Latest news from John Whyman
We continue be dealing with a busy period of meetings on the approach to setting the councils budget for the next financial period along with council tax levels. As I’ve mentioned in my October report, the financial picture for Babergh remains extremely challenging putting the authority under pressure to consider raising discretionary charges on many of our services. We still haven’t received or, moreover, returned to the funding we were receiving from UK Gov some 5 years ago which means, rightly or not, a continuing requirement either increase our ability to raise finance from charges, cut back on service levels or dip, yet further, into our limited financial reserves.
We delivered the ‘Town and Parish’ liaison group meeting on the 20th October which was very well attended at Sudbury Town Hall (my first visit...!) I can’t say, despite its elaborate front entrance, it’s the easiest place to access…! I was delighted to meet with your parish council team, William (Millar) & Julie (Lawes – RFO & Clerk), on arrival. I’m sure they found the presentation informative; it certainly raised many questions from attendees.
We, as a community, continue to consider and formulate our plans around the emerging development scene. I’m pleased we have November parish council agenda items for CSM members to consider the development and funding of the Neighbourhood Development Plan review and the instigation of a new Housing Needs Survey to understand and inform our position on the village housing requirement. All of these processes will help us understand the extent of demand for community development and where it might be delivered. Its important we, as a community, remain in some form of ‘lockstep’ with the district council to ensure we receive the support to help guide the best outcomes for residents across Capel St Mary. I’m also grateful to CSM PC for their endeavours, alongside myself and BDC, to work proactively at identifying and considering development sites that are emerging from the 25/26 ‘Call for Sites’. This work, done very much with community benefit in mind, will ensure we remain well placed to be ‘ahead of the game’ when all the future development options are considered. At some point, in the coming months, you will be asked to complete the Housing Needs Survey (HNS), PLEASE don’t discard the invitation, its really important residents respond so we can capture an accurate picture of housing demand which will give us much better information to act upon.
The Woodland Nature Reserve application for national recognition as a ‘local nature reserve’ came before Babergh District Council cabinet on Tuesday 10th November. I’m delighted to help support this application at cabinet after it being sponsored by cabinet member, Helen Davies. This recognition secures the future of the site and will form an increasingly important part of Capel’s wider landscape and environmental credentials.
We are still working hard to mitigate the closure of the Kingfisher swimming pool in Sudbury. There remains quite a bit of comment on social media and in the press following closure of the pool. We are looking at various measures, some already in place, to find alternative swimming facilities along with the potential option of a temporary pool facility. For residents who either use Kingfisher now or have in the past, I’d like to reassure you that we will continue to plan for and, potentially, agree capital funding to create a replacement facility that’s fit for purpose in today’s world. I, along with our cabinet and officer team, will be discussing the pool at our cabinet meeting on the 10th November.
Following my comments last month on the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) position, it seems, following a Teams meeting with BMSDC and UK Gov, the LGR ‘button’ has been ‘un-paused’ with the prospect of a new date within 4 months. The district council election will still go ahead, but the term of office is likely to be no more than 2 or 3 years. I mentioned last month that I would like to create an opportunity for residents to have an ‘Open Evening’. I’m looking at something in the new year, February/March. I’d welcome any feedback and, equally, subjects or questions residents might have for me...? e mail me at John.Whyman@babergh.gov.uk
Residents may also be aware of the planning enforcement actions that have been taking place on the land to the rear of the A12 Esso Garage/Paddocks. My understanding is the landowners are still attempting to create a valid planning application to potentially, regularise, this matter. For your information and, once the application has been validated, it will appear on our planning portal as follows: DC/26/04082 - Demolition of an existing dwelling, access improvements, erection of loading bay, change of use of existing dwelling to Site manager’s office, change of use of an equestrian paddock to open air storage (Class B8) and associated hard and soft landscaping. The application will also be considered by yourselves. Residents can make representations to Capel PC and onto our planning portal.
Babergh Notes
The district wide monthly update, covering most of what’s happening in Babergh can be found here – Download Babergh’s town and parish briefing notes on the council’s website. planning
Babergh District Council Planning Committee met on Wednesday 28th October. The committee was scheduled to hear two applications. The first was for a new primary school and pre-school in Chilton, Sudbury from Suffolk County Council. Unfortunately, the application was withdrawn at the very last minute as they, seemingly, hadn’t fully understood some of the application conditionality. Hopefully they will bring it back to committee as soon as they possibly can. We did hear, however, an application for an additional 7 pitches for an existing Gypsy/Traveller site on the road from Monks Eleigh to Kettlebaston. The application was recommended for approval but following a very detailed discussion along with questions being raised on ‘heritage impact’ issues, the application was refused 8 votes to 2. From a personal perspective, it was unfortunate we had to refuse the application. A more measured, less dense application may have found approval from members. We are still going through an intense period of ‘training’ to bring committee members up to date with the implications for NPPF 2026.
The BMSDC Overview and Scrutiny committee met on the 12th October to review the Tenants Board scrutiny programme. I’m pleased we are so well supported by our new tenant’s board and, particularly, Liz, one of our social housing tenants and board chair who gives all her time and energy to support our tenants so well.
As ever, I remain open to any members who would like to be briefed on specific anonymised examples of the council’s work, in this area, please let me know. These meetings are also open to both parish councillors and members of the public wishing to attend either in person or online.
District Councillor Resident Surgeries
My regular meeting opportunity for residents will continue to be held in The Vine Lounge on Tuesday 10th November 9.30 – 10.30 and again on Tuesday 15th December and then on into 2027, Tuesday 12th January.
John (Whyman) Cllr - Babergh District Council Member – Capel St. Mary