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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Thursday 9 June 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 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 (from Item 6)
District Councillor John Hinton
Two members of the public

Open Public Session

Jake Bury attended and informed the Council that he had been responsible for organising and
submitting the community nomination for listing The Royal Oak as an Asset of Community Value. He
sought the Council’s support. The Chairman said that the Council noted his representation which it
would take into account when considering the matter later in the meeting.

1. Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence received from Councillors Cathcart and Mills were NOTED. An apology
for lateness received from County Councillor Hall was NOTED.

2. Declaration of Interests/Dispensations

None

3. Minutes

It was proposed by Councillor Price, seconded by Councillor Allen and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that the minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting of 12 May 2022 be
approved as a correct record. The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of 12 May 2022 were
NOTED.

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4. Matters Arising/Updates

Minute 8 Appointment of Standing Committees – Since the Annual meeting Councillor Mills had
joined the Council and it was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Woodcock
and RESOLVED (unanimously) that Councillor Mills be appointed to the Playing Fields
Committee for the municipal year 2022/23.

Minute 14.1 Schedule of Payment and Income – The Clerk updated the Council on enquiries
undertaken since the last meeting in respect of electricity charges for the toilets. An electrician
had been commissioned to examine the system and the timers and to ensure all was correctly
set and in proper working order. His report was awaited. The last electricity bill had been
received and was for an amount more in keeping with the average bills over the past year.

5. District Councillor’s Report

District Councillor Hinton presented his report which had been circulated and expanded on
various matters. He had been appointed as Chairman of the District Council’s Overview and
Scrutiny Committee and it his intention that the Committee will scrutinise outcomes not just
processes.

Both Babergh and Mid Suffolk DCs had registered objections to the National Grid consultation
regarding the use of pylons in the upgrading of electricity provision derived from wind farming.
The Councils considered the provision should be transported from the wind farms by cables
under the sea rather than via land-based pylons. The Chairman confirmed that she had
submitted a similar objection on behalf of the Parish Council. National Grid will now have regard
to the consultation responses and produce a plan which will be subject to formal consultation A
discussion ensued upon the proposals and it was generally considered pylons were detrimental
to the environment but that the local authorities had only limited capacity to oppose the
proposals.

The Babergh Cabinet had produced a five-point action plan to address the cost of living crisis. It
had also readjusted costings regarding the former council offices at Hadleigh which should
enable earlier redevelopment.

District Councillor Hinton was keeping up pressure on the Chief Executive regarding the long-
standing planning enforcement issue in Whitefields. He was also liaising with a social landlord in
respect of an issue in Foxhall Fields and will enquire as to whether the High School sports
facilities are still available to the public outside school hours.

Councillor Roberts referred to his comments at the March meeting regarding District Councillor
Hinton’s remarks about neighbourhood plans. The latter had agreed to put something in his
subsequent report which Councillor Roberts had not seen. District Councillor Hinton said he had
included a piece in the April edition of In Touch.

The Chairman thanked District Councillor Hinton for his report.

6. Correspondence

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

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Date

Sender Subject
1. 22/04/22 Babergh DC ACV nomination – The Royal Oak
2. 19/05/22 SALC Suffolk Community Awards 2022
3. 10/05/22 Valerie Ayton Letter of thanks for grant aid
4. 20/05/22 Tony Brigden Transparency of CIL Funds
5. 23/05/22 Val James Request for grant aid
6. 26/05/22 AONB Hedgehog Home & Signs
7. 30/05/22 AONB AONB Forum
8. 31/05/22 Martin Cave County Broadband
9. 07/06/22 Suffolk Archives Historic Maps of East Bergholt

County Councillor Hall joined the meeting

Item 1 – It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Roberts and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Council submits a representation to Babergh DC supporting
the community nomination for the listing of The Royal Oak as an asset of community value.

Item 2 – The Chairman welcomed the return of the Suffolk Community Awards and proposed,
seconded by Councillor Hurley and RESOLVED (ten vote for, none voted against) that
Councillor Graeme Woodcock be nominated for the Ian Cambell MBE Award for Outstanding
Individual Contribution to their Community in recognition of all the work he has done with the
sports clubs to revive the tennis club from 6 members to over 250 members; led the search for
additional football pitches; leading the provision of new exercise equipment to help improve
mental health; encouraging and supporting the group of volunteers at East End to improve and
maintain the publicly owned green open space; improving and replanting and maintaining the
flower beds in the Red Lion Car Park; working with East Bergholt Futures to introduce refillable
water bottles at shops in the village; and for all the very many jobs he does to improve life and
the environment for people in the village.

Item 4 – The Council considered the correspondence from Tony Brigden regarding
communications upon CIL provision. The Council had taken the view that it should develop
policy and priorities then consult upon them and change them if responses so required. Mr
Brigden thought the Council should consult first and develop plans in consequence. It was noted
that the Neighbourhood Plan Group had already sought strategic priorities from the village with
reference to the neighbourhood plan which has contributed to the CIL priorities. Councillor
Roberts had some sympathy with Mr Brigden and thought his views should be considered
positively. He noted that there were pointers to CIL on the website. Councillor Dent did not think
the Council communicated with the village sufficiently and should consider communicating in
different ways. The Council was always happy to hear the views of residents. The Parish
Infrastructure Investment Plan is nearing approval for consultation purposes and will be a living
document subject to regular review and updating.

Items 5 & 9 – Suffolk Archives had asked the Council if it would agree to a digital copy of the
historic Brazier maps being available for free online for private though not for commercial use. If
the Council would agree, Suffolk Archives would carry out the digitisation for free. Copyright
would remain with the Council.

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It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Wombwell and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that the Council agrees with the digitisation carried out by Suffolk Archives being
made available online free of charge for individual researchers to see and use but in line with
Suffolk CC Archive practice, access not be agreed for commercial users. Copyright in the digital
copies be retained by the Council.

Val James, on behalf of Constable Hall Management Committee has sought grant aid for the
costs of printing and attaching to the wall a copy of The Brazier Map. If the digitisation is carried
out for free those costs might be reduced. District Councillor Hinton offered to meet half of the
ultimate costs from his Locality Fund. It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by
Councillor Allen and RESOLVED (nine voted for, none voted against) that pursuant to Section
137 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council award grant aid of up to £998.27 to
Constable Hall Management Committee for the purposes of printing and affixing a copy of The
Brazier Map, such award to be offset by such amounts as are covered by any reduction in
Suffolk Archives’ fee and any contribution from District Councillor Hinton’s Locality Fund.

Item 8 – A previous complaint relating to County Broadband had been reviewed by the Council
which had taken it up with County Broadband. They had said they would get back to the Council
but although the sales team has responded the project team has not done so to date. Mr Cave
was alarmed to hear that County Broadband may be erecting telegraph poles to accommodate
their installations due to them not having access to the existing telegraph poles owned by BT
and UK Power Networks. This information had not been imparted to the Council by County
Broadband. The Chairman requested Councillor Wombwell to follow up the previous enquiry
and to provide the new information from Mr Cave in respect a which a substantive reply was
required and further to request details in respect of their telegraph poles plan.

Councillor Wombwell advised the Council that another company, Gigaclear, had expressed a
wish to liaise with the Council over its plans to expand full fibre broadband to East Bergholt. The
Council was willing to liaise with anyone who may be able to improve the broadband coverage
of the village but will not support any commercial package and will make that clear to companies
and residents alike.

7. County Councillor’s report

County Councillor Hall presented her report which had been circulated. With regard to the
signage for the Road Traffic Order in the village centre, a meeting with Babergh DC had been
scheduled for the consideration of affixing signs to certain listed buildings but no Babergh officer
had turned up for the meeting. County Councillor Hall will continue to chase all the parties
involved.

Training for schools upon online abuse was being undertaken.

Councillor Price asked if East Bergholt could be suspended from the County Council’s Walking
to School initiative as pursuance of the initiative could be dangerous at times due in part to the
failings of the highway authority in respect of missing footways, overgrown hedges and unsafe
roads. Councillor Woodcock endorsed Councillor Price’s comments. County Councillor Hall said
she would raise this and do her best to achieve the best outcome possible.

The Chairman thanked County Councillor Hall for her report. County Councillor Hall then left the
meeting.

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8. Planning

8.1 Planning Applications received

The Council considered the planning applications received from the Local Planning Authority
since the last meeting as follows:

DC/22/02462 Merryfield Lodge, Woodgates Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6RG –
Householder Application – Erection of two storey side extension
including front dormer window and repositioning of entrance
gates.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Rothwell and RESOLVED (unanimously) that subject to submission and
approval of a specification for use of the upstairs space, approval be
recommended.

DC/22/01738 Valley Farm, Flatford, East Bergholt, CO7 6UL – Application for
listed building consent – Replace the lath and plaster ceiling in
Vine Room which is in danger of collapsing with a new ceiling of
new laths (Douglas Fir) and 2 coat traditional chalk plaster,
trowelled to a smooth finish.

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

DC/22/02637 The Gables, The Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6TB – Application for
listed building consent – Alterations to internal layout including
insertion of new external door; Conversion and alterations to
garage to form games room and construction of solar panels.

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

DC/22/02681 54 Richardsons Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6RR – Householder
Application – Erection of single storey rear extension, extension to
front lobby and garage (Resubmission of DC/22/00179).

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

DC/22/01089 Five Firs, The Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6TD – Householder

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Application – Erection of two storey front extension and re-
modelling of existing dwelling.

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

8.2 Planning correspondence

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

District Councillor Hinton left the meeting.

9. Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee

9.1 Schedule of Payments and Income – It was proposed by Councillor Elmer, seconded by
Councillor Allen and RESOLVED (unanimously) that the schedules of payments and
income be noted and the payments due for May 2022 amounting to £5,833.24 be
approved.

9.2 Bank Reconciliation Statement – The bank reconciliation statement for May 2022 was
NOTED.

9.3 Regular Payments –The Clerk presented his report which listed regular recurring
payments for 2022/23 as a result of contractual arrangements between the Council and
the payees, as required by Financial Regulation 5.6. It was proposed by Councillor
Elmer, seconded by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED (nine voted for, none voted
against) that the Clerk be authorised to make the regular payments listed in this report
together with any new contractual or statutory obligations of a regular nature without
prior approval but subject to subsequent report to the Council.

10. Other Committee Matters

10.1 Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee – Councillor Price advised that the ANPR trial
was scheduled to commence in East Bergholt on 14 July for a period of fourteen weeks.

Councillor Price had not yet referred the Fen Bridge complaint to the Ombudsman as the latter
would not rule on a point of law so it was necessary to shape the reference with regard to the
failure of County Council procedures.

In another location Councillor Price has occasioned kissing gates which could be opened with
Radar keys. He considered them to be a boon to the disabled and would recommend them to
the AONB.

10.2 Burial Grounds Committee – Councillor Dent reported that he was following up with the
owner of the allotments, a complaint of disrepair to the fence between the allotments and the
Churchyard.

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10.3 Playing Fields Committee – Councillor Woodcock reported that a two year old had escaped
from the playground and whilst retrieved safely, works to the fence had been commissioned and
carried out so that this could not happen again.

The residents’ group had organised the East End Jubilee Party on the East End Playing Fields
which had been successful. Afterwards the debris had been cleared up very well by the group.

10.4 Neighbourhood Plan Committee – In the absence of Councillor Cathcart, Councillor Miller
reported that there had been lots of actions but as yet no further guidance was requested from
the Council. Analysis of the traffic survey was being undertaken.

11. Parish Infrastructure Investment Plan (PIIP)

Councillor Elmer presented the notes of the CIL Working Group which met on 31 May and the
latest version of the draft PIIP amended in the light of that meeting. It was proposed by
Councillor Elmer, seconded by Councillor Woodcock and RESOLVED (unanimously) that the
version of the PIIP now presented be approved and adopted.

Consideration was given to how the CIL policy and PIIP should best be communicated to the
village by way of consultation. It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor
Roberts and RESOLVED (ten voted for, none voted against) that the whole council CIL Working
Group should meet and develop a consultation plan.

12. Urgent Communications

The Chairman allowed for consideration of correspondence concerning the council’s website
being of sufficient urgency and importance as the developer and administrator was leaving the
villageb. It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Wombwell and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Website Working Group be re-established and comprise
Councillors Wombwell, Cathcart, Dent, Hurley, Miller and Woodcock with a remit to investigate
alternative website solutions and to report back.

13. Resolution to exclude the public (including the press)

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Rothwell and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that pursuant to the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 and the
Local Government Act 1972 Sections 100 and 102, 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.

14. Confidential Minutes of the Parish Council meeting of 12 May 2022

It was proposed by Councillor Dent, seconded by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that the confidential minutes of the meeting of 12 May 2022 be approved as a
correct record.

15. Matters arising/updates

None.

The meeting closed at 9.20 pm.

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Date of the next Parish Council Meeting – Thursday 14 July 2022 at 7.30 pm at The Lambe
School.

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