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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Thursday 12 November 2020 at 7.30pm

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 Eley
Councillor R Elmer
Councillor M Hurley
Councillor R Lansdell
Councillor J Price
Councillor S Rothwell
Councillor R Wombwell
Councillor G Woodcock

In Attendance
G White, Parish Clerk
County Councillor G Jones
One member of the public

Meeting Etiquette

The Chairman (Councillor Miller) welcomed everyone to the remote meeting of the Council which is being
conducted by digital conference call pursuant to The Local Authorities and Police and Crime Panels (Coronavirus)
(Flexibility of Local Authority and Police and Crime Panel Meetings) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020.
Members of the public will be given the opportunity to speak in the open public session and councillors will be
invited to speak on every item.

Open Public Session

Mr Clive Totman spoke with reference to the planning application on land to the east of the medical centre. He
considered that the recommended submission by the Council was a good response though he wished to add a
few extra points. He considered the angle of the roofs was too steep and out of keeping with roofs in the locality.
He considered the so-called public consultation by the Developer was more like a Parish Council meeting with the
Developer, to which the public could comment if they wished. In their planning application the Developer had
cherry picked comments from the meeting to support their application and had left a lot out. It was not a complete
report of public comments and fell short of Babergh’s consultation guidance. Other Developers have done more
and better.

The Chairman commented that the Parish Council had taken this up with Hills and asked if they would care to
carry out another public consultation. They declined to do so and had been invited to attend this meeting and
present their application and answer questions but also declined. It should be noted that there is no legal
obligation to conduct a public consultation on a reserved matters application. The Chairman mused that Hills may
not be helping their case by relying on the strict legal situation. The case officer was very well aware of what had
occurred and was being helpful in facilitating as open a process as possible.

Mr Totman enquired whether the application would be submitted to committee or be determined by an officer
under delegated powers. The Chairman was unsure but said the Council would enquire. Councillor Roberts said

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that all planning applications to Babergh are delegated unless they are called in pursuant to Babergh’s call-in
guidance. That guidance does provide for reference to committee if an application is of a strategic nature or if the
delegation panel comprising Councillors and the Chief Planning Officer so decide. He referred to the case of the
eco-lodges when District Councillor Hinton had requested reference to committee for determination and the
matter currently sat with the delegation panel. Mr Totman asked if the Parish Council would ask District Councillor
Hinton to call it in. The Chairman wished to see what happened in the ensuing days before committing to that
course.

1. Oliver Eley

The Chairman informed the Council that Mr Oliver Eley (father of Councillor Rupert Eley) had passed
away. Oliver had been a tremendously valuable member of the village community. He was a parish
councillor and Parish Council finance lead for very many years and had allowed her to do many scary
projects by finding the way to make the Parish Council money and budgets work and provided she came
up with a sound business plan he was very supportive. The Chairman knew he had helped other
councillors achieve their ambitions for the village too. He was also President of the East Bergholt
Community Council for a very long time and was one of the founders of the church restoration group.
Apart from that he was always there to help any village organisation and individuals and open up his
gardens at The Place, now The Place for Plants, on a regular basis for charitable events. As Rupert
always relates, Oliver was the originator of the phrase ‘family first, village second and the rest after that’
and he certainly lived up to that motto. Due to old age and ill health Oliver had not been very visible in the
village over this last decade or so but to those with longer memories he is certainly one of the village
heroes. The Chairman offered condolences to Councillor Eley and the family.

At the invitation of the Chairman the Council observed a minute’s silence in memory of Oliver Eley.

Councillor Eley expressed his thanks to the Chairman and his appreciation to the Council on behalf of the
family.

2. Apologies for Absence

There were no apologies for absence.

3. Declaration of Interests

There were no declarations of interest.

4. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting of 8 October 2020

Councillor Rothwell observed that ‘Ben Elvin’ had been misspelt in Minute 6.1 item 4.

Councillor Roberts reported that Tony Brigden had written to him asking that the verbatim minute (Minute
6.1 item 4 refers) be edited because he felt the full version might not help in fostering good relations
between Babergh District Council and the Parish Council. Councillor Roberts gave an undertaking to
raise the concern expressed but personally he thought the minutes were accurate. The Chairman did not
consider it appropriate to change the particular minute which was now published on Babergh’s planning
website. The minutes should record the intent of the meeting and these do. Furthermore the minutes had
opened a channel of communication with Babergh which would not have occurred but for this minute.
Councillor Lansdell considered that the Council should listen to what the parishioner had to say but was
under no obligation to change the minute.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Rothwell and RESOLVED (unanimously)
that subject to the correction of the typographical error in Minute 6.1 item 4 the minutes of the meeting of
8 October 2020 be approved as a correct record.

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5. Matters Arising/Updates

There were no matters arising/updates.

6. New Parish Councillor

The Chairman welcomed Peter Dent to his first meeting as a Parish Councillor and noted his preferences
for appointment to the Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee and the Planning Working Group. It was
proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Lansdell and RESOLVED (unanimously) that
Councillor Dent be appointed to the Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee and to the Planning
Working Group.

7. Coronavirus

Councillor Hurley reported that the second wave of coronavirus was affecting East Bergholt and district
despite the new lockdown. There had been well publicised issues in Hadleigh. However the High School
had not reported anything detrimental. The Covid-19 Group was organised so well initially that it was
progressing smoothly and there were no major issues or concerns.

Councillor Miller reported on the preparations for the village parade. There would be at least 14 floats, a
crib and lighting in and outside houses. The Parish Council’s contribution will help to pay for traffic
management arrangements and will be match funded by a contribution from County Councillor Jones’
locality budget.

The reports were NOTED.

8. District and County Councillor reports

The Council received the report from District Councillor Hinton. It was noted that Babergh District Council
were issuing consultations on a revision to CIL payments and on the Joint Local Plan. These would be
considered by the Planning Working Group which would report to the Council in December. The report
was NOTED with thanks.

County Councillor Jones joined the meeting and presented his report which had been circulated. He
informed the Council that he had signed up to receive every planning application within his division with a
view to seeing if there are highway issues involved in which he can make a contribution to County
Highways. It would be helpful if the Parish Council could alert him to matters of concern in this regard so
he can talk to the highways officer and impart his local knowledge before the highway comments are
made.

Councillor Roberts noted that in the report in the section on Environment, Roads and Housing, County
Councillor Hicks is quoted as saying that he is proud that 98% of homes in Suffolk have superfast
broadband capability and there was a plan to embrace the other 2%. What is that plan? County Councillor
Jones said he would look into it though he would be surprised if people in East Bergholt do not have that
capability. Most of the 2% are in remote rural areas. He will establish where the coverage is and is not at
the superfast level and what the plan is. The Chairman observed that what East Bergholt does not have is
reliability.

County Councillor Jones was thanked for his report which was NOTED.

9. Planning

9.1 Planning Applications received

The Council considered the planning applications received from the Local Planning Authority since the
last meeting.

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DC/20/04507

3 Beehive Close, East Bergholt, CO7 6AY – Erection of outbuilding and
construction of exercise pool.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Roberts and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that approval be recommended.

DC/20/04678 17 Richardsons Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6RP – Householder application
– Erection of front porch and side extension.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Roberts and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that subject to consideration of the highway
comments re parking /garage, approval be recommended.

DC/20/04726 Nefyn, Hadleigh Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6QT – Householder application
– Erection of two storey side and rear extension and first floor extension
and new roof over porch.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Rothwell
and RESOLVED (twelve voted for, none voted against) that no comment be
submitted.

DC/20/04862 Woodford, Gaston Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6SD – Householder
planning application – Erection of a 1.5 storey rear extension.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Wombwell
and RESOLVED (unanimously) that approval be recommended.

DC/20/03866 Inglenook Cottage, Gandish Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6UR – Application
for listed building consent – Removal of oil boiler and pipework in utility.
Installation of free-standing combination boiler to side elevation and
internal alterations.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Eley and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that approval be recommended.

DC/20/04409 Little Dodnash Farm, Bergholt Road, Bentley, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2DQ –
Planning application. Demolition and rebuild of agricultural barn to form
2no holiday lets, erection of 2 storey storage building and associated
works.

It was noted that the application was in Bentley Parish and had little impact on
East Bergholt. It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor
Woodcock and RESOLVED (unanimously) that a recommendation be left to
Bentley Parish Council and that this Council submit no comment.

DC/20/05047 Kielder House, 2 Hop Meadow, East Bergholt, CO7 6QR – Notification of
works to trees protected by a TPO – 1no Sycamore – reduce to previous
pruning points.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Eley and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that approval be recommended.

DC/20/04663 Land east of Constable Country Medical Centr e, Heath Road, East
Bergholt – Application for approval of reserved matters following outline

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approval B/16/01902. Town and Country Planning (Development
Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015 – Access, Layout, Scale,
design and Landscaping for mixed-use development, including up to 75
dwellings, a pre-school and neighbourhood hub, comprising a swimming
pool, office space and a local shop, public open space and associated
infrastructure and landscaping as amended by drawings received on 11
November 2016 (omission of school land).

The Chairman reported that the Planning Working Group had considered the
application and its proposed submission to Babergh District Council had been
circulated for consideration by the Council. John Lyall had been commissioned
to compare the plan with the outline approval with which there were a large
number of differences. Whilst the principle of development had been approved
the Council should look for the value of the design of the application. The
Planning Working Group endorsed John Lyall’s comments which were set out
in the draft submission. In addition, representations were made by the Planning
Working Group on various aspects of the application, each of which was
considered.

Access
The Council discussed the various aspects of access to and from the
development site, the impact upon the existing highway network and upon
highway safety.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Hurley and
RESOLVED (7 voted for, 4 voted against) that the representations in the
proposed submission be approved subject to the inclusion of the following:
1. There should be only one access point from the application site and
any second access point should be combined with that for the medical centre;
2. The 30 mph speed limit should be extended with a 20 mph speed limit
in the vicinity of the school, in consequence of which East Bergholt be
considered for a 20 mph speed limit throughout the village to avoid through
traffic to the A12 diverting to White Horse Road, Rectory Hill, The Street and
Hadleigh Road.
3. A planning condition should require the funding of a pedestrian
crossing by the school;
4. A planning condition should require the funding of the widening of the
pavement to standard width and extended to Gaston End;

Layout and Landscape
It was noted that at the outline stage the plans were indicative only which
would account for the differences now that the plan was at the detailed stage.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Dent and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that the representations in the proposed
submission be approved and that the developer be asked how the drop in
height from the B1070 to the application site will be dealt with.

Sustainability
It was noted that there were policies in the Joint Local Plan, LP25 and SP10,
which should be adhered to.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Woodcock and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that the representations in the proposed
submission be approved with the addition of a requirement to adhere to Joint
Local Plan policies LP25 and SP10 and that there be no street lights on the

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application site in order to avoid spoiling dark skies of the AONB.

The Chairman undertook to finesse the Council’s submission to Babergh
District Council having regard to the foregoing resolutions and relevant
comments which had been made in the discussion and to submit it as soon as
possible. The submitted version is appended to these minutes.

9.2 Planning correspondence

The correspondence received from the Local Planning Authority concerning determined planning
applications was NOTED.

10. Correspondence

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

Date Sender Subject
1. 15/10/20 Citizen’s Advice Sudbury & District Letter of thanks for grant aid
2. 27/10/20 SALC E-Bulletin (October)
3. 28/10/20 NALC Planning for the Future – NALC response
4. 30/10/20 Suffolk County Council Self-Isolation advice
5. 30/10/20 Police & Crime Commissioner PCC Annual Report
6. 30/10/20 AONB Monthly update (October)
7. 02/11/20 SALC E-Bulletin (November)
8. 03/11/20 Suffolk Resilience Forum Home, But Not Alone phoneline resumption
9. 05/11/20 Citizen’s Advice Sudbury & District Official letter of thanks for grant aid
10. 05/11/20 Suffolk Resilience Forum Lockdown advice
11. 06/11/20 AONB Request for Grant Aid (£100 in budget)

Items 11 – It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED (twelve
voted for, one voted against) that a grant of £100 be made to Dedham Vale and Stour Valley AONB
pursuant to section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972.

11. Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee

11.1 Schedule of Payments – It was proposed by Councillor Lansdell, seconded by Councillor Miller and
RESOLVED (twelve voted for, none voted against) that payments due in October amounting to £4877.66
be approved.

11.2 Bank Reconciliation Statement – The bank reconciliation statement for October 2020 was NOTED.

12. Other Committee Matters

12.1 Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee

Councillor Lansdell reported that the car park drains need to be excavated and repaired to enable the
drain survey to be concluded and a quotation for the work had been accepted. Following the tidying up
work to the car park foliage, the Council will enter into a maintenance contract to provide for further
tidying up four times a year.

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Discussions are continuing regarding a 20 mph zone for the village with County Councillor Jones and
Highways officers. He had also contacted Eye Parish Council to ask about their experience with such a
zone in their parish.

The Fen Bridge was still at the design stage and it was likely that the replacement bridge will not be
installed until the next financial year.

12.2 Burial Grounds Committee

Councillor Rothwell reported that burials continued to maintain the average of one per month.
The roof of the machinery hut is leaking and there is concern that it may contain asbestos. Appropriate
enquiries are being undertaken.

12.3 Playing Fields Committee

Councillor Woodcock reported that consideration of the outdoor gym was continuing and a revised
quotation was being sought for the provision and installation of seven pieces of equipment around the
perimeter of the site. He will report back to Council when the quotation has been received.

Rob Steele had been engaged to undertake the remedial work to the play areas identified in the ROSPA
annual safety report. He anticipates commencing the work in December.

The Sports Council was seeking quotations for the provision and installation of CCTV equipment following
increasing instances of vandalism.

Three of the major users of the facilities are unable to obtain grants from their sporting bodies due to their
lack of tenure over the pitches they use. The Clerk is investigating the possibilities of providing them with
licences which would provide modest security of tenure whilst not detracting unduly from the Council’s
overall control of the site.

Motion to suspend Standing Orders

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Hurley and RESOLVED (unanimously) that
pursuant to Standing Order 5(xx), Standing Order 1(x) be suspended to enable the meeting to continue
beyond the two hour limit.

12.4 Neighbourhood Plan Committee

Councillor Roberts reported that the Planning Working Group had met informally on 2 November. There
was an urgent need for volunteers to assist with the Neighbourhood Plan review. The Joint Local Plan
was now under consultation and the Group will consider it and report to the Council in December. A
meeting is scheduled for 26 November with Tom Barker and other senior Babergh officers concerning
ways to improve working together.

The Planning Working Group had discussed the Conservation Area Review and the Historic Landscape
Study which were excellent documents and thanks were afforded to John Lyall who had led the work on
the Review.

It was proposed by Councillor Dent, seconded by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED (unanimously) that:

(i) the Historic Landscape report be approved and used by the Council for purposes considered
appropriate including planning and conservation and be distributed to third parties as appropriate,
including Babergh District Council;

(ii) Copies of the report be printed and bound and a quotation be obtained for the work to enable
consideration of the extent of the distribution.

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(iii) The Council’s thanks be afforded to Clare Brown, the consultant researcher/author for her hard
word and diligence.

12.5 Website Working Group

Councillor Wombwell reported on the work of the Group to test the website for compliance with the
standards set by the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) (No. 2) Accessibility
Regulations 2018. The website was largely compliant with a number of enhancements included. The
website administrator had agreed to introduce further enhancements over time. The Website Accessibility
Statement will now be amended to have regard to the testing and a revised copy will be submitted to
Council for approval at a future meeting. The Chairman thanked Councillor Wombwell for leading this
excellent and thorough piece of work. The report was NOTED.

13. Review of Council Policies

The Clerk presented his report concerning the second tranche of policies which had been reviewed.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED (unanimously) that
the following policies be approved and adopted:
Code of Conduct for Councillors
Financial Regulations
Press, Media and Social Media Policy.

14. Schedule of Meetings 2021

The Clerk presented his report setting out proposed dates for Council and Committee meetings in 2021.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Lansdell and RESOLVED (unanimously)
that the Schedule of Meetings for 2021 be approved.

15. East Bergholt War Memorial

Councillor Allen, who had represented the Council at the Remembrance Day commemoration,
commented adversely upon the maintenance of the war memorial and the surrounding area. He enquired
as to who was responsible for such maintenance. The Clerk will make enquiries and report back.

16. Urgent Communications

There were no urgent communications

The meeting closed at 10.03 pm.

Date of the next remote Parish Council Meeting – Thursday 10 December 2020 at 7.30pm

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