EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 13 August 2026 at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt
Present – Parish Councillors
Councillor M Burns (Vice Chair of the Council)
Councillor R Elmer
Councillor M Hockley
Councillor A James
Councillor L Matthews
Councillor J Price
Councillor G Woodcock
In Attendance
G White, Parish Clerk
Four members of the public
The Vice Chair of the Council in the Chair.
OPEN PUBLIC SESSION
The Vice Chair welcomed members of the public and invited them to speak.
Joy Scott said she and her colleague were back at the Parish Council meeting as no reply
had been received to their email sent to the Clerk, the Chair and the District Councillor on 7
July. They had understood that the Parish Council would contact surrounding parishes to
see if there was any interest from them in the swimming pool proposal.
Mrs Scott recalled that the size of the pool had been mentioned at the meeting but now the
commercial viability was being questioned which surely should have been considered by
Babergh DC before giving planning permission.
Mrs Scott went on to provide a history of the former swimming pool in the village which had
been closed by Suffolk County Council when the school had declined to run it. She felt that
the village was owed a pool and urged both the Parish and District Councils to take this
forward.
The Vice Chair said it was a pity that Councillor Davies was not present as she was seeking
information etc in her capacity as District Councillor. The Clerk added that she was meeting
the CEO of Abbeycroft and it was hoped that viability data would emerge from that meeting.
If the pool turned out not to be commercially viable there was little point in garnering support
from surrounding parishes. The Vice Chair thought most people would welcome a pool but
viability data would be vital in the determination of whether anyone was prepared to take it
on, without which it was unlikely to be built. District Councillor Davies was seeking to obtain
this.
Councillor Price referred to the old pool’s use of volunteer lifeguards. Mrs Scott said that had
occurred originally and that she had been one of them, but now it required professional
lifeguards which came at a cost. Nevertheless, she thought that if the parishes could get
together, they could make it work.
The Vice Chair invited the other two members of the public to speak but they declined saying
they had come to the meeting to observe the consideration of planning consultations.
The Chair thanked Joy Scott for her contribution and informed the other members of the
public that the planning item would be advanced up the agenda so they would not have to
wait too long for it.
The Vice Chair closed the Open Public Session.
58.26/27 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence received from Councillors Allen, Davies, Hurley and Miller were
NOTED.
59.26/27 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS OR DISPENSATIONS
None.
60.26/27 PLANNING
60.1 Planning Consultations received
DC/26/02879 The Barn, The Lodge, Hughes Road, East Bergholt – Full
planning application – Change of use from barn to kennels.
It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (four voted for, none voted against) that
approval be recommended.
DC/26/02881 The Barn, The Lodge, Hughes Road, East Bergholt – Application
for listed building consent – Works to facilitate change of use
from barn to kennels.
It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (six voted for, none voted against) that
approval be recommended.
DC/26/02785 Nate’s Barber Shop, Fields Farm, Park Road, East Bergholt, CO7
6XT – Full planning application – Siting of converted container to
north side of existing car park, for use as Barber Shop; and
provision of 3no parking spaces directly adjacent to the
container (retention of).
It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (six voted for, none voted against) that
approval be recommended.
DC/26/03173 24 Richardsons Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6RR – Householder
application – Erection of side infill extension.
It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Matthews and RESOLVED (unanimously) that approval be
recommended.
DC/26/03212 3 Quintons Corner, East Bergholt, CO7 6RD – Notice of works to
trees in a conservation area – Fell 2no Cherry T1 & T2
It was proposed by Councillor Price, seconded by Councillor Hockley
and RESOLVED (five voted for, none voted against) that objection be
raised to the tree works proposed as the trees are an attractive
feature and neither is in decline or diseased. The only reason for
seeking to fell the trees is in order to provide additional parking space
on the front of the property which is considered to be detrimental to
the conservation area.
DC/26/03208 Valley Farm, Flatford, East Bergholt, CO7 6UL – Application for
listed building consent – Roofing and timber frame repairs.
It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Matthews and RESOLVED (six voted for, none voted against) that
approval be recommended.
DC/26/03307 Riber House, Rectory Hill, East Bergholt, CO7 6TH – Notification
of works to trees in a conservation area – Pollard 1no Horse
Chestnut (T1) at approx.12ft and fell group of Ash (G2).
It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Elmer and RESOLVED (six vote for, none voted against) that
approval be recommended.
60.2 Planning Correspondence
The correspondence received from the Local Planning Authority as set out on the planning
list, concerning determined applications was NOTED.
61.26/27 MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF 9 JULY 2026
It was proposed by Councillor Price, seconded by Councillor Hockley and RESOLVED (four
voted for, none voted against) that the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of 9 July 2026
be approved as a correct record.
62.26/27 MATTERS ARISING/UPDATES
None.
63.26/27 CHAIR’S REPORT
The Chair’s report, which had been circulated, was noted.
64.26/27 COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
No report had been submitted by County Councillor Laws.
The report from District Councillor Davies, which had been circulated, was noted.
65.26/27 CORRESPONDENCE
The correspondence set out in the Correspondence list circulated with the agenda and
subsequently was considered and NOTED, comprising:
Date Sender Subject
1. 26/07/26 Suffolk Fire and Rescue
Service
Report on fire at Putticks Lane
2. 27/07/26 Councillor Davies Thanks to Emergency Services
3. 27/07/26 Vicenzo Addio Objection to PC decision to allocate money
to a TRO for Hadleigh Road layby
4. 28/07/26 Suffolk Preservation
Society
Neighbourhood Plan Online Workshop
5. 29/07/26 Kevin Woods Objection to National Trust discontinuing
row boat hire at Flatford
6. 31/07/26 County Councillor Darius
Laws
Highways in East Bergholt
7. 10/07/26 Babergh DC Report and slides concerning the Babergh
and Mid Suffolk new joint local plan
8. 05/08/26 Julie Price, Chair, 1
st
Brantham Scout & Guide
Group
New Brantham Scout & Guide HQ
9. 06/08/26 Councillor Miller Suffolk Fire Brigade
10. 01/06/26-
10/08/26
Diana Head Correspondence re condition of Aldous
Close
11. 11/08/26 Suffolk Highways Details of TRO costs etc.
12 11/08/26 Councillor Davies Information re item 3 above
Items 1,2 and 9 – The report on the fire at Putticks Lane and Councillor Davies’ thanks to the
Emergency Services were noted. Councillor Miller’s suggestion was considered and it was
proposed by Councillor Matthews, seconded by Councillor Woodcock and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that the Clerk write to the Prime Minister conveying the Council’s support for
the representations made by the Fire Brigade Union.
Items 3 and 12 – The Clerk reported that Mr Addio had been invited to attend the meeting
and to make his representations. However, he was unable to do so as he was on holiday at
the time. The objection and Councillor Davies’ comments were noted. The Clerk was
requested to write to Mr Addio saying that the Council had already resolved to pursue a TRO
and the project was progressing.
Item 11 – Councillor Price explained that a Traffic Regulation Order was a discretionary
power of the County Council which it would only pursue if the cost was met from sources
other than the highways budget. County Councillor Hudson has indicated that the Parish
Council should offer 50% match funding which indicated that he would match the
contribution. On that basis the cost to the Parish Council would be £3603.44 but if the Parish
Council alone was left to fund it, the cost would rise to £8504.12. Councillor Price will contact
County Councillor Hudson to establish whether he will provide the match funding. If not he
will contact County Councillor Laws to see if match funding can be obtained from his locality
fund of £15,000. The Council approved Councillor Price’s proposal in this regard.
Item 4 – Councillor Davies had advised that the Suffolk Preservation Society Neighbourhood
Planning Online Workshop on Saturday 19 September at 10am was not just about
neighbourhood planning but a more general look at planning applications which would be of
value to all members and would help to separate out relevant planning policy considerations
from other aspects which were not relevant to planning determinations. The Vice Chair
indicated interest and the Clerk will establish the duration of the workshop and book a parish
council place which will enable all members to participate.
Item 5 – Having noted Mr Woods objection to The National Trust decision to terminate
rowing boat hire at Flatford, it was proposed by Councillor Hockley, seconded by Councillor
Price and RESOLVED (five voted for, none voted against), that the Council write to The
National Trust objecting in the strongest possible terms to the termination of rowing boat hire
at Flatford.
A copy of the letter will be sent to Mr Woods.
Item 7 – The Vice Chair said that this was important information and urged all councillors to
find time to have a good look at it.
Item 10 – The Council noted Diana Head’s complaint about the condition of Aldous Close
and noted that SCC had inspected and rated the road though it was not high enough on the
list for resurfacing in the foreseeable future. Unfortunately, the Parish Council is powerless to
influence the highway authority’s rating of the road or to take direct action where SCC has
the statutory maintenance responsibility.
66.26/27 STRATEGY, POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE
66.1 Schedule of Payments and Income – It was proposed by Councillor Elmer, seconded by
Councillor Hockley and RESOLVED (unanimously), that the schedules of payments and
income be noted and the payments due in July 2026 amounting to £19,064.87 be approved.
66.2 Bank Reconciliation Statement – The bank reconciliation statement for July 2026 was
NOTED.
67.26/27 OTHER COMMITTEE MATTERS
The written reports of the Chairs of Committees which had been circulated, were noted.
Playing Fields Committee – Councillor Hockley referred to the proposal for advertising
boards around the football club dug-outs which had been discussed at the committee but no
decision had been taken because the committee was unsure whether planning permission
and/or advertising consent was required. Babergh DC had now confirmed that neither
consent was necessary and the Playing Fields Committee Chair asked the Council to
endorse the application for permission to install the advertising boards. With the advice from
Babergh DC, the Council considered that the committee had all the necessary information to
make a decision and remitted the matter to the committee for determination.
Community Service Events – Councillor Matthews drew attention to the event scheduled for
10 September when Sendias and the Maze Group would make presentations relevant to
families with children with special educational needs and disabilities. Sendias was a leading
national body in the field and East Bergholt was fortunate to get a representative to come
and speak. She asked councillors to support the event.
Councillor Matthews asked if the community events could be centred on the sports pavilion
for the remainder of the financial year. The events were fora couple of hours in the mornings
every other month. Councillor Hockley indicated that this would be possible in principle
subject to an availability check.
68.26/27 SAMARITANS
Following on from the Legend on a Bench initiative, the Vice Chair proposed that a quarter
page monthly advertisement for the Samaritans be inserted in the Parish Magazine. The
cost would be £220 per annum.
Members thought that this was such a worthwhile venture that the Parish Magazine ought to
run the advertisements free of charge or at a substantial discount and the Vice Chair agreed
to seek to negotiate accordingly.
It was proposed by Councillor Burns, seconded by Councillor Woodcock and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that the Vice Chair of the Council negotiate with the Parish Magazine and
arrange to insert monthly quarter page advertisements for a year, preferably free of charge
or at a discount though, if necessary at a cost of £220 per annum.
69.26/27 CASUAL VACANCIES
The Clerk reported that Babergh DC had not received any requests for elections for the
casual vacancies and consequently the Council was at liberty to co-opt to the positions. The
Council agreed that advertisements for applications should be deferred until September and
the end of the holiday season.
70.26/27 URGENT COMMUNICATIONS
Councillor Price referred to a recent NHS survey in which the East Bergholt Medical Centre
came next to the bottom of the table for Suffolk. The Vice Chair thought caution was required
as the survey was 100% subjective. Nevertheless, she was disappointed with the published
results.
Councillor Price referred to the BBC Any Questions programme recently held at Constable
Hall. Cllr Burns said the programme had provided good publicity for East Bergholt and the
locality. Next week Constable Hall will host a Constable 250 3D Experience which will be
free of charge.
The Vice Chair reminded members that the next Parish Council meeting on 10 September
will commence at 8.30pm due to the Council Workshop with EBCLT which commences at
7pm. The Parish Council meeting will have an abbreviated agenda.
The meeting closed at 9.50pm
Chair……………………………………………… Date…………………………………
Date of next Parish Council Meeting: Thursday 10 September 2026 at 8.30pm