Priority Projects and Funding, October 2024

Priority Parish Council projects have been identified over 10 years through the two Neighbourhood Plan surveys of all residents and through individual parish councillor’s initiatives and council decisions. The projects can be either revenue or capital funding projects.

Priority projects were initially published in the Adopted East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan 2016. Further projects have been developed since then in response to residents’ demand. Parish councillors determined priorities for all projects in February 2024 and estimates of funding were earmarked for each project. EBPC has appointed a lead councillor for each project. The progress of these projects is reviewed by the council annually each autumn.

Funding

The main sources of funding available to East Bergholt Parish Council (EBPC) for investment in new services are:

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding

EBPC has an established Neighbourhood Plan and so we receive 25 percent of all local CIL revenues and have the ability to invest the monies received in projects that benefit the village directly. These may be capital or revenue projects. EBPC may also bid for Babergh District CIL funding but this can only be for infrastructure projects, so mainly capital investments. Approximately £645,000 is currently (January 2025) held in EBPC’s CIL funding.

Reserves Funding

EBPC holds approximately £345,000 in reserves for allocation to priority projects which were determined by the Parish Council in October 2024.

Precept

EBPC requests a precept each year which is largely for revenue purposes. However, projects may bid for funding which can be included in the precept proposals.

EBPC may, if it decides to do so request a loan from the Government’s Public Works Loan Board (PWLB), for investment in a project. This money is repayable after a set number of years (negotiated with PWLB) and will be charged at a fixed rate of interest.

Grant Opportunities

Grants and loans may be sought, for example, from Babergh District Council (BDC) CIL funds, other BDC grant funds, Suffolk County Council fund grants and the National Lottery.

The priority projects are:

Congregational Church community hub: lead councillor, Joan Miller

The aim of this project is to take over the charity managing the Congregational church and create a community hub and parish council centre for the benefit of all village residents. At a later stage a feasibility study will be established for sheltered units for older people in the grounds of the congregational church. This would provide a convenient location to allow residents with care needs to remain in the heart of the village.

Affordable Housing: lead councillor, Lyn Matthews

The Adopted East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan 2016 (EBNP) set out a project to establish the East Bergholt Community Land Trust (EBCLT). This aims to provide affordable housing to meet the established needs of young families in the village. EBCLT was established in 2018. EBCLT has asked EBPC to consider support and investment for affordable houses in the village to be kept in perpetuity for the benefit of local people.

Road Safety: lead councillor, Nigel Roberts

EBNP surveys identified increased traffic, speeding and poor parking as a major village concern and identified several projects to improve safety in the village. Village feedback in surveys and a residents’ workshop in 2023 identified the following as priorities: the early phasing of 20 mph speed limits, improvements along the B1070 road and footpaths from the High School to Foxhall Fields, improvements to Hadleigh Rd past the primary school, and parking in the village centre.

EBPC supports Babergh DC’s project to reinstate the Hopper bus service from Manningtree station to Hadleigh with the aim of providing public transport for commuters and visitors and to promote car-less tourism. This project was not successful in the 2023 bidding round to SCC, but will be resubmitted in 2025.

Footpath extensions: lead councillor, John Price

The Star project aims to connect East Bergholt with accessible footpaths to surrounding villages and to Manningtree. This project has already achieved improvements to the footpath to Stratford St Mary with work undertaken by SCC. A proposal has been identified to create a footpath and cycle route above the flood plain level from Flatford to Manningtree Station following the route of an old right of way which was deleted in the late 1990s. This project, managed through the Roads, Footpaths and Flatford (RFF) Committee, will need to work with neighbouring parish councils and form a partnership with higher levels of local government.

Playing field extension: Lead Councillor, Graeme Woodcock

The current playing field at Gandish Road was established in the early 1950s through compulsory purchase of half the field and renting the other half from Constable Hall. The playing fields were planned to support the then village population. In the 1960’s the village expanded by 400 new houses, and over the next four years a further 240 houses will be added. This will double the size of the village of the 1950s. The playing field capacity is already stretched to provide space for existing clubs. As these expand their teams with the new population the current field will not be sufficient. The Parish Council hopes to acquire additional land.

The 2023/2024 wet winter and the subsequent flooding on the Gandish Road playing field put it out of action for the 3 months, an alternative solution for football is needed if this trend continues.

New services for children : lead councillor, Sallie Davies

When EBPC achieved competent council status in 2023, it voted to explore opportunities to provide more services (other than sport) for young people. A council working group established significant interest in facilities for young people and a new formal Young People Committee of the parish council was appointed in January 2024. Following the Committee’s survey of village young people, it has set the following priorities: a youth group for 12-18 year old’s and more services for children under 5.

Welcoming newcomers to the village: lead councillor, Mark Hurley

When the new estates are complete the village population will increase by perhaps 500-800 on top of the current 2750. That’s approximately a 20 percent increase in residents, and in cars. EBPC has talked about how to best welcome and integrate new residents into the village. Ideas include:

  • Information to help newcomers learn quickly about village culture and history
  • A welcome event or series of events to introduce new residents to the many clubs and societies

Assessment of funding required for earmarked funding 2025/26

Project New One Off £ Annual £/ in precept 24/25 Comment
Congregational church 20,000 Legal and technical fees for the transfer of the charity
Congregational church 150,000 Refurbishment for step 2, experimental community hub
Affordable homes 300,000 Est Grant request EBCLT
Road Safety 8,000- 10,000 PJA time spent on 20 mph zone. Funding from EBPC NP 23/24 budget underspend.
Road Safety £37,000 -70,000 +20% contingency PJA time spent on working with SCC, design works and safety audit. For 25/26
Road Safety design 43,000 – 80,000 PJA time spent on working with SCC, design works and safety audit.
Build 20mph zone 100,000
Road Safety build Gaston End 80,000 – 100,000 + 20% contingency = SCC
Road Safety build High School 50,000 – 100,000 + 20% contingency = SCC
Road Safety build Hadleigh Rd/The Street 30,000 – 60,000 + 20% contingency = SCC
Footpath right of way to Manningtree St 20,000 hydrographic and ecological surveys.
Hopper Bus Subsidy pa for 2 years – ie would go in precept.
Playing fields 35,000 – 50,000 quote for clearing land under the pylon on current field.
Playing fields 300,000 estimate for procurement and build of facilities and new playing fields
Children & Families 20,000 outline estimate for youth services plus equipment 24/25 with a further £20,000 expected in 25/26
TOTAL Estimate low 1,165,000 28,000
TOTAL estimate high 1,350,000 30,000