REPORT TO PARISH, BRANTHAM WARD

Babergh District Councillor Alastair McCraw

THE PROBLEM WITH COVID-19 AND TIME.

At the beginning of October it was reported that Babergh had the lowest number of new cases of any authority in England. A week later, we were alerted to a significant rise in all areas of the County. It may be that these relate to isolated outbreaks in the East and West, but figures were rising everywhere. We're still at the lower end, but it shows that complacency itself can be dangerous. I can see how careful the vast majority of people can be, and I'm not going to condemn any particular group.

Actually, I receive fewer reports on this than I did during lockdown. So, the situation is likely to keep changing. It may well be that local authorities, who dealt so well with the issues in full lockdown, might become more involved. I'd welcome that, as using local knowledge is a principle I've always believed in.

The fields of biochemistry, virology and statistics are ones I studied many years ago and I've kept up in the field. I'm not an expert, but I know more than enough to recognise the real thing when I see it. The science continues to be our major defence. Our appreciation of that, and the actions we all take, will make it effective. Epidemics and pandemics are as old as history itself. The basics haven't changed, but we have more understanding than ever before.

Nobody is invulnerable, Everybody is responsible. Stick with it Suffolk!

ANNUAL COUNCIL.

We held our delayed annual council meeting in September. There were almost no changes in positions, with Kathryn Grandon (Ind) continuing as chairman of the council. I was re-elected to the chairmanship of overview and scrutiny. This joint administration of Conservative, Independents and Liberal Democrats has operated very effectively, in my opinion. I'd add that I've been able to watch this very closely. I'm going to pay some tribute to the council leader, John Ward, here. In the midst of the most difficult conditions for any council, he has kept us working together. Not in any ideological manner, but through quiet competence and consensus at a time when we can't afford anything else. That approach will be reflected in the next subject.

YES, IT'S PLANNING!

Babergh and Mid Suffolk have been preparing a Joint Local Plan for some years now. It would have been completed by now, but multiple general elections, a new National Planning Policy and 'you know what' have all conspired to slow it down….massively. The previous stage of consultation saw a huge response from the public.

Thanks should be given for that, because it should produce some improvement in the basis of our decision making. It can't be denied that the plan is required to be subservient to government planning laws. Likewise, it can't give everybody everything we might want. I was very critical of the previous local plan, the Core Strategy. Its flaws, regarding the Brantham Regeneration Area, are the reason why I got involved at district council in the first place.

We'll be progressing the next, more technical consultation, stage towards adoption in a November Meeting. It's essential that we do this right now, so we can benefit from having it in place before the Government move the goalposts massively against your interests. And pretty much the entire Council are united in that approach. We, and you, are threatened with our 'targets' for housing being more than doubled, and with rights of consultation being reduced, if not destroyed. The White Paper from Government proposes Planning in Principle being extended in a broad brush stoke approach. This is despite the fact there is no spare capacity to actually build any of these houses. They haven't met a target in the last nine years.

One specific point that I have been pressing for, with both relevant Cabinet members, is that the provision for industrial regeneration on the Brantham site be retained. That was what the whole point was. Not to include it, is to admit that the policy failed completely.

LOCALITY BUDGET.

I've been able to use the first grants from this for local projects to enhance our community. Brantham Parish Council applied for £500 towards the cost of a second Speed Indicator Device in the village, probably nearer the Bull end. A new BAFC Under 11's womens team have received £250 towards team kit. There's £1250 left, starting at £250, and there are some forms and rules. I'm taking bids for these funds now. Please contact me on this, or anything else of concern.

CONTACT POINTS.

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

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

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