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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Thursday 12 August 2021 at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt

Present – Parish Councillors
Councillor N Roberts (Vice-Chairman of the Council) (In the Chair)
Councillor R Allen
Councillor C Cathcart
Councillor P Dent
Councillor R Elmer
Councillor M Hurley
Councillor R Lansdell
Councillor J Price
Councillor S Rothwell
Councillor R Wombwell

In Attendance
G White, Parish Clerk
District Councillor John Hinton
One member of the public

Open Public Session

Professor Peter Vergo, a resident of Heath Road opposite the High School, presented a letter he had
written to the Parish Council in conjunction with the Head Teacher of the High School (Dan Woodcock),
(see Correspondence Item 8) concerning the need for a pedestrian crossing at the school without which
the highway dangers were considerable and increasing and action was required as a matter of urgency.
He did not consider it adequate for the highway authority to review the position following the completion
of the Heath Road development and considered it only a matter of time before an accident occurred.
Professor Vergo would like to work collaboratively with the Parish Council, the County and District
Councillors, the MP and other local influencers to achieve a positive response from the highway
authority. He did not regard it as adequate that the public should have to justify the need for a crossing
to the highway authority rather that the highway authority should have to justify to the public why a
crossing was not provided. He queried whether the highway authority had conducted a risk assessment
of the site.

Councillor Price said that he had discussed the matter informally with County Councillor Georgia Hall
who had noted that a crossing was detailed in the Heath Road planning permission documents though
the Council considered that the highway authority’s comments in that regard had not led to it being
appropriately located.

District Councillor Hinton considered that the situation required a strongly worded letter signed by as
many influencers as possible.

The Chairman requested the Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee at its forthcoming meeting to
consider further the letter from Professor Vergo and to suggest any amendments with a view to a joint
representation from influencers being sent to Suffolk County Council.

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1. Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Miller and Woodcock and from County
Councillor Georgia Hall, which were NOTED.

2. Declaration of Interests/Dispensations

Councillor Roberts declared a Non-Pecuniary Interest in Item 12 Urgent Communications, re
Gatton Field lighting scheme which was located near his home.

3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting of 8 July 2021

It was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by Councillor Dent and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that subject to the correction of a typographical error the minutes of the meeting
on 8 July 2021 be approved as a correct record.

4. Matters Arising/Updates

None.

5. County and District Councillor Report

The written report from County Councillor Georgia Hall was NOTED.

District Councillor Hinton presented his written report with additions regarding the recent
Babergh DC meeting and in respect of the electoral roll canvass which had been conducted
predominantly electronically and with a number of serious errors in the methodology.

He was meeting Highways England on 24 August to discuss the Four Sisters Junction. He
added that he had put in a letter to the Local Plan Inspector saying that the Examination In
Public was invalid due to Babergh DC having given erroneous information to the Inspector
regarding the Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

District Councillor Hinton enquired whether anyone has seen additional police patrols in the
village which were supposed to have been put in place following a recent air rifle incident. He
had not.

The Whitesfield limousine saga which has been ongoing for eighteen years was continuing and
District Councillor Hinton was trying to get Babergh DC to go back to the county court due to a
breach of the injunction.

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. 16/07/21 County Broadband Broadband project for East Bergholt
2. 21/07/21 Babergh DC Welcome Back Fund
3. 27/07/21 Babergh DC BDC Locality Award – War Memorial
4. 31/07/21 Tony Brigden Application DC/21/03998
5. 02/08/21 Paula Kerswell Introducing the Anne Robson Trust
6. 03/08/21 AONB Seasonal Rangers in AONB
7. 04/08/21 Capel St Mary Parish Council Application DC/21/03954
8. 16/07/21 Professor Peter Vergo Pedestrian crossing, Heath Road
9. 06/08/21 Tony Brigden Communicating ACV decision
10. 06/08/21 Countryside Properties Development on land north west of
Moores Lane
11. 10/08/21 Robert Shackleton Historic Landscape Study
12. 11/08/21 Bentley Parish Council Application DC/21/03954

Item 1 County Broadband – Councillor Wombwell reported on the approach from County
Broadband Ltd which is seeking Parish Council support to canvass parishioners so that at least
25% indicate a willingness to sign up to the project for full fibre broadband. The Company
targets rural areas where Openreach has no published plan for full fibre extensions. Councillor
Wombwell and the Clerk had discussed the matter with the Company’s representative and
thought it might be best for further consideration to be given by the Neighbourhood Plan Group,
as part of the communications strategy.

Councillor Wombwell referred to advice from Better Broadband for Suffolk (BBS) that
Openreach would be upgrading in East Bergholt but nothing was published to that effect.
Evidently BBS has a programme of projects which are picked up by Openreach but BBS would
not expect to see its projects in the public domain because of confidentiality arrangements
between Suffolk County Council and Openreach. The advice was that work would commence in
August/September and be completed by the end of the year.

Notwithstanding it was AGREED that the Neighbourhood Plan Group should arrange a Zoom
meeting with County Broadband and report back to the Council.

Item 3 – BDC Locality Award – The award from District Councillor Hinton’s locality award of
£1,000 towards the costs of cleaning and renovating the War Memorial was received with
grateful thanks to District Councillor Hinton.

Item 10 – Development on land north west of Moores Lane – It was NOTED that trenching work
would begin in August for archaeological purposes and the development would commence
onsite in October.

Item 11 – Historic Landscape Survey – The Council was pleased to note the appreciative
comments of Mr Robert Shackleton upon the survey.

Items 4, 7, and 12 – It was AGREED to consider these items of correspondence along with the
relevant planning consultations.

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7. Planning

7.1 Planning Applications received

The Council considered the planning applications received from the Local Planning Authority
since the last meeting.

DC/21/03794 Elm Farm, East End Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6UT – Application
for listed building consent – remove external cement render,
install lime render, replace rotten timbers, repoint central and
northern chimneys, strengthen internal timber frame joints, works
as detailed in the Design, Access and Heritage Statement.

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

DC/21/03398 3 Beehive Close, East Bergholt, CO7 6AY- Householder application
– Erection of garden building and associated landscaping.

It was proposed by Councillor Dent, seconded by Councillor Allen and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that subject to the grey water drainage
being connected to the main drainage and the chimney being of an
appropriate height so as not to cause a smoke nuisance to nearby
residents, approval be recommended.

DC/21/04076 8 Cordwinders, East Bergholt, CO7 6TZ – Householder application
– First floor extension over garage with dormers, single storey
front extension, single storey rear extension and enlarged dormer
to front extension.

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

DC/21/04115 Willow Farm, East End Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6UT – Planning
application – Conversion of barn into 1 no dwellinghouse.

It was proposed by Councillor Dent, seconded by Councillor Rothwell
and RESOLVED (nine voted for, none voted against) that approval be
recommended.

DC/21/04134 1 West Lodge Cottage, The Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6TF –
Application for listed building consent – Replacement front door
and frame.

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

DC/21/04156 Kells, Rectory Hill, East Bergholt, CO7 6TL – Householder
application – Erection of two-storey rear extension.

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

DC/21/04170 Blenheim, Orvis Lane, East Bergholt, CO7 6TT – Householder
planning application – Erection of two storey rear extension.

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

DC/21/04156 13 Quintons Corner, East Bergholt, CO7 6RD – Householder
application – Erection of two storey side and single storey rear
infill extensions.

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

DC/21/04045 East Bergholt War Memorial, The Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6TG –
Application for listed building consent – Clean and renovate War
Memorial as required and associated works to include lettering
repainted in black.

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

DC/21/03954 Land at Capel Grove, Capel St Mary, Suffolk – Application for
outline Planning Permission (Access to be considered all other
matters reserved) – Residential development of up to 519
dwellings: provision of up to 5000sqm of Class E (Commercial,
business and service), C2 (Residential Institutions); early learners’
centre; extension to existing playing field; open space, allotments
and associated infrastructure.

The Council noted the responses to the consultation from Capel St
Mary Parish Council and from Bentley Parish Council. This Council’s
concern was the impact upon East Bergholt which the development
would have. It considered there would be both an absolute
infrastructure impact and also a cumulative impact which would place
an undue strain on the infrastructure of the village.

It was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by Councillor Dent
and RESOLVED (unanimously) that refusal be recommended on the
ground of the additional and undue pressure on the already delicate
infrastructure of East Bergholt with particular reference to:
The Medical Practice;
Through traffic on the B1070 to Manningtree and the additional traffic to
and from the High School;
The impact upon the primary and secondary schools.
Additionally that no public transport was proposed to service the

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development and that there was only a single access onto and from the
A12 through which all the newly generated traffic would traverse. Whilst
not the primary concern of this Council, the impact upon the already
congested Copdock Junction would be significant.

7.2 Planning correspondence

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

7.3 Planning Resource

It was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by Councillor Wombwell and RESOLVED
(eight voted for, none voted against) that provided all members together with Clive Totman can
access the resource, a subscription for a year be taken out.

8. Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee

8.1 Schedule of Payments and Income – It was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by
Councillor Elmer and RESOLVED (unanimously) that the schedules of payments and income
and the bank transfer be noted and the payments due for July 2021 amounting to £30,679.16 be
approved.

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

9. Other Committee Matters

9.1 Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee – Councillor Price reported that the Committee
will meet on 2 September when it will consider Dogs Bins, Heath Road pedestrian crossing,
pavements in the village, Fen Bridge (which the Council is advised will not be replaced until
Summer 2022), ANPR cameras and parking outside the Co-op.

A useful meeting with County Councillor Georgia Hall had taken place at which various matters
discussed in the previous meetings with former County Councillor Jones and Mr Chenery were
mentioned, including the 20mph zone, the pharmacy parking and drainage issues in The Street,

9.2 Burial Grounds Committee – Councillor Rothwell reported the Committee was scheduled to
meet on 19 August.

9.3 Playing Fields Committee – In Councillor Woodcock’s absence on holiday there was no
report, but the Council extended its thanks to Councillor Woodcock for his work upon the
outdoor gym project which had now come to fruition.

Resolution to suspend Standing Orders

It was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by Councillor Rothwell 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.

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9.4 Neighbourhood Plan Committee – Councillor Cathcart reported that the Neighbourhood Plan
Group was exploring various options on how best to carry out mini surveys. A company named
The Bridge was helping to develop this.

The application for the Conservation Area Extension was almost complete and will be circulated
to councillors in the next few days giving them time for consideration prior to a decision upon it
being sought at the next Council meeting.

The Group would like the Heritage Landscape Report to be submitted to the EIP as evidence.

Councillor Cathcart reported that the Group would like to put the Council forward to participate in
a Government-backed twelve month pilot scheme upon developing a local design code. If
accepted East Bergholt would become an exemplar village. It was proposed by Councillor
Cathcart, seconded by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Council
submit an expression of interest to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
to participate in the local design code pilot scheme.

9.5 Barbizon – Councillor Hurley reported that sadly the Treasurer of Barbizon, Philip Atkinson,
had died.

11. Appreciation and memorial for the Village

In the absence of Councillor Eley the Council AGREED to defer consideration of this matter to
the next meeting when it was hoped that advice on species and location would be available.
Councillor Rothwell commented that the area in the cemetery to the left of the path from the car
park might be a suitable location for the planting.

12. Assets of Community Value

The Council noted the decision letter from Babergh DC advising that the Community Nomination
had been successful and that the Red Lion Car Park and Toilets had been listed as an asset of
community value. The Landowner had eight weeks in which a review of the decision could be
requested. In response to Mr Brigden’s representation concerning publicity of the decision
(Correspondence Item 9), the Council considered it would be best to allow the period for a
review request to expire before making additional public announcements.

13. Urgent Communications

The Chairman advised that he had allowed two matters to be considered which he regarded as
sufficiently urgent and important to require immediate consideration.

1 Christmas Parade – Whilst away on holiday, Councillor Miller had written informing the Council
that by popular demand the successful Christmas Parade of last year will be repeated in 2021.
The arrangements were being undertaken by a community group from the village. Last year the
Council had contributed to the community event by paying a proportion of the traffic
management costs to which former County Councillor Jones had also contributed via his locality
fund. County Councillor Georgia Hall had indicated that she was willing to contribute in similar
fashion to her predecessor.

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It was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by Councillor Wombwell and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that the Council supports the Community Christmas Parade by funding the costs
of traffic management up to £400.

2. Gatton Field lighting scheme – Correspondence had been circulated explaining that an
application to discharge a planning condition had been submitted to Babergh DC with regard to
lighting on the approved Gatton Field development. The proposal had attracted an objection
from the residents of the adjacent property and appeared to be contrary to the dark skies policy
of the AONB in which the site was now situated and to Neighbourhood Plan policies.

It was proposed by Councillor Lansdell, seconded by Councillor Wombwell and RESOLVED
(nine voted for, none voted against. Councillor Roberts having declared a non-pecuniary interest
did not vote) that the Council make representations to the planning authority that the lighting
scheme pursuant to the planning permission be appropriately subdued having regard to the
sensitivity of the location in the AONB in the village centre.

Councillor Lansdell left the meeting at 9.55pm.

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

It was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by Councillor Rothwell 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.

2. Confidential Minutes of the Parish Council meeting of 8 July 2021

It was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by Councillor Rothwell and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that the confidential minutes of the meeting of 8 July 2021 be approved as a
correct record.

3. Matters arising/updates
4. 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 10.42 pm.

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

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

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