PARISH COUNCIL REPORT MARCH 2025
Babergh’s General Fund budget and medium term financial position was approved
by the full council last month, after three Conservatives left the council chamber.
Councillor Peter Beer was sent out of the meeting by the Chair for shouting.
Councillor Margaret Maybury and Councillor Michael Holt followed him in solidarity. I
mention this because Councillor Beer also left the previous full council meeting early
after heated exchanges.
DEVOLUTION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION
The public consultation on devolution (a mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk) is now open
until April 19
th
. You can find the consultation paper on the Babergh website here
Government launches public consultation on Suffolk and Norfolk devolution –
Babergh District Council – babergh.gov.uk / midsuffolk.gov.uk
Please encourage residents to engage. As for local government reorganisation
(Unitary authorities), there is no sign of one initial plan going to government from
Suffolk this month as the district and town councils have not reached agreement with
the County Council. The local authorities in Suffolk must agree a final plan by
September or we may have a new structure imposed on us by the government.
LOCAL PLAN
There is a meeting called by James Cartlidge on March 21 for all parishes in
Babergh to discuss the government’s changes to planning targets and
neighbourhood plans. It will take place at Sudbury Town Hall. I will be there along
with my cabinet counterpart in Mid Suffolk and members of the Strategic Planning
Team to answer questions. Details are being finalised but it is essential that
someone from our parish attends (apart from me of course).
WOODLAND SCHOOL
The planning application from Circles at East End was approved unanimously by the
Babergh Planning Committee on 19 February. I was encouraged to see that
residents’ objections had been taken very seriously by the planning officer and a
number of conditions will be attached to the permission. The number of pupils at the
school has been reduced to 20 so there are fewer vehicle movements; anyone going
to the school by car must not use the narrow winding part of East End Lane; there
will be conditions about the wildlife, fencing, lighting and footpath. There will also be
a parish liaison group so that residents can engage with Circles and try to sort out
any problems if they arise. Circles indicated that it was keen to become part of the
local community – after all some of the pupils will be coming from our schools in East
Bergholt. So it is to be hoped that a good relationship can be built up in time.

Sallie.davies@babergh.gov.uk