- Jul 7, 2003
- 47,499
Have just sent an e-mail to the old bat from LDC as per above.
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Address of District Auditor for emails/letters
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- Start date
dougdeep
New member
I've had a reply from Councillor Collict Of Seaford North and he says that he has a lot of sympathy for our views. 
I no longer live in the Lewes area, but my old man sent this:-
Dear Liz Lacon,
As someone who is now living on a pension, I would like to comment on the Council's decision to request a judicial review of John Prescott's decision to allow the construction of the Falmer stadium for Brighton & Hove Albion.
To contest this decision will cost a lot of money, very much more if the contest fails, and the cost will fall upon ratepayers. Every year the Council Tax has increased much faster than the rate of inflation, and therefore much faster than the annual increase in pensions.
The decision of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was made with all legal authority, following a long and exhaustive enquiry. It may not be a popular decision in many quarters, but it has full validity. To challenge this, and thereby further increase the financial burden on all your ratepayers will raise much fury from a much larger group of the population.
I strongly request that this course of action is pursued no further.
Dear Liz Lacon,
As someone who is now living on a pension, I would like to comment on the Council's decision to request a judicial review of John Prescott's decision to allow the construction of the Falmer stadium for Brighton & Hove Albion.
To contest this decision will cost a lot of money, very much more if the contest fails, and the cost will fall upon ratepayers. Every year the Council Tax has increased much faster than the rate of inflation, and therefore much faster than the annual increase in pensions.
The decision of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister was made with all legal authority, following a long and exhaustive enquiry. It may not be a popular decision in many quarters, but it has full validity. To challenge this, and thereby further increase the financial burden on all your ratepayers will raise much fury from a much larger group of the population.
I strongly request that this course of action is pursued no further.
loco61
Well-known member
just written 5 emails
ShorehamGull
He's now back
Got an email this morning from Cllr David Rogers.
My questions are being referred to the appropriate LDC officials, will I get an answers.
My questions are being referred to the appropriate LDC officials, will I get an answers.
Lord Bracknell
On fire
If I was Gareth Glover, I would lay my mortgage on the answer being precisely this ...ShorehamGull said:
Caveman
Well-known member
- Jul 14, 2003
- 9,926
Strange that LB mine seems to be exactly the same. 
Is it worth all of us replying and demanding specific answers to our individual questions and not being pushed aside with this website link. Hence leaving little time for the 9-5 office duties, this surely will start to have some bearing on the admin staff within the council? No?
A happy staff and all that
Is it worth all of us replying and demanding specific answers to our individual questions and not being pushed aside with this website link. Hence leaving little time for the 9-5 office duties, this surely will start to have some bearing on the admin staff within the council? No?
A happy staff and all that
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Rougvie
Rising Damp
Even my uncle who is a TWAT (normally) and hates football wrote this......
Dear Ms De Vecchi,
I am writting to you as a long time resident of Lewes to express my utter dismay at the news that the council, is intending to spend yet more money on the whole stadium issue, by seeking a judicial review of the ODPM's decision to grant Brighton football club the right to build a football stadium at Falmer.
Are you completely unaware that this nonsensical waste of the council tax payers money will ensure that the majority of LEWES residents will see an unacceptable decline in public servises, and indeed I put it to you (and expect an answer within 7 days to this question ) that council tax bills will have to rise as the council isnt exactly in a state of financial bliss as things stand at present ?
I am not a supporter of the football club, or indeed interested in football in any way shape or form, but I do know a good deal about law and order on my doorstep, and the rising crime and anti social behevior in Lewes can not be tackled if you continue to fritter away money on this wild goose chase, your priorities should be on tackling the issues that MATTER to local residents, not on preserving a brown field site on the edge of Motorway which quite frankly building a stadium on, will not even effect the day to day lives of a tiny minority as they continue to say.
Can I ask you to respond to my questions to you within 7 days, as I intend to write also to the Local Authority ombudsman with your response, however if you can advise me of your next surgery date, I would very much like (along with most of the residents in my street) to meet with you to discuss this matter further.
I await your response, and very much hope you are aware of the bad feeling your potential miss management of taxpayers money is causing amongst local residents, even ones that cannot stand football !!!
Yours Faithfully
Dear Ms De Vecchi,
I am writting to you as a long time resident of Lewes to express my utter dismay at the news that the council, is intending to spend yet more money on the whole stadium issue, by seeking a judicial review of the ODPM's decision to grant Brighton football club the right to build a football stadium at Falmer.
Are you completely unaware that this nonsensical waste of the council tax payers money will ensure that the majority of LEWES residents will see an unacceptable decline in public servises, and indeed I put it to you (and expect an answer within 7 days to this question ) that council tax bills will have to rise as the council isnt exactly in a state of financial bliss as things stand at present ?
I am not a supporter of the football club, or indeed interested in football in any way shape or form, but I do know a good deal about law and order on my doorstep, and the rising crime and anti social behevior in Lewes can not be tackled if you continue to fritter away money on this wild goose chase, your priorities should be on tackling the issues that MATTER to local residents, not on preserving a brown field site on the edge of Motorway which quite frankly building a stadium on, will not even effect the day to day lives of a tiny minority as they continue to say.
Can I ask you to respond to my questions to you within 7 days, as I intend to write also to the Local Authority ombudsman with your response, however if you can advise me of your next surgery date, I would very much like (along with most of the residents in my street) to meet with you to discuss this matter further.
I await your response, and very much hope you are aware of the bad feeling your potential miss management of taxpayers money is causing amongst local residents, even ones that cannot stand football !!!
Yours Faithfully
BatterSeagull
Active member
E-mailed the District Auditor as a London resident but born in Sussex and with a very keen interest in the management of the county's affairs.
One thing I don't understand is the way Lewes DC will allocate money to this. The cabinet decision last week has pledged an initial sum of £25k. What hapens if they later think the costs will be higher? Presumably they have to get prior approval to spend the absolute MAX that it could possibly be? Given that no-one will know the precise costs until the end, and LDC will not know if they have to pay up until the Judicial Review result is known, surely LDC has to err very much on the side of caution? Does this not mean that they should be seeking approval to spend very much more than £25k??
Gilliver's Travels
Peripatetic
Good on your uncle - that is a truly wonderful letter! We need a lot more like this, from people who declare neutrality - or better still, pure hatred - for football. Lewes Councillors will then realise, to their horror, that they are truly hearing from one of their own.Rougvie said:
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Ccider
New member
Bwian said:Your 'twatty' uncle deserves a beer or 12 for that letter...Ann The Veggie is suddenly becoming fully aware that being on the local council has its downside
I hope the bitch is suffering!
Hear hear with the beers.
Unfortunately Ann von Vecchi won't even know your "twatty" uncle wrote to her. The civil service defence screen will just send a standard reply.
The Great Cornholio
New member
Can I ask that no-one else emails Darren Wells - I have spoken to Darren and he has confirmed that what LDC are doing is legal and, therefore, outside of the remit of the Audit Commission. I will paste the answer you will get if you do email him to save you doing it (And to save his sanity!)
December 2005
Dear Sir/Madam
Lewes DC - Action re Falmer Stadium
Thank you for your recent email drawing my attention to your concerns over Lewes District
Council’s Cabinet decision on 24 November to challenge the Secretary of State’s decision
to grant planning permission in respect of the Falmer Stadium. I have received a large
number of similar emails and letters from local residents. Generally, residents have
expressed the following concerns:
• the potential cost to the local taxpayer
• the way in which this decision was taken
• the actual decision itself.
Before considering these matters, it is worth noting that local authorities are responsible
for ensuring that they act lawfully and consider relevant facts before making decisions. My
responsibilities and powers as the Council’s appointed auditor are set out in the Audit
Commission Act 1998 and Local Government Act 1999. In discharging my responsibilities I
am required to carry out my work in accordance with the Audit Commission’s Code of
Audit Practice. This sets out my objectives, to review and report on:
• the Council’s financial statements and its statement on internal control
• whether the Council has made proper arrangements for securing economy,
efficiency and effectiveness in the use of its resources.
External auditors cannot however challenge policy decisions that have been properly and
lawfully taken by elected councillors.
I have considered the above concerns raised by residents and reviewed background
papers made available to me by the Council. I have considered the legal powers available
to the Council to challenge the Secretary of State’s decision and the reasonableness of the
decision.
2
From the information I have obtained, I am satisfied that the Cabinet took this decision in
full knowledge of the relevant facts. The Council has the power to appeal against the
Secretary of State’s decision; it believes there are valid grounds for an appeal, it has taken
specialist legal advice; it has considered the financial risks and assessed the potential
outcomes and chances of success, in considering whether it should challenge the
Secretary of State.
Although it is apparent that this decision does not have universal support, that in itself
does not provide me with reason to challenge the Council. Based on my enquiries, I am
satisfied that; at present, there are no matters that I should consider further in relation to
the Council’s decision. Due to the high degree of local interest, I will continue to monitor
developments as they progress.
Yours faithfully
Darren Wells
District Auditor
December 2005
Dear Sir/Madam
Lewes DC - Action re Falmer Stadium
Thank you for your recent email drawing my attention to your concerns over Lewes District
Council’s Cabinet decision on 24 November to challenge the Secretary of State’s decision
to grant planning permission in respect of the Falmer Stadium. I have received a large
number of similar emails and letters from local residents. Generally, residents have
expressed the following concerns:
• the potential cost to the local taxpayer
• the way in which this decision was taken
• the actual decision itself.
Before considering these matters, it is worth noting that local authorities are responsible
for ensuring that they act lawfully and consider relevant facts before making decisions. My
responsibilities and powers as the Council’s appointed auditor are set out in the Audit
Commission Act 1998 and Local Government Act 1999. In discharging my responsibilities I
am required to carry out my work in accordance with the Audit Commission’s Code of
Audit Practice. This sets out my objectives, to review and report on:
• the Council’s financial statements and its statement on internal control
• whether the Council has made proper arrangements for securing economy,
efficiency and effectiveness in the use of its resources.
External auditors cannot however challenge policy decisions that have been properly and
lawfully taken by elected councillors.
I have considered the above concerns raised by residents and reviewed background
papers made available to me by the Council. I have considered the legal powers available
to the Council to challenge the Secretary of State’s decision and the reasonableness of the
decision.
2
From the information I have obtained, I am satisfied that the Cabinet took this decision in
full knowledge of the relevant facts. The Council has the power to appeal against the
Secretary of State’s decision; it believes there are valid grounds for an appeal, it has taken
specialist legal advice; it has considered the financial risks and assessed the potential
outcomes and chances of success, in considering whether it should challenge the
Secretary of State.
Although it is apparent that this decision does not have universal support, that in itself
does not provide me with reason to challenge the Council. Based on my enquiries, I am
satisfied that; at present, there are no matters that I should consider further in relation to
the Council’s decision. Due to the high degree of local interest, I will continue to monitor
developments as they progress.
Yours faithfully
Darren Wells
District Auditor
Un-stickying now...