EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL
East Bergholt Parish Council Sports and Playing fields Committee Minutes
16
th
January 2025

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION WITH INVITE TO East Bergholt Sports Council
1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Robert Elmer
Apologies from Bowls Club
2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
none
3. MINUTES – To approve the minutes of the meeting of 17
th
October 2024 as a
correct record (attached).
All approved
4. MATTERS ARISING/UPDATES
Matters arising are to be considered in the current agenda
5. SPORTS COUNCIL NEWS –
Sports Council and the “way Forward”
All members of the Parish Committee were very disappointed that there was no
representation from members of the Sports Council, with the exception of Mark
Anderson from the Tennis Club.
JM said it was evident that the Council did not understand the relationship between
the SC and EBPC and also needed to consider the way in which they need to work
together. This was especially pertinent regarding the works to be carried out with the
2 CIL applications supported by the PC. NR asked if the chair had been contacted:
GW said all individual groups were informed of the meeting. It was suggested that all
members of this committee attend the next SC meeting 7.30pm , 27
th
January, at
the Sports Pavilion . LM suggested that we bring the SC attention their constitution.
Action all members
GW gave an update on all that had been achieved with the Sports Council. As
member of the Committee 10 years and Chair 6 years the last 12 months have been
the busiest. All of this work is supported by EBPC.
Major support for the revival of the tennis Club 202/21: relaying 3 courts. costing
£25k

CIL bids approved and supported by EBPS for both Cricket (another one in
progress) and tennis clubs. Bowls club support for club house and fence panelling
Football junior squad to school playing field supported by EBPC.
Updates to Sports pavilion -heating, lighting and new kitchen
Long term infra-structure project to improve drainage on the field that will support all
clubs
None of the above would be relevant without the commitment of club leaders,
committees and the Sports Council.
(i) Pavilion kitchen progress – some snagging to be completed but over 80% done
(ii) Sports Clubs’ CIL applications to Babergh, Cricket confirmed, Tennis underway.
Cricket Club application. Babergh have granted £61,886 towards the total project
cost of £83,295.
The East Bergholt cricket club increased their contribution to £5,900, leaving a
shortfall of £15.500.
This was the amount the committee were asked to request from CIL funding. This
conformed to 25% /75% formula that the PC are considering adopting.
When the committee began to look at the proposed sent it was agreed that it was the
incorrect version and therefore return to John Holbrook. Action GW
Mark Anderson (Tennis Club) asked if the committee had considered any funding
towards the court cleaning, the damaged surface to court 3, and the fencing. G.W.
confirmed that the November 2024 budget meeting had agreed not to fund these
remedial tasks.
(iii) Solar Project
Due to previous cancellation of meeting GW, NR and LS to meet Friday 17
th
Jan to
create a specification for tender and to be sent to know contractors. Action GW, NR
& LS
6. PLAYGROUNDS AND PLAYING FIELDS – Councillor Price to report on the
Sports Ground Improvement Project
JP explained that current bore holes were not suggesting any issues. MH said this
due to significant decrease in rainfall so far this winter. There would still need to be a
permeability study with an understanding of changing weather patterns.
NR suggested that in view of the lack of data and rather than spend the full cost of
survey to perhaps put on hold. Following a discussion about this it was agreed that
JP would fins an expression of interest form appropriate firms. Action JP
G.W. confirmed the Oak tree behind Notcutts would be improved w/c 17
th
Feb. and
the Bowls fence replacement project w/c Feb 24. The removal of the damaged
hedge bordering the Bowls and Football field will be removed during March, and a
replacement planted early September.

7. The Risk Assessment submitted by the parish Clerk was adopted.
8 URGENT COMMUNICATIONS – To consider any other matters of sufficient
urgency and importance which the Chairman considered but there were none.
Date of next meeting 7pm April 17
th
2025