OPINION: East Devon Council leader responds to Conservative 'mountain of debt' criticism

East Devon District Council leader Ben Ingham has responded Conservative criticism of his Independent administration's spending plans.

Here is his full response: "It is worth noting the current East Devon Portfolio Holder for Finance was of course, not only the Leader of the Conservative Group and East Devon District Council in to 2018/19 Council year, prior to his resignation from the party in the run up to Council Elections. Post election he subsequently served as the first Independent Leader of East Devon District Council before being appointed Portfolio Holder for Finance in the Independent administration - the experienced and widely respected councillor Ian Thomas with continuous Cabinet service through the last decade.

"It is no surprise he recognised the longer term strength of council finances, as he led them across both Conservative and Independent administrations.

"The Conservative Group perpetuated it's folly the night of the debate, recognising that, had they actually read and understood the report to the Housing Revenue Account, they would recognise that the costs they were referring to were never in the budget at all.

"Instead they reflect the proper costing of scenario options which the council might follow in pursuit of the climate change priorities adopted by the council at a much later date. The Conservatives seemingly failed to understand this.

"Suffice to say, that all the council members, with the exception of councillor Allen, had already delivered unanimous cross party support to our 2020/21 Independent budget earlier that same evening.

"The Conservative's motion was so vacuous, error strewn and systematically discredited by numerous council members that councillor Thomas invited the proposer to withdraw and avoid severe embarrassment. That offer was declined, then councillor Allen and the Conservatives motion was kicked firmly and directly into the deepest long grass, by all other members of the Council, Independent, EDA and Lib Dem in a unique demonstration of unity.

"The alleged quotations of Leader Ben Ingham in the Conservative article are so inaccurate and misleading that one has to assume the East Devon Conservatives are either purposefully misleading people, outrageously stupid,or don't understand what actually happened at the last EDDC Full Council meeting. If they need a further training seminar, they only have to ask."

Written by Ben Ingham - Leader of East Devon District Council and Ward Member for Woodbury, Woodbury Salterton, Exton and Lympstone.

The response comes after criticism of the Independent administration's spending policies from county and district councillor Phil Twiss. Click here to read his opinion piece on the matter.