DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORT TO EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL
APRIL 2026

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REORGANISATION
The Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government has
confirmed that three unitary councils will be created in Suffolk replacing the current
system made up of Suffolk County Council and the five district and borough councils:
Babergh, East Suffolk, Ipswich, Mid Suffolk and West Suffolk. The proposal for
one large unitary council for Suffolk was rejected.
I have attached a power point presentation given to all Babergh councillors last week
by the Chief Executive. Although there is still uncertainty in some matters, I hope it
will help to explain what will happen over the next two years.
East Bergholt will be part of Ipswich and South Suffolk. This will present challenges
and opportunities.
NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN FUNDING
Babergh has released plans to support Neighbourhood Plan groups to access
funding after the government stopped funding last year. Babergh has a finite
amount of money but will offer up to £20,000 each to groups that allocate sites for
housing and who are committed to completing the neighbourhood plan. If there is
neighbourhood CIL available, the group would be expected to call on that first.
BRANTHAM SKATE PARK
Brantham has received the maximum amount of district CIL money – £100,000 – to
develop a skate park. The Parish Council plans to install a purpose-built skate park
for youngsters and the wider local community.
The project has already undergone extensive consultation and aims to create an
accessible and inclusive place for skateboarding, BMX riding, scooter riding and
rollerblading. The funding would cover the majority of the project’s total cost, with
the remainder coming from the National Lottery and the local parish councils.

Sallie Davies District Councillor