District Councillor Report August 2025

Local Government Reorganisation
Councillors at a meeting of Babergh District Council last month gave the green light
to progress plans for three new unitary councils as part of the biggest shake-up of
local government in 50 years. Boundaries have not yet been drawn and will
ultimately be for the government to decide.
The three unitaries plan differs from Suffolk County Council’s plan for a single unitary
authority for the whole of Suffolk. The feedback from a county-wide survey of
residents has been clear – above anything else, residents want a unitary authority
that is local. With this in mind, the District Councils have rejected one unitary as too
remote from the communities it would serve. You may have received a leaflet
produced by Suffolk Country Council. Their campaign places most emphasis on cost
cutting. Although financial efficiency is important, residents still attach more
importance to local knowledge and sensitivity.
East Bergholt’s Place in the proposed three unitaries
Under the District and Borough Councils’ proposal to create three unitary authorities,
East Bergholt would become part of the Ipswich and Southern Suffolk authority. The
other two are Western Suffolk and Central and Eastern Suffolk. Details are here:
Proposed Council Boundaries – Three Councils For Suffolk
I will be attending two meetings – one on 11 August with Ipwich Borough Council to
discuss the implications of the new boundaries with the current Ipswich
administration. And one on 14 August setting out more details about the proposed
ward arrangements. I will be able to report back verbally on these meetings.
Homelessness in Babergh
When a household becomes homeless, it is Babergh’s statutory duty to house those
affected. They are often housed in temporary accommodation. The cost of this, in
common with councils across the country, is eye-watering and many local authorities
are facing huge financial difficulties as the result of these costs.
Demand for temporary housing in Babergh rose by 69% between 2020/21 and
2024/25 and there are currently 95 households in temporary accommodation in
Babergh as of March 2025. Babergh spends £36,500 every month on temporary
accommodation, some of which is in commercial hotels and Bed and Breakfasts. As
a council we are very good at preventing homelessness, however cabinet took a
decision last week to start buying more accommodation to house homeless families.
There is around £1m of government money to do this and, in addition, some stock
will be transferred from the permanent council housing stock where it is no longer
suitable on a permanent basis. We aim to increase temporary accommodation by 30
dwellings in the next ten years so that the ongoing costs are reduced and we
minimise the use of B&Bs.

Heath Road Housing Development
The development on the remaining part of the site next to the GP surgery is still
stalled while Babergh Planning consider the new application, made last year, which
proposes more houses on the site than the original application. Apparently the
developer is trying to address concerns raised during the last consultation. There
will be a further consultation so residents will be able to have another say on the
revised plans for this site. The application will go to the planning committee
eventually.
In the meantime, and after intervention from Babergh’s enforcement team, there is
work ongoing to build a ‘bund’ at the southern boundary of the site overlooking the
donkey track. The bund is a raised area which will be planted with trees and it will
screen the development from the National Landscape (formerly the Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty) which starts at the donkey track.
Material from the topsil store which was placed without planning permission on the
adjacent field will be used to make this bund. The rest of the material will be
gradually used on the site itself for gardens and landscaping. Enforcement decided
it was better to allow this to happen rather than remove the topsoil from the site by
lorries. I note the enforcement action relating to the store of top soil has now been
closed.
Big Suffolk Weekend
On Monday 1 September a public ballot will open with a chance to win prizes at the
Big Suffolk Weekend. The event, which takes place on 18 and 19 October this year,
shines a spotlight on the rich culture and visitor attractions that can be found close to
home – giving people the chance to enter a free prize draw with the hope of winning
some prizes and exclusive experiences at some of the county’s attractions.

Businesses are encouraged to put forward a visitor experience or offer, with anyone
living in the county then able to put their name into the free prize draw to win it.
So far, prizes already pledged include tickets to see a band at the John Peel Centre
in Stowmarket, a voucher for Press Start Gaming in Ipswich, a trip for two with
Suffolk River Trips, and a visit for four to Purple Pumpkin Creative Studio in
Halesworth.

Any businesses that would like to take part in the Big Weekend should
contact bmsdctourismandculture@baberghmidsuffolk.gov.uk

More information about available prizes will be shared closer to when the ballot
opens.
The Rural Business Growth Fund for Businesses
The Rural Business Growth Fund has been set up to offer capital grants of up to
£10,000 to projects which focus on sustainability, diversification and improving the
local tourism and visitor economy. As I have mentioned previously, two of our

businesses – Events Under Canvas and Armour Engineering – have been recipients
of these grants in the past.
In order to receive a grant, projects must meet one of the following priorities:
• Investment in net zero infrastructure
• Investment and diversification at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Farm diversification outside of agriculture
• Visitor economy business expansion
Grants of up to £15,000 can also be agreed for projects which strongly support the
net zero infrastructure or farm diversification priorities.
Applications for the fund are now open and are being assessed on a first come, first
served basis.
To find out more information about the Rural Business Growth Fund, visit the Heart
of Suffolk website.
Councillor Sallie Davies. Sallie.davies@babergh.gov.uk