Page 1 of 3

EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL
Playing Fields Committee Meeting Minutes
Thursday 16
th
October 2025, 7.00pm at The Lambe School,
Gaston Street, East Bergholt

OPEN PUBLIC SESSION No members of the public in attendance

1. WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Present. Councillors M. Hockley (chair), J. Miller, N. Roberts, J. Price, G. Woodcock, L.
Matthews, plus Sports Council Chairman J. Hambrook.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE R. Elmer

2. DECLARATION OF INTEREST None

3. MINUTES
An amendment was made in relation to an incorrect comment on ‘minutes format’ attributed
to Councillor Roberts. Then all approved.

4. MATTERS ARISING

Councillor Roberts enquired “what happened to the car Park Workshop ? We need to find
out what residents want.
Councillor Mattews said “Should be the constable Hall, Sports Council and Parish council”
Councillor Roberts “All users are important, but we must have residents too. Gandish road
and Notcutts (bowls players parking) are especially affected”
J. Hambrook “We know what residents want, reduced street parking”
Councillor Roberts “We are looking for ideas. Do we know/ not know the issues ? The
residents may have Ideas too. Gandish and Notcutts may nominate spokesperson, it might
help “
Councillor Miller “ It will certainly raise ideas and identify issues”
Councillor Hockley “ We had discussed a flyer. This is the next step”
Councillor Price volunteered to write the wording for the flyer, and once printed, will be
distributed in the immediate area.
The flyer will request comments/ideas and contain a ‘return by’ date. Once compiled, a
Workshop date will be arranged.

5. SPORTS COUNCIL
Councillor Hockley confirmed the tennis club project is close to completion. The new
buildings are in operation and minor tweaks should be completed this month.
Councillor Matthews enquired as to who took on Project Manager responsibilities ?
On confirming it was Brian Wilsher, and as he volunteered, consuming a considerable
amount of his time, she suggested that his participation will have saved a lot of money.
It was agreed that the Parish council should write a letter to thank him.
Councillor Price enquired if there had been any ‘staff training’ for maintaining the pumping
station ?
He also asked if there is ‘a risk assessment programme’ and a project review.

Page 2 of 3

Councillor Miller confirmed that there will be a Closure report.

Councillor Hockley explained the tender has been completed for the new rabbit proof
perimeter fence running the full length to (and including) the tennis entrance.
Further seeding and ground flattening will be required to maintain, improve and extend the
playing fields.
Two Padel courts can be accommodated in the vacant space, and there should be CIL
money available for the project
Three utility projects are required to maintain the long-term future of our most valuable
playing fields,
1. A bore hole
2. Electricity access improvement
3. Expand the CCTV system to embrace and safeguard
the cricket and tennis facilities, (a joint investment of over £300k !).
Councillor Roberts pointed out that all the aforementioned, must be discussed first.
Councillor Miller there must be a plan for going forward with the ideas.

SOLAR PROJECT.
Councillor Woodcock explained the CIL application had been completed and submitted to
Babergh district council. The officers requested further details, specifically,
Land ownership documentation, Building Regulation approval, Battery storage, Funding
Strategy and Business case.
Councillor Woodcock confirmed that all had been submitted and he was meeting Debby
Osak, the CIL Officer the following day.
The confirmation of Planning permission (which is not expected to be required) is awaited
from Babergh officers.

PLAYGROUND AND PLAYING FIELDS
Councillor Miller shared the news that she had met with John Hambrook to discuss with the
football clubs, of what would be required to move the football pitches.
All committee members had prior knowledge of the new playground inspection reports.
John Hambrook said “Any amber coloured item must be actioned, moderate items dealt
with, and blue and green monitored as they were low level”
He pointed out some of the playground equipment was over 12 years old and passed their
10-year guaranteed life.
Councillor Woodcock pointed out that ‘Springers’ are often damaged and perhaps could be
removed.
J. Hambrook said that parish councils usually allow 2 1/2% of precept to be ‘ring fenced’
so that there is re investment money available for updating.
This has not been done in the past.
Councillor Matthews expressed concern at the grass that grows around/through the play
equipment surface area.
J. Hambrook explained this was intentional as it is less slippery. The cost of replacing the
bonded rubber was 10’s of thousands to complete the playground.
Councillor Matthews accepted this, but was worried the leaves and acorns were also a risk
to children.
Councillor Hockley said he would speak to the groundsman to see what may be done.

Councillor Roberts highlighted there was two issues in Gandish and 4 issues in East End
playgrounds.

Page 3 of 3

Councillor Hockley said that he, together with Councillor Woodcock and John Hambrook,
would lake a physical review of everything discussed.

ANY FUTHER COMMUNICATIONS . None.

NEXT MEETING. Budget meeting November 20
th
.
Full committee meeting January 15
h
2026