perpetrators, but there are others out there committing this type of crime. People need to remain vigilant. "If in doubt about a phone call, people should hang up and report any information they have to police. It is advised that people do not enter into conversations with anyone on the telephone about personal financial information. "We are also urging the staff of banks and other financial institutions to look out for possible victims who are withdrawing large sums of cash. Ideally they should try and find out the reason for the withdrawal, recording as much information as possible. Then contact police, advising the customer you are doing so." If you receive a phone call of this nature, police advise you to: • End the phone call immediately. Wait at least five minutes to clear the line from the scammer before making any other calls, or use another phone.• Report the offence as soon as possible to police by telephoning 101. Please remember:• Your bank will never come to your home. • Your bank and the police will never collect your bank card or cash.• Your bank and the police will never ask for your PIN. Anyone with any information about this fraud can contact police on 101, quoting Op Fardel crime reference JN/14/932.

Men Behaving Badly star Caroline Quentin pulls out of Exeter light switch on

November 20, 2014, 4:04 am

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MEN Behaving Badly star Caroline Quentin has pulled out of switching on the Christmas lights in Exeter this evening – with BBC Devon's Judi Spiers taking her place. Ms Quentin was due to flick the switch to lighten up Princesshay Shopping Centre but a spokesman for the centre has confirmed she now won't be appearing. No explanation for her no-show was given. Athlete Jo Pavey is still due to take to the stage and will switch on the lights alongside Judi at 6.30pm. A spokesman said: "Caroline Quentin has sent her apologies and unfortunately cannot make it this evening. Judi Spiers now takes her spot alongside Jo Pavey. She was the obvious choice for her role as a patron for Dreamaway and Families for Children. "Everything else is as planned and is all on track for the big switch on at 6.30pm."