The theme of this newsletter is democracy. Political parties
have started campaigning for May's general election and we have
several opportunities over the next few weeks to have our say both
locally and nationally.
Firstly, there is no doubt that we will feel the effects of
austerity locally whoever wins the general election. Devon County
Council is planning to cut £1.7 million from their public transport
budget and have proposed deep cuts in many of our local bus
services in and around Crediton. Their public consultation period
ends 20th April . If this concerns you please respond to the
consultation.
The final consultation on the Mid Devon Local Plan Review is
being extended until the 27th April. The Local
Plan Review will guide development in the district over the next 20
years. It aims to make sure that new homes, jobs and services
required by communities are located in the most sustainable places.
It will also help deliver the infrastructure, facilities and other
development needed to make this possible. This is probably your
last chance to influence the council on the larger planning issues
affecting the area. View the documents.
The general election hustings will be a great opportunity to ask
questions of our candidates before the election and to raise issues
such as climate change and sustainability. All 5 candidates
will be there (Conservative, Green, Labour, Lib Dem and
UKIP). If you would like to ask a question, send it to Mark
Baptiste at M.BAPTIST@qe.devon.sch.uk by the 27th
April.The hustings will take place at QE Upper School in the main
hall at 7:30pm on the 29th April.
We are aiming to make this year's AGM fun. It will be held at
The Lamb, Sandford on Wednesday 13th May at 7:30pm
in the upstairs function room. After the AGM we will be showing a
short video which will be followed by music (and dancing?) by our
own group, the Woodsmen. If you would like to be involved in the
running of Sustainable Crediton or would like to raise an issue or
have an idea for a future project, please contact either John Skrine
or Charles
Mossman or just come along to the meeting! Further details
about the AGM will be published in next month's newsletter.
Local Action
Linda Lever asks in her book review what should we
be doing as part of a grassroots movement to 'save the planet'?
Well, at the very least we can keep signing the petitions,
supporting those taking direct action, writing to MPs and
newspapers, etc. Linda hopes that Sustainable Crediton people are
not part of climate change denial in that they fail to see how
urgent it is to take action now!