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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Thursday 8 December 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 C Cathcart
Councillor S Davies
Councillor M Hockley
Councillor M Hurley
Councillor J Price
Councillor S Rothwell
Councillor R Wombwell
Councillor G Woodcock

In Attendance
G White, Parish Clerk
District Councillor J Hinton
Five members of the public

Open Public Session

Maxine Twemlow made representations upon application DC/22/05433 for alterations to Doria,
White Horse Road. Mrs Twemlow is the next-door neighbour and she considered that the plans
submitted were not accurate with regard to overlooking from the development. She said the plans
submitted were incorrect and they did not show the development overlooking her property as much
as is evident on the ground. She sought a recommendation of refusal from the Parish Council.

Councillor Woodcock had met Mrs Twemlow on site and confirmed her representations which he
would make formally to the Council later in the agenda.

1. Apologies

Apologies received from Councillors Elmer and Mills and from County Councillor Hall were
NOTED.

2. Declaration of Interests/Dispensations

Councillor Rothwell declared a non-pecuniary interest in East Bergholt Heartwatch.

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3. Minutes

The Clerk reported that he had received a complaint from a member of the public that Minute
12 which referred to two minor amendments was not sufficiently detailed.

It was proposed by Councillor Hurley, seconded by Councillor Wombwell and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that subject to amendments to Minute 12 comprising the deletion of ‘currently
employs only a part time officer up to a total of 20 hours per week’ and insertion of ‘has
limited staff resources’ in the penultimate paragraph of section 3 Bullying and the deletion of
‘reviewed annually’ and insertion of ‘reviewed at six monthly intervals’ at the end of
Paragraph 8 of Review of Sanction, the minutes of the meeting of 10 November 2022 be
approved as a correct record.

4. Matters Arising/Updates

Minute 5 County and District Councillors’ Reports – Councillor Price noted that had she been
present he would have sought an update from County Councillor Hall upon Footpath 1.

5. County and District Councillors’ Reports

The report from County Councillor Hall which had been circulated, was NOTED.

District Councillor Hinton presented his report which had been circulated and expanded
upon it.

CAB Sudbury were making Winter Warmth Packs available. He would send the email to the
Clerk for circulation.

The Government was proposing to abandon new housing requirements and five-year
housing plans amongst other changes. It was too early to judge the impact of such
proposals.

District Councillor Hinton had noted a press article which stated that a16 year old from East
Bergholt and 15 year old from Colchester had been arrested for hard drug related issues and
for carrying a machete. He warned the Council and local residents to be alert and remain
vigilant at all times.

Councillor Roberts asked what the Babergh Enforcement Officer was planning to do about
trees felled and soil heaped on and adjacent to the Heath Road site. He referred to a
reported case in Fareham Hampshire where a large fine of £7500 per oak had been
imposed for chopping down trees. District Councillor Hinton said he would follow it up.

The Chairman thanked District Councillor Hinton for his contribution following which he left
the meeting.

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. 11/11/22 East Bergholt Heartwatch Request for grant aid
2. 11/11/22 St Elizabeth Hospice Request for grant aid
3. 15/11/22 Sudbury & District CAB Details of EB client numbers
4. 21/11/22 Ipswich CAB Details of EB client numbers
5. 15/11/22 Tony Brigden Advice on supporting CABs
6. 16/11/22 Michele Steele (Barbizon) Thanks for grant aid
7. 23/11/22 Tony Brigden/Cllr Hurley Correspondence re cost-of-living crisis.
8. 01/12/22 Babergh DC Monthly major developments &
announcements

Item 1 – The Clerk reported that £4859.27 of the Grants Budget of £8000 had been spent,
leaving a balance of £3140.73 available for awards.

It was proposed by Councillor Price, seconded by Councillor Hockley and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that pursuant to Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 an award of
£500 be made to East Bergholt Heartwatch.

Item 2 – It was proposed by Councillor Hockley, seconded by Councillor Rothwell and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that pursuant to Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972
an award of £250 be made to St Elizabeth Hospice and that the Hospice be encouraged to
request grant aid in the 2023/24 financial year.

Items 3, 4, and 5 – At the last meeting the Clerk was asked to establish the number of East
Bergholt residents who had used the Sudbury and District, Ipswich and Colchester branches
of CAB in the preceding year. Sudbury and District and Ipswich had provided the information
and Colchester had not replied. Advice from Tony Brigden was considered.

From the information supplied it was clear that the bulk of East Bergholt residents seeking
advice used the Sudbury and District branch of CAB which covered the entirety of Babergh
district though Ipswich was also used.

It was proposed by Councillor Rothwell and seconded by Councillor Davies that pursuant to
Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972, an award of £1000 be made to Sudbury and
District CAB.

A debate ensued in which all members were supportive of CAB generally and discussed
which branches were the most supportive of East Bergholt residents. Councillor Allen
proposed an amendment, seconded by Councillor Rothwell that Section 137 awards of
£1000 be made to Sudbury and District CAB and £500 to Ipswich CAB. The amendment
was so RESOLVED (eight voted for, three voted against).

The amended motion was put to the Council and it was RESOLVED (eight voted for, none
voted against) that pursuant to Section 137 of the Local Government Act 1972 awards of
£1000 be made to Sudbury and District CAB and £500 to Ipswich CAB.

The Council’s thanks were afforded to Tony Brigden for his advice.

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Item 7 – Councillor Hurley referred to his exchange of correspondence with Tony Brigden
and his concern for disadvantaged people in the village regarding the cost-of-living crisis.
Councillor Hurley proposed the creation of a working group to assess the situation in the
village and to report back to the Parish Council. The proposal was seconded by Councillor
Davies. A wide-ranging discussion ensued with reference to the legal constraints placed on
the Parish Council and the means whereby assistance could be provided to residents.

Councillors Hurley and Davies withdrew their motion and Councillor Hurley agreed to try to
establish a village support group, similar to that which was formed during the Covid
emergency and report back to the Parish Council. The Chairman agreed that this group
could approach the Parish Council for a grant for specific proposals which sat within the
Parish Council’s remit.

7. Planning

7.1 Planning Applications received

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

DC/22/05280 Clare House, Heath Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6RL, – Householder
Application – Erection of part two storey and single storey rear
extensions and alterations to fenestration (following demolition of
conservatory). Replacement roof to existing single storey
extension.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Davies and RESOLVED (ten voted for, none voted against) that
approval be recommended.

DC/22/05846 The Gables, The Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6TB – Application for
listed building consent – Internal and external alteration to main
house and garage as per plans and Heritage Statement.

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

DC/22/06060 2 Carriers Court, East Bergholt, CO7 6GB – Householder
Application – Conversion of garage to provide home office and
additional living accommodation.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (ten voted for, none voted against) that
approval be recommended.

DC/22/05433 Doria, White Horse Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6TU – Householder
Application – Proposed loft conversion with the addition of three
dormers (following removal of conservation rooflight).

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At the last meeting it was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded
by Councillor Hockley and RESOLVED (twelve voted for, none voted
against) that approval be recommended. Since then new information of
a neighbour objection has been received.

The Council considered the new information and was surprised that the
application had been validated as the original plans submitted were not
accurate and showed an incorrect position on the boundary line. The
proposed balcony and large though recessed window would directly
overlook the neighbours’ back garden and impact their privacy and
amenity.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (unanimously) that refusal be recommended
on the ground of the impact on the neighbours’ privacy and amenity
occasioned by overlooking.

DC//22/06028 Riber House, Rectory Hill, East Bergholt, CO7 6TH – Notification of
works to trees in a conservation area – Fell 1no Pine (T1).

It was proposed by Councillor Rothwell, seconded by Councillor
Woodcock and RESOLVED (unanimously) that refusal be
recommended on the ground that the tree is healthy and is in line with
the tree line.

Councillor Rothwell left the meeting.

7.2 Planning correspondence

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

8. Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee

8.1 Schedule of Payments and Income – It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded
by Councillor Allen and RESOLVED (unanimously) that the schedule of payments
and income be noted and the payments due for November 2022 amounting to
£6330.50 be approved.

8.2 Bank Reconciliation Statement – The bank reconciliation statement for November
2022 was NOTED.

9. Reports from Council representatives on outside bodies

Babergh Alliance of Parish and Town Councils – Councillor Hurley reported that he had still
not been contacted but will email the Chair to establish the position.
Constable Hall Management Committee – Councillor Price reported that the management
committee was getting on with the replacement windows. The warm space was attracting
local people. Councillor Hockley said that the door to the Benneworth Lounge needed

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replacement. Councillor Price agreed, but not at the moment. Councillor Miller requested
that the Management Committee contact CAB regarding a presence at Constable Hall.
East Bergholt Community Land Trust – Councillor Rothwell reported that there had been
no recent meetings
East Bergholt/Barbizon Twinning Association – Councillor Miller reported that there will be
a visit to Barbizon in May and the village schools have been contacted.
East Bergholt Futures – Councillor Woodcock reported that a meeting was scheduled for
January.
East Bergholt Society – Councillor Miller reported that there had been no recent meetings.
Councillor Price enquired about the documents retrieved from a former Clerk. Councillor
Miller said they will be placed in The Hold but this will be effected by the Council and not
via the EB Society. The records would be available for inspection at the Hold and could be
part of the Hold’s digitisation project. Councillor Roberts enquired whether there was any
plan for the Society to resurrect itself. Councillor Wombwell reflected on its recent history
and that the nature of the Society was changing into a historical society.
East Bergholt Sports Council – Councillor Woodcock reported that a meeting had taken
place on 14 November and all the sports clubs had been represented. New dog fouling
notices had been put up; the sign in front of the Constable Hall had been moved; the tennis
courts would be power washed in March. The main item of the meeting was the energy
costs and how to reduce them and ways to save costs were being investigated. The Sports
Council will fund the bills until the end of December. A new contract with British Gas for one
year has been entered into and the sports clubs will have their own meter readings so that
their contributions are known and reflect their usage. A contribution of £500 from County
Councillor Hall’s locality budget was much appreciated. The Chairman offered thanks and
congratulations to the Sports Council for their work to date in seeking to mitigate the energy
costs.
Suffolk Association of Local Councils – No current representative and despite exhortations
from the Chairman, no volunteer came forward.

Reports from Council Nominated Trustees to Outside Bodies

East Bergholt United Charities – Councillor Price reported that the vacancy for an Alms
House tenant had elicited four candidates.
Lettice Dykes Foundation – Councillor Woodcock reported that there had been two more
applications for grant aid which had both been honoured. Councillor Rothwell had reviewed
the constitution documents and improved them which will leave the Foundation in good
stead following the retirement of The Rev. Canon Stephnie van der Toorn.
The Lambe School – Councillor Roberts reported that the next meeting of the trustees was
scheduled for January. There was concern that a number of trustees were retiring and they
were seeking new volunteers.

10. Friends of Broom Knoll

Councillor Woodcock recounted the recent history of Broom Knoll and the formation of the
community group to improve the area and hold community events. In order to formalise the
group and to obtain charitable status a constitution was required which the Council had
considered previously and suggested various amendments which the group had accepted.
The final version had been circulated. It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded
by Councillor Cathcart and RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Council acknowledges and
supports the Friends of Broom Knoll Constitution.

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11. Urgent Communications

Pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman allowed
information regarding the parish office, the appointment of the Assistant Clerk, a freedom of
information request and a complaint of a breach of the code of conduct to be considered as
a matter of urgency on the ground that there was a time constraint on the former and the
latter three were of immediate relevance and none could await the next meeting.

Parish Office – The Vice-Chairman informed the Council that he and the Chairman had
interviewed candidates for the Assistant Clerk post in the larger room at The Gattinetts and
following when going back to the existing office in the smaller room found it to be very
cramped and could impede business if two employees and one or more visitors were
present. The larger room was still available and may be preferable. It would also have the
capacity to host committee and other meetings. The Chairman supported the views
expressed by the Vice-Chairman and it was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by
Councillor Miller and RESOLVED (six voted for, two voted against) that the lease for the
smaller room be rescinded and a two year lease for the larger room be entered into at a rent
of £5376 plus VAT per annum.

Assistant Clerk – The Chairman reported that after interviewing three candidates she and
the Vice-Chairman had offered the post (subject to satisfactory references) to Louise Smith,
an East Bergholt Resident. It was anticipated that Mrs Smith would commence her duties in
January 2023. The report was NOTED.

FOI request and complaint of breach of code of conduct – The Chairman reported that
Jonathan Peachey had made a FOI request to Babergh DC in response to which Babergh
had disclosed certain confidential information pertaining to the offer of Mr Peachey in
January 2021 to sell the Red Lion estate to the Parish Council and disclosed discussions
with Babergh DC in respect of the Congregational Church. The Parish Council considered
that the information disclosed was exempt under the Freedom of Information Act and that
Babergh were wrong to disclose it. Even so, it had been disclosed and was in the public
domain. The Parish Council had conducted strong discussions with Babergh officers,
including the Monitoring Officer, who had not defended their position.

The Chairman informed the Council that a complaint had been made to Babergh District
Council that she had breached the code of conduct in various respects upon matters relating
to the FOI enquiry. The matter was being investigated by the Monitoring Officer. The
Chairman had denied the allegations in full and responded to the Monitoring Officer in detail
with supporting evidence.

In the light of the Babergh disclosures, the Chairman had asked the Congregational Church
that now certain information had been put into the public domain by Babergh, would they
allow details of conversations to be in public. The Congregational Church representatives
were content for the Parish Council to lift the strict confidentiality accordingly. The Chairman
went on to say that she had heard very recently that the Congregational Church was looking
to transfer its landholding to the Parish Council which will open many opportunities.

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

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Allen and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that pursuant to the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 and the

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Local Government Act 1972 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.

13. Urgent communications

Pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman allowed
information concerning the Section 146 notice to be considered as a matter of urgency as
there were issues of immediate relevance which could not await the next meeting.
The Council considered the latest developments in respect of the Section 146 Notice and
determined its next course of action.

The meeting closed at 10.02 pm.

Date of the next Parish Council Meeting – Thursday 12 January 2023 at 7.30 pm at The
Lambe School.

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