Babergh District Councillor Derek Davis

Ganges ward (Shotley/Erwarton) While our problems here is Shotley & Erwarton and the rest of Babergh are relatively minor compared to the horrific events in Ukraine as civilians are the victims of war being waged by Russia on a sovereign company, we are aware that many people in our area are suffering and struggling in the aftermath of the pandemic and Brexit. To this end, I have been involved in developing a health and Wellbeing Strategy, with our neighbours at Mid-Suffolk, and the short video helps explain the benefits and delivery plan. The ambition and focus of this strategy is to enable families to lead active, healthy, safe and independent lives and manage their own health & wellbeing; to create sustainable places and spaces which maximise health and wellbeing opportunities and for health inequalities to be reduced, with our support. Our aim at Babergh is to do everything we can to stimulate and enhance the social, economic, environmental, and cultural wellbeing of our communities and this will be achieved not only through this strategy, My contact details are below so please get in touch if you would like help, advice or just want to chat about your circumstances and see how we can be of tangible support. Read the Babergh wellbeing strategy here

Ganges development

Things are beginning to move at pace at the former HMS Ganges site as work begins on building the first phase of the development. A construction management plan has been put in place and that is being refined in terms of times vehicles will arrive and depart from the site.

Along with developers of the joint venture between Wavensmere and Galliard, planning officers and I met with parish councillors from across the peninsula to discuss their concerns and to firm up what can be done to mitigate any disturbance.

It was agreed that delivery times would be before and after school dropping off and picking up times. Signage would be put in place so drivers don't get lost or inadvertently drive down dead ends.

It is planned to open a new entrance to the site of the main road at HMS Ganges for construction traffic and plant, which would negate the need to go down Caledonia Road and protect the ceremonial gates. The developers are waiting for permission to remove two protected trees at the entrance as the benefits would outweigh the harm.

Interest in the homes on the Ganges site, which the developers marketing team have called Barrelman's Point, is significant with estate agents Connell's led by a Shotley man, already taking deposits.

Queens Head

As someone who has been known to support our local pubs and businesses, I have no hesitation in supporting the bid yo save the Queen's Head in Erwarton. The group behind the plan to purchase the Queen's Head, are holding a public meeting at Harkstead village hall on Thursday (March 10) at 7pm to give an update on progress so far. I will be there with a member of my Communities team, who is an absolute whizz on sourcing and securing funding and we will be seeing how we can help in a tangible way. Meanwhile, Shotley will be taking part in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations with the long weekend at the beginning of June. Watch this space fro details.

Council tax increase

Despite a strong and persuasive argument not to increase the financial burden to our residents by 2%, as Babergh's portion of the council tax was approved.

Along with many others, I voted against the increase, for two reasons.

While I would have been content with a much smaller increase, I felt 2% was too much even the huge cost of of living crisis everyone is going through at this time.

I also believe the increase was unnecessary as Babergh could have recouped a lot of the money by implementing the change in car parking charges, which would have seen free parking in Hadleigh and Sudbury rescued from three hours to one hour. It is totally unfair that so many Babergh residents, including those on the Shotley peninsula are being forced to subsidise these car park users and I'm disgusted at the Conservatives U-turn on this policy.

I am equally disgusted at the constant snipes and attacks by certain Conservative members about Shotley peninsula. Other councillors have joined me in defending our wonderful peninsula and we are determined to continue to promote this jewel in Babergh's crown.

To that end I have some wonderful news that I'm gagging to share but need to stay quiet until everyone is finalised.

#stunningShotleypeninsula

Contact: Derek Davis (Ganges ward)

[email protected]

07548153784