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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEE TING
Thursday 12 March 2026 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 R Allen
Councillor M Burns
Councillor S Davies
Councillor R Elmer
Councillor M Hockley
Councillor M Hurley
Councillor L Matthews
Councillor J Price
Councillor G Woodcock
In Attendance
G White, Parish Clerk
N. Reed, Media Consultant
One member of the public
OPEN PUBLIC SESSION
The Chair welcomed to the meeting Zunaid Saiyed. Mr Saiyed said he was the Green Party
candidate for the Constable Ward in the imminent Suffolk County Council elections. He was
visiting Parish Councils in the area to introduce himself and gain knowledge of local issues.
He did not wish to address the Council on any particular matter.
The Chair closed the Open Public Session.
159.25.26 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence received from County Councillor Hall were NOTED.
160.25.26 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST S OR DISPENSATIONS
None.
161.25.26 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF 12 FEBRUARY 2026
It was proposed by Councillor Burns, seconded by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that the minutes of the Council Meeting of 12 February 2026 be approved as
a correct record.
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162.25.26 MINUTES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF 19
FEBRUARY 2026
Members had requested a number of amendments to the minutes as follows:
Open Public Session Page 2 para 9 line 1
Delete ‘Community Sums Fund’ Insert ‘Commuted Sums Fund
Minute 158.25.26 Page 4 para 2
Delete ‘Councillor Roberts noted our neighbourhood plan policies did not support affordable
housing in the village centre.’
Insert ‘Councillor Roberts noted that the neighbourhood plan encouraged homes for the
elderly on such a site in the village centre.’
Minute 158.25.26 Page 4 para 4 line 4
Delete ‘Councillor Woodcock made a good point about …’
Insert ‘Councillor Woodcock made a point about …’
Minute 158.25.26 Page 4 para 4 line 12
Delete ‘Council’ Insert ‘CLT’
It was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by Councillor Woodcock and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that subject to the above amendments the minutes of the Extraordinary
Council Meeting of 19 February 2026 be approved as a correct record.
163.25.26 MATTERS ARISING/UPDATES
Council Meeting 12 February 2026
Minute 144.25.26 Development in South West Babergh – Councillor Roberts reported upon
the meeting of various parish council representatives whose councils were considering
working together upon a response to Babergh DC’s Call for Sites. There was general
concern upon the matter and it was felt that there was a need to act together and for the
parishes to state their cases individually and collectively in respect of the sites identified. The
Chair noted that in the Call for Sites map (in the Chair’s report) there was a huge
concentration around Capel and Brantham which would impact not only on those villages but
also others in the surrounding area.
The Chair said she had written to the Chair of Brantham Parish Council and suggested
discussions. Both Parish Councils do not wish the villages to be conjoined by development.
There was general agreement that East Bergholt does not want to be surrounded by big
development sites. The sites suggested so far have still to be assessed by Babergh DC and
there will be the opportunity for representations to be made.
Councillor Price noted the wider effect upon the highway network of building in the A12
corridor. With regret, Councillor Davies said that the housebuilding targets were fierce and
building in the countryside was quicker and cheaper and provided an easier route for the
Government to achieve its target of building 1.5 million houses during the life of this
Parliament.
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Minute 146.25.26 – Councillor Roberts reported that the drawings produced by PJA upon the
B1070 proposals had now been received and acknowledged by Suffolk County Council. The
reaction of Suffolk Highways is awaited though Councillor Roberts feared that there may be
officer blockage. At the last meeting County Councillor Hall had undertaken to do her utmost
to ensure that the officers were on the same page as PJA and the Parish Council and this
should be raised with County Councillor Hall at the next meeting.
Minute 153.25.26 – Councillor Roberts referred to the Website Accessibility Statement which
had been withdrawn from the last meeting for further consideration. The Clerk reported that
the draft remained with PC Futures for finalisation and report back to Council. The Chair
stressed the importance of approving and publishing an appropriate statement and
emphasised that an early resolution was necessary.
164.25.26 CHAIR’S REPORT
The Chair presented her written report and expanded upon it.
Upon the Call for Sites, she reiterated the concern for the parish councils around Capel and
Brantham.
A very successful open day had launched the Conservation Area Extension and there had
been a positive public reaction to the proposal. Regrettably the council is unable to progress
the matter during the pre-election period. Babergh DC’s formal consultation commences on
11 May 2026. The Parish Council will hold another public event as part of the formal
consultation period and Babergh DC will write to every house within the current conservation
area seeking comments. The views of those outside the current conservation area will also
be welcomed. After the public views have been considered Babergh DC will finalise their
report and submit it to the District Council. The earliest date upon which a decision may be
made is 21 July 2026.
The East Bergholt Community Council project of inviting contributions from local residents
and children to a ‘paint by numbers’ line drawing of a Constable painting is going well and
councillors are encouraged to make their marks on the picture.
The Council’s charity lawyer is investigating the means and mechanisms for the transfer of
the Congregational Church. A virtual meeting with the solicitor will take place in the ensuing
week.
East Bergholt Community Land Trust would like to talk to the Parish Council to understand
how the Council might work with the CLT to get a project off the ground. The CLT had asked
if it could address the Council at its meeting in April though the Chair considered that
information sharing was more suitable for a council workshop.
Councillor Roberts said the CLT wished to know what type of projects the Parish Council
would support. Councillor Burns thought that the Council needed to know more about
project mechanisms and how the financial aspects worked.
After discussion it was agreed unanimously that a workshop with the CLT was the
appropriate way forward. Councillor Davies added that the Babergh DC enabling officer was
interested in joining such discussion and should be invited to attend.
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The Chair invited Councillor Burns to update the Council on In Our View. Councillor Burns
said that lots was happening and being prepared for the birthday celebrations. These will
commence at Easter and in June an overwhelming number of events was scheduled.
The Chair referred to her supplementary report which had been circulated and published
concerning Idaway, Foxhall Close, which Babergh DC is repurposing to provide temporary
accommodation for six homeless people, details of which are contained in the report.
The Co-op’s Development Manager had telephoned the Chair shortly before this meeting
with an update on the letting of the old Co-op store. There was one technical issue on the
legal front which required the support of Suffolk County Council to resolve following which
the lease was capable of completion. Although the Development Manager could not reveal
specific details, he was able to say that the proposed lessee was a local businessman who
proposed to run a retail business selling products.
The Chair’s report was noted.
165.25.26 COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
The County Councillor’s report, which had been circulated, was noted and the Chair asked
members with County Council issues to contact County Councillor Hall direct.
The District Councillor’s report, which had been circulated, was noted.
166.25.26 CORRESPONDENCE
The correspondence set out in the Correspondence list circulated with the agenda and
subsequently was considered and NOTED, comprising:
Date Sender Subject
1. 09/03/26 Andy Risk Traffic calming on Hadleigh Road
2. 11/03/26 Matt Bevan Traffic calming on Hadleigh Road
3. 11/03/26 Harriet Martin Traffic calming on Hadleigh Road
Councillor Roberts understood the concerns of residents expressed in their emails. The
Parish Council is progressing proposals with SCC Highways for the B1070 and SCC’s new
20 mph policy now offers an opportunity to partly address these concerns over road safety
across the village. The Hadleigh Road/Gaston Street junction and parking near the primary
school is in the Parish Council’s priority list and has not been forgotten but the 20 mph speed
limit is an immediate opportunity worth progressing now.
Councillor Price commented that a quote for works to the corner of Hadleigh Road had
previously been supplied by Suffolk Highways but had not been carried through to
completion. Councillor Roberts added that if the B1070 proposals were undertaken,
everything within the B1070 could be the subject of a 20mph speed limit.
It was proposed by Councillor Matthews, seconded by Councillor Hockley and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that Councillor Roberts and Councillor Price be authorised to develop
proposals for a 20 mph limit and to report back in due course.
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167.25.26 PLANNING
167.1 Planning Consultations received
DC/26/00521 Fountain House Tea Room, The Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6TB –
Application under Section 73 TCPA for B/08/00470 (Change of
use to tearooms) for variation of Condition 2 (Business hours) to
increase the premises opening hours extending to 10.30pm
Tuesday through Saturday.
It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Hurley and RESOLVED (eleven voted for, none voted against) that
subject to clear conditions around use and opening times, approval
be recommended.
DC/26/00507 14 Quintons Corner, East Bergholt, CO7 6RD – Householder
Application – Erection of single storey rear extension, rendering
of front and rear walls, replacement fenestration.
It was proposed by Councillor Woodcok, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (unanimously) that approval be
recommended.
DC//006216 Church of St Mary, The Virgin, Rectory Hill, East Bergholt –
Application for Consent to display an Advertisement(s) –
Erection of 2no free-standing glazed notice boards; Installation
of 2no wall-mounted glazed notice boards to replace existing
notice boards, Installation of 2no interpretation panels, one
replacing an existing interpretation panel.
It was proposed by Councillor Woodcok, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (seven voted for, none voted against) that
approval be recommended.
DC/26/00701 East Bergholt High School, Heath Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6RJ
– Full Planning Application – Demolition of Teaching and Sports
Blocks and their replacement with New Teaching Block and
Sports Hall, plus external works including installation of Ground
Source Heat Pumps and Soft Landscaping, Car Parking and
Boundary Treatment.
Councillor Roberts observed that trees had been felled on the site
before planning permission had been granted. The Council was
disappointed with this conduct.
It was proposed by Councillor Woodcok, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (ten voted for, one voted against) that
approval be recommended.
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DC/26/00718 1 Carriers Court, East Bergholt, CO7 6GB – Householder
application – Proposed single storey rear extension following
demolition of existing single storey rear extension.
It was proposed by Councillor Woodcok, seconded by Councillor
Matthews and RESOLVED (four voted for, one voted against) that
approval be recommended.
DC/26/00664 Little Court, The Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6TE – Notification of
works to trees in a conservation area – Fell 1no Cypress (T1).
It was proposed by Councillor Woodcok, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (unanimously) that no objection to tree
works be recommended.
DC/26/00864 The Gables, The Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6TB – Notification of
works to trees in a conservation area – Reduce 1no Pine (T1) by
30%. Reduce crown of 1no Oak (T2) by 30%.
It was proposed by Councillor Woodcok, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (unanimously) that no objection to tree
works be recommended.
DC/26/00673 Moranda, Whitefield, East Bergholt, CO7 6SP – Householder
application – Erection of a side and rear extension.
It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (ten vote for, none voted against) that
approval be recommended.
167.2 Planning Correspondence
The correspondence received from the Local Planning Authority as set out on the planning
list, concerning determined applications was NOTED.
168.25.26 STRATEGY, POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
168.1 Schedule of Payments and Income – It was proposed by Councillor Elmer seconded
by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED (unanimously), that the schedule of payments,
income and bank transfers be noted and the payments due in February 2026 amounting to
£66,316.40 be approved.
168.2 Bank Reconciliation Statement – The bank reconciliation statement for February 2026
was NOTED.
169.25.26 REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES
Constable Hall Management Committee – Councillor Price had nothing to report. Councillor
Davies enquired as to works to the tree outside the premises. Councillor Price said tree work
was still to be carried out.
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East Bergholt Community Land Trust – Councillor Matthews’ written report was noted.
East Bergholt/Barbizon Twinning Association – Councillor Miller’s written report was noted.
East Bergholt Futures – Councillor Woodcock’s written report was noted. Councillor Davies
who had succeeded Councillor Woodcock as the Council’s representative said that the body
would shortly be re-named as East Bergholt PACE (Practical Action on Climate and the
Environment). This will be launched at the Summer Fair.
East Bergholt Society – Councillor Miller’s written report was noted.
East Bergholt Sports Council – Councillor Hockley reported that there had been no meeting
since his last report.
SALC – Councillor Davies had nothing to report.
Babergh East Parish and Police Forum – Councillor Matthews reported that she had
attended a recent meeting and only three parish representatives attended. She hoped
greater interest would be shown as this was a useful meeting and she would be sad if it was
discontinued. Councillor Matthews was unable to attend the May meeting and Councillor
Hurley volunteered to attend in her place.
COUNCIL NOMINATED TRUSTEES TO OUTSIDE BODIES
East Bergholt United Charities – Councillor Burns’ written report was noted.
Lettice Dykes – Councillor Hurley reported that there had been no meeting since his last
report.
The Lambe School – Councillor Robert’s written report was noted.
170.25.26 PROGRESS REPORT ON VILLAGE PCSO PROPOSAL
The Chair presented her report, which had been circulated, and expanded upon it. The
purpose of the report was to provide information to the Council and to enable questions to be
asked. The report sets out the purpose and point of having a PCSO.
Councillor Burns asked whether we want a PCSO. The Chair said that was a question for a
future meeting.
Councillor Roberts re-stated his concerns that the Parish Council had not yet adequately
discussed and agreed the need for a PCSO. He thought the report read as if it had already
been agreed to have one. The Chair said the Council had not agreed to having a PCSO but
had asked her to research the issue and to report back. This report contained the
information sought.
Councillor Roberts said that the report showed no information on the demand side or why we
need a PCSO. East Bergholt is in the third lowest crime area in the UK. He would like to see
some data on the crimes committed in the village and details of how a PCSO would reduce
the level of crime. He thought there was clear evidence which shows PCSOs do not reduce
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crime, but might give a perception that an area is being policed and so can make people feel
safer. In this context he thought the full cost of a PCSO plus car at £57k was a lot for what
could be described as a window dressing exercise. The report sets out what a PCSO would
do but not why and there are no key performance indicators for the post. Councillor Roberts
considered it premature to ask for contract details when the Council still needs to have a
debate on whether we need one in the first place. There should be an equally detailed
demand side report available to consider before a decision is made.
The Chair said the terms and conditions were required at this stage so we know what we
would be signing up to. In response to a question from Councillor Allen, the Chair said a
contract would be for two years with a six-month break clause.
Councillor Matthews thought the role of a PCSO was about community engagement. Even
more cuts are likely in police numbers so a community focussed officer would be beneficial.
The community facing role is a bigger one than that of a police constable who is more
focussed on crime.
Councillor Burns said that by far and away the largest area of crime in East Bergholt is
domestic violence. The impact of a PCSO upon the fear of crime is important in addition to
the crime figures, though could be counter-productive.
Councillor Hurley thought community engagement to be important and could enable pre-
emptive action. The Bike Bobby role was well known to older residents, it was a familiar face
in the village with a role of developing good rapport and relationship with children in local
schools.
Councillor Matthews thought it might be useful to ask our local PCs to address the Council
on the issue.
Councillor Hockley thought a PCSO could act as a preventative service, reaching out to
young people to prevent gang crime, to assist older people who have visits from rogue
traders and would make people feel safer.
Councillor Price considered that a PCSO could help the community as a whole as they are a
way of managing situations in a community.
Councillor Roberts noted that Thurston PC has had a PCSO for fourteen years. He thought
itt would be useful to know if the level of crime recorded there was materially lower/different
as a result, than in other similar villages in Suffolk.
The Chair said in response to Councillor Roberts that the Parish Council’s management of a
PCSO, if one is approved, did not have to be through the Parish Clerk and would be agreed
at a later stage.
The Chair said that the discussion had provided useful pointers as to extra information which
may inform a decision to be made at a later date.
171.25.26 REVIEW OF COUNCIL POLICIES
This item was withdrawn.
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172.25.26 URGENT COMMUNICATIONS
Co-option to the Casual vacancy – The Chair reported that whilst there was nothing in writing
to put before the Council, we were close to getting some candidates and may have several
by next month.
In response to Councillor Hurley, the Clerk reported that he had written to the Headteacher
and Chair of Governors of the High School requesting an invitation to nominate a school
governor, should a vacancy occur.
Councillor Hockley reported that the Pantry in the Porch had suffered a robbery and all the
food had been stolen and the facility was now closed. People in need were advised to seek
food vouchers from the hardship fund during this current crisis.
155.25.26 KEY POINTS FROM THE MEETING
The main points from this meeting for further publicity were:
The old co-op store, Babergh DC’s Call for Sites, the new 20mph potential and the
Community Council line drawing project.
The meeting closed at 9.52pm
Chair……………………………………………… Date…………………………………
Date of next meeting Thursday 12 March 2026