REPORT TO PARISH, BRANTHAM WARD 

Babergh District Councillor Alastair McCraw

AN INTERACTIVE EXERCISE

Last month, I said that not everybody is digital, but the vast majority have access. I'd like to try something that should help in getting more information out to you all, whenever you want it. Over the festive period there will be lots of people using phones, tablets, and computers in our midst.

So, let's try a quick dip into the front page of the Babergh website. Everything I want to write about this month is on that page. Only in proper detail, and with ways to find out even more.

Type Babergh.gov.uk into a search engine. You'll go straight to that page. In the top banner you can see three blue buttons. Each will lead to a list of things you can Apply for, Report about and Pay for. 

The twelve large green buttons below describe the subjects within. Press one and you'll get more green buttons with separate areas described. So far, you have the basic tree structure. The main trunk, the big branches, and the smaller branches off that. If you come down that page though, you'll get to the stuff I want to tell you about, the News and Features I usually give here.

The Big one that I really want people to see is the Feature 'Our achievements.' This is a 23-page leaflet entitled 'What have we done for you?'. It's our End of Term report.

''Millions of pounds of investment, action to combat climate change, and support for thousands of residents and businesses are amongst the achievements captured in these reports. They outline the impact of work conducted by Babergh District Council and Mid Suffolk District Council since the district council elections in 2019.They note the progress, achievements, and key events as councillors on both authorities near the end of their term of office – with local elections in May 2023.''

Here is a direct link to type in if you don't want to follow the page links. https://tinyurl.com/bdh7mvwp

Printing and distributing attractive full colour leaflets like this would cost a pretty sum of what is your money. Many would, at best, be recycled and often unread at that. I think you'll find it's well worth reading and it contains a lot more than this space allows.

WHAT ELSE?

At our November Council meeting, we adopted two important resolutions. The first calls for Anglian Water, the Environment Agency, and others to account for sewage storm overflow spills into our rivers. It isn't new, but it's getting worse and that's inexcusable. The vote was unanimous.

The 'Debate not Hate' resolution strangely had one member vote against it. Constant and increasing levels of abuse of councillors and people in public life cannot be accepted as normal. 70% of councillors in England and Wales faced abuse in the last year. At best it's rude, cynical, and unkind. At worst it's threatening, harassment and intimidation. This Local Government Association campaign affects all of us who foster sensible government and civilised behaviour. It's fine to disagree, to Debate. Hatred is both futile and dangerous for democracy, even here at this low level.

CHRISTMAS AND FESTIVITIES

With some realities in mind, we've activated our Severe Weather Protocols to support any rough sleepers. A cold winter will affect more of us this year, so please be aware that people here are setting up a number of warm places for residents. These are still emerging in suitable venues in the village. Please support local businesses as much as possible in your Christmas activities. They are part of the glue that holds things together in our communities. We need them and they need us. I'll post the Christmas Bin Collection details on Facebook, but you know where to find them? Waste: Collection Days: Link at bottom of page. Be bold and explore.

I'd like to wish everybody in Brantham, and Babergh, the Christmas and New Year you've hoped for. I think we deserve one.

Gov.uk. / Babergh.gov.uk. / 0300 123 4000 / Suffolk.gov.uk/ tendringdc.gov.uk

If you need to tell me anything important or ask about something, please just phone or email me. Or if you should spot any of my bike stable, come over and say hello. 

Alastair McCraw. 07812 564188 or 07548 154296 [email protected]

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