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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Thursday 12 May 2022 at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt

Present – Parish Councillors
Councillor J Miller (Chairman of the Council)
Councillor N Roberts (Vice-Chairman of the Council)
Councillor R Allen
Councillor C Cathcart
Councillor P Dent
Councillor R Elmer
Councillor M Hockley
Councillor M Hurley
Councillor J Price
Councillor S Rothwell
Councillor R Wombwell
Councillor G Woodcock

In Attendance
G White, Parish Clerk
County Councillor Georgia Hall
District Councillor John Hinton
Two members of the public

1. Welcome

The Chairman of the Parish Council, Councillor Joan Miller, welcomed everyone to the Annual
Parish Meeting.

2. Apologies for absence

None.

3. Annual Reports from the Chairman of the Parish Council and Committee Chairmen

Written annual reports from the following Parish Councillors had been placed on the village
website and each was presented to the meeting by its author.

The Chairman of the Parish Council – Councillor Joan Miller
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee – Councillor Bob Elmer
Burial Grounds Committee – Councillor Peter Dent
Playing Fields Committee – Councillor Graeme Woodcock
Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee – Councillor John Price
East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan Committee – Councillor Clare Cathcart

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4. Report from County Councillor Georgia Hall

County Councillor Hall presented her Annual Report which had been placed on the village
website and expanded on the role she had played in assisting the Parish Council in its
communications with Suffolk County Council, particularly in respect of highway issues of which
several were now in the course of resolution such as the flooding in The Street opposite the
pharmacy and the signage in the vicinity of the Co-op which would enable enforcement of errant
parking. ANPR traffic camera trials were proceeding in the nearby villages and East Bergholt
was on the list and would be reached in due course.

The Chairman thanked County Councillor Hall for her work on behalf of East Bergholt and in
particular for facilitating the meeting between the County Council Cabinet member, Suffolk
highways officers and the Parish Council.

Report from District Councillor John Hinton

Councillor Hinton presented his report which had been placed on the village website and
expanded on issues which had been foremost in Babergh DC over the past year, including the
current political turmoil and matters relating to planning both at strategic and development
control levels. Although a county council function, as a result of representations from
constituents, he took a great interest in highway issues, particularly footway improvements and
potholes and would assist in achieving positive outcomes wherever possible.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Hinton for his report and on behalf of the village, for his work
for East Bergholt.

5. Open Forum

Fiona Mullen, a local resident, enquired about the provision of electric vehicle charging points in
the car park. The Chairman said that the Council had submitted an application to join a Suffolk
County Council scheme though this had not proceeded beyond initial stages and in any event
the Landlord of the car park, whose consent would be required had not shown much
enthusiasm. The Council may need to look elsewhere in the village for suitable locations as it
did wish to see adequate infrastructure provided for residents. Councillor Wombwell mentioned
various Government schemes and whilst the one for homeowners had now closed there
remained a scheme for businesses which would assist them to install up to five charging points.

The meeting closed at 7.46 pm.

The next Annual Parish Meeting will take place in May 2023 on a date to be determined.