EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 11 June 2026 at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt

Present – Parish Councillors
Councillor J Miller (Chair of the Council)
Councillor R Allen
Councillor M Burns
Councillor S Davies
Councillor R Elmer
Councillor M Hockley
Councillor M Hurley
Councillor A James
Councillor L Matthews
Councillor J Price
Councillor G Woodcock

In Attendance
G White, Parish Clerk
N. Reed, Media Consultant
County Councillor Darius Laws
Three members of the public

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION

The Chair welcomed the new County Councillor, Darius Laws, to the meeting. County
Councillor Laws thanked the Chair and said that despite being an opposition back bencher
he would do his best to support the Council wherever possible.

The Chair welcomed members of the public and invited them to speak.

Joy Scott said she was taking up the fight for the swimming pool to be built at St James
Place. She was aware that it was included in the planning permission but knew it was
unlikely to be built if the developer could demonstrate that there was no interest in taking it
over and that a residential permission might subsequently ensue. Over a year ago Mrs Scott
had sought support from local residents for the pool and had received over three hundred
expressions of support as a result of her article in the parish magazine and notices at the
Medical Centre, Place for Plants and Constable Hall. She knew the Council had provided
assistance to the sports clubs and hoped swimming would be similarly favoured. She
thought that Hills ought to be required to build the pool pursuant to the current planning
permission. She was disappointed that Abbeycroft Leisure had not responded to her request
of them to take over and manage the pool.

Councillor Davies agreed with Mrs Scott that the current planning conditions could have
been more clear. She understood that Abbeycroft had undertaken a viability study in
conjunction with Babergh DC officers and had concluded that it looked as if the pool was not
viable for them to provide a service. Cllr Davies had not been shown their viability report and

so did not know what assumptions it used, but she will ask for it to be provided to her. She
thought that if viability could be proven, someone would take it on.

Councillor Price agreed that there was support in the village for a pool and he had asked the
Headteacher of the High School if the school would use it if provided. Mr Woodcock said that
they would as currently pupils have to be bused to Hadleigh.

Councillor James considered it to be one of the few facilities which would save lives but that
it was very expensive to maintain.

The Chair thought the critical questions were how many would use it and how much would it
cost.

Joy Scott believed it would be a wonderful facility for the village which would result in village
children being able to swim.

Councillors Hurley and Matthews noted that swimming was in the national curriculum up to
key stage 2 and currently the schools had no option but to go to Hadleigh.

The Chair said that supply side information could be obtained from Councillor Davies and
the Council could give consideration to collecting information on the demand side, later in
the meeting.

The Chair thanked Joy Scott for her contribution and closed the Open Public Session.

20.26/27 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence received from Councillors Roberts and Smith were NOTED.

21.26/27 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS OR DISPENSATIONS

None.

22.26/27 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISHIONERS’ MEETING OF 14 MAY 2026

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Hurley and RESOLVED (nine
voted for, none voted against) that subject to the correction of a typographical error in the
last line of the minutes from 2026 to 2027, the minutes of the Annual Parishioners’ Meeting
of 14 May 2026 be approved as a correct record.

23/26/27 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF 14 MAY 2026

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Hurley and RESOLVED (nine
voted for, none voted against) that the minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting of 14
May 2026 be approved as a correct record.

24.26/27 MATTERS ARISING/UPDATES

006.26/27 Legend on the Bench – Councillor Hurley thanked the Council for its donation.
The fund had now reached £2,100. Recent additions were down to the kindness of The

Dicky for holding events and donating the proceeds. More events were planned. The
intention was to raise enough for two benches.

009.26/27 Nominations to Outside Bodies – Councillor Hurley reported that whilst the High
School Governors could not accommodate a specifically parish council representative they
were prepared to appoint him in his own right and the process was ongoing.

016.26/27 Parking in Hadleigh Road layby – Councillor Davies said that the Headteacher of
the Primary School agreed that the Council should seek a waiting restriction from the
highway authority. The Clerk had drafted a submission for the Chair and Councillor Davies to
consider.

25.26/27 CHAIR’S REPORT

The Chair presented her written report. She outlined her busy Constable’s 250th birthday
which had started with an early morning interview for BBC Radio Suffolk followed by BBC
Look East at Flatford and the cake cutting ceremony in front of Willy Lott’s Cottage. Then the
peel of bells and the flower and art displays at the Church and finally the Parish Council
meeting.

Happy Birthday to John Constable and thanks to Councillor Burns for her magnificent work
in co-ordinating In Our View events and the Summer Fair on Sunday 14 June.

Councillor Davies asked the Chair about progress with the Congregational Church. The
Chair gave a brief summary of the current situation concerning the Charity Commission’s
position upon extending the objectives of the charity. The Council has been given options by
its solicitor but we need a joint meeting with the church deacons and their solicitor upon the
next steps to challenge the Charity Commission as the church deacons will have to do that
and not the Council even though we will be working together to achieve a satisfactory
outcome which will be dependent upon putting a really good case to the Charity
Commission.

The Chair’s report was noted.

26.26/27 COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

County Councillor Laws referenced his report which had been circulated and re-iterated that
whilst not in the governing party of the County Council, he will do his best for East Bergholt.
He added that he did not reply to emails quickly and the best way to contact him was via
WhatsApp or a telephone call. County Councillor Laws has a small locality budget and a
discretionary pothole budget which can be used to repair non-priority potholes and he
welcomed applications for funding from either.

The Chair introduced to County Councillor Laws, Councillor Price Chair of Roads, Footpaths
and Flatford Committee, Councillor Hurley with special interest in SEND and Councillor
Davies, who is also our District Councillor, all of whom were likely to contact him regularly
upon matters concerning their areas of interest.

Councillor Matthews thanked County Councillor Laws for his comments on Suffolk County
Council’s policy change regarding the Ukrainian flag.

District Councillor Davies presented her report, which had been circulated, and expanded
upon it. With regard to The Grange, the operator is claiming 80 permanent units even though
they have never been around the site to collect the necessary data. Meanwhile Babergh DC
has solid data for 60 permanent units. Babergh DC understands that this operator has a
planning agreement in place in Breckland which deals with a somewhat similar situation and
Babergh is looking to achieve an agreement of that type.

There is no new information upon when the revised Hills application will be put out to
consultation.

The Chair thanked County Councillor Laws and District Councillor Davies for their
contributions.

26.26/27 CORRESPONDENCE

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

Date Sender Subject
1. 18/05/26 Babergh East Police and
Parish Forum
Minutes of Meeting 11 March 2026
2. 19/05/26 EB Bowls Club Thanks for grant aid
3. 19/05/26 Constable Hall Thanks for grant aid
4. 05/06/26 Babergh DC Joint Local Plan Scoping Consultation 2026
5. 10/06/26 James Cartlidge MP Invitation to Flooding roundtable

Item 4 – The Chair said we need to work out what to say in response to the consultation.
This should be referred to the Neighbourhood Plan Committee, but the Committee Chair,
Councillor Roberts is currently unwell. The Committee members, Councillors Woodcock,
James, Burns and Miller together with Councillor Davies should meet (by zoom) to discuss
ideas on how to assist Babergh DC on drafting a Joint Local Plan. The 3Valleys Group is
looking at site allocations but the response needs to include more strategic options to be
determined.

Item 5 – The Chair noted that James Cartlidge MP has arranged a meeting for 3 July. The
Parish Council has three areas of interest:
1. Our past experience with inadequate highway drainage;
2. Regular floodplain flooding at Flatford;
3. The consequences of the likely year of extreme weather in prospect.
Councillors Price and Hockley volunteered to attend the meeting.

27.26/27 PLANNING

27.1 Planning Consultations received

DC/26/02161 3 Quinton’s Corner, East Bergholt, CO7 6RD – Householder
application – Erection of single-storey front extension.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (unanimously) that approval be
recommended.
DC/26/02171 65A Broom Knoll, East Bergholt, CO7 6XN – Full planning
application – Change of use of ground floor shop to 1no
residential dwelling, alterations to fenestration and creation of
new entrance for existing 1st floor dwelling.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Hockley and RESOLVED (nine voted for, 1 voted against) that
approval be recommended.

DC/25/05596 The Red Lion, The Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6TB – Full planning
application – Erection of 14no Bed and Breakfast Rooms,
cladding of existing public toilets and associated works.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Elmer and RESOLVED (nine voted for, two voted against) that
approval be recommended.

DC/26/02254 La Reunion, Rectory Hill, East Bergholt, CO7 6TH – Application
for works to trees in a conservation area – Holm oak identified as
T2 in the accompanying report and plans. Fell to ground level
and treat or remove stump as required.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock and seconded by Councillor
Elmer that approval be recommended. The motion was LOST (two
voted for, seven voted against).

It was proposed by Councillor Matthews, seconded by Councillor
Hurley and RESOLVED (ten voted for, none voted against) that a
crown reduction of 30% be recommended.

DC/26/02123 Little Spencers, Gaston Street, East Bergholt, CO7 6SF –
Householder application – Erection of a conservatory.

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

DC/26/01673 Chadacre, Whitesfield, East Bergholt, CO7 6SP – Householder
application – Erection of a front porch with garage on the side of
the building.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor
Matthews and RESOLVED that refusal be recommended on the
grounds that:

1. The applicant is running a business from home which is
subject to enforcement action. The only reason for a long
garage is to run the business from home.
2. The proposed development is overdevelopment of the site
3. A bathroom and bedroom window of the house would face into
the garage interior.

27.2 Planning Correspondence

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

28.26/27 STRATEGY, POLICY AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

28.1 Schedule of Payments and Income – It was proposed by Councillor Miller seconded by
Councillor Elmer and RESOLVED (ten voted for, none voted against), that the schedule of
payments, income and the bank transfer be noted and the payments due in May 2026
amounting to £16,122.78 be approved.

28.2 Bank Reconciliation Statement – The bank reconciliation statement for May 2026 was
NOTED.

28.3 Internal Audit Report 2025/26 and Annual Governance and Accountability Return
(AGAR) 2025/26 – The Clerk presented the Internal Audit Report and his report upon it. All
the financial practices and the systems of control were in accordance with statutory
requirements. The Internal Auditor’s recommendations were upon relatively minor issues
which either had been or would be addressed.

The Clerk presented the AGAR which was required to be approved by the Council before
publication and onward transmission to the External Auditor.

It was proposed by Councillor Elmer, seconded by Councillor Hockley and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that:

1. The Internal Audit Report be noted;
2. The Clerk’s Report be noted;
3. Section 1 of the AGAR be approved;
4. Section 2 of the AGAR be approved;
5. The Clerk be thanked for his stewardship of the Council’s finances and the
preparation of the audit documents.

29.26/27 OTHER COMMITTEE MATTERS

The written reports of the Chairs of Committees which had been circulated, were noted.

Councillor Matthews asked the Chair of the Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee,
Councillor Price whether there had been any progress on the Flatford to Manningtree
footpath. Councillor Price said that there had been little progress in recent times. Councillor
Davies added that one landowner did not want the path and there was one recalcitrant
officer at Essex County Council who was not being helpful. She thought we needed to find a
land agent to get this moving and we could also involve County Councillor Laws.

Councillor Price informed that together with another councillor he was meeting County
Councillor Chris Hudson the new SCC Highways Lead on 29 June.

Councillor Matthews reported that the first Community Services session at Fields Farm had
not proved to be successful as no-one turned up. Nevertheless, she was preparing for the
event in September when a speaker from Sendiass (the support service for carers of
children with SEND) would attend. To have secured a Sendiass speaker was something of a
coup as demand exceeded supply.

The community events may be moved to the Sports Pavilion in the winter months.

30.26/27 VILLAGE PCSO PROPOSAL

The Chair presented her report and the Suffolk Constabulary service level agreement which
had been circulated, and expanded upon it. She advised that the Police had accepted the
additions proposed. With regard to KPIs the Chair put forward a number of ways in which
these could be informed such as crime statistics, the PCSO’s records and data, customer
satisfaction surveys, social media (which had been supportive so far), weekly meetings with
the PCSO and quarterly meetings with the PCSO’s supervisor.

The annual cost of a PCSO for the two villages was £52,330 which would be shared equally
at £26,150 each plus a car at an annual cost of £5,000, £2,500 each.

On KPIs, Councillor Price considered that we did not have enough information to set them
yet and should start with a list of issues for the PCSO to explore where we are with them and
then identify the key ones and seek improvement of them. A series of targets can be
developed over time.

Councillor Davies asked who would manage and monitor the KPIs. The Chair said that to
begin with she would manage the project following weekly meetings with the PCSO and
quarterly meetings with the PCSO’s supervisor. PCSO surgeries were also proposed.

Councillor Davies noted that there were a number of hidden costs which emerged from the
service level agreement such as that payment for up to 28 days sickness absence would be
required and a liability for a redundancy payment could be triggered if the agreement is
terminated early.

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Hurley and RESOLVED (nine
voted for, two voted against) that this Council approves the proposed arrangement to
procure a PCSO service working 50/50 with Brantham Parish Council and authorises the
Chair of the Council to sign the service level agreement (as attached to the report) on behalf
of the Council.

31.26/27 COUNCIL WORKSHOP WITH EBCLT

The Chair presented her report setting out the history and purpose of EBCLT as background
to a workshop meeting with the EBCLT Management Committee on Wednesday 1 July. The
report and the meeting date were noted.

32/26/27 SUMMER FAIR

Councillor Burns said that everything was in good shape for a successful fair on Sunday
afternoon and the event would come in under budget. Nicki Reed would be the site
supervisor.

33.26/27 WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Davies and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that the Website Accessibility Statement circulated with this agenda, be
approved and adopted.

186.25.26 URGENT COMMUNICATIONS

Swimming Pool – Following Joy Scott’s representations in the Open Public Session,
consideration was given as to how the Council might assist Mrs Scott to gather information
on demand. However, there was concern about the small size of the pool and the impact of
that on viability. Councillor Davies was disappointed that Babergh DC officers had not
spoken to Mrs Scott about viability but will obtain information from Abbeycroft and the liaison
officer and thereafter if there is the prospect of viability, demand can be assessed.

Any Questions – Councillor James reminded councillors that Radio 4’s Any Questions would
be held at Constable Hall on 17 July 2026. Free tickets can be obtained via
ticketsource.co.uk.

Overgrown Hedge – Councillor Hockley informed the Council that following his discussion
with the landowner the overgrown hedge raised by Debbie Dadds at the April meeting had
now been cut back.

187.25.26 KEY POINTS FROM THE MEETING

The main points from this meeting for further publicity were:

The PCSO.

The meeting closed at 9.49pm

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

Date of next Parish Council Meeting: Thursday 9 July 2026 at 7.30pm