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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 10 July 2025 at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt

Present – Parish Councillors
Councillor J Miller (Chair of the Council)
Councillor N Roberts (Vice-Chair of the Council)
Councillor M Burns
Councillor S Davies
Councillor P Dent
Councillor R Elmer
Councillor M Hockley
Councillor M Hurley
Councillor L Matthews
Councillor J Price
Councillor R Smith
Councillor G Woodcock

In Attendance
County Councillor Georgia Hall
G White, Parish Clerk
N Reed, Media Consultant
One member of the public

The Chair welcomed Councillor Rob Smith to his first meeting of the Council and looked
forward to working with him.

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

Joyce Baker asked if there was any firm news about the sale of the Red Lion and the car
park. There had been unsubstantiated rumours in the village. The Chair said that it had been
announced that the pub and the pub garden had been bought by The Chestnut Group but
there had been no official word about the car park and the development land. However, as
tenants of the car park, the Council would expect to be notified of any prospective change of
ownership prior to completion of sale and this had not occurred.

43.25.26 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence received from Councillors Allen were NOTED.

44.25.26 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST S OR DISPENSATIONS

None.

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45.25.26 MINUTES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING OF 10 JUNE 2025

It was proposed by Councillor Hockley, seconded by Councillor Hurley and RESOLVED
(eight voted for, none voted against) that the minutes of the extraordinary meeting of 10 June
2025 be approved as a correct record.

46.25.26 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF 12 JUNE 2025

Councillors Roberts and Davies noted typographical errors in Minute 30.25.26 paragraph 9,
line 1 – 2026 not 2029; line 2 – 4,300 not 3,400 and line 3 – 400 not 40.
Minute 38.25.26 line 2 – week not work; line 5 – delete ‘undertake the role’ Insert ‘co-
ordinate activity in the village.’

It was proposed by Councillor Hurley, seconded by Councillor Dent and RESOLVED (ten
voted for, none voted against), that subject to the above amendments, the minutes of the
meeting of 12 June 2025 be approved as a correct record.

47.24.25 MATTERS ARISING/UPDATES

The Chair gave brief updates on matters from the previous meeting.

Minute 29.25.26 – The meeting with the Chief Executive and Strategic Director of Babergh
DC has taken place on 23 June 2025 and is reported upon in Item10 of this agenda.

Minute 29.25.26 – The Chair confirmed that former councillor Wombwell had resigned as a
trustee of the Lettice Dykes Foundation. A replacement nomination is sought at Item 11.3 of
this agenda.

Minute 30.25.26 – Councillor Hurley’s correspondence regarding the SCC flag flying policy is
Item 13 on this agenda.

Minute 35.25.26– Councillor Davies’ enquiries upon housing sites and the neighbourhood
plan are answered in Item 6 of this agenda.

Minute 31.25.26 – The co-option of Councillor Smith was recorded at the last meeting and
he has since signed the declaration of acceptance of office. The unsuccessful applicants
have been invited to join council committees as non-voting members to which Item 11.2 of
this agenda refers.

Minute 32.25.26 – Further to this minute, the Chair reported that the village centre Co-op will
now close on 30 July 2025 and re-open at the Heath Road premises on 31 July 2025. There
was no information as to a new tenant for the old store though it was understood that a
tender process was being undertaken and the Co-op will advise the Council when a new
tenant has been selected.

Minute 32.25.26 – The Chair referred to the Government’s intention to legislate to allow
virtual and hybrid meetings and was pleased that Councillor Smith, with professional
expertise in computer applications, had offered to assist the Council to set-up appropriate
systems to enable such meetings to take place in accordance with new council policy,
established once the legislation is passed.

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Minute 36.25.26 – Councillor Burns said that despite the weather, the Summer Fair had
gone well and been appreciated by villagers. She thanked all the people who had helped
with the arrangements and in particular Councillor Hockley who had performed a number of
tasks on the playing field which had ensured the smooth running of the event. She
considered that much of the success of the Fair was due to the efforts of Louise Smith,
Assistant Clerk and Nicki Reed, Media Consultant to whom she was indebted.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Hockley and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that a vote of thanks be afforded to Councillor Burns, Louise Smith Assistant
Clerk and Nicki Reed, Media Consultant as well as to the other organisers and participants
in the fair activities.

48.25.26 COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

County Councillor Hall presented her written report which had been circulated and expanded
upon it.

She asked how the Local Government reorganisation consultation meeting with SCC had
gone. The Chair explained that the Council had been unable to attend as the date clashed
with the Extraordinary Council Meeting. County Councillor Hall said she would see if
something additional can be arranged. The Chair said that would be appreciated as the
Council has had a meeting with Babergh DC and will shortly be having one with Ipswich BC.

On flag flying policy, County Councillor Hall supported the Parish Council’s stance and had
done her best behind the scenes to achieve reconsideration.

County Councillor Hall noted that highway enforcement was increasing and there had been
28 enforcements into encroaching vegetation.

Councillor Hockley raised the issue of EVs and charging points. County Councillor Hall said
that the cost of charging a vehicle was subject to enticements from competing firms which
might be worth taking up in some cases. She will find out the costs which SCC proposes to
charge, if possible.

Councillor Roberts noted that there were proposals for 6,000 charging points across Suffolk.
How many of those would be in East Bergholt? County Councillor Hall will find out.
Councillor Davies thought the Council needs to be more pro-active in promoting public EV
charging points.

Councillor Roberts referred to the accident on 6 July at the Gandish Road, Straight Road,
B1070 junction in which four cars were involved. The Police attended and the road was
closed. The B1070 needs a 30mph speed limit in this area and the SCC view that it does not
meet their speed limit criteria because of the rural nature of the road is not understood as
other similar roads in the area are speed limited.

County Councillor Hall said such accidents were not always the fault of Highways; in this
instance the driver who crashed initially was on his phone at the time. The Chair wondered
why the B1070 was not 30mph along its entirety and with the projected 57% increase in
traffic in the next five years it needs to be as soon as possible. In Brantham there is a 30mph
limit right through the village including a rural stretch so why not here? Councillor Woodcock

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added that it requires a physical inspection by highway officers not merely a goggle earth
evaluation in the office.

The Parish Council needs help to sort this out and County Councillor Hall said she would do
her best and revert to Highways but cautioned that there are many layers to negotiate.

Councillor Matthews reported that PC Adams had attended the community event earlier in
the day and brought posters regarding the reporting of domestic violence. Both the County
and District councillors were united in combatting this scourge. Councillor Davies said that
there were 43-45 reported instances of sexual and domestic violence each year in East
Bergholt and she was glad to see that all the local authorities were combining to address the
issue.

Councillor Hurley thanked County Councillor Hall for her support on the SCC flag policy
issue.

The Chair thanked County Councillor Hall for her contribution and she left the meeting.

District Councillor Davies presented her written report which had been circulated and
expanded upon it.

She was pleased to see that two local businesses had received support from the Rural
Prosperity Fund. The Circles school was opening in September, initially with ten students. At
their stall at the Summer Fair, they received very positive reactions from villagers.

Councillor Price referred to the Constable 250 celebrations and noted that Babergh DC had
referred to events via Colchester and Ipswich Museums but made no mention of East
Bergholt. When he met District Councillor Derek Davis recently, he found Councillor Davis
(Shotley Peninsula) to be enthusiastic and said he would be delighted to join in with village
celebrations. The Babergh DC Events Organiser is planning to bring a virtual reality
presentation to East Bergholt in August 2026. The Chair requested that any projects of this
nature be advised to herself and Councillor Burns as the co-ordinators.

The Chair referred to the Democracy in Planning proposals and queried whether this was
merely centralisation. District Councillor Davies thought that this was not necessarily the
case. At present some applications go to officers and some to committees with councillors
having a power to call-in applications to the committee. The Government intends to publish a
prescribed list of what can go to Committee and what is solely a matter for officers. Babergh
DC’s response to the consultation will be that the list cannot be so prescriptive as one size
does not fit all. At present in Babergh, 91% of decisions are made by officers and 8% go to
Committee. The delegation to officers is higher than the national average.

The Chair thanked District Councillor Davies for her contribution.

49.24.25 CORRESPONDENCE

The correspondence set out in the Correspondence list circulated with the agenda and
subsequently was considered and NOTED, comprising:

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Date Sender Subject
1. 16/06/25 Robert Shackleton Field at former Pitts Farm, East Bergholt
– DC/24/02093
2. 24/06/25 Suffolk Preservation Society Personnel changes
3. 02/07/25 Laura Fellingham, Co-op Changes to shop closing/opening
4. 09/07/25 District Councillor Davies Planning answers from BDC
5. 09/07/25 Cllr Miller/County Cllr Hall Education answers from SCC

Items 4 – Whilst an answer was given on Housing Plan Supply, it was unclear as to whether
it answered the question posed. Councillor Davies thought that the planners did not really
know the answer and we must remain vigilant.

Item 5 – Although the answer suggests there are sufficient spaces for the catchment area
this does not address the case where pupils arrive in mid-school years when all the capacity
has been taken up at the first school year. In subsequent years the existing pupils will roll
over from the previous years and there will be no space for newcomers in later forms. The
question is what will SCC do about this, if anything? County Councillor Hall agreed with this
analysis and said she would make further enquiries.

Item 1 – Mr Shackleton referred to the bunds which have been created without using the top
soil store. Councillor Smith was not sure the bunds were located in the approved locations.
Which application is being implemented, the approved one or the one not yet determined?
District Councillor Davies will send Mr Shackleton’s letter to David Steel asking what Hills
are preparing for and which soil is being used. She will write to Mr Shackleton when she has
received a reply.

50.24.25 PLANNING

50.1 Planning Consultations received

The single consultation on the planning list, DC/25/02850, had been withdrawn and there
were no other consultations upon which to make recommendations.

50.2 Planning Correspondence

The correspondence received from the Local Planning Authority as set out on the planning
list, concerning determined applications was NOTED.

51.25.26 STRATEGY, POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

51.1 Schedule of Payments and Income -The Clerk presented his report and answered
questions upon it. It was proposed by Councillor Elmer, seconded by Councillor Matthews
and RESOLVED (unanimously), that the schedule of payments and income and the bank
transfer be noted and the payments due in June 2025 amounting to £41,730.04 be
approved.

51.2 Bank Reconciliation Statement – The bank reconciliation statement for June 2025 was
NOTED.

51.3 Budget Monitor 2025/26 Q1 – The Clerk presented his report which was NOTED.

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52.25.26 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSDE BODIES

Constable Hall Management Committee – Councillor Price reported that the Trustees AGM
is on 15 July 2025 and all East Bergholt residents are welcome to attend. There will be an
open day on 7 September 2025 which is organised as a formal launch of the ‘Friends of
Constable Hall’ initiative aimed at encouraging the involvement of people who may be
interested in shaping aspects of the future of the hall and the operation and management of
the facilities for the benefit of the village community.

The ’black box’ investment is proving to be a success with more groups using the projector.

Events for Constable 250 are already being visualised and it is hoped that the celebrations
will be central to the village and not just to museums in Colchester and Ipswich.

Following a recent instance where the hall was left uncleaned after a dinner and only cleared
up the following day (outside the hire period), Councillor Price emphasised how important it
was for all cleaning up and restoration of the facilities to be achieved within the hire period
and not left beyond it. The Chair will raise the issue with the Barbizon committee.

East Bergholt Community Land Trust – Councillor Matthews had nothing to report

East Bergholt/Barbizon Twinning Association – The Chair reported that the recent visit from
Barbizon had been extremely successful with a coach load of some 50 visitors visiting for a
long weekend, nearly half of whom were under 18, demonstrating a new generation getting
involved in events bringing together communities.

East Bergholt Futures – Councillor Woodcock had nothing to report

East Bergholt Society – The Chair reported that the Society had been resurrected since
John Lyall became its Chair. 28 new members had been recruited at the Summer Fair. There
will be future talks and events at Constable Hall.

East Bergholt Sports Council – Councillor Hockley reported that the cricket project had been
delayed by the makers of the surface of carpeting at the nets and their inability to source
materials. This project is now scheduled for completion in August. Rabbit infestation has
prompted thoughts of a rabbit-proof fence. There will be no hedge trimming between 1 May
and 30 September. The Sports Council needs to look at all long-term projects which need to
go on to the Playing Field Committee before progressing further. Car Parking remains a
problem and needs to be dealt with. A compromise may be necessary but this needs to
progress to the Playing Field Committee and become a Playing Field Committee project.
Recently, Babergh DC had not collected recycled waste as the bins had contained black
bags and not clear bags. This will be rectified by the clubs. The Sports Council is exploring
bottle bin proposals.

Councillor Woodcock added that the Sports Council has established a WhatsApp group to
improve communications and that a Bin store is in prospect to stop fly tipping in the bins. He
directed the Council to an Ipswich Town video which revealed their new season kit and
which had been filmed at the East End playing field.

SALC – Councillor Davies had nothing to report.

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COUNCIL NOMINATED TRUSTEE S TO OUTSIDE BODIES

East Bergholt United Charities – Councillor Burns reported that the Charities had appointed
a new trustee and will advertise for more Trustees. A meeting of Trustees is imminent. The
two councillors now Trustees of the United Charities were asked to request the Trustees to
meet the Parish Council to discuss matters of mutual interest. One such area is the Sand
and gravel pit and the reason for the Parish Council’s interest is that it could well be included
in the neighbourhood plan as a development site but there would need to be discussion with
the owners before so designating it. A neighbourhood plan allocation would mean that a
planning application for development would be likely to be approved whereas without such
allocation, it would not.

Lettice Dykes Foundation – Councillor Hurley reported that he had been on holiday when the
last meeting took place, but had ascertained that Rob Wombwell had resigned as a Trustee
and that there had been one application for a grant, which had been approved.

Lambe School – Councillor Elmer reported that the Lambe School now had a broadband
connection, the password for which was displayed variously around the building. The
Council congratulated Councillor Elmer on finally managing to get The Lambe School
connected.

Various other works of maintenance were also being undertaken, accessible to people with
disabilities. including a review of the ramp to the lower hall. Councillor Elmer asked
Councillor Price to inspect it to see if he thought it too steep for people with disabilities. The
Trustees were anxious to ensure that all the facilities of the building were suitable for people
with disabilities. Councillor Elmer added that the Trustees may seek a grant from the council
for some or all of these works.

53.25.26 DEVOLUTION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION

The Chair presented her paper and invited Councillor Price to present his paper, both of
which had been circulated.

The regional Mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk will be elected and take office in May 2026.

The issue for the Council now is whether it would prefer 1, 2, or 3 unitary authorities to take
over from the County and District councils. Suffolk CC want 1 unitary authority but this
appears to have very little public support and not a single East Bergholt Parish Councillor
supported that option.

Councillor Davies said that collectively the 14 district councils opted for 3 unitary authorities.
She added that the incoming results from their surveys showed that being local was the
most important aspect for people, followed by value for money etc. For 3 unitary authorities,
each councillor would represent less than 4,500 voters and this option is being costed at the
moment.

A debate ensued centred upon the advantages and disadvantages of 2 and 3 unitary
authorities, following which the Chair took a vote on which option members preferred.

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Six voted in favour of 2 and six voted in favour of 3. The Chair declined to exercise a casting
vote and will submit a representation to government based on the equality of voting.

54.25.26 APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES AND NOMINATION OF A TRUSTEE TO AN
OUTSIDE BODY.

54.1 It was proposed by Councillor Hurley, seconded by Councillor Miller and RESOLVED
(eleven voted for, none voted against), that Councillor Smith be appointed to the Burial
Grounds Committee for the remainder of the municipal year 2025/26.
Councillor Smith has also volunteered to assist with the development of the website.

54.2 The three unsuccessful applicants for the recent casual vacancy had been offered non-
voting membership of council committees.

It was proposed by Councillor Price, seconded by Councillor Miller and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that Andrew Meyer be appointed to the Roads, Footpaths and Flatford
Committee as a non-voting member for the remainder of the municipal year 2025/26.

It was proposed by Councillor Davies, seconded by Councillor Miller and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that Sean Carey be appointed to the Young People Committee as a non-
voting member for the remainder of the municipal year 2025/26.

It was proposed by Councillor Davies, seconded by Councillor Miller and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that Ricky Sharpe be appointed to the Neighbourhood Plan Committee as a
non-voting member for the remainder of the municipal year 2025/26.
54.3 It was proposed by Councillor Hurley, seconded by Councillor Miller and RESOLVED
(eleven voted for, none voted against) that Councillor Matthews be nominated as a Trustee
to Lettice Dykes Foundation.
55.25.26 NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN : HOUSING CHAPTER
Councillor Davies reported that she had spoken to the Head of strategic Policy at Babergh
DC about the approximate future housing requirement for East Bergholt as she thought 220
was too many. She proposed allocating site(s) in the neighbourhood plan for a smaller
number and was told that this could be done provided there was sufficient evidence in
justification of the proposal. Current thinking was for a development screening and a football
pitch to provide a benefit to the proposal. The Council’s planning consultant will be asked to
write a draft on what is feasible.
56.25.26 SUFFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL FLAG FLYING POLICY
Councillor Hurley reported that following the unanimous resolution at the previous Council
meeting he had taken up the matter with County Councillor Hall and with County Councillor
Matthew Hicks, the Leader of the County Council. The correspondence had been circulated
and published on the website. Although the County Council will not change its decision, the
matter has been aired in public and enabled other councils and bodies to make
representations to the County Council.
Councillor Hurley thanked District Councillor Davies and members of Babergh DC for their
protest outside Endeavour House.
Councillor Hurley thanked the Parish Council for its support, being the only parish council in
Suffolk to make such a positive resolution on behalf of minority groups.

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The Chair thanked Councillor Hurley for bringing this to the attention of the Parish Council
and for leading the Council’s opposition to the County Council’s policy.
57.25.26 URGENT COMMUNICATIONS

57.1 Regarding Constable 250, Councillor Burns reported that coordination of the event was
commencing and a meeting with the Church, National Trust Flatford, The East Bergholt
Society, Constable Hall and the Parish Council coordinators would take place on 25 July.

57.2 Councillor Matthews explained how the connection with the High School had dropped
off during the current academic year and she proposed a new impetus whereby the Young
People Committee arranges to visit the school to explain what the Council and its
committees are doing. It was proposed by Councillor Matthews, seconded by Councillor
Davies and RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Young People Committee seeks a meeting
with appropriate pupils of the High School to explain the work of the Parish Council, how it
impacts on the lives of local residents and to seek ideas about future improvements and
developments.

57.3 The Chair referred to the meeting of village representative with Ipswich Borough
Council on 24 July concerning Local Government Reorganisation. She was attending and
sought volunteers from the Council to accompany her. Councillors Price and Burns
volunteered to attend.

58.25.26 RESOLUTION TO EXCLUDE THE PUBLIC (INCLUDING THE PRESS)

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Matthews and RESOLVED
(eleven voted for, none voted against) that pursuant to the Public Bodies (Admission to
Meetings) Act 1960 and the Local Government Act 1972 the public (including the press) be
excluded from the meeting as publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason
of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted.

59.25.26 MINUTES

It was proposed by Councillor Matthews seconded by Councillor Hockley and RESOLVED
(nine voted for, none voted against) that the confidential minutes of the meeting of 12 June
2025 be approved as a correct record.

60.25.26 MATTERS ARISING/UPDATES

The Chair reported that there was no new information to impart.

The meeting closed at 10.22 pm

Date of next meeting Thursday 14 August 2025

Chair……………………………………………… Date…………………………………