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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE STRATEGY, POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

29 January 2026

Present – Parish Councillors
Councillor R Elmer (Chair)
Councillor M Burns
Councillor M Hockley
Councillor M Hurley
Councillor J Miller
Councillor J Price
Councillor N Roberts

In Attendance
G White, Parish Clerk

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

No members of the public were present.

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

None

2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

None

3. MINUTES

The minutes of the meetings of 18 September, 6 October and 4 December were approved as a correct
record.

4. MATTERS ARISING/UPDATES

18 September Minute 6 Martyn’s Law – In reply to Councillor Price, the Clerk reported that he was not
aware of additional guidance which would confirm whether or not the provisions were applicable to the
Council. Notwithstanding the Committee asked the Clerk to make enquiries of SALC in this regard.

18 September Minute 7 Works Contracts – Councillor Price asked if any progress had been made in
identifying an appropriate set of standard contracts. The Clerk said he had contacted a former
colleague who headed the contract team of a London Borough and was awaiting a reply. Councillor
Price thought it would be useful to also contact SALC.

18 September Minute 5 The Lambe School – The Clerk confirmed that the recommendation from this
committee to Council was approved by Council. Furthermore, Babergh DC had rejected a CIL
application because the proposal was for the refurbishment of the existing kitchen and not for a new
commercial kitchen. In consequence, the Council had agreed that the entire cost of the project be met
from the Parish CIL fund. The works were due to commence imminently.

4 December Minute 5 Budget and Precept – Councillor Price asked if any progress had been made
regarding details for a PCSO post. Councillor Miller said she had very recently met the |Chair of

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Brantham PC and the Police Inspector in charge who had agreed to send terms and conditions for
PCSOs, duties, shift patterns and final costs. Once these details are received they will be referred to
this committee for consideration and recommendation to Council.

Councillor Roberts thought the principle of having a PCSO needed to be considered before the detail,
though Councillor Miller considered it impossible to separate the two as the Council will need to know
the purpose and cost before deciding whether or not a PCSO is required.

5. CONSERVATION AREA EXTENSION

Councillor Miller said that as the Conservation Area had not been reviewed since the 1980s, the
Council had sought the instigation of a review some three years ago with a submission to Babergh
DC. The purpose of this was to maintain the rural aspect of the village and the views which Constable
painted. This had not been actioned by Babergh but had been resurrected with the joint funding of a
report by HCUK which was nearing readiness for public consultation along with the associated
management plan. Thereafter it is hoped that the report will form the basis of Babergh’s formal review.

The next step is for the Parish Council to hold an Open Day for the public to see the substantial report
and to ask questions with a period of time during which the report is available online and public
comments upon it welcomed. The Council will also endeavour to consult village groups up to the end
of April. The report will be considered by the Council on 12 February and a public open day will be
arranged shortly afterwards.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Hurley and agreed unanimously that a
public open day be held on 21 February at an appropriate local venue and that up to £500 be spent on
publicity and printing to be funded from SPF underspends.

6. RISK ASSESSMENTS

The committee considered the current risk assessments relevant to this committee and noted a
number of items which required amendment together with a number of additions which were required
including lone working in the office, abusive or violent residents and PAT testing (if relevant). Authority
was delegated to the Chair and Councillor Roberts to finalise the risk assessments before the end of
the financial year.

7. URGENT COMMUNICATIONS

None

The meeting closed at 9:01pm

Chairman…………………………………………………………………………………….Date………………………………………..