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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL
Playing Fields Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday 22
nd
January 2026, 7.00pm at The Lambe School,
Gaston Street, East Bergholt

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION No members of the public in attendance

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Present. Councillors M. Hockley (chair), J. Miller, J. Price, G. Woodcock, R. Elmer plus
Sports Council Chairman J. Hambrook.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE N. Roberts, L. Matthews

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST None

3. MINUTES
Recommended approval by J .Miller, seconded G, Woodcock, unanimously approved.

4. MATTERS ARISING
Nothing other than was on the agenda.

5. SPORTS COUNCIL, PAVILION AND CAR PARK UPDATES.
Councillor Hockley reported that the tennis club have put a lock on the entrance gate.
Councillor Miller emphasized that the tennis courts are a public space, belong to the parish
council.
It is the PC’s wish that the gate remains unlocked and the CCTV remains. (The latter
cannot be accessed by the public and is only viewed when any untoward actions take
place).

Councillor Hockley reported that it will be both practical and economical to use the old
tennis electricity cable (now defunct) to the bowls and cricket areas for future use.

Security lights around the ‘dark side’ of the pavilion are now working and makes a safer
area for all at night. Some repairs to ‘wear and tear’ heating and lighting have been made
inside the pavilion too.

John Hambrook produced two new configurations which allowed a few extra parking
spaces.
Councillor Price reported he knew a tradesman that could reline the surface at competitive
price.
Councillor Hockley reported that a U3A meeting at the Constable Hall had proved so
popular that Gandish road was overwhelmed with vehicles !
A decision was taken to delay the local parking survey and the relining project until further
information came to light regarding possible extra field space.

Trees on the Notcutts boundary are causing concern. Councillor Miller confirmed if the trees
sit in the rented from the Constable hall, then they are our responsibility.

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Three other trees require attention. One being dead and requiring action.
John Hambrook advised the tree may fall if it is not remedied quickly.

SOLAR PROJECT.
Councillor Woodcock reported that work will start on the installation on Thursday February
4
th
and 5
th
. The scaffolding to be erected a few days prior.
Councillor Price asked if Lanman Solar is the ‘principal contractor.
Is it clear in the contract that RAMs are in place ? Is there a Gateway system (ie. A power
switch in the case of a shutdown/power cut) ?
Councillor Woodcock said he would contact our parish clerk and Lanman’s for the
answers.

PLAYGROUND AND PLAYING FIELDS
Committee members discussed the playground inspection reports.
John Hambrook reminded all that amber coloured item must be actioned, moderate items
dealt with, and blue and green monitored as they were low level.
The buffalo board on the play equipment (now out of guarantee) can be replaced by
ourselves.
One swing seat is faulty, and a replacement (approx. £100 ) needs to be ordered direct
from Wicksteed and fitted.

Councillor Woodcock reported that a new 3’ fence will be erected around the East End
boule court to deter dogs and deer.
Volunteers will take 2 days for work starting Feb 26
th
and fencing funded with a community
grant.
Councillor Hockley said he might have a contractor who may be able to loan ‘tools for the
job’.

PADEL COURTS.
Councillor Hockley met with a Padel Court contractor who estimated that 2 padel courts
could be installed within an estimated budget that would be fully funded by grants.
The use of new ‘low noise glass’ will allay any disturbance. Perimeter walls of 4 metres high
may/may not require planning permission.
Time scale between Oct 2026 and May 2027,
Councillor Miller emphasized that the full parish council must decide any approval.
They would require answers to the following,
What cost ? Planning permission ? What demand for the facility ? What consultation ?

John Hambrook said that valuable info can be gathered from similar local villages with
padel courts.

BORE HOLE
Any progress on the bore hole plans is waiting for the relevant adviser to return to work.
Councillor Price asked if we had identified the location of a well in the immediate area.
Councillor Elmer suggested a water diviner, and that Rodney Moss (ex-parish council)
knew where all the wells are in East Bergholt.
John Hambrook reminded all that any actions will require water company support.

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Councillor Miller suggested that the ‘Eley documents’ detailing the terms of sale (of the
land many decades previously) may hold some answers. These are held in the parish
council office.

RISK ASSESMENT
The committee approved the previously circulated risk assessment for the next year.

ANY FUTHER COMMUNICATIONS . None.
Meeting closed at 8,10pm.

NEXT MEETING.
Thursday April 23rd 2026
Full committee meeting February 12
th
2026