Annual Report 2022-23:
John Hinton, District Councillor, East Bergholt Ward.
The last year of the current term for Babergh District Councillors has been challenging, mainly due to
the national financial situation, the international effect on energy costs, and the prospect of
elections at the end of the term influencing some decisions.
Babergh has very effectively worked with the local communities and Government to help to
minimise the impact of the high energy costs on our residents. As this ward, in particular, has a high
percentage of elderly residents and national data showing that it is some 70% more expensive to live
in rural areas, we have been quite successful. As my school report would however say “we can do
better”!
Planning has slowed in terms of new builds, but the existing permissions for large numbers of new
homes are nearing a commencement and in some cases the developer has sought modifications to
his permission and to be fair has acknowledged the poor quality of the original permission, whilst
trying to accommodate the wishes of the community. The continuing emphasis on green issues still
tempers decisions, but is often then ignored, so a more consistent approach is necessary. Local
Neighbourhood plans are increasingly effective in helping to direct new development, but
Government interference and the slow progress of the new Joint Local Plan, which has been split
into two parts, still creates difficulties. Because we have some 10 years’ worth of new homes already
with permission, the Inspector wanted to know where the next tranche were going to be!
Infrastructure improvements, Schools, Doctors, Roads, Public Transport all seem to have taken a
back seat, with little being proposed or started to alleviate the effects of the large rural
developments. Even repairs to roads, the clearance of footways and basic road sign maintenance
although the remit of the County have not been implemented, making movement for pedestrians
difficult in some areas of the village.
If we are to truly care about our community there needs to be a “joined up” thinking process rather
than the current “we will tick this box and move on” thinking process. Community means everyone
in the village and not just proposals directed at selected groups.
A12 Road Works have created plenty of problems on the use of the carriageway, but the impact of
diversions in our village have seemingly been avoided. Improvements that are badly needed to both
the Four Sisters Junction and the Copdock Mill Interchange are again on hold, or not even in the
planning stage, so the pressures on travel to work and education in particular will continue to
increase. Working from home, accompanied by the installation of high speed internet connections
will help some, but not everything can be done on a computer and even then it needs electricity, the
security of which seems to barely register on the radar of those responsible. New pylons and lines
from the offshore wind farms and who knows possibly Sizewell C, if it ever gets started, will cross
over our area. Burstall to Twinstead is at the approval stage, but the line from Norfolk to Kent will
have a greater impact upon us and our ANOB.
Financial reports state that tourism is under threat because of VAT refund policy, but there should
be little direct impact from it here, but fewer foreign visitors in the country will mean an increasing
reliance upon staycationers so we must do all we can to maintain our natural attractions. Surveys
show that accommodation is a problem for tourists so we must keep an open mind when it comes to
all avenues that may open up to us.

Additional attractions will take on an increasing importance to maintain our place as the top tourist
attraction in the District. (Developers take note Tourists do not come to see new build houses!)
The councils own housing stock is getting old and as anyone in the village in an older property will
testify, maintenance is increasing and it is more expensive. The council has plans to build more
housing for social rent and affordable rent, but it takes time and the pressures on the housing
market will continue.
The District Councils share of the council tax bills has increased, but it is by a much smaller amount
than other aspects of the bill and it has been a struggle to maintain services and yet keep the
increases as low as possible. I for one think that the bin collection service works well and is generally
reliable. Other aspects of the councils services certainly need improvement and I have been working
hard to try and secure value for money. As chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee I have
been looking carefully at aspects of direct council services and those that are run by third parties.
There is much more to be done and of course it must be done within the Nolan Principles and in the
light of recent national events, without any hint of bullying or unethical management practices.
As a District we have been fortunate during this last year with the weather, having missed the
extreme events that we are supposed to getting used to! We must not be complacent and as the
current situation in the Sudan shows, (God forbid we have civil war here) we must be prepared for
every eventuality and be prepared to help our communities if the situation arises. Emergency
Planning used to be an integral part of councils training, but seems to have gone quiet. We cannot
be complacent as an event may affect us, or it could be that we can help another area. Any
preparation must be comprehensive and not just another “tick box“ exercise.
A New Municipal Year with a New Council awaits us and it must be faced with fortitude, logic and
that rare commodity, common sense.
Cllr John Hinton.
April 2023.