PARISH COUNCIL DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT OCTOBER 2024
COMMUNITY ENERGY
One of the priorities of the current administration is to get more community energy
schemes up and running. East Bergholt Futures has explored some options but I
don’t feel there was enough support from Babergh to make progress. There will be
a meeting at Sudbury Arts Centre, Wednesday 30 October, 6pm – 8pm. Community
Energy South will be there which is an organisation that runs community energy
schemes. The aim is to look at setting up schemes along the Stour Valley from
Sudbury to East Bergholt. Babergh’s administration wants to improve substantially
the support given to local groups by Babergh so they are not left trying to navigate
this complex area on their own.
DEVOLUTION
The proposed devolution deal for Suffolk has been scrapped by the government.
Babergh District council has joined other town and district councils in Suffolk to write
to the government asking to work together to reach a sensible devolution
arrangement. The government is very keen on directly elected mayors and is likely to
push for this type of model for Norfolk and Suffolk.
COUNCIL HOUSING
Babergh District Council has also joined 100 other local authorities in writing to
Angela Rayner about the chaotic and unsustainable state of local authority housing
finance. After many years of short term financing, restrictions on the use of right to
buy receipts and a significant growth in demand for council housing, many councils
are struggling to maintain and build their own housing stock. Babergh has joined
the call for the government to restore lost income and increase local authority
capacity to provide safe, well maintained homes for those who need them.
COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY
£836,000 of District CIL was awarded in the last round of bids in Babergh and Mid
Suffolk. Two are particularly interesting – £41,000 was awarded to improvements to
a public right of way in Mid Suffolk. The route becomes muddy and slippery and is
inaccessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs after rain. It will now have a new
surface. We should remember that CIL can be granted for footpaths and cycle
paths.
£65,810 was awarded to Boxted and Hartest Institute Village Hall to install solar
panels and batteries, insulate internally the roof and walls of the building and install
secondary glazing to the Hall. So substantial sums of money are available to
improve the energy efficiency of our community buildings.
LOCALITY FUND
I have £2000 to give to community organisations before next March. Please spread
the word. Sallie.davies@babergh.gov.uk