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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE STRATEGY, POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING

23 January 2025

Present – Parish Councillors
Councillor R Elmer (Chairman)
Councillor S Davies
Councillor M Hurley
Councillor J Miller
Councillor J Price
Councillor N Roberts
Councillor G Woodcock

In Attendance
G White, Parish Clerk

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None.

2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
None.

3. MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of 24 October 2024 were approved as a correct record.

4. MATTERS ARISING/UPDATES
Open Public Session 1. EB Tennis Club CIL application – Councillor Davies informed the committee
that the application to Babergh DC had been through officer scrutiny and a recommendation for an
award would be made at the next appropriate meeting.

Minute 7 CIL Policy and PiiP Review – The Clerk explained that at the last meeting it was anticipated
that a smaller group of committee members would review the documents for presentation to this
meeting with a view to a recommendation to Council in February. Pressure of other business had
prevented the review meeting from taking place and the timetable will now be re-assessed.

5. APPLICATION FOR PARISH CIL AWARD – PARISH COUNCIL (CRICKET CLUB) PROJECT
Consideration was given to the application from the Cricket Club for a Parish CIL award. The Clerk
referred to the recent policy decision of the Council that when Babergh DC is minded to award 75% of
the project cost, the Parish Council is expected by them to award the remaining 25%. In this case the
fixed contract price for the project was £83,295, 25% of which is £20832.75.

Councillor Roberts referred to the financial details in the application which did not support an award of
that sum and that in Babergh DC’s considerations, the eligible project cost was £82,515 as the
contingency of £780 was not included. Moreover, the Cricket Club’s request for £15,500 was incorrect
as was a diagram in the application.

Following discussion upon the financial details, it was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by
Councillor Davies and RESOLVED (five voted for, none voted against) that a CIL award of £20,832.75
be made to the Parish Council (Cricket Club) Project, being 25% of the fixed price contract cost.

6. COUNCIL PRIORITIES
The Committee reviewed the Council Priorities last reviewed by the Council in October 2024.
Welcoming Newcomers – Councillor Hurley to hand over this priority to Councillor Burns.

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Website – Project completed. New website up and running.

Manningtree footpath and Hopper Bus – Both had been mentioned at a Babergh Council meeting.
Dedham Vale Society on board as well.

Road Safety – Councillor Roberts advised that PJA had been instructed and will be in touch as their
work proceeds.

Councillor Hurley informed that the community speedwatch organiser was attending next week with a
view to establishing a new organisation.

Affordable Housing – Councillor Miller said that the real problem was finding suitable land and no
progress had been made in that regard.

Congregational Church – Councillor Miller reported that progress was currently stuck with the National
Federation who were not responding promptly to the local deacons’ solicitor.

Councillor Price enquired what we would do with it once acquired. Councillor Miller said that a working
group would be established and the village would be consulted.

Village Centre – Red Lion – It was agreed that this be added to the Council priorities.

Upon the Red Lion, the white lining works would be done next week and the valuation of the land
would be received within a fortnight.

The Village Centre was being considered in association with the neighbourhood plan review and was
requiring of specific policies.

Playing Field – Councillor Woodcock reported that the tennis and cricket club projects were ongoing
and when the weather was suitable further consideration would be given to works necessary to
prevent flooding. The need for additional playing fields remained a priority but land availability was the
perennial problem. Increasing parking at the playing field/Constable Hall was under consideration by
the committee but dialogue with Constable Hall is necessary to take this forward.

7. RISK ASSESSMENTS
Authority was delegated to the Chairman to sign off amended risk assessments for this committee.

8. URGENT COMMUNICATIONS
Councillor Miller mentioned VE Day 80 on 8 May for which the Church was organising celebratory
events and the committee agreed unanimously to pay for a flag at a cost of £64.26.

The meeting closed at 9.40 pm

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