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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Thursday 11 November 2021 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 P Dent
Councillor R Elmer
Councillor M Hurley
Councillor R Lansdell
Councillor J Price
Councillor R Wombwell
Councillor G Woodcock

In Attendance
G White, Parish Clerk
County Councillor Georgia Hall
No members of the public

1. Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence received from Councillors Eley and Rothwell and from District Councillor
Hinton, were NOTED.

2. Declaration of Interests/Dispensations

None.

3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting of 14 October 2021

It was proposed by Councillor Dent, seconded by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED (Nine
voted for, none voted against) that the minutes of the meeting on 14 October 2021 be approved
as a correct record.

4. Matters Arising/Updates

Minute 4 Conservation Area – Councillor Roberts reported that there was no update on the
position as reported by him at the last meeting. Babergh DC officers will pick their moment to
brief the Cabinet member and over the last month other matters have taken precedence. The
Parish Council will need to be patient over the progress of this matter.

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5. County and District Councillor Reports

County Councillor Hall presented her report which had been circulated and expanded on various
current issues. The County Council was developing a Bus Service Improvement Plan seeking
£50m from a government fund of £3billion to improve bus services.

A discussion ensued regarding the reduction of bus services to and from East Bergholt. The
service to and from Suffolk One was cited. This was limited to one bus in the morning which
arrived only just before the commencement of classes but there were no buses in the evening
until an hour after the cessation of classes. School buses and commuter train buses were not
mentioned in the improvement plan; the latter would alleviate parking in The Street where it is
reported that commuters park then proceed to Manningtree in a single car(s). It was noted that
the Council can make representations during the consultation upon the plan.

With reference to Fen Bridge, Councillor Price reported that he had responded to the letter from
Ben Cook, requesting a meeting with the CEO. He had been informed by the PA to the CEO
that the letter had been referred to Mark Ash, Executive Director of Growth, Highways and
Infrastructure from whom he awaited a response. County Councillor Hall reported that she had
been informed that the old bridge would be removed from the end of November over a four-
week period, subject to weather conditions. She will circulate further details of the proposals
after the meeting.

County Councillor Hall reported that Suffolk Highways want to change the traffic at Flatford Lane
to restrict to business, farm vehicles and disabled access only. The Chairman commented that it
would have been nice to have been consulted as the Parish Council would have representations
to make. County Councillor Hall will forward the proposal.

County Councillor Hall referred to a recent successful meeting with Better Broadband Suffolk
which Councillor Roberts had also attended and had found reassuring. Openreach are
undertaking fibre to the premises (FTTP) in the centre of the village only though aim to upgrade
the whole village ‘at some stage’. Councillor Wombwell reported on the current position
regarding County Broadband, whose proposals of FTTP cover the whole village. The village had
passed the first milestone in that over 40% of residents had shown initial interest. They were
now working to turn that interest into orders in the hope that they can secure 25%. The Clerk
reported a direct approach from County Broadband at The Gattinetts and Councillor Wombwell
commented that their proposal included a number of free ‘public’ connections as loss leaders.

The Chairman thanked County Councillor Hall for her report and continued assistance to the
Parish Council and she left the meeting.

District Councillor Hinton’s report which had been circulated, was NOTED.

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. 19/10/21 Police and Crime
Commissioner
Consultation on new Police and Crime Plan.
2. 21/10/21 Citizen’s Advice Sudbury and
District
Annual impact report and request for grant
aid.
3. 29/10/21 Highways England Public Consultation A14 Junction 55
Copdock.
4. 01/11/21 James Cartlidge MP Public Consultation A14 Junction 55
Copdock.
5. 02/11/21 Babergh DC Christmas and New Year Waste Collection
Schedule.
6. 02/11/21 SALC Various current issues.
7. 04/11/21 Babergh DC Housing Land Supply Position Statement
Consultation.
8. 05/11/21 Elizabeth Boughton Request to plant a memorial tree.

Item 2. Citizen’s Advice Sudbury and District – The Chairman commented that East Bergholt
residents rarely used Sudbury Citizen’s Advice, preferring to go to Ipswich or Colchester. It was
AGREED that the Clerk be requested to invite Citizen’s Advice Ipswich to apply for grant aid.

Item’s 3 & 4. Consultation on A14 Junction – The Council considered that it should respond to
the consultation but responses needed to be submitted before the next meeting. It was
proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Dent and RESOLVED (unanimously) that
a circular email drafted by the Vice-Chairman be sent to all councillors setting out the options
and councillors indicate their preferences to the Chairman who be authorised to submit the
majority view on behalf of the Council.

Item 7. Housing Land Supply Consultation – Councillor Roberts informed the Council that last
year the published supply was 6.7 years. This time it was slightly better at 6.8 years and would
be even higher if the Moores Lane and Heath Road developments were taken into account.

Item 8. Request to plant a memorial tree – Whilst the Council had no objection to the proposal,
regrettably it did not own or control any suitable land for the placing of a memorial tree. The only
land it owned or managed was the Churchyard, the Cemetery and the Sports Field. It was
considered that such a tree might best be placed in an appropriate gap on the B1070 wide
grass verge adjacent to Foxhall Fields or on a suitable patch of greensward such as those in
Chaplin Road and Richardsons Road, which were controlled by Babergh DC. The applicant
should identify a suitable location and then contact Babergh to seek permission to plant the tree.

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/21/05745 The Drey, Hadleigh Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6QT – Application
for works to trees subject to a TPO (BT269) – Reduce crown of T1

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Sycamore by up to 3m and lift crown to 6m (to let light into
property and maintain proximity to the highway).

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

DC/21/04359 Land south of Slough Road, Brantham – Reserved Matters
Application following Outline Application DC/19/01973 and
subsequent appeal APP/D3505/W/19/3241261. T&CPA 1990 –
Erection of 65No residential dwellings (of which 35% allocated as
affordable homes), including landscaping, public open space and
associated infrastructure.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Dent
and RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Council continues to support
the representations made by Brantham Parish Council and in particular
that conditions be attached to a permission which:
1. ensure a limited lighting impact scheme as East Bergholt sits
between two AONBs and is a largely light free zone with dark
night skies;
2. make a condition of the scheme the planting of significant
screening on the west and south sides of the site to protect
views from the countryside and the AONBs;
3. provide suitable pavement from Brantham to East End;
4. route all construction traffic to the site via the A137 to avoid
further disruption to the busy routes of the B1070 (including the
High School) and Straight Road where traffic conditions already
cause concern; and
5. provide for houses to be built to carbon neutral standards and
with energy efficient heating (as per the example set by East
Suffolk Council).

DC/21/05967 Oak Tree Barn, 5 Beehive Close, East Bergholt, CO7 6AY –
Application for works to trees subject to a TPO (BT350) – Reduce
crown of 1No Oak (T1) in back garden by 3-4m and remove dead
wood.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Miller
and RESOLVED (eight voted for, one voted against) that approval be
recommended.

DC/21/06098 Veranda Cottage, Gaston Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6SS –
Application for works to trees subject to TPO BT418/T1 – Reduce
T1 Sycamore in front garden by 35% (Canopy is growing close to
home).

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Miller
and RESOLVED (unanimously) that no comment be submitted.

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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 Wombwell, seconded by
Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED (unanimously) that the schedules of payments and income
be noted and the payments due for October 2021 amounting to £5137.89 be approved.

8.2 Bank Reconciliation Statement – The bank reconciliation statement for October 2021 was
NOTED.

9. Other Committee Matters

9.1 Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee – Councillor Price updated the Council on current
issues.

Heath Road Zebra Crossing – The reply to the joint letter from the Parish Council, the
Headteacher of the High School and Professor Vergo had stated that the position of the zebra
crossing could not be changed as it was the subject of an approved planning permission.

Fen Bridge – The Conservation Officer of the AONB had informed Councillor Price that she
agreed with the representation which the Council had made to Suffolk County Council. It was
AGREED that Dedham Parish Council be informed of the correspondence between the Council
and the County Council.

Flooding on The Street – Suffolk Highways had informed Councillor Price that this was not a
priority in their view and no works were planned for the foreseeable future. Councillor Price
considered this to be a maintenance issue and not discretionary.

20mph zone – The slow progress by the highway authority had now ground to a halt.

Footways – The quote from Suffolk Highways appeared to be for design costs only and
Councillor Price was asking who would bear the construction costs.

Councillor Price proposed and Councillor Woodcock seconded a motion that the Parish Council
fund the design costs of the works subject to having control of the brief, input into the project,
and clarification of who would pay for the construction costs.

Councillor Roberts was not in favour of this matter being treated as a one-off, though if this was
approved, he considered it to be essential that the Parish Council had control of the project as
he was not confident that the County Council would programme it promptly. However, he
preferred the Neighbourhood Plan Committee approach for a broader traffic plan for the village.

The motion was lost (four voted for, seven voted against).

No waiting signs for yellow lines in The Street – The signs had been requested and Councillor
Price was chasing for the works to be undertaken.

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The Council expressed its frustration with the slow responses to legitimate representations on
highway issues. Councillor Price said that when he corresponded with Mark Ash, Executive
Director, on the Fen Bridge issue, he would also raise the prospect of regular meetings upon the
various outstanding issues in respect of which the County Council had a statutory duty to effect
maintenance.

9.2 Burial Grounds Committee – In Councillor Rothwell’s absence, the Clerk reported upon the
excellent work of Alan Nicholson, the grounds maintenance contractor, in levelling off and
seeding a dozen recent graves. In only a month the grass had grown significantly on those
graves which were now largely indistinguishable from the other levelled graves. It was proposed
by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Wombwell and RESOLVED (unanimously) that
Alan Nicholson be congratulated and thanked for his work in levelling and seeding recent
graves thereby maintaining the orderly appearance of the cemetery.

9.3 Playing Fields Committee – No report.

9.4 Neighbourhood Plan Committee – Councillor Cathcart reported that the call for sites had
been publicised; the first mini survey had gone out online; a schedule of surveys had been
developed for the first six months of 2022 and the Transport Strategy was in the course of
development.

It was proposed by Councillor Cathcart, seconded by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that East Bergholt Parish Council be invited to take part in the research project
proposed by Community Works which will include ten Parish Councils and which involves
Community Works in facilitating workshop and advice sessions which will point the direction for
Parishes to move to carbon neutrality.

It was proposed by Councillor Wombwell, seconded by Councillor Hurley and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that Councillor Cathcart be afforded a vote of thanks for her work to date on
Neighbourhood Plan Committee matters which had expanded significantly.

10. Appreciation and memorial for the Village

In the absence of Councillor Eley the Council AGREED to further defer consideration of this
matter to the next meeting when it was hoped that advice on species and location would be
available.

11. Review of Council Policies

The Clerk presented a further six policies for review.

The Chairman considered that the Press, Media and Social Media Policy was now out of date
and required a more thorough review. It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by
Councillor Dent and RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Press, Media and Social Media Policy
be referred to the Policy Team and a revised policy be submitted to a future Council meeting.

It was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by Councillor Wombwell and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that Regulation 17.1 of Financial Regulations be amended by replacing the
second sentence with the following:
The Clerk/RFO shall prepare, for approval by the council, risk statements in respect of all
relevant activities of the council, as appropriate.

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With regard to the Website Accessibility Statement, Councillor Wombwell said he would
contact the various Clubs to ensure that their statements complied with the Website
Accessibility Statement. The Statement did not require amendment merely that the foregoing
actions needed to be taken.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Dent and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that subject to the foregoing amendment to Financial Regulations, the following
policies be approved and adopted for a further year:
Code of Conduct for Councillors;
Financial Regulations;
Equality and Diversity Policy;
Privacy Notice; and
Website Accessibility Statement.

12. Assets of Community Value

The decision of Babergh District Council upon the review of their decision to list the Red Lion
Car Park and toilets as an asset of community value was NOTED. The District Council had
upheld the listing.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Lansdell and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that in the event of an appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal, the Council be
represented as an interested party.

13. Urgent Communications

None

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

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Hurley 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.

Resolution to suspend Standing Orders

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Woodcock and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that pursuant to Standing Order 4.1.16, Standing Order 1.25 be suspended to
enable the meeting to continue beyond the two-hour limit.

15. Confidential Minutes of the Parish Council meeting of 9 September 2021

It was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by Councillor Dent and RESOLVED (nine
voted for, none voted against) that the confidential minutes of the meeting of 14 October 2021
2021 be approved as a correct record.

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16. Matters arising/updates

The Chairman updated the Council on progress upon the Section 146 Notice and associated
matters and a general discussion ensued with decisions upon future courses of action.

The meeting closed at 9.54 pm.

Date of the next Parish Council Meeting – Thursday 9 December 2021 at 7.30 pm at The Lambe
School.

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