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EAST BERGHOLT PARISH COUNCIL

DRAFT MINUTES – THESE MINUTES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED AND ARE
SUBJECT TO AMENDMENT AT THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Thursday 11 January 2024 at The Lambe School, Gaston Street, East Bergholt

Present – Parish Councillors
Councillor J Miller (Chairman of the Council)
Councillor N Roberts (Vice-Chairman of the Council)
Councillor R Allen
Councillor P Davies
Councillor R Elmer
Councillor M Hockley
Councillor J Price
Councillor S Rothwell
Councillor R Wombwell
Councillor G Woodcock

In Attendance
G White, Parish Clerk
County Councillor G Hall
Three members of the public

Open Public Session

Tony Brigden addressed the Council. He said he was representing Councillor Dent who was absent
due to illness but whom he knew shared his views. His remarks concerned the Independent
Candidates’ leaflet circulated at the election.

Mr Brigden said that his Grandmother, a former Mayor of Walthamstow, would be very unhappy
about how he has been treated in respect of transgressions to the election process. The community
needs to know what has gone on, not least in respect of law-breaking issues. It is his view that there
have been a lot of breaches of the code and he considers this to be very serious and something
which the Parish Council needs to deal with. by the Parish Council.

The Chairman invited questions to Mr Brigden from councillors. There were none.

The Chairman noted that the Clerk had responded to Mr Brigden’s correspondence on this subject
on several occasions and had made the Council’s position quite clear. She understood his
disappointment at not being elected to the Parish Council but there had been no breaches of
electoral law and if Mr Brigden thought there had been, he should draw this to the attention of the
Returning Officer at Babergh District Council. Mr Brigden stated that he had already done that.

The Chairman was dismayed that Mr Brigden sought to libel her in email correspondence.
Allegations about her breaching electoral law were wrong in her view. Mr Brigden said he did not

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share her interpretation. The Chairman told Mr Brigden if he continued to libel her, she would be
forced to take advice as to how to stop this libel.

1. Apologies for absence

Apologies received from Councillors Dent, Hurley and Matthews were NOTED.

2. Declaration of Interests/Dispensations

None.

3. Minutes

Minute 7 – DC/23/05356 – Councillor Roberts noted that in paragraph 3, the reference to BB
should be a reference to B8.

Minute 9 – Constable Hall Management Committee – Councillor Price noted that two
references to James Page should be references to James Sage.

Councillor Price also noted that the minute contained no reference to the ‘near miss’
between a vehicle accessing the site via the egress and the council’s groundsman which
had resulted in the new signs being erected. He said that this should be recorded in the
accident register.

Minute 9 – Lettice Dykes Foundation – Councillor Rothwell noted that the reference to
Suffolk Youth should be a reference to Suffolk One.

It was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by Councillor Price and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that subject to the incorporation of the foregoing amendments, the minutes of
the Council Meeting on 14 December 2023 be approved as a correct record.

4. Matters Arising/Updates

None.

5. County and District Councillors’ Reports

County Councillor Hall expanded upon her report which had been circulated. She referred to
the site meeting concerning the footpath from the Moores Lane development upon which
she had not heard further and had involved the Leader. Councillor Roberts thanked her for
her continuing efforts.

County Councillor Hall enquired about progress with the case for a 20mph zone. Councillor
Roberts advised that it had been delayed due to additional work required.

SCC had cut funding to the arts and museum foundation from 2025. This resulted in a
saving of £528,000, which was unfortunate, but to put it in the context of severe budget
constraints the money would pay for twelve elderly people in residential care for a year, or
home care for thirty-five people who need extra help, or six months in care for a single child

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who needs round the clock four to one care or twelve months funding for six adults with
complex needs.

Councillor Rothwell asked whether funds for care were all used for direct services within the
council or does the council pay individuals to obtain their own care provision. County
Councillor Hall said she would find out and report back.

Councillor Price reminded County Councillor Hall that some eighteen months ago SCC’s
Liaison Engineer Melanie Hall had informed us and the WI that the reconstruction of Gaston
Street footway and of the footway from the Hare and Hounds to the Medical Centre were in
their programme for 2024/25. He asked when this work would be carried out. County
Councillor Hall undertook to find out and report back.

The Chairman thanked County Councillor Hall for her contribution.

District Councillor Davies’ expanded upon her report which had been circulated. Babergh
had a budget shortfall of £900k, rising to £1.8m and £2.3m in subsequent years. Whilst this
can be covered by reserves in the short term, action needs to be taken now for the future
and discretionary services are the primary focus. It costs £425k to operate car parks in the
various towns and BDC needs to raise the charges to cover the costs. This has been
controversial and is going out to consultation.

District Councillor Davies still had £1,500 left in her locality fund and would welcome
application for grant aid from local bodies.

The Chairman thanked District Councillor Davies for her contribution.

The Chairman asked the County and District Councillors whether their authorities were
campaigning perhaps via the Local Government Association for better Government support
or rather for reduced cuts. Both authorities were receiving lower grant support over the past
twenty years and thus forced to reduce their services to the public. The example of the
Flatford Road flood showed what happens when cut backs are made on Highways budgets
to the point where they are forced to ‘manage decline’ rather than sustain the current road
network. She considered the public should be invited to express views on whether a decline
in services be managed or whether residents would prefer to pay more to sustain the
services that they were used to receiving. This should be a public debate not a private one
and she believed the public would support sustaining their services even if it cost them more.
She acknowledged this was ultimately a political decision. Both Councillors agreed to take
the matter back to their authorities.

6. Correspondence

The correspondence set out in the Correspondence List and circulated with the agenda and
subsequently was considered and NOTED, comprising:

Date

Sender Subject
1. 18/12/23 Ipswich CAB Letter of thanks for grant aid
2. 18/12/23 Headway Suffolk Letter of thanks for grant aid
3. 18/12/23 1
st
Brantham Scout & Guide Letter of thanks for grant aid

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Group
4. 18/12/23 Babergh DC Consultation – Sexual Entertainment
Policy
5. 05/01/23 Babergh DC Call for Sites 2024

Item 5 – Councillor Roberts noted that the call for sites was in respect of Part 2 of the Joint
Local Plan.

7. Planning

7.1 Planning Applications received

The Council considered the planning applications received from the Local Planning Authority
since the last meeting as follows:

DC/23/05814 Treetops, Cemetery Lane, East Bergholt, CO76RZ – Full planning
application – Erection of Home Office/Garden Store and Annexe
(following demolition of existing garage) (re-submission of
DC/22/06175)

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Davies and RESOLVED (nine voted for, none voted against) that
subject to a condition that the annexe be tied to the house, approval be
recommended.

DC/23/05786 Enview, Askins Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6SN – Householder
application – Erection of front and rear extensions (demolition of
dilapidated front area).

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor
Roberts and RESOLVED (unanimously) that approval be
recommended.

DC/24/00076 19 Richardsons Road, East Bergholt, CO7 6BP – Householder
application – Erection of two storey side extension.

It was proposed by Councillor Woodcock, seconded by Councillor Miller
and RESOLVED (eight voted for, none voted against) that refusal be
recommended on the grounds that:
(i) The development would impact adversely on views from and towards
the AONB and in particular the proposed east facing elevation with its
two storey brick gable end and no fenestration was considered
particularly out of keeping;
(ii) The development would impact adversely on the Neighbourhood
Plan character assessment of Richardsons Road and Chaplins Road
which allows a green and spacious aspect of the development making it
look smaller than it is;
(iii) Overdevelopment of the site.

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DC/24/00009 Fields Farmshop and Café, Park Road, East Bergholt CO76XS –
Discharge of Conditions for DC/23/01514 Condition 3 Noise
Limiter, Condition 4 Noise Management Plan.

Although this is not an application subject to consultation, the Parish
Council is concerned about the impact of noise on the residential
amenity of the locality because the decibel levels quoted are very high
and the locations from which the decibel levels are taken are not clear
from the application. The Local Planning Authority is recommended to
review the decibel levels in the light of Government advice.

7.2 Planning correspondence

The correspondence received from the Local Planning Authority as set out on the planning
list, concerning determined planning applications were NOTED.

8. Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee

8.1 Schedule of Payments and Income – The Clerk noted that the total expenditure had not
been stated on the schedule. This amounted to £10,840.95. It was proposed by
Councillor Elmer, seconded by Councillor Rothwell and RESOLVED (unanimously)
that the schedule of payments and income be noted and the payments due for
December 2023 amounting to £10,840.95 be approved.

County Councillor Hall left the meeting.

8.2 Bank Reconciliation Statement – The bank reconciliation statement for December
2023 was NOTED.

8.3 Contingencies – The schedule of payments attributed to the contingency fund up to 31
December 2023, totalling £13,703.85 was NOTED. The Chairman advised that the
way in which contingencies would be dealt with in the Council’s accounts for 2023/24
would be determined by the Strategy, Policy and Finance Committee at the end of
January.

8.4 Internal Audit – Half Year Audit

The Clerk presented the interim half year audit report from the Council’s new Internal
Auditors Heelis and Lodge. They had found the financial practices and procedures to
be compliant with proper practice and made several minor recommendations for the
future. The Clerk drew attention to the entry on Reserves – ‘General Reserves are
reasonable for the activities of the Council. Earmarked Reserves are identified’. The
report was NOTED.

8.5 Budget Monitor 2023/24 Q3

The Budget Monitor report and spreadsheets for Q3 were NOTED.

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8.6 Budget and Precept 2024/25

The proposed budget and precept report was presented by the Chairman of the
Strategy Policy and Finance Committee and the Clerk answered questions upon it.

The total budget requested by all committees totalled £206,048.50, an increase of
£30,130 (17.1%) on the budget for 2023/24. Two thirds of that increase relates to the
extension of Council Services as a result of the adoption of the general power of
competence with the Council seeking to make provision for young people, for which
previously it had no statutory power to provide. The remaining third is attributed to the
major works required in the sports pavilion and general inflationary increases.

The precept remains the same as for 2023/24 at £148,000 which amounts to a
decrease of 1.32% in the council tax requirement due to a 1.3% increase in the council
tax base and for Band D council tax payers the sum required is £127.62, a saving of
£1.71.

The budget exceeds the precept by £58,048.50 and will be supported by reserves.

It was proposed by Councillor Elmer, seconded by Councillor Rothwell and
RESOLVED (unanimously) that

(i) The Budget for 2024/25 be £206,048.50

(ii) The Precept for 2024/25 be £148.000.00

(iii) Reserves in the sum of up to £58,048.50 be earmarked to support the budget
once the precept has been exhausted

(iv) For 2024/25 the Council’s employees be awarded the national pay award and
any incremental advance which may be appropriate to their grade.

The approved budget spreadsheets are attached to these minutes.

9. Other Committees

9.1 Roads, Footpaths and Flatford Committee – Councillor Hockley reported that a new
dog bin would be installed within the next week. Car Park maintenance was
proceeding well under new maintenance arrangements. The annual Manningtree to
Flatford footpath walk was taking place in the next week.

9.2 Burial Grounds Committee – Although Councillor Hurley was absent due to illness, the
Chairman referred to his written report and that the Committee has submitted its
budget; Future burials will be in a new line in the cemetery once the current line is
filled; there is provision in the 2024/25 budget for digitisation of the burial records
which is now underway, Councillor Rothwell reported that a number of war graves
were identified on the East Bergholt Society website.

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9.3 Playing Fields Committee – Councillor Woodcock reported that at the committee’s
meeting on 18 January the main discussion would be about the flooding of the pitches
upon which the football club have been unable to play since November with another
month or more in prospect and the financial shortfall which has resulted. In the
playground the zip wire had now been repaired. The Sports Council meets next week.

9.4 Neighbourhood Plan Committee – Councillor Davies announced the neighbourhood
plan open day on 3 February from 10am-3pm. She was establishing a rota of
committee members to talk to residents. The event would be publicised on social
media via the Assistant Clerk and in the Parish Magazine via the Chairman. A letter
drop was also proposed for the leaflet and volunteers were sought to post the leaflets
through doors. All councillors volunteered to help.

9.5 Other Working Groups

Cost of Living Working Group – The Chairman reported that Councillor Hurley and
Councillor Elmer had met Gary from the Rural Coffee Van and sessions were booked
in the Lambe School for the mornings of 29 January 26 February, 25 March and 25
November. Posters and leaflets will be supplied by the Rural Coffee Van.

Website Working Group – Councillor Wombwell reported that meetings were continuing
to settle the design, content and structure of the website. It is hoped that a test site will
be available for members in February and that the site remained on track for going live
by the end of March.

Young People Working Group – In the absence of Councillor Matthews, Councillor
Rothwell informed the Council that the first meeting of the new committee would take
place on 13 February. Meeting with other Young People providers had taken place and
were continuing.

10. Review of Council Policies

The Assistant Clerk’s report and reviewed Privacy Policy was considered. It was proposed
by Councillor Rothwell, seconded by Councillor Roberts and RESOLVED (unanimously) that
the Privacy Notice circulated with this agenda be approved and adopted.

11. Schedule of Meetings 2024/25

The schedule for the next municipal year was deferred to the next meeting to give
councillors the opportunity to consider whether the Council should hold committee
meetings in August.

12. Urgent Communications

The Chairman reported that a site visit to the Congregational Church for councillors had
taken place earlier in the week which had been a useful visit and exchange of views with the
deacons. A formal meeting with lawyers present will take place shortly.

Once the transfer of the building has taken place the Council will consult the village as to
what uses the building might be put.

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13. Resolution to exclude the public (including the press)

It was proposed by Councillor Miller, seconded by Councillor Rothwell and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that pursuant to the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 and the
Local Government Act 1972 the public (including the press) be excluded from the meeting as
publicity would be prejudicial to the public interest by reason of the confidential nature of the
business to be transacted.

14. Minutes

It was proposed by Councillor Roberts, seconded by Councillor Rothwell and RESOLVED
(unanimously) that the confidential minutes of the meeting of 14 December 2023 be
approved as a correct record.

15. Matters arising/Updates

The Clerk reported the legal advice received upon the current position in respect of the
section 146 notices and the Council determined the next course of action.

The meeting closed at 10.47 pm.

Date of the next Council Meeting – Thursday 8 February 2023 at 7.30 pm at The Lambe School.

Chairman…………………………………………………………………………………….Date……………………………….