PARISH COUNCIL DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT NOVEMBER 2024
COMMUNITY ENERGY
I attended a Babergh District Council meeting aimed at getting community renewable
energy schemes up and running along the Stour Valley. These can be schemes
that fund the installation of solar panels on larger buildings such as schools, cutting
bills and producing funds to support community projects – or it can be training a
team of advisers to help householders to insulate their homes and reduce fuel bills.
That is just an example of the early stage projects of a community energy scheme.
In time we can tackle more ambitious projects to generate clean energy and cut fuel
bills.
We need people to help kick start a community energy scheme in East Bergholt,
working with professionals brought in by Babergh and with other similar communities
along the Stour Valley. I have registered East Bergholt’s interest because I know
there is support for this idea but we need the right people to get involved.
WILDLIFE AND BIODIVERSITY
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have joined forces with Suffolk Wildlife
Trust, alongside neighbouring councils, to help local communities to protect and
restore nature as part of new partnership initiative.
The Wilder Communities Partnership has received essential funding of £373,356 to
be distributed across the next three years from The Suffolk Public Sector Leaders
Group, which includes both Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils.
This support ensures that the programme can continue offering expert guidance and
training to communities across Suffolk, allowing local groups to take proactive steps
in nature conservation.
Christine Luxton, CEO, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, said:
“We are thrilled to launch the Wilder Communities Partnership with the
support of the Suffolk Public Sector Leaders Group. This partnership allows
us to expand our reach and deepen our impact, ensuring that more
communities have the knowledge and support they need to take meaningful
action for nature. Together, we can create a thriving, resilient Suffolk where
wildlife and people coexist in harmony.”
This support has already led to the establishment of numerous community-led
projects, which have created valuable habitats for iconic species such as swifts,
water voles, hedgehogs, the stag beetle, while also preserving Suffolk’s species-rich
ancient grasslands. East Bergholt Futures did a great job with Hedgehogs, but
there are other opportunities around.

CORKS LANE HADLEIGH
The first homes developed at Babergh District Council’s former Corks Lane offices in
Hadleigh have gone on the market. The first 11 homes have been completed on
the site known as Bowlers Croft, following a conversion of the buildings to preserve
and enhance the original structures, ensuring the character and features are
retained. Eventually there will be 49 homes.
This is in addition to the council’s 21 new social housing properties, on the site of the
former Angel Court care home in Angel Lane, completed back in 2021.
INCREASE IN FEES FOR COUNCIL SERVICES
There will increases in fees paid to Babergh in the year 2025 to 2026. The cost to
parishes of emptying dog and litter bins will increase by 20% from £69 to £83 per
year. The brown bin subscription will rise from £65 to £69 per year. The bulky item
collection service will rise by £10 to £69.50. Those entitled to discounts on the bulky
item fee will continue to receive these discounts. We will be monitoring the level of
fly tipping which could occur as a result of this increase in fees, however the
evidence shows that, in the past, there is no correlation.
Babergh is aiming to get full cost recovery on all its services. The council currently
only gets 80% cost recovery on some services such as dog and litter bins. The
council aims to reach full cost recovery by 2026/2027.
And from 15 January 2025, the short term car parking charges in Hadleigh, Sudbury
and Lavenham will be in force.
These changes are all designed to maximise income to the council without causing
hardship to residents and parishes. Alongside these changes, the council is looking
to cut spending without fundamentally affecting the council’s level of service.
Savings are already being made by reorganising the senior leadership and team and
not filling vacancies. This effort is in order to address the serious deficits which
may arise if the council does not take steps now.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE
I went to Harrogate for three days to this conference. I learned about all sorts of
services and initiatives happening in councils all over the country. I attended two
seminars about public transport however the emphasis was mainly on urban areas.
Cornwall was given £23m to revolutionise its public transport system. It is that sort
of money that can make a difference. I learned something interesting – one of the
common reasons why planning officers leave local government is the stress of
dealing with hostile residents and parishes.
CYCLE WAY EAST BERGHOLT TO MANNINGTREE
John Price and I have been working on this project for a while. However,
unbeknownst to us, an active travel officer at Colchester City Council has been
working to get a cycle way from Dedham Vale to East Bergholt with the support of

Colchester Cycling Club. John and I will be meeting the officer along with other
neighbouring councillors to discuss the project next week. With this level of support,
this long-needed active travel route may actually be achievable.
Sallie.davies@babergh.gov.uk