District Councillor Report to East Bergholt
Parish Council 8 June 2023

Life has been quite intense since I was elected on 5 May 2023. I have been fully set up
as a member of Babergh District Council with a designated email address and phone
number which are included at the foot of this report.
It has been a period of training, meetings and negotiation. I am aware of my lack of
experience as a District Councillor, however I am learning fast and there is a great deal
of support from Council Officers and the Local Government Association. Please bear
with me while I get up to speed.
There was no overall control of the council as a result of the recent elections. As the
largest party with ten seats, the Green Party has entered a coalition with the
Independents (nine seats) and the Liberal Democrats (five seats). There will be a
rotating leadership with two deputy leaders from the other two coalition groups each
year. The first leader is a Liberal Democrat. The Green Party will lead in year two and
year four. The Independents will lead in year three.
The Cabinet has eight posts – four Greens, three Independents and one Liberal
Democrat. For the first year I will hold the Cabinet portfolio called ‘People and Places’,
shared with the Deputy Leader. This will be the successor to the Communities and
Wellbeing portfolio. I will cover East Babergh. The details of this post are yet to be
finalised, however the aim is to promote far more involvement and input to policy and
projects from town and village communities I will also be shadowing the Planning
portfolio holder for the first twelve months while the Joint Local Plan is finalised. I will
take over the Planning Cabinet position in year two for the rest of the term of this
administration.
The negotiations have been civil and relationships between the three coalition partners
are good. I hope they stay that way. We now work on the policy aims for the next four
years and I will of course keep you updated with anything that has an impact on East
Bergholt.
One piece of news is that Babergh DC has been chosen to pilot a new method of
producing Neighbourhood Plans. The current system is fabulously long-winded and
demands huge commitment from community volunteers. I do not know yet if this will
have an effect on existing Neighbourhood Plans like ours.
If any Parish Councillors want to speak to me about anything related to District Council
matters, please get in touch.
Cllr Sallie Davies Sallie.davies@babergh.gov.uk Mobile: 07928 512598