Dear East Devon District Council,
Dear Mrs Symington,

I would like to make a formal request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. I am also making this Request under the Environmental Impact Regulations 2004 which require disclosure on the part of Local Authorities.

I would like you to provide me with the following:

> The full, unredacted Minutes of the various relocation working parties and groups, including the:

‘Office Relocation Working Party’

‘Member Office Accommodation Working Party’

‘New Office Project Executive Group’

‘Leader’s Think Tank on Relocation’

‘Office Accommodation Executive Group’

> There has been at least one other such committee which included Officers, as well as surveyors and facility manager agencies. I would like to see the full minutes and membership details of any such ‘joint bodies’ which were tasked with considering the issue of relocation from the current EDDC headquarters at Knowle, Sidmouth.

> I would like access to the full Relocation Manager’s formal progress reports, including the Davis Langdon reports and any other complete, unredacted reports presented to the working parties with regard to the relocation project.

> Reports, Action Notes and Updates on the relocation have been presented to most Cabinet meetings over the last three years. However, the full content of these documents has not been given in full in the Minutes: only their ‘receipt’ and ‘acceptance’ are recorded. I would like to have access to the full content of these Reports, Action Notes and Updates from 2011 to date which refer specifically to relocation.

EDDC cannot claim that it should withhold this information on the premise that matters are still ‘open’. It is absolutely clear that definitive steps have now been taken by EDDC to reach a formal decision to relocate: See below

> 17th July 2013: District Council Cabinet:

“EDDC Office Accommodation – key decision

“RECOMMENDED

“(1) that Council agree that the costs of maintaining, refurbishing or building new offices on the Knowle site are not sustainable and EDDC must therefore look at alternative locations for a new headquarters;

“(2) that the Deputy Chief Executive – Development, Regeneration and Partnerships be given delegated authority to enter into formal conditional negotiations on the acquisition and/or development of a suitable site for EDDC’s new offices;

“(3) that a future recommendation be made for consideration by Cabinet and determination by Council that EDDC relocate from the Knowle to a new location and premises subject to a satisfactory and financially viable proposition;

“(8) that a New Office Project Executive Group be set up comprising selected Cabinet members, senior officers and Project Manager to oversee project progress;

“(9) that wider engagement with members be sought through a Leader’s Think Tank on Relocation.”

http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/cabinet_mins...

This was followed on 24th July 2013 by the full Council’s adoption of the resolution: that the Cabinet’s “minutes be received and the recommendations approved”.

http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/council_mins...

> 5th February 2014: District Council Cabinet:

“The preferred option of Skypark was unanimously supported by the Cabinet.

New Office

“(a) that the order of site preference advised in the report and the Office Accommodation Executive Group’s recommendation to decide between Clyst House, Winslade Park or Skypark be noted;

“(b) that a preferred site and acquisition costs of Skypark- £986,000 (site) be recommended to Council and for detailed negotiation to begin. (Costs include Stamp Duty Land Tax but exclude VAT);

“(c) that, subject to Council agreement, officers be instructed to take forward the agreed option under the continued guidance of the Executive Group, with key future decisions being subject to Cabinet and Council approval;

“(d) that formal approval to proceed with the purchase be referred to Cabinet and Council – reports to this effect are anticipated for considered around July 2014;

“(e) that, as an immediate action, a marketing exercise be conducted to engage developer interest (for a amount which was disclosed at the meeting) and ascertain the values and variety of proposals for development on the Knowle and Manstone Depot sites;”

http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/cabinet_mins...

These Minutes were agreed to by the full Council of 26th February:
"66 Minutes of Cabinet and Committees
"RESOLVED
"(1) that the under-mentioned minutes be received and the recommendations approved
"Cabinet Minutes 139-158, 159-182."

http://www.eastdevon.gov.uk/council_mins...

These minutes make it absolutely clear that EDDC have decided to relocate from Knowle to Skypark – and, now that this decision has been made, all documents relating to that decision should now be made fully available to the public.

Yours sincerely,

Richard Thurlow,
Chair Save Our Sidmouth,
Chair Sid Vale Association

Yours faithfully,

R Thurlow

Dear East Devon District Council,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of East Devon District Council's handling of my FOI request 'Knowle relocation'.

It is clear from the fact that EDDC has decided to move to Skypark; that decisions have been taken based on perceived costs of the move.

I am not satisfied with your reply which refuses to give me any information at this time.

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/k...

Yours faithfully,

R Thurlow

Dear East Devon District Council,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Freedom of Information reviews.

I requested an internal review on the 29th June. I have heard nothing more. Please expedite your answer

A full history of my FOI request and all correspondence is available on the Internet at this address: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/k...

Yours faithfully,

R Thurlow

Dear East Devon District Council,

You have not replied to my request for an internal review.
I have therefore no option but to refer this matter to the Information Commissioner

Yours faithfully,

R Thurlow