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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 11 September 2025 at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East
Bergholt

Present – Parish Councillors
Councillor J Miller (Chair of the Council)
Councillor N Roberts (Vice-Chair of the Council)
Councillor M Burns
Councillor S Davies
Councillor P Dent
Councillor R Elmer
Councillor M Hockley
Councillor M Hurley
Councillor L Matthews
Councillor J Price

In Attendance
G White, Parish Clerk
N. Reed, Media Consultant
County Councillor G Hall
Henry Fairbanks, The Chestnut Group
Five members of the public

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

The Chair welcomed members of the public and Henry Fairbanks, Director of Acquisitions
and Wholesale, The Chestnut Group, to the meeting. She told Mr Fairbanks how
encouraged she had been by the way in which his company had sought to embrace local
residents in their re-opening of The Red Lion and invited him to address the meeting.

Mr Fairbanks said that The Chestnut Group had a collection of restaurants, pubs, a brewery
and a winery. In his five years with the company, he had never seen them so welcomed as
by the East Bergholt community. As a business the Chestnut Group seeks to be very
transparent and open and likes to be part of the local community and support it. It has
listened to the feedback from the village, the top four items being. A name change back to
the Red Lion; dogs allowed into the bar area; a welcome to all (and not just to high end
diners) and a proper public bar. Mr Fairbanks said that all those requests had been met.

Mr Fairbanks had appreciated the support of Mr Peachey throughout the sale process in
which the Group had purchased the pub, the car park, the development land and the
Langham Property Company. They will develop the offering over time which at present is
probably lower than it will be eventually. Local staff have been recruited as far as possible.
The Group does not stand still and intends to grow.

Councillor Price thanked Mr Fairbanks for the prize donated to the Constable Hall raffle.

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Councillor Hockley said it was nice to see Mr Fairbanks. He had been to the pub three or
four times and on each occasion had been delighted with the staff. He asked about the
Group’s intentions for the back land and Mr Fairbanks said that they had a Tipi covering in
mind for the winter season which would enable a tented dining area. They were not a
housing company and did not intend to implement the current planning permission but were
exploring other things to do with the back land. They had submitted a pre-application for
additional bedrooms as the five available in the pub was a smaller number than their usual
offering. In any event they would like to come back to the Parish Council for consultation
before submitting any sort of planning application.

In answer to a question from Councillor Davies, Mr Fairbanks said the Group had no
intentions to do anything with the car park and was not aware of any current problems with it.
Councillor Hockley added that the water system in the toilets had recently been updated and
refurbished.

Debbie Dadds, a local resident, asked if staff could be requested not to park in the coach
bays as it could impede coach parking. Mr Fairbanks said he would address the matter.

The Chair thanked Mr Fairbanks for his attendance and contribution and looked forward to
meeting him again in a forthcoming landlord/tenant meeting.

Joyce Baker raised four items:
1. Drainage at Flatford Lane – Councillor Price said that SCC had found a broken pipe
and he was keeping his fingers crossed that it had been replaced which should
resolve the problem. Water should not be running down the road but rather down the
ditch and into the two gullies then discharge into the field. Joyce Baker thanked
Councillor Price for his persistence in pursuing this but warned that she would be
back if the problem was not resolved.
2. Tenant for the old Co-op store – The Chair referred Joyce to the co-op email
comprising item 7 in the correspondence which said that they had selected a tenant
but could not disclose who and what it was until the lease had been completed.
3. Progress with the Congregational Church – The Chair said that the Council had
appointed a charity lawyer who was in correspondence with the Deacons’ lawyer
drafting a submission to the Charity Commission. This was all proceeding very slowly
but once the Charity Commission accepted the proposal, the transaction could
proceed.
4. Traffic issues – Joyce Baker said that since the public meeting in 2023 it has all gone
very quiet. Councillor Roberts said that the consultants had designed five
interventions which included the village centre though initially the B1070 had been
regarded as the most urgent. The latest set of drawings had been sent to SCC and it
appeared that there would be a collegiate approach between the SCC engineers and
the consultants to develop these proposals. However, SCC now seemed to have had
a change of mind and had asked for a formal submission from the Parish Council.
The consultants had reverted to SCC seeking an explanation for the change to the
agreed process.

Councillor Roberts confirmed that the pedestrian crossing on Heath Road had been
paid for by the developers of the adjacent site.

With regard to Hadleigh Road, the Chair said that progress on speed restrictions was
dependent on the SCC response referred to above. A proposal for the bottom end of

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Hadleigh Road had been mooted by the then highway engineer if the cost was met
by the Parish Council but there had been no outcome to it. The Chair added that this
had not been forgotten due to the narrow pavement in this location.

Marion Godwin from Quintons Corner, referred to the problem for drivers wishing to
access Woodgates Road coming out of Quintons Corner due to the speed of the
traffic and its increasing volume . The Chair said she understood the problem but
there was no solution which could be suggested tonight and it rested on how best to
approach SCC. This matter was referred to the Roads, Footpaths and Flatford
Committee for further consideration.

A resident from White Horse Road thought the pavements should be wider; they
were increasingly narrow due to spreading growth from the verges. She asked who
was responsible. The Chair replied that SCC were, both for the verges and the
hedges within the highway boundary. Where the overgrowth emanates from private
land SCC can serve enforcement notices. If SCC proved to be reluctant, the Parish
Council could organise some clearance by volunteers, which was referred to the
Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee for consideration.

County Councillor Hall mentioned that Speedwatch could be resurrected to address
issues on certain roads, though it was noted that volunteers were few and far
between largely due to abuse from irate drivers. Councillor Price mentioned the
initiative to erect posters drawn by children to dissuade speeding and would welcome
residents who would be prepared to have such a sign in their front gardens on the
most affected roads.

The Chair thanked all contributors to the Open Public Session.

72.25.26 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence received from Councillors Allen, Smith and Woodcock and an apology
for lateness from Councillor Matthews were NOTED.

73.25.26 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST S OR DISPENSATIONS

None.

74.25.26 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF 14 AUGUST 2025

It was proposed by Councillor Davies, seconded by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED
(seven voted for, none voted against) that the minutes of the Council Meeting of 14 August
2025 be approved as a correct record.

75.25.26 MATTERS ARISING/UPDATES

Councillor Roberts referred to the visit of Sally Longmate, CEO SALC, at the August
meeting. Thereafter the Clerk had sought her feedback upon the meeting and she had
raised a number of learning points which the Council may wish to revisit. The Clerk was
requested to circulate his note of the feedback to all members.

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Minute 65.25.26 – Bus route grants – Councillor Price asked if SCC had been written to. The
Clerk said he had written to County Councillor Hall, whose reply was Item 3 on the
correspondence list for this meeting.

Minute 66.25.26 Item 11 – Overhanging hedge Heath Road – Councillor Hockley said that
an enforcement notice served by SCC on the residents had caused great distress to them.
The Parish Council had sent a gentle request asking for the hedge to be cut back. The
residents had done their best and whilst there was now more room to negotiate the
pavement, it remained narrow but was cut back to the highway boundary.

76.25.26 COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

County Councillor Hall presented her report which had been circulated and expanded upon
it. Upon Local Government Reorganisation, SCC was submitting its one authority proposal,
the general view of which was that it adversely affected democracy and did not solve the
problem currently experienced with SCC, that it was very difficult to communicate direct with
officers and even more difficult to get SCC to have regard to Parish Council concerns.

Councillor Price referred to a frequent response from SCC that resources were already
allocated for the year but that they never sought to allocate for future years.

The Chair thanked County Councillor Hall for her contribution.

District Councillor Davies presented her report which had been circulated and expanded
upon it. She recommended to the Council the Suffolk Wildlife Trust website and Connecting
Constable and Gainsborough Country, a landscape recovery project funded by Defra to the
tune of £750k through corridors which were aimed to restore woodlands and reconnect
habitats throughout South Suffolk.

The Chair thanked District Councillor Davies for her contribution.

77.25.26 CORRESPONDENCE

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

Date Sender Subject
1. 26/08/25 Suffolk County Council EV Charging Points – Foxhall Fields
2. 29/08/25 National Grid Norwich-Tilbury Development Consent
Order
3. 29/08/25 County Councillor Hall SCC response – Bus grants
4. 01/09/25 James Cartlidge MP South Suffolk Seniors Fair
5. 02/09/25 Babergh DC Electric Recycling Bins
6. 03/09/25 County Councillor Hall EV Charging Points – Foxhall Fields
7. 05/09/25 Co-op Prospective tenant for old store
8. 08/09/25 Suffolk County Council Local Government Reorganisation –
Consultation
9. 08/09/25 Councillor Davies Babergh reply – Footpath to new Co-op
store
10. 08/09/25 Councillor Davies Babergh reply – Pile of soil Heath Road
Dev

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11. 10/09/25 Dedham Vale National
Landscape
Event at Flatford 26 September

Items 1 and 6 – Councillor Hockley said he thought SCC were browbeating communities
throughout Suffolk in respect of placing EV charging points. Following a visit from a Babergh
DC team to the Elm Estate last year, the views of residents regarding BDC changed
remarkably for the better. SCC are telling us not asking us but are now grudgingly asking
where we want the charging points. This was referred to the Road, Footpaths and Flatford
Committee to make suggestions.

Councillor Matthews joined the meeting at 8.35

Items 9 and 10 – Councillor Davies consider that the footpath was a circuitous route and
would be unpopular. She will go back to BDC and say that it is an unsatisfactory reply.
Similarly, the top soil pile is meant to be a temporary structure and has been there for two
years. It is not acceptable for Enforcement to leave it indefinitely and she will go back to
BDC and say that it is an unsatisfactory reply and that the pile of soil be removed from the
off-site area and put back onto the site until such time as Hills restart Phase 2.

Item 11 – Councillor Roberts asked that this event be publicised via the website, social
media and on the noticeboards by way of the poster provided.
Councillor Roberts recalled that the Dedham Vale Management Plan had been on
correspondence a few months ago but that no subsequent discussion had occurred, which
he thought it merited. The Clerk will circulate the document again to all councillors.

78.25.26 PLANNING

78.1 Planning Consultations received

DC/25/03954 The Grange Country Park, Straight Road, East Bergholt,
CO7 6UX – Application under Section 73A T&CPA for
B/12/00154 (stationing of additional 25 caravans) for
variation of Condition 4a and 4b to allow both holiday
and residential occupation of caravans.

Councillor Davies was unhappy that the Parish Council had
not been consulted upon this matter prior to the formal
consultation as there had been previous correspondence
upon this sensitive issue and further consultation might have
been expected along the way. It was in effect an application
which would result in 80 residential units in the village.

Councillor Roberts was aware of the problem and knew that
BDC did not regard this as the perfect solution but better than
nothing and one which solved a problem. He thought it was
probably the right solution.

It appeared that there had been no consultation with the
people living in the caravans on the site, which was not
satisfactory.

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Whilst the Council was frustrated at not being involved in the
process, pragmatically it would mean that East Bergholt
residents would not have to move out each January.

There is a need to discuss with BDC the process for
recognition of the 80 residential units and how they stand
against the Parish Council’s housing provision requirement.

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

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor
Matthews and RESOLVED (unanimously) that Councillor
Davies establish from BDC:
(i) why this process had been undertaken,
notwithstanding the prior agreement to consult
residents and the Parish Council
(ii) details of how BDC will monitor the policy
(iii) the implications for new houses in East Bergholt.
(iv) the impact on East Bergholt’s housing provision
requirement.
(v) the impact on the council tax base and council tax.

DC/25/03851 East Bergholt Place, Mill Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6UP –
Full Planning Application – Change of Use from
Specialist Plant Centre involving sales to the public with
ancillary sales of refreshments Class E to a Horticultural
Business, including Storage and Warehousing of Stock,
Fulfilment of E-Commerce Orders, and associated Office
Functions. – Class B8

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

DC/25/04012 Little Court. The Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6TE –
Application for works to trees in a conservation area –
Fell 1 no Pine (T1), Reduce 1 no Yew (T2) by 30%.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (unanimously) that no objection be
recommended.

DC/25/04014 Holly Bank, Rectory Hill, East Bergholt, CO7 6TL –
Application for works to trees in a conservation area –
Fell 3 no Conifer (T1, T2 and T3).

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (five voted for, three voted against)
that no objection be recommended.

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78.2 Planning Correspondence

The correspondence received from the Local Planning Authority as set out on the planning
list, concerning determined applications was NOTED.

79.25.26 STRATEGY, POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

79.1 Schedule of Payments and Income -The Clerk presented his report and answered
questions upon it.

Councillor Roberts raised the matter of payment to the PC (Tennis Club) Project contractors
which was discussed at the last meeting. The Chair confirmed that payments required by
contractual commitments had been made but that there remained some £30k outstanding
which would not be paid until the project was completed. Further she will meet Councillor
Hockley to discuss his issues prior to payment being made.

It was proposed by Councillor Elmer, seconded by Councillor Hockley and RESOLVED
(seven voted for, two voted against), that the schedule of payments and income and the
bank transfers be noted and the payments due in August 2025 amounting to £99,872.15 be
approved.

79.2 Bank Reconciliation Statement – The bank reconciliation statement for August 2025 was
NOTED.

80.25.26 REPORTS FROM COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES

Constable Hall Management Committee – Councillor Price reported on the recent Open Day
to which various organisations attended but regrettably no sports clubs. He described the
events of the day and thanked all those who had helped to make it successful.

In Our View/Constable 250 – Following the request from Constable Hall Management
Committee for the Council to co-ordinate village events for the Constable250 celebrations in
2026 and the appointment by the Council of Councillors Miller and Burns to undertake the
duties, Councillor Burns presented her report setting out early planning ideas for the event. A
budget was required which would cross financial years and there would be costs in 2025/26
to fund preparatory work.

In particular it was necessary to appoint a creative graphic design company to generate and
produce an event logo, advertising and graphics. Four quotations had been sought and
Councillor Burns recommended Clubb Creatve, an East Bergholt company.

It was proposed by Councillor Burns, seconded by Councillor Davies and RESOLVED (nine
voted for, none voted against) that:
(i) Clubb Creative be appointed to provide graphic designs for In Our
View/Constable 250 at a cost of £960-£1248 with additional work at £48 per hour
(ii) In principle the Council agree to an allocation of £5,000 spread over two financial
years
(iii) The Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee meeting on 18 September
determine the precise budgetary provision for the costs of the project.

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East Bergholt Community Land Trust – Councillor Matthews said there was nothing of note
to report from the last meeting. Nigel Downton will be meeting George Harris to explore land
availability.

East Bergholt/Barbizon Twinning Association – Councillor Miller had nothing to report though
mentioned the Annual Quiz scheduled for November.

East Bergholt Futures – Councillor Davies reported that along with others she was trying to
set-up a meeting to rejuvenate the group which would include biodiversity ambitions and
active travel. They will see if there is sufficient interest to proceed.

East Bergholt Society – Councillor Miller reported that while there had been no recent
meetings, Constable 250 was on the horizon.

East Bergholt Sports Council – Councillor Hockley reported that the CCTV seems to have
reduced vandalism though he is not entirely happy with it. The Sports Council is looking to
get the system updated on the phone. This will need to go to the Playing Field Committee if
finance is required.

The PC (Cricket Club) Project is now completed and going well.

The major problem is rabbit infestation which will be considered by the Playing Field
Committee and is expected to cost a significant sum if rabbit-proof fencing is required.

SALC – Councillor Davies had nothing to report.

COUNCIL NOMINATED TRUSTEES TO OUT SIDE BODIES

East Bergholt United Charities – Councillor Hockley reported that there had been no
meeting.

Lettice Dykes – Councillor Hurley reported that there had been no meeting but Councillor
Matthews had been appointed a trustee of the charity.

The Lambe School – Councillor Elmer reported that a CIL application to fund kitchen
refurbishment was coming to the SPF Committee on 18 September.

81.25.26 COMMUNICATIONS REVIEW

Councillor Burns presented her report which outlined what communications were and what
the Council should be thinking about in that regard. She believed the key to be internal
communications. Councillor Burns suggested that she and the Media Consultant should put
some meat on the bones of this paper and report back with a more substantial paper
outlining options and alternatives. It was proposed by Councillor Burns, seconded by
Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED (nine voted for, none voted against) that Councillor
Burns and the Media Consultant built on the current report and report back to Council with
Communications options and alternative.

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82.25.26 REVIEW OF COUNCIL POLICIES – THE PUBLICATION SCHEME

The Clerk presented his report which stated that the two publication schemes currently in
place had been reviewed by Councillor Roberts and the Assistant Clerk and combined into a
single more readily accessible scheme. It was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by
Councillor Davies and RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Publication Scheme be approved
and adopted. The Council thanked Councillor Roberts and the Assistant Clerk for their work
in reviewing the previous schemes.

83.25.26 CHRISTMAS MARKET

The Clerk presented the report from the Assistant Clerk which stated that a small group of
volunteers wished to hold a Christmas Market in the car park to replace the parade and
market which was not taking place this year. The volunteers sought the Council’s consent to
use the car park on Saturday 6 December which meant it would be closed for general
parking for the day.

The volunteers also sought a grant of up to £750 to fund the event, this being the sum
granted to the organisers of the parade and market in 2024.

It was proposed by Councillor Matthews, seconded by Councillor Hurley and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that subject to consent being obtained from the Landlord, the Council will
close the car park to the public on Saturday 6 December 2025 for the purpose of a
Christmas Market and pursuant to Section 1 of the Localism Act 2011 award a grant of up to
£750 to the volunteer Christmas Market Committee.

38.25.26 URGENT COMMUNICATIONS

None

The meeting closed at 10.11pm

Chair……………………………………………… Date…………………………………

Date of next meeting Thursday 9 October 2025