Well, anyone can do the online council tax search, and the planning search.
That's what I thought.
It seems pretty solid that there is no planning permission record in the archive. Although the online system only goes back to 2003.
The extra building might be suitable for staying in for a week or two… doesn’t mean it could be sold as a habitable property, or needs an official change of use. It’s fudgy, but not unusual on old farms. Lots of barns with double glazing and working sink and toilet out there. As for the property being worth many times the value used for Council Tax… that’s true for half the country I suspect.
But the original docs in that article show that "cottage" didn't exist, so presumably not an old converted barn.
I see the media are reporting that Bojo has told him he is on his last chance and won't tolerate another mistake but I think there are 2 things wrong with that
1 It's probably a lie.
2 It is far too little far too late if it is not a lie
Could look for building regs submissions too. What's the address?
Is any of the property listed? Conservation area? That may be a violation if they undertook work to make a barn habitable?
Still no actual reply from my MP after providing him with my address.
Have chased him during the week.
I'll try again today and then let him know what I think.........
Yep, just sent my 4th attempt to get a response from the Sec State for Wales who is a twunt of an MP. He broke cover recently to attempt to undermine the Welsh government’s rules but hasn’t made a statement about Cummboy.
Seems like the blog addressed many questions but leaves several questions unanswered.
It's a conservation area and coal board (now coal authority) permission for construction is a schedule on the deeds.
The concrete block shed (the cottage) may or may not fall under permitted development rights, may have been built over a swimming pool, may qualify for permission by prescription, but nobody is really sure. The conservation area restrictions would seem the most problematic.
Pete - we’ve all started tagging our invisible Tory MP in Tweets, asking why he won’t answer his emails or make any comment on the Cummings business.
So now his Twitter and Facebook feed are just full of reams of people asking him why he’s ignoring all his constituents.
A bold game to play with a majority of 100
Ours is a young first time MP, Antony Higginbotham.
And yes, a slim majority.
He's tweeted his position, but promised to reply to every email.
He'll be gettinga very snotty response if I don't get a reply soon.......
For those with silent MPs
How an MP has responded to your concerns, or the “standard of service” they have provided.
we’ve all started tagging our invisible Tory MP in Tweets, asking why he won’t answer his emails or make any comment on the Cummings business
I’m still shocked that our MP is repeatedly and publicly calling for Dominic Cummings to go. I’ve thanked him where I could, including on twitter.
My MP was openly called a 'serial candidate' as he tried to become MP for a series of areas he has absolutely no connection with. He got his wish with my constituency. Unfortunately my constituency is Gammon NIMBY central where you could put a blue rosette on the prize winning narrow at the horticultural show and it would get elected.
He is a total yes-man and, from what I can glean is basically someone who decided to be a career politician. He is 100% loyal to the party line. Always. I don't think he has to swallow any principles because I don't think he has any. Safe seat, stay under the radar and profit personally.
****.
Danny - your MP sounds just like mo e in Monmouth. 🙄
Yes, still waiting for a reply from my MP. Dame Elanor Laing. Nothing on her Twitter feed either. I got a "Please give us your address" email but nothing since my reply despite asking again for her position.
Eleanor Laing is a Deputy Speaker so may be expected to stay away from contentious issues
Maybe but she should still be replying?
Fadda.
Mine is called Edward Argar and I am in Charnwood (near Loughborough).
Where his opinion on various matters is known (which he seems to avoid like the plague) it is soon put to one side when he is told what to do by the big boys in the class.
Here, finally, is the generic response from SHart. I asked for a personal reply rather than a copy and paste one. I didn’t get one.
If you can’t be arsed to read it it says:
“I was waiting to see which way the police and my boss would fall before commenting. I’m happy he did nowt wrong. Get back in your box”
“Thank you for writing to me recently on the subject of the Prime Minister’s Chief Adviser, Dominic Cummings.
I understand that many people are concerned by this issue, especially when so many of us have been following Government guidance so diligently for so long. I am therefore sorry that you felt compelled to write to me and that you have had to wait a few days before getting my response - I wanted to see how the issue unfolded and in particular hear what the police had to say about that matter and whether they intended to take any further action. Also, a number of people have written expressing slightly different views, or making a range of points, so I hope this generic response covers as many angles as possible.
I think we can all agree that Covid-19 has proved to be an incredibly testing time for everyone - whether they are at the top of Government, the front line of the NHS or isolating anxiously at home. I am fully aware of the huge difficulties that the pandemic has placed on all of us and the continuing toll of family separation. One of my own close family members has been in Withybush Hospital (and more recently South Pembs) since February, including nearly three weeks of intensive care, with none of us able to see him.
At his Downing Street press conference on Monday, Dominic Cummings described his actions and decisions when confronted with the onset of Corona virus. And, as I have mentioned, we have now all seen the updated statement from the Durham Constabulary regarding his period of isolation at his parents farm. This can be found at: https://www.durham.police.uk/news-and-events/Pages/News Articles/Durham-Constabulary-press-statement--.aspx I am sure that everyone will by now have reached a view, as has the Prime Minister as his employer.
Now that it has been confirmed by the police (and the Prime Minister) that no further action is being taken, my task is to focus all of my attention on defeating Covid-19 and restoring the Welsh economy as quickly and safely as possible. I am sure you will appreciate why this remains my priority.
Best wishes and thank you again for your patience and forbearance.
Simon“
with postbags up to a thousand and more its unrealistic to expect a personal reply
It’s his job; he should tough it out and get on with it. If he’d started replying before checking to see which way the wind was blowing he could have got a lot more done.
I have no sympathy for the man or his workload. He purports to represent me and he’s failing.
Looks like the Beeb are now referring to the Cummings debacle as 'recent events' presumably in an effort to anonymise it and avoid further fanning the flames... Sounds a bit like 'the troubles' bolleux used to describe many years of sectarian violence/state oppression/terrorism (depending on your viewpoint)...
I wouldn't have watched it even if I was at home, but apparently Piers Morgan isn't letting it go (according to a colleague who is working from home!).
I think this is the link:
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/gmbs-piers-morgan-takes-down-18341168
Yep, having someone like Piers on the case is not always a bad thing as he is well known for "not letting it lie"
I couldn't help thinking watching him this morning that the outcome may have been different if he'd have been on last week
Gov lawyers have tried and failed to get Cummings name removed as a respondent in the tribunal for the sacking of Sajid Javid's SPAD last year.
That's it, keep the drip feed of stories. Hopefully some of the more morally sound in the conservative party will start applying pressure from within.
I think it's much better for the opposition to keep Cummings around. If he resigns he'll be gone and forgotten in a week, better to have him tied round the Tories' necks to remind people of who they are.
I think it’s much better for the opposition to keep Cummings around. If he resigns he’ll be gone and forgotten in a week, better to have him tied round the Tories’ necks to remind people of who they are.
I have to say that I agree with that. He's now the living embodiment of shameless entitlement and establishment exceptionalism. They're certainly not going to be able to play their usual trick that they're against 'The Elite', now its glaringly obvious to even the hardest of thinking that they ARE 'The Elite'.
In March, as Magic Grandad bowed out, the Tories had a 26 point poll lead. Polling on Sunday now has that down to 4, and Joris Bohnsons personal ratings are (unsurprisingly) in freefall.
I think labour has played it clever and just kept pretty quiet and let Boris keep digging. I can't wait to see the first PMQ's after the parliamentary recess. Starmer should have a field day.
In other news; TJ will be settling his bet when his favourite mail-order pastry place has resumed their mail orders. Yummy! 😀
Seeing Cummings sacked would have been a lovely piece of schadenfreudde. Watching him stay is proving to be even more delicious. He is the gift that keeps on giving.
I wonder if there will be any new developments in tomorrow's press?
Just got this response from my MP...
Thank you for contacting Amanda Solloway, MP for Derby North.
There are strict parliamentary protocols that stipulate that MPs can only engage with their own constituents in correspondence of this nature. In order to ensure that both high standards are maintained, and you receive an adequate response, can you please provide me with your postal address to ensure that you are a Derby North constituent.
Is this common, my paranoia thinks they want my address to red flag 😉
Common and normal Al
At least you had a direct reply, my bell end of a representative just put a statement on his website backing Cummings (no surprise as it was Rees mogg).
My one responded that members of the government shouldn't be subject to judgement by social media.
I had to point out that he is NOT a member of the government.
****.
Zero reply from my so called MP..... Gove
zippykona
Subscriber
My one responded that members of the government shouldn’t be subject to judgement by social media.
He is absolutely spot on. He should be judged by our own fine upstanding, honest government for a fair and balanced view. 😏
If any of you live in Calder Valley, at least your MP tried even if he was ignored
https://twitter.com/PeterStefanovi2/status/1267807244382605314
I got asked to send my address and post code.
Mine (Tracy Crouch) replied personally and agreed with me but said she wouldn't resign as she is a back bencher(i didn't ask her to). She said she wasn't into a lynch mob style of demanding his resignation as it was most unbecoming!! She did say she complained to her whip most vociferously though.
Thats funny, Tracey Crouch is also my MP and I was emailed a reply with a link to her Facebook page which had a statement that sat on the fence.
Mine (Edward 'yes-man' Argar the 'serial candidate') posted me a long but obviously cut and paste reply.
As if he needs principles, he's in a safe seat that he has no connection to whatsoever. His only concern so far, I suspect, has been slurping the correct anuses to get there in the first place.
I’m in your neighbouring constituency, with Helen Grant as MP- she’s not making any comment.
