East Bergholt Parish Council
R. (on the application of East Bergholt Parish Council) v Babergh District Council and others
It is with real disappointment that the Parish Council must report that we have lost our appeal in the Court of Appeal against the Judicial Review decision of December 2018 to allow the building of two big estates and a smaller estate on Area of Natural Beauty land in East Bergholt. The written judgment acknowledges that the applications would have been refused under both District Council and East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan policies, but the Judges decided that as a point of law Babergh were within their rights to use their planning judgment to determine their approach to calculating the housing land supply figures that in 2017 were used to set aside the policies in favour of a presumption to approve the applications.
The Parish Council will be assessing the implications of this judgment and will decide later this week what to do next.
I stress that the Parish Council is decidedly in favour of building the right houses, that is houses that are very much needed in our village for young people and families at a cost they can afford and for older people in need of accommodation. You will find our support for this set out more fully in the Neighbourhood Plan East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan, but we are not in favour of uncontrolled growth of the kind of housing that just adds to the congestion of village facilities and threatens to damage the special character of our village.
Councillor Joan Miller, Chairman, East Bergholt Parish Council
Better Broadband for Suffolk
Local residents may be interested to know that a partnership scheme for better broadband in Suffolk has been set up between Suffolk County Council, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the New Anglia Enterprise Partnership and Suffolk's District and Borough Councils.
broadband@suffolk.gov.uk
Use it or lose it!
Suffolk County Council (SCC) are withdrawing bus subsidies at the end of September. This means a number of services will disappear and East Bergholt will wave goodbye to the 796 and 94A.
This comes on top of SCC withdrawing free bus passes for new students at East Bergholt High School. Consequently, even more cars will enter the village daily.
There is a faint chance that there may be a last minute review where passenger numbers increase. Please look on line at the timetables and 'spread the word'.
796
Manningtree station 6.25am---East Bergholt 6.33am Manningtree station 18.35pm--- East Bergholt 18.46pm
East Bergholt Lambe school 6.05am---Station 6.14am East Bergholt Lambe school 18.17pm---Station 18.26pm
94A
Ipswich (Cattle Market) 17.55pm---East Bergholt L.S. 18.35pm
Suffolk County Council Highways - Reporting Problems
Two Parish Councillors recently visited the local Suffolk County Council Highways Service Delivery Centre. The Highways Officers advised our Councillors that the most effective way of reporting any Highways issues is via the County Council's online reporting tool. Any problem will then be picked up and allocated a reference number. The issue will be looked at by an appropriate member of the Highways Team, prioritised, the area will be inspected if considered necessary, and a solution to any required work will be allocated, if considered appropriate.
https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/highway-maintenance/report-a-highways-issue/
Fancy Bellringing?
Would you like to be a part of a unique centuries old village tradition and get some exercise as well? How about becoming an East Bergholt bell ringer?
If you are you over 18, settled in East Bergholt (or nearby) and have a little time to spare, then how about joining our friendly band of bell ringers?
Why not pop in to see us any Sunday morning between 9:30 and 10:00 or come to Wednesday evening practice (in the summer) between 19:30 and 20:30 to find out more.
Alternatively, call Paul Ireland (01206 298736) any evening.
Link to Parish Councillors Registers of Interests
The Parish Register of Interests demonstrating openness, fairness and transparency of the Parish Council can be found at the following link: Babergh Members Register of Interests Any queries please contact Babergh/Mid Suffolk District Council by telephoning 01473 296376
Parish Council Budget & Precept for 2019-2020
After detailed consideration and meetings of all Committees of the Parish Council (representing different areas of responsibility within our Village), a Budget/Precept for 2019-2020 of £145,000.00 was resolved. Including;
- Revisions to the East Bergholt Neighbourhood Plan;
- New mower which is needed to keep the Village tidy
- Contingency cost in the event of the imminent 4 yearly Parish Elections being contested;
- Increased budget for Red Lion Car Park and Public Conveniences and work needed;
- This is a Tax Band D amount of £126.29. It represents an increase of 38.29% on the 2018/19 Precept.
The Parish Council is committed to continue to ensure that East Bergholt is a good place to live, work and visit.