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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 14 August 2025 at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt

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

In Attendance
G White, Parish Clerk
N Reed, Media consultant
Sally Longmate, CEO, SALC
Rob Dunger, Vice-President, SALC

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

Sally Longmate, CEO, Suffolk Association of Local Councils (SALC) introduced herself and
her colleague, Rob Dunger, a recently elected Vice-President of SALC who is an East
Bergholt resident. Sally is also a near resident, living in Holton St Mary. She had observed
the Council via the Clerk whom she had tutored on the CILCA course several years ago and
also on social media which had given a good account of what the Council wants to do. Her
new Vice-President wishes to be active in his role and a mutually co-operative relationship
with his home parish council will be beneficial to both parties.

Rob Dunger, a resident of White Horse Road, said that he wanted to get rid of the stereotype
for his new role and approach it in a fresh and active way. He was the developer of Suffolk
Sound a commercial radio station and would use the media to promote the work of local
councils.

Sally Longmate emphasised that both Rob and herself were interested in what East Bergholt
Parish Council was doing and invited questions.

Councillor Davies said she thought training provided by SALC was really good. Generally,
she thought councillors were not sufficiently well trained and hoped more virtual courses
would be undertaken by members. Sally Longmate explained the basic and core training
which was offered and could be booked via the Clerk. If the Council wishes to have a
councillor development plan, SALC had a blueprint which would be useful to consider.

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Rob Dunger thought that social media was the modern village noticeboard and should be
used responsibly having regard to local diversity and the need to balance the views and
interests of the different age groups within the community. There is a need to find ways to
get out and hear what residents have to say, by engaging with them in different ways which
coincide with their own ages and interests.

The Council may wish to identify objectives or create a business plan for 2026/27 and may
ask itself whether the Council has the knowledge, skills and budget for such a challenge.
The many skills in the room need to be harnessed and SALC may be able to assist in
providing advice and examples of similar work undertaken by other authorities.

Councillor Price said that whilst Suffolk County Council may have good internal governance
they have no real communication with customers nor any desire to improve communications
or listen to what customers want. Can SALC help in achieving improvement in this area?

Sally Longmate said that strong representations can and have been made to government
upon the democratic aspects of Local Government Reorganisation, through Jim McMahon,
Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution in the UK.

SALC can also help with local self-help schemes and provide training in that regard. There
was a feeling that the self-help schemes promoted by Suffolk County Council thus far had
been too limited. To commission the County Council to undertake local projects for the
Parish Council was hugely expensive for the latter.

Sally Longmate said that devolution with Mayors covering multi-counties was challenging.
Where these arrangements were already in existence, Local Council Associations had not
been given a seat on Mayors’ strategic bodies. SALC and its Norfolk equivalent were fighting
hard for such a seat even if it is shared between the two associations.

District and Borough Council CEOs in Suffolk had written to SALC with whom they wish to
partner and workshops were being organised.

In response to a question from Councillor Woodcock, Rob Dunger said Suffolk Sound would
be pleased to promote appropriate Parish Council initiatives and on such councillors could
contact him at any time.

The Chair thanked Sally Longmate and Rob Dunger for their attendance and contribution to
the meeting.

61.25.26 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence received from Councillors Elmer and Miller and County Councillor
Hall were NOTED.

62.25.26 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST S OR DISPENSATIONS

None.

63.25.26 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING OF 10 JULY 2025

A number of typographical errors in the minutes were noted as follows:

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Minute 47.24.25 should be Minute 47.25.26
Minute 48.25.26 Para 7 line 4 the phrase ‘rural nature of the road’ should have inverted
commas.
Minute 48.25.26 Para 15 Line 3 delete ‘met’ insert ‘corresponded with’
Minute 48.25.26 Para 16 Line 8 delete ‘officers’ insert ‘committee’
Minute 49.24.25 should be Minute 49.25.26
Minute 50.24.25 should be Minute 50.25.26
Minute 53.25.26 Para 4 Line1 delete’14 district councils’ and insert ‘4 district councils and 1
borough council’
Minute 57.25.26.1 Line 1 before ‘event’ insert ‘village’

It was proposed by Councillor Hurley, seconded by Councillor Woodcock and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that subject to the foregoing corrections the minutes of the Council Meeting of
10 July 2025 be approved as a correct record.

64.25.26 MATTERS ARISING/UPDATES

Minute 57.25.26.1 – Councillor Burns provided the Council with an update on the East
Bergholt Constable 250 proposals. A meeting had taken place with the Church, the National
Trust, the East Bergholt Society and Constable Hall and local events were being considered.
Upon the wider programme, Councillor Burns is also anticipating a number of innovative
events from outside bodies.

65.25.26 COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

County Councillor Hall had apologised for absence. Her written report which had been
circulated was noted.

Councillor Matthews was concerned that major trunk road schemes for Suffolk had been
removed from the active list by Government. The Chair noted that there was nothing the
Council could do about it other than maintain a watching brief.

Councillor Davies said that we keep hearing about grants for Bus Route Expansion but none
of that ever finds its way to East Bergholt. She wondered if County Councillor Hall was
fighting our corner. The Clerk was requested to write to County Councillor Hall seeking ways
to access the grant money with particular reference to the Hadleigh – Manningtree link.

District Councillor Davies presented her report which had been circulated and expanded
upon it.

She had recently attended a Babergh meeting concerning boundaries and wards for the
prospective unitary authorities. It was proving to be very complicated.

Councillor Davies had also attended the recent Parishes meeting with Ipswich Borough
Council. Her initial view had been very much against inclusion in a Greater Ipswich unitary
though as the meeting progressed it was evident that a lot of misinformation had been
circulated and it became clearer that it was not a case of Ipswich seeking to subsume
surrounding market towns and villages. ‘Greater Ipswich’ had been replaced by ‘Ipswich and
South Suffolk’ and some benefits were starting to emerge which would protect the villages.
Councillor Davies will type up and circulate her notes of the meeting.

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The Chair thanked District Councillor Davies for her report and contribution to the meeting.

66.25.26 CORRESPONDENCE

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

Date Sender Subject
1. 16/07/25 Babergh DC Withdrawal of Government funding for
Neighbourhood Plan preparation.
2. 21/07/25 Babergh DC Circles development.
3. 24/07/25 Babergh DC Decision to list Congregational Church
as an ACV.
4. 24/07/25 County Councillor Hall EV charge points at Foxhall Fields
5. 25/07/25 Suffolk Police Police & Crime Commissioner update
6. 27/07/25 County Councillor Hall SCC school admission response
7. 28/07/25 District Councillor Davies EV charge points at Foxhall Fields
8. 29/07/25 EB PCC Thanks for grant aid for Pantry in the
Porch
9. 30/07/25 District Councillor Davis Topsoil bund at Heath Road
development
10. 05/08/25 Babergh DC Free trees, hedging and wildflower
scheme
11. 06/08/25 Naomi Walker Footpath to new shop
12. 07/08/25 Henry Fairbanks, Chestnut
Group
Invitation to community party at The
Red Lion.

Item 1 – The Chair regretted the removal of Government grant aid.

Items 2 – The Chair thought the correspondence spoke for itself. Councillor Woodcock
thought the concerns expressed were premature at the moment. Councillor Davies said that
Circles were on the verge of signing off the planning agreement and no other complaints or
comments had been received from East End. Councillor Woodcock had volunteered to sit on
the Liaison group.

Item 3 – The listing of the Congregational Church as an ACV was noted.

Item 4 – Councillor Hockley reported that residents of Foxhall Fields were very unhappy
about the location for the charge points. Parking was very difficult anyway and residents did
not want to lose parking spaces. The three electric cars at Foxhall Fields all had their own
charge points. Councillor Hockley said that residents were expecting the Parish Council to
respond on their behalf and the Clerk was requested to contact SCC and County Councillor
Hall expressing the residents’ and the Parish Council’s concerns and to request a proper
dialogue before any work is commenced, to avoid an inappropriate and imposed initiative.

Councillor Davies was baffled by the lack of co-ordination of the SCC communications. She
had not been consulted as a District or Parish Councillor. Local residents want to be
consulted not just told and particularly when the location selected is not the right place.
Councillor Price observed that this was a good example of the County Council just making a
decision.

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Item 5 – Councillor Davies referred to the case of the lady murdered at Brantham by an
individual who had been at large for a long time though there had been no warning from the
Police to the public that this person was roaming in the area.

The Chair referred to the recent incident of loud music until 4am. Apparently the Police had
alerted Babergh and it was generally not a matter for the Police to intervene. The Council
could ask the resident to refrain from future instances of this nature and put a general post
on Facebook asking residents generally to observe restraint over late night events.

Item 10 – The Chair noted Babergh’s free tree scheme and wondered whether the Burial
Ground Committee and/or the Playing Field Committee had a scheme which it could put
forward for an award of trees.

Item 9 – Councillor Smith was disappointed that it appears from the correspondence that the
bund which would have to be removed may now stay almost in perpetuity until the topsoil is
required which could be many years away if Phase 2 of the development is not pursued
promptly. In the event that there is no approval for Phase 2 or the developer just sits on it
awaiting a more favourable opportunity to develop the land, what is planning enforcement’s
fall-back position? District Councillor Davies will seek a response from Babergh planning
enforcement.

Item 11 – Councillor Price said that the overhanging hedge had been reported to SCC via
the liaison officer, Melanie Hall, but nothing had been done. The Clerk was asked to write to
the householder asking if they would voluntarily trim it back.

Regarding an alternative route from Richardsons Road, Councillor Smith said that there was
a path included on the extant permission, but with the bund there it is a circuitous route to
the shop and unlikely to be popular. District Councillor Davies said she would raise this with
the planning officer.

Item 12 – The Council noted the invitation to a community party at The Red Lion on 5
September and was pleased to see the commitment from The Chestnut Group for the pub to
be fully part of the local life of the village. The Chair added that Henry Fairbanks, Director of
Acquisitions and Wholesale will attend the September meeting and address the Council.

67.25.26 PLANNING

67.1 Planning Consultations received

DC/25/03244 Stable Cottage, Flatford Lane, East Bergholt, CO7 6UN –
Notification of works to trees in a conservation area – T1
Sycamore – Fell G2 – 2 x Leylandii Cypress – Fell all 3 trees.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (seven voted for, three voted against) that
approval be recommended.

DC/25/03157 Land to the north of Stones Throw, The Drift, East Bergholt –
Application under S73 for Removal or Variation of a Condition
following grant of Planning Permission DC/24/02410 dated

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26/07/2024 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended).-
To vary Condition 2 (Approved Plans and Documents) following
a change in ownership of the approved plot to allow design
changes as per submitted plans/documents.

It was proposed by Councillor Davies, seconded by Councillor
Matthews and RESOLVED (ten voted for, none voted against) that
refusal be recommended on the ground that the changes in design
were inferior to the original permission and the materials proposed in
this new application (concrete tiles and plastic window frames) are
also inferior and not sustainable/environmentally friendly.

DC/25/03303 Valley Farm, Flatford, East Bergholt, CO7 6UL – Application for
listed building consent – Works to repair lath and plaster
ceiling in Vine Room.

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

DC/25/03416
DC/25/03417
DC/25/03418

Woodlands Farm, Park Road, East Bergholt. CO7 6XT –
Application to determine if Prior Approval is required for a
Proposed: Erection, Extension or Alteration of a Building for
Agricultural or Forestry Use. Town and Country Planning
(General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 as
amended Schedule 2, Part 6 – Erection of 1no poly tunnel.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (unanimously) that it be recommended
thar prior approval be not required.

67.2 Planning Correspondence

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

68.25.26 STRATEGY, POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

68.1 Schedule of Payments and Income -The Clerk presented his report. He added that in
the subsequent financial reports, reserves would be much reduced as large payments were
due on both the tennis and cricket club projects which would be reimbursed when Babergh
CIL awards were received but that there would be some passage of time until that was
achieved.

Councillor Hockley stated that no further payments should be made on the tennis club
project until the entire project was signed off as satisfactory. He explained his reasons and a
majority of councillors agreed with him. This would include delivery and installation of the
containers, all services/utilities working as expected and the work completed to the required
standard including reinstatement of the ground which had been trenched. He was concerned
about a range of issues with the contractor’s work and as Chair of the Playing Field
Committee could not just ignore these.

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The Clerk said that contractual payments needed to be honoured and if payment was to be
delayed, he must first liaise with the Council lead, Councillor Miller and the Project Manager,
Brian Willsher. The buildings were due to be delivered and installed on 27 August so it may
be that no late payment will be necessary.

It was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by Councillor Allen and RESOLVED
(unanimously), that the schedule of payments and income and the bank transfer be noted
and the payments due in July 2025 amounting to £65,027.32 be approved.

68.2 Bank Reconciliation Statement – The bank reconciliation statement for July 2025 was
NOTED.

69.25.26 OTHER COMMITTEE MATTERS

69.1 Burial Grounds Committee – Councillor Hurley reported that the committee had
decided to refuse to accept American caskets in the cemetery due to their additional size
and the need for deeper graves to be dug. The additional width of graves would impact on
the surrounding graves and rows.

69.2 Neighbourhood Plan Committee – Councillor Davies reported that the Conservation
Area Appraisal was now completed in draft form and will be brought to the Council at its next
meeting for approval for submission to Babergh for assessment.

Although the Committee is working on site allocations following the new housing figures, a
statement will be submitted to Babergh stating why the Council should not have to provide
sites for the provisional numbers given so far.

69.3 Playing Fields Committee – Councillor Hockley reported that the good news was that
the cricket club project was completed following the serious delays which had occurred in
material production. The nets will provide some of the best facilities in Suffolk.

The refurbishment of the Away dressing room had been done very well by the Tennis Club;
The Bowls Club hedge will be trimmed and we await to hear from Babergh regarding the
overhanging tree.

The infestation of rabbits means that a rabbit-proof fence will be required which will cost in
the region of £10k. The Playing Field Committee may need to ask for additional funding.

69.4 Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee – Councillor Price reported on a range of
current issues:

Pavement Parking – At the recent committee meeting, Andrew Meyer, the new non-voting
member of the committee, presented an idea and was asked to prepare a short note to
encourage thoughtful parking in the village. He had done that and Councillor Price asked the
Council to endorse the idea for village wide exposure. There were various views expressed,
general agreement with the sentiment but concern that it required a careful thought through
campaign. It was proposed by Councillor Price, seconded by Councillor Woodcock and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that Councillor Price review the approach and Andrew Meyer’s
note with a view to using it as part of a media campaign, in liaison with the media consultant.

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Speeding on White Horse Road – Councillor Price referred to Tim Parker’s email which
suggested that the Council had not been active in addressing the speeding problem.
Councillor Price had explained the hold up with SIDs and SCC failings to Mr Parker. It was
evident that the Council needed to better inform residents, via social media etc, of its
activities even when these were not bringing immediate resolutions to problems.

Speed Campaign – Councillor Price circulated photos of posters drawn by primary school
children asking motorists to Slow Down etc. These had been a Dedham Parish Council
initiative produced by the local primary school and displayed in Dedham by an estate agent.
Griers were prepared to do similar in East Bergholt and there was general support for the
Assistant Clerk and the Media consultant to develop the proposal.

Green signs – Councillor Price showed pictures of green road signs with a ‘speed limit’
shown. These were erected in Lincolnshire and showed advisory speed limits which were
unenforceable but persuasive and did not require a traffic order. He will raise this with the
highways liaison officer, Melanie Hall.

Speed Indicator Device (SID) – The Council has budgetary provision available for such a
device but needs to reach agreement with SCC as to the most appropriate location. This has
currently reached an impasse but Councillor Price will talk to SCC to try to move it along.

SCC – Councillor Price read out an email from Melanie Hall saying why SCC will not act in
certain cases, even when they have a statutory duty, but will do so if there is an alternative
funding source (e.g. the Parish Council). He also noted that SCC’s records for Touchy Hill
and the B1070/Straight Road/ Gandish Road junction were incorrect and inadequate. He will
raise this with the SCC cabinet member, County Councillor Hall and James Cartlidge MP
and also put it on Suffolk Sound.

New Co-op shop – A case had been made for a litter bin outside the new Co-op shop which
the Co-op was considering. A new dog bin has also been requested outside the shop which
the committee will consider.

Concern had also been expressed that there are no road markings outside the shop to
indicate safe crossing of the road for pedestrians. Councillor Price will find out if the estate
road is adopted and if so, raise the matter with SCC. If not, with the Co-op.

A bill has been received from Anglian Water for water and sewerage at the toilets for over
£1,200, three times higher than expected. Councillor Hockley explained that a plumber was
completing work and would certify that no leaks had been revealed. The charge appears to
result from either a faulty meter or a technical glitch. The Clerk will seek an appropriate
reduction to the bill.

Young People Committee – Councillor Davies reported that Sean Carey, the new non-voting
member of the committee had attended the last meeting. Simon Doling from 4YP updated
the committee on the progress of the Youth Club, current issues and the next steps.

Community Drop-in Working Group – Councillor Matthews reported that at the last meeting
in July over 20 people attended and she hopes that the progress of the sessions had taken a
turn for the better. The next session is scheduled for 4 September when Citizen’s Advice will
attend and advice will be offered on energy bills. This will be publicised on social media,
together with highlighting the success of the last event

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70.25.26 REVIEW OF CIL POLICY

The Clerk presented his report which said that the current policy was due for a review. A
Working Group comprising the Chair and Vice Chair of the Council, The Chair of the
Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee and the Clerk had considered the approved policy
and suggested a variety of updates and amendments to the SPF Committee. That
committee made one major amendment by extending the criteria for projects which could be
supported to those listed in Government guidance rather than the narrower definition of
Babergh DC’s policy.

The Council sought changes to the wording in the section on Criteria for evaluating CIL bids
to make one long sentence more user friendly and more readily understood.

It was proposed by Councillor Matthews, seconded by Councillor Davies and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that subject to the foregoing amendment the revised policy be approved and
adopted.

71.25.26 URGENT COMMUNICATIONS

Councillor Davies referred to Martyn’s Law, new provisions regarding safety in premises
which was referred to Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee for detailed consideration.

Councillor Price considered that the Council should develop procedures for works contracts
and this was referred to Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee for detailed consideration.

Councillor Burns reported that at the meeting about the Co-op shop closure held at Old Hall,
despite the various references to this at Parish Council meetings and on social media, in
general people did not know what the Parish Council was doing which suggests a review of
the Councils communications is necessary. Following discussion, the Chair asked Councillor
Burns to lead on this and asked if she could prepare a short scoping paper setting out the
issues and approach to improving the Council’s engagement and messaging.

At that meeting there was a call for a community nomination to seek listing of the shop as an
asset of community value thereby giving the nominator the opportunity to bid for the
premises if the owner wished to sell. Councillor Davies told the meeting that the Parish
Council would submit a nomination.

Councillor Matthews referred to an embryonic proposal to hold a one-day Christmas Market
in the car park as a replacement for the parade and market which had been held in recent
years. There was no objection to the development of the proposal but it was noted that the
Landlord’s consent would be required.

The meeting closed at 10.24 pm

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

Date of next meeting Thursday 11 September 2025