App urges smokers to 'swap fags for swag' on No Smoking Day

March 13, 2013, 5:45 am

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Smokers are being encouraged to kick the habit with the help of a new smartphone app which shows them what items they could afford with their smoking savings. The free image recognition app, developed by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), virtually transforms a cigarette pack into a puff of smoke, before revealing items the smoker could afford with a week, month, or year's worth of savings. An average 20-a-day smoker could save £7 a day, £49 a week, £210 a month and £2,555 a year if they quit, the BHF says. With those savings they could afford a high-end haircut or therapeutic massage over a week, music festival tickets over a month and a World Cup trip over a year. Meanwhile a smoker who puffs on 35 a day could save £12 a day, £86 a week, £373 a month and £4,471 a year. Launched on No Smoking Day, the app Blippar aims to encourage cigarette-lovers to think about how much money they could save if they quit. The app forms part of the charity's campaign "swap fags for swag", which encourages smokers to think about what they could treat themselves to with the savings they'd make if they kicked the habit - from a new camera over a month to a luxury cruise over a year. This video shows how the app works: More than a fifth of the adult population in Exeter - 21.4 per cent – smokes. This is higher than the England average of 20.7 per cent. Figures from the Department of Health also show 9.4 per cent of mothers in Exeter known to smoke do so during pregnancy. To mark the 30th No Smoking Day campaign the BHF has released a new report which shows after decades of declining smoking rates, the UK has hit a six-year plateau in prevalence at around 20 per cent. The report shows one in four surveyed smokers have lost count of the number of times they've tried to quit and one in 10 say they're desperate to kick the habit. Eight in 10 surveyed smokers say they've tried and failed to quit, and two fifths have made between four and 21 or more attempts. Of the new data from more than 2,000 smokers, a quarter said the financial impact of smoking is more of a motivator to quit than the effects on their long-term health. Approximately 10 million UK adults smoke but two thirds of smokers want to give up, the BHF says. Smokers who want to find out more can visit WeQuit.co.uk or call the free helpline on 0800 434 6677. The smartphone app can be downloaded here.

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Police called in to assess East Devon councillor Graham Brown's planning comments

March 13, 2013, 6:03 am

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East Devon District Council has reported comments made by one of its councillors to the police. It is now waiting to find out whether police feel it is appropriate to investigate. Mark Williams, chief executive of East Devon District Council released the following statement - "Earlier this week we promised to carefully assess comments made by Cllr Graham Brown to undercover reporters from the Daily Telegraph and to respond on the powers the council has to deal with possible breaches of the Councillor Code of Conduct. "Whilst Cllr Brown is not a member of the planning committee which decides on planning applications his claims of being able to influence the system have deeply troubled both the council and the public. "We have said before that we take the honesty and integrity of our planning system very seriously, and as such we have decided to report the matter to the police so they can decde if a criminal investigation is called for. We will of course cooperate fully with any investigation. "Although a formal Councillor Code of Conduct complaint has been received, the nature of the material published by the Daily Telegraph suggests a referral to the police under the Bribery Act 2010 is appropriate and the best thing we can do is involve the police as an independent body. The police have responsibility for investigating for possible criminal offences, whereas in contrast the Council's Standards Committee has very limited sanctions available to it if breaches of the Code of Conduct are found. "This has been true since the Localism Act 2011 reduced the Committee's powers. The Standards Committee no longer has powers to suspend a Member from the Council, for example. For the time being a possible investigation under the Code of Conduct is being placed on hold pending the police response." Due to the current issues surrounding Cllr Brown and also his involvement in the East Devon Business Forum, council staff will not be committing time to this joint body for the time being."

Big freeze ends for Exeter with warmer weather on the way

March 13, 2013, 6:11 am

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Exeter is likely to start warming up this week after days of freezing cold temperatures and strong winds. A cold weather action warning is still in place for the region meaning that 'weather could increase the health risks to vulnerable patients and disrupt the delivery of services.' But forecasters said that although this week will still be cold, today was expected to see highs of 7C, while temperatures could reach 8C by Thursday and 9C in time for the weekend. Although the cold spell will end, Spring is not here yet as the region will see a few isolated showers however most places will have a largely dry day with bright or sunny periods. A chief forecaster for the Met Office said: 'Showers will generally die out, although a few may continue over western Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Otherwise, skies will become largely clear and it will be another frosty night with minimum temperatures of -4 °C.'

Local Teenagers Get Red Nose's Sleeping Rough For Comic Relief

March 13, 2013, 6:15 am

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With comic relief just around the corner, people all over the country are trying different ways to raise money. Every year TK Maxx do their part for comic relief, and this year has been no different; last Saturday night this group of youngsters from the store in Torquay did just that by putting themselves in the shoes of the people they are trying to help, by sleeping rough for the night in the town centre. The event, lasting for 12 hours, between 8pm and 8am was organised by Zoe Mazdon (18) and Michelle Godden (20) who were joined by Luke Stevens (19) and Louie Houlahan (19) In their efforts to raise awareness of the good comic relief does. When asked why they chose to raise money in this was Zoe said 'we did it raise awareness of how comic relief helps people in the UK as well as other places. It was a tough night on the streets for the fundraisers and 4 became 3 around 4am when Louie had to leave the group due to illness. Taking place on a Saturday night in Torquay town, they were always going to get a lot of attention from people enjoying the nightlife on the English Rivera, Zoe also told us, "It was so good, we only got a little bit of trouble everybody in Torquay were so helpful and loads of people helped us out by getting other to donate! The street pastors, police and cctv control were really good and kept an eye on us and kept checking up which was so good of them" On the night alone the group managed to raise a staggering £507 and their other fundraising activities in store, from the fun day the organised, pub quiz and themed weekend means they still have £200 in sponsorship money as well as£70 to collect from their just giving page, which is still active, so if you would like to contribute toward Comic relief and show your support for what this amazing  people have done then just log on to http://www.justgiving.com/Zoe-Mazdon

Joss Stone accused denies murder plot

March 13, 2013, 6:17 am

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A man from Manchester has denied plotting to kill singer Joss Stone on the first day of his trial at Exeter Crown Court. Junior Bradshaw, aged 31, was asked to make a plea for the first time during a brief hearing in front of Judge Francis Gilbert, QC, the Recorder of the City of Exeter. He stood in the dock with co-accused Kevin Liverpool, who has already pleaded not guilty to similar charges. Bradshaw, of St Stephens Close, Manchester, denied conspiring with Liverpool and persons unknown between January 1, 2011 and June 14, 2011 to murder Jocelyn Eve Stoker, also known as Joss Stone. He also denied conspiracy to rob and cause grievous bodily harm to the singer between the same dates. Liverpool, aged 34, of the same address, denied the same charges when he appeared before Judge Graham Cottle at Exeter Crown Court on January 20 last year. Judge Gilbert adjourned both cases until Monday when a trial is due to start in front of a jury at Exeter Crown Court. He remanded both in custody. Both men were arrested in June 2011 near Joss Stone's home in Ashill, East Devon, and have been in custody ever since. The case was originally set down for hearing in August, but was adjourned for legal reasons.

Cheltenham Festival: Day two results

March 13, 2013, 6:19 am

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Pre-race favourite Back In Focus won the John Oaksey National Hunt Chase to open Ladies' day in a thrilling finish. The horse, won the longest race of the Festival in the closing run to the line, overhauling Tofino Bay. Willie Mullins has now trained four winners out of seven races run at the Festival. His son, Patrick Mullins, was riding Back In Focus The New One, ridden by Sam Twiston-Davies,won the Nepture Novices' Hurdle, an extended two-mile race. Pont Alexandre and Ubak led the whole way, but it was The New One, backed by our racing editor Jonathan Herbert, who snatched victory from pre-race favourite Pont Alexandre. Despite Pont Alexandre stretching ahead to a length lead with one to jump, urged on by Ruby Walsh, The New One, trained by Sam's dad Nigel, romped home to win comfortably. Pont Alexandre evenutally finished third. Lord Windermere won the RSA Chase with jockey Davy Russell after Boston Bob, already fading at the final hurdle, fell. Lord Windermere broke clean and saw off Lyreen Legend to cross the line first. Pre-race favourite Unioniste could not make up ground and jockey Ruby Walsh could not do much to change the standings. The horse finished fourth. Sprinter Sacre more than lived up to expectations in the two mile feature race of the day, the Queen Mother Champion Chase. The odds-on favourite streaked ahead of Sizing Europe with two jumps to go to secure a thoroughly convincing victory. Second was Sizing Europe and third was Wishful Thinking. Medinas, one of the smallest horses in the 28-strong field, had a surging finish to sneak home to win the Coral Cup ahead of Meister Eckart and Fiveforthree in a close finish. Wayne Hutchinson was the jockey. Pre-race favourite Prendra, backed by Herbert, could not make up any ground. The Fred Winter Juvenile Handicup Hurdle was won by Flaxen Flare, second was Caid De Berlais and third was Ptit Zig, fourth was Milord and fifth was Totalize. Briar Hill, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by Ruby Walsh, won the last race of the day, the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.

Red nose fun for Lympstone Commandoes

March 13, 2013, 6:45 am

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Trainee Commandoes and staff at a South West military base have been entering into the spirit of the BBC Comic Relief event. Recruits at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines Lympstone, near Exmouth, Devon, donned Red Noses in aid of Comic Relief.   The young Marines bought the noses to wear during one day of their tough training programme which included the challenging assault course high ropes (pictured) and boxing (pictured). Those with a charitable sense of humour include the Kings Squad 149 Troop (pictured on parade in formal uniform) who are about to complete their weeks of gruelling training by taking part in a ceremonial passing-out parade. The last effort of the elite fighting arm of the Royal Navy is to undergo drill-training with red noses – but the red noses will not feature in the actual parade. Also included in the charity event are the recruits' physical training instructors on the 'Death Slide', part of the high-wire 'Tarzan' course and over a water obstacle designed to refine rope skills.

Missing Exeter City Council wheelie bin found in Hungary

March 13, 2013, 6:55 am

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Council bosses were left scratching their heads after receiving a call to say one of its abandoned rubbish bins had been located – in Hungary.
How the large wheeled bin got to the far-flung corner of Europe is a mystery.
But they are working on the theory that a tradesman may have left Exeter with the bin full of tools before driving east.
The council has also revealed it has received some strange requests for bins – including from America. It is thought the request was mistakenly made from a resident living in the town of Exeter, New Hampshire, in the USA.
But for Robert Norley, the city's assistant director for environment, missing wheeled bins is a serious subject – and an expensive problem. He revealed that almost 700 go missing every year.
The authority currently spends about £100,000 on new and replacement bins every year. Mr Norley said: "The bins are always the property of the city council, but perhaps some people are not aware of that. "People who move house sometimes take them with them, and we have reports of 695 a year going missing.
"Sometimes people use them to wheelbarrow things around, but we want to discourage this and encourage people instead to really look after their bins. We would recommend that people paint the number of their house on the bin so that it is easier to keep track of."
He said some householders with a soft spot for the iconic plastic containers have taken extreme measures to protect them. "We had one person who built a little fence around the area where he kept his bin and then painted the bin like a fence, so that it was camouflaged," he said.
"We did not have a problem with this – it was always presented properly for collection." Others have painted flowers on them and stickers are common. But anyone thinking of drafting in a larger bin, which has not been supplied by the council, to collect their rubbish in should think again. Mr Norley said: "We received reports of one of the larger four-wheeled bins, 1,100 litres, blocking an alley.
"When we investigated we discovered it wasn't a city council bin but that of a private company which a family had acquired to keep logs in for their fire. "They had wheeled it home but then found that it didn't fit through their back gate. It's strange what some people want to use their wheelie bins for."

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Revealed: First images of seafront hotel plans for Exmouth

March 13, 2013, 7:00 am

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An application which could see a 60-bed hotel created on Exmouth seafront has been submitted. Premier Inn has resgistered its proposals with East Devon District Council and they include views of how it could look. It is part of the redvelopment of the Elizabeth Hall and, if approved, will involve the demolition of existing buildings and construction of a 60-bedhotel with restaurant and cafe bar, access, car parking and landscaping. A district council spokesman said: "The council has promised to keep people updated on news about the proposals, and we can confirm receipt of this formal planning application. "The application is open for consultation and people can comment online at http://planning.eastdevon.gov.uk under application reference 13/0494/MFUL." The consultation closes on Tuesday, April 9 and the application will be determined at a meeting of the council's Development Management Committee, the date of which will be confirmed shortly.

Sale of Government buildings raises £139m in South West

March 13, 2013, 7:34 am

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Government departments have raised £139m since May 2010 by selling surplus properties in the South West. Cabinet Office Minister Francis Maude announced that across the UK more than £1billion has been generated by selling property and land no longer required by the civil service. The Government has also exited more than 1,000 leasehold and Private Finance Initiative (PFI) properties, saving a further £168m in the first six months of 2012/13 financial year alone in rent and running costs. Properties sold in the South West include Derriford Business Park Units in Plymouth and Bodmin County Court in Cornwall. Others put up for sale include Honiton Magistrates Court in East Devon. In Plymouth, the former Land Registry offices at Plumer House, Crownhill, were sold for £2.1m. Annual running costs for the building were £392,000 in 2009-10. Mr Maude said: "It's remarkable that the Government was paying for property that it just wasn't using. That kind of waste is always unacceptable – but is completely unjustifiable when we are trying to reduce the deficit and get ahead in the global race. "Our strategy is to get out of expensive leases and concentrate on the properties we actually own. Since the General Election we have slashed wasteful spend on buildings and negotiated great money making deals. The £1billion pounds we have saved the taxpayer represents £60 for every working family."

Dave Lee Travis re-arrested over sexual offence allegations in Savile abuse scandal

March 13, 2013, 7:39 am

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DJ Dave Lee Travis has been re-arrested over further allegations of sexual offences. The 67-year-old was originally arrested by Operation Yewtree detectives investigating the Jimmy Savile abuse scandal in November. He answered bail on Monday and was re-arrested in connection with further allegations made to officers working on Operation Yewtree. At the time of his first arrest, Lee Travis denied any wrong-doing and stressed that the allegations against him had nothing to do with children. The news comes the day after a report revealed the alleged sexual abuse by Jimmy Savile in an Exeter hospital could have been stopped. The report states that numerous police failings left Jimmy Savile free to sexually abuse hundreds of young people over five decades – when he could have been stopped in the 1960s. A document published in January this year provided fresh allegations that Savile sexually abused one person in the Exeter Hospital (part of Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) in 1970. A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said at the time: "There are five incidents regarding historic sexual abuse allegations made against Jimmy Savile reported in the Devon and Cornwall Police force area. "We are investigating the offences and are in regular contact with officers from Operation Yewtree. In Devon & Cornwall, investigations are being led by our child exploitation team. "The victims are receiving ongoing support." The 61-page report raised fresh concerns about information sharing in the police and warned that officers could fail to prevent a Savile-like scandal happening again. The inspectorate described a "cultural mistrust" of evidence from children, adding: "The findings in this report are of deep concern, and clearly there were mistakes in how the police handled the allegations made against Savile during his lifetime," said Drusilla Sharpling of HMIC. "However, an equally profound problem is that victims felt unable to come forward and report crimes of sexual abuse." According to HMIC five allegations of sexual assault were recorded against Savile in his lifetime, – compared with the 600 made since October last year when the Metropolitan police launched its Operation Yewtree investigation. In 1963, a Cheshire man was told by a police officer to "forget about it" and "move on" when he reported an allegation of rape by Savile, according to HMIC. The sexual abuse allegations in an Exeter hospital led to The Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust releasing the following statement: 'NHS organisations in Devon have recently been made aware of this allegation dating back to 1970 and will continue to liaise with the Metropolitan Police in the event that any new evidence emerges.'

Exeter's Jack Nowell named LV= Cup breakthrough player

March 13, 2013, 8:35 am

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Exeter Chiefs 19-year-old star Jack Nowell has today been named the LV= Cup's Breakthrough Player. Nowell, who was the youngest nominee, beat nine other players  for the award. He told BBC Radio Devon: "It's amazing, it's a great honour to win an award like this.," "A lot of great players were in the competition as well, so to win it is a big honour." The Sandy Park academy player was initially handed a chance to impress in the LV= Cup in November and grabbed it with both hands, starting the next two Aviva Premiership matches and also playing at home against the Scarlets in the Heineken Cup. After taking a bang to the head, which ruled him out of England under-20s' opening Six Nations matches, Nowell capitalised on Gonzalo Camacho's hamstring injury to reclaim his place in the side. "I've had a good run of games with the team but I've got to remember how old I am," he said last month. "I've still got a lot to learn and I know that. "To be given the chance by (coaches) Rob (Baxter) and Ali (Hepher) to play for the Chiefs every week has been really good. "I've got to take every game forward but there are a lot of positives to take from the games so far." Nowell told BBC Radio Devon "If it wasn't for the LV= Cup I think many of us young players wouldn't get the chance to play," "I'd like to get as far as I can with my career," "One of my goals this year was to break through and play a couple of games for Exeter in the Premiership. "We've got a handful of games left in the Premiership, so I'd like to play for the rest of the season."

Cattle slaughter rise points to TB "national crisis"

March 13, 2013, 8:48 am

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Ministers have labelled the spread of tuberculosis in cattle a "national crisis" after official figures today showed more than 28,000 cattle with the disease were slaughtered last year.

The rural South West has the largest concentration of the disease in the country, destroying the livelihoods of farmers across the region.

The slaughter of 28,284 cattle in England in 2012 represented a 7% increase compared to 2011. In Devon, 6,535 cattle were killed, 3,257 in Cornwall, 2,014 in Somerset and 1,192 in Dorset.

Farming Minister David Heath said: "Bovine TB continues to spread at an unacceptable rate, leading to the slaughter of thousands of cattle and ongoing misery for our dairy farmers.

"What was once confined to a small area of the South West has the potential to become a national crisis and if left unchecked could cost the taxpayer £1billion over the next ten years."

The Government recently confirmed two culls of badgers this year – one in Somerset, the other in Gloucestershire – as part of a package of measures to control the disease, which is opposed by Labour an animal welfare organisations.

Full story in tomorrow's Western Morning News

Cowick Street improvements are gathering pace

March 13, 2013, 9:03 am

≫ Next: St Loye's residents give all-clear for new Exeter Morrisons

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Cowick Street improvements are gathering pace. Tree planting work is to start at the front of the St Thomas Methodist Church and St Thomas Medical Centre. A lime will be planted outside the medical centre, and three bird cherries outside the Methodist Church. In addition the existing planting from the front of the Methodist Church will be cleared and the area mulched to help the church in its preparations for the Peace Garden. The existing holly trees, Japanese maple and rowan to the front of the church are to be retained. With regard to the other improvements, the city council will shortly be carrying out survey work at the front of the NatWest bank and the Sawyers Arms and the designs of the street furniture are being worked up by the manufacturers. In addition the city council will also be replacing some of the tree grills to existing trees and replacing these with bound gravel. The ward's city and county councillor, Rob Hannaford, said: "Now that we have agreed the final works with residents and local traders its really fantastic to see these important improvement works continue to roll out. "The new lighting and tree works near St Thomas Railway Station have already been welcomed by the local community, and I am sure that these other works will also enhance the street scene. I am also very pleased to be able to support the new Peace Garden at the Methodist Church, as it's a very popular community facility in West Exe, which hosts a wide range of worthwhile activities each and every week for many people and groups, in addition to its church work and the pre school." "Also, it is especially important that the improvement works stretch right along Cowick Street from start to finish to make sure that all areas have a positive uplift." Cllr Hannaford, who is a founder member of the Cowick Street Improvements Working Group, gave £1,300 from his delegated county grant budget and supported the church's bid for a top up city council ward grant for £300 for the establishment of a peace garden.

St Loye's residents give all-clear for new Exeter Morrisons

March 13, 2013, 9:14 am

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St Loye's residents have given a general all-clear for a new Morrisons store to be built on the Middlemoor police headquarters' campus. Two public meetings regarding the plans, one held at Clyst Heath School, the other at the nearby Toby Inn, drew some 70 residents, among them David Henson, city councillor for the ward. Cllr Henson said: "Generally speaking people seemed quite pleased about Morrisons coming but there were concerns about the traffic problems that could result, particularly on the Honiton/Sidmouth roads junction. "Now, at busy times, traffic can queue back a long way and we also have new homes coming to Pinhoe and Cranbrook. It can be a nightmare now so really there are worries that this new development will makes things worse. "It seems certain that we will need some kind of new traffic plan to cope." Cllr Henson added: "There was also some concern over the new custody suite proposed and possible parking problems." Cllr Henson said it appeared that the Heavitree Road police station would remain in operation even after any new custody suite was built at Middlemoor. City councillors are to meet police and planners on Thursday, March 14, to discuss the proposals in more detail. Morrisons has pledged to create 350 new jobs in the city with their plans to redevelop part of the police headquarters site. The plan also involves creating a new multi-million-pound police station and custody suite for Exeter. Morrisons, which has a store in Beacon Heath, has signed an exclusivity deal for the site at Middlemoor Devon and Cornwall Police plan to sell up to 15 acres of surplus land at its large Exeter headquarters. The sale of the land to Morrisons will fund "new policing infrastructure" at the site. The development will include a new criminal justice centre and operational hub.

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UPDATE: Councillor Graham Brown resigns

March 13, 2013, 11:44 am

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East Devon District Council has this evening recieved the resignation letter of Councillor Graham Brown.
Cllr Brown has resigned his seat representing East Devon's Feniton and Buckerell Ward with immediate effect.
This morning the council referred Mr Brown's comments to the police under the Bribery Act 2010 and its own policy on Fraud, Theft and Anti-Corruption, saying that the comments warranted independent examination by the police.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesperson confirmed they were looking into the matter but no decision had been made on whether to investigate further.
Mark Williams, Chief Executive of East Devon District Council said:"Grah am Brown has tendered his resignation with immediate effect.

"Although Graham Brown has not been a member of our planning committee his comments still raised serious issues and we have responded to them quickly, firmly and fairly. Given our earlier referral of the issue to the police I do not wish to comment any further at this stage, other than to reassure the public that we will cooperate fully and openly if the police decide to investigate.

"We continue to carefully assess the situation pending a response from the police, and any possible investigation under the Councillor Code of Conduct is on hold until we have that response."

In a statement accompanying his resignation former Cllr Brown maintained that he has not broken the law but had 'misjudged the situation'. His statement read:

"It is with great regret that I have decided today to step down and resign my position as an East Devon District Councillor due to the unbearable media pressure from the Daily Telegraph.

"I wish to announce a full apology to my councillor colleagues across the whole political spectrum at East Devon and to the East Devon District Council officers for my disparaging remarks.

"I would like to add that I stand by the fact that although I thoroughly misjudged the situation, I remain firm in the knowledge that I have not broken the law and will work to clear my name of any wrongdoing."

Ex-EDDC councillor Graham Brown had dealings in Littleham's Plumb Park

March 13, 2013, 11:47 am

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EXMOUTH PEOPLE has discovered that Graham Brown – the embattled former East Devon District Councillor who may be investigated by police over claims that he could influence local planning decisions – had "arm's length" dealings in Littleham's Plumb Park development for 350 homes…
EDDC has confirmed that Cllr Brown chaired a meeting of the Local Development Framework Panel in 2009, where early stages of the residential plan on the outskirts of Exmouth were discussed with landowners Clinton Estates.
The meeting took place a year after Cllr Brown was accused of "impropriety involving planning applications within East Devon", and was asked to stand down as EDDC's Member Champion for Business by Sara Randall Johnson, the then Leader of East Devon District Council.
Cllr Brown, the Independent Councillor for Feniton and Buckerell, has recently been in the spotlight following coverage of his professional work as a planning consultant for his firm Greygreen Ltd.
Filmed by undercover Daily Telegraph reporters, he suggested that he could influence local planning decisions. However Brown has told the media that he does not see his planning consultancy as being in conflict with his role as a councillor.
This evening EDDC announced that it had received Cllr Brown's resignation. EDDC said that "Graham Brown has resigned his seat representing East Devon's Feniton and Buckerell Ward with immediate effect, following claims he made about the local planning system to undercover Daily Telegraph reporters. In his resignation statement, Graham Brown cited his reasons as 'unbearable media pressure'."
Cllr Brown and Exmouth's planning issues
Cllr Brown was the chairman of the Local Development Framework Panel in 2009 and 2010, which was formed to look at development proposals in East Devon. These proposals included Exmouth.
Exmouth People has discovered that Cllr Brown chaired a meeting of the LDF Panel at Exmouth's Elizabeth Hall on Thursday 28 May 2009.
The minutes of this meeting reveal that as well as a number of EDDC councillors – including EDDC's current leader Paul Diviani – there were representatives from landowners Clinton Devon Estates and development company Eagle Investments.
Earlier that morning, the LDF Panel had "received a tour of potential strategic sites for development in Exmouth". Cllr Brown reminded members that the Panel existed "in an advisory capacity to provide a steer to the Development Management Committee".
Members of the panel received a presentation from Bell Cornwell, on behalf of Clinton Devon Estates, in respect of land for residential development at Littleham and Liverton Business Park, Exmouth.
After discussion, it was resolved that the presentation be "positively received, as potential for delivering an urban extension to Exmouth and employment/commercial land, well related to key facilities, services and public transport".
This was the land that later became the Plumb Park development.
A year before the meeting at Exmouth's Elizabeth Hall, Sara Randall Johnson, the then Leader of East Devon District Council, had asked Cllr Brown to "vacate" his position as EDDC's Member Champion for Business.
On 8 May 2008 at a meeting of the East Devon Business Forum, Cllr Brown told members that he would lose his position as EDDC Member Champion for Business because of "accusations of impropriety involving planning applications within East Devon. This was mainly to do with perception and innuendo, there had been no substantive evidence produced".
At the time Cllr Brown confirmed that outside the Council he ran a planning consultancy agency, but felt that this did not conflict with his work as Business Champion.
Suspension
Earlier this week, following the Daily Telegraph's revelations, the East Devon District Council Conservative party suspended Cllr Brown, removing him from his post as Member Champion for business and tourism on the district council.
Prior to Cllr Brown's resignation from EDDC, Exmouth People asked the Council if Cllr Brown had had any involvement with recent Exmouth planning issues, such as the Exmouth Masterplan, the sale of the Elizabeth Hall (and subsequent purchase of the site by Premier Inn), the Exmouth Splash, the Pier Head Mamhead View five-storey development and Plumb Park, the housing development at Littleham.
Regarding the Exmouth Masterplan, EDDC replied, "Other than being one of 59 members of EDDC, a council that has been promoting the regeneration of Exmouth, there has been no involvement."
"Arm's length"
However EDDC confirmed that Cllr Brown was involved in the "very early stages" of Plumb Park, at what they described as an "arm's length". Referring to the minutes of the 2009 meeeting, a spokesman said, "These minutes clearly show that Cllr Brown was Chairman of the LDF Panel on the day that the group discussed potential strategic sites for development in Exmouth".
On all other matters, EDDC said that "to the best of our knowledge", Cllr Brown had had no involvement.

Mario Bergoglio elected Pope Francis I by Cardinals at Vatican

March 13, 2013, 1:15 pm

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The new pope has been revealed as Pope Francis I. Live Updates, Video, Reaction: New pope announced

A new pope has been elected at the Vatican. Pope Francis I is the first pope from the Americas, and the first from outside Europe in over a thousand years. The man chosen as pope is Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, from Argentina. The news that the Vatican Cardinals had reached a decison came as white smoke rose from the conclave in Rome. Pope Francis I will replace Pope Benedict XVI, who stepped down last month saying he was no longer strong enough to lead the Church. Crowds with umbrellas have massed in the Vatican square flying flags from around the world. "I can't explain how happy I am right now," Filipino Ben Canete told the Associated Press. UK Prime Minister David Cameron has tweeted his reaction: "A momentous day for the 1.2bn Catholics around the world as His Holiness Pope Francis I is appointed the 266th Bishop of Rome."

Photo from Wikimedia under Creative Commons.

Cheltenham Festival: Day two review

March 13, 2013, 2:54 pm

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MAGICAL, majestic, magnificent - the 50,000 crowd on day two at the Cheltenham Festival today were treated to sporting and equine excellence that will surely rank alongside its greatest ever moments. Sprinter Sacre may have gone off at prohibitive odds of 1/4, the shortest at the festival since Arkle in the 1960s, but that didn't stop the crowd enjoying every moment of his exemplary jumping and devastating turn of foot as he demolished the best two mile chasers in training by turning the Queen Mother Champion Chase into a procession. To put the magnitude of his victory into contest he finished 19 lengths in front of 2011 Champion Chase winner Sizing Europe without seemingly breaking sweat. The roars that greeted horse and rider Barry Geraghty back to the winner's enclosure was evident of how the racing public have taken the Nicky Henderson wonder horse to their hearts and there is surely no barrier or ceiling to what he can go on to achieve. Afterwards Geraghty said: "He is an unbelievable horse. To beat Sizing Europe the way he did was a remarkable performance. "He's a class act. I think the 'Frankel of jump racing' is a fair way to describe him." Henderson added: "It does make you speechless. Sprinter Sacre is scary. He has that aura about him and is totally and utterly unique. "He finds it ridiculously easy - he just loves doing it." Elsewhere Willie Mullins enjoyed two further victories to add to his three on the opening day with Back in Focus in the four mile chase while Briar Hill was winner of the Champion Bumper under Ruby Walsh. But things didn't go totally to plan for Mullins with Pont Alexandre, for many the Irish banker of the festival, languishing in third after a sloppy round of jumping and not handling the hill in the Neptune Hurdle, a race won by two-time previous course winner The New One for the Nigel Twiston Davies yard. Boston Bob was also denied a victory for the Irish after falling when in a sting position in the climax to the grade one RSA Chase. The race was eventually won by Lord Windermere, tipped up by thisisexeter at 20/1 and gambled into an SP of 8/1. There were also wins for Medinas in the Coral Cup at 33/1 and Flaxen Fare in the Fred Winter juvenile handicap hurdle at 25/1.

Tom's Tips: Cheltenham day four preview

March 14, 2013, 4:26 pm

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Today's Gold Cup is the undoubted showpiece of the Cheltenham Festival and nearly 70,000 are expected through the gates of Prestbury Park to witness the finest staying chasers in training compete for its most illustrious prize. There maybe no Kauto Star or Denman for the first time in many years but 10 high class performers will go to post for the 3.20 and it looks one of its most open renewals in years. Heading the market is Nicky Henderson's Bob's Worth who won the Henessey on his last appearance and was winner of the RSA Chase at the festival last year. He looks the one to beat on current form but whether he will handle the pressure of the gold cup experience remains to be seen. Silviniaco Conti is the leading hope for champion trainer Paul Nicholls and the exciting seven year turned over Long Run in the Betfair Chase earlier this season. However there are concerns that he has never run over fences at Cheltenham before and it would take a leap of faith to back him today. Sir Des Champs looks like he is peaking at just the right time and his stables have been in fantastic form and must surely make everyone's short list. But they all these have questions that we will only know the answers to once the race is run. The one horse who has "been there and done it" is the 2011 winner Long Run. He may have lost the crown last year but was below par all season and he is a very tempting proposition at longish odds. Captain Chris is almost the forgotten horse of the race and was available to back him at a generous 20/1 just days ago. If you can excuse a dodgy few months last season his form holds up well. He looked back to his best when fighting it out with Long Run in the King George and was ready to mount a serious challenge to Cue Card in the Ascot Chase. It would be no great shock to see him stay on for a place while his more illustrious rivals flounder up the hill. The day begins with the grade one Triumph hurdle run over two miles one furlong and my preference is for Far West to repeat the success of his stablemate Zarkandar in winning this race two years ago. The four year old has won twice already at Cheltenham this season and is unbeaten in his four starts this term. With Ruby Walsh in the saddle he could see off market leaders Our Conor and Rolling Star to provide champion trainer Paul Nicholls with his first success of the week. The day's other grade one is the Albert Bartlett novice hurdle and I expect AP McCoy to get off the mark for the week with At Fishers Cross for trainer Rebecca Curtis. The duo have a devastating strike rate when working together and the six-year-old looks the class of the race. At Fishers Cross defeated The New One on his last outing at Cheltenham, a piece of form that has been heavily franked by the later's hugely impressive win in the Neptune earlier this week. The key for finding winners for this week's handicap has been to look for the value further down the market. In the Vincent o'Brien county handicap Ifandbutwhynot looks a decent each way shout. For the fox hunter Salsify but for value I have sided with Backstage for Gordon Elliott's yard. My winner of the Martin pipe conditional handicap is David Pipe's Gevrey Chambertin - the full brother to the hugely talented Grands Crus, who I witnessed destroying a field last time out at Wincanton. Put up 15 pounds for the win, a mark his trainer described as "fair", he looks to still have plenty of scope to make the necessary step up in class. The last of the 27 races at the festival is the Grand Annual and there is nothing better than finishing with a winner. A tough race to call but I am siding with Kid Cassidy for Nicky Henderson, who always targets the race that is named in memory of his father. 1.30 Far West 2.05 Ifandbutwhynot ew 2.40 At Fishers Cross 3.20 Long Run win Captain Chris ew 4.00 Backstage ew 4.40 Gevrey Chambertin 5.15 Kid Cassidy ew