East Bergholt Parish Council Meeting, 9 July 2026

In memory of Nigel Roberts, Vice Chair of East Bergholt Parish Council

East Bergholt Parish Council
” It is with great sorrow that we heard that our Vice-Chair of the Parish Council, Nigel
Roberts, died on 14 June 2026 after a short illness. Nigel was such a strong and loyal
man, who gave freely of his time over the past 9 years to work on Parish Council
initiatives with the sole purpose of making things better for people of our village. His
experience and professional expertise in planning matters were important in pushing
forward our neighbourhood plan revisions and advising on the many complex planning
applications we have been involved in over that time. His input into the Neighbourhood
Plan work resulted in a rigorously researched housing needs survey and he led on the
work of site allocation options. Nigel’s expertise was put to full use in advising us how
best to proceed when the District Council’s Joint Local Plan work was postponed in the
light of ever-changing government directives.

Nigel listened carefully to the voices of the village through the Neighbourhood Plan
surveys and as a consequence developed a dogged determination to make our roads
safer. Working with consultants PJA, Nigel was the driving force behind the Road Safety
options report. Following public consultation, he made it top of his agenda to identify
the priority activities in the report and to try to get action from the county council to help
progress safety works along the B1070.

Both in matters great and small Nigel actively engaged his keen analytical talents to find
solutions to complex parish problems and in supporting other parish councillors with
their work. This is a great loss for our village. On behalf of the village we send to his wife
Jenny and her family all our very best wishes and our very grateful thanks for all that
Nigel did for us.”

Joan Miller, Chair, East Bergholt Parish Council

East Bergholt Community Land Trust
“It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of our colleague, fellow Trustee
and friend, Nigel Roberts.

Nigel was an exceptionally knowledgeable, diligent, and dedicated Trustee, and the
consummate professional in everything he undertook. His wise counsel, attention to
detail and unwavering commitment were invaluable to the East Bergholt Community
Land Trust.

His contribution to both the Community Land Trust and the wider village was immense
and will leave a lasting legacy. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of
working alongside him.

On behalf of the Trustees of East Bergholt Community Land Trust, we extend our
sincere condolences to Nigel’s family and friends at this difficult time.”

Nigel Downton, Chair East Bergholt Community Land Trust and Rolf, Althen, Julie Price,
Chris Tuppen, Simon Rothwell

Babergh District Council, East Bergholt Parish Councill and East Bergholt Society,
dedicate the Conservation Area Assessment to the memory of Nigel Roberts.

In addition to individual messages of condolence from Parish Councillors there were
messages of condolence from the many people with whom Nigel worked on Parish
Council projects:
Babergh District Council: Cllr Sallie Davies, Vincent Pearce, Phil Isbell, Tegan Chenery
Heritage Collective: Jody O’Reilly
PJA: Sam Goss
Suffolk County Council Highways: Wayne Saunders
Neighbourhood Plan Consultants: Rachel Leggett, Andrea Long
Babergh 3Valley parishes group: Helen Davies

JM/30/6/26