Babergh's decision to reduce free parking in the district partially subsidised by Shotley peninsula taxpayers, from three hours to one hour still stands, leader John Ward confirms.

In an answer to full council by former Independent Conservative Alan Ferguson, councillor Ward said that no matter what his personal view was, the Cabinet would honour the decision made in February last year, to make changes to the car parking charges across the district.

Mr Ferguson, who lives in Hadleigh, asked: "Cabinet Minutes from last year show that as Leader of Babergh District Council and the Conservative Group, you originally supported a Cabinet decision to introduce increased car parking charges in the District. Subsequently you changed your position on this matter when, with the support of additional Conservative Cabinet members, it was agreed that increased car parking charges would not be introduced in the foreseeable future.

"As you have now resigned from the Conservative Group and crossed the floor to become an independent member of Babergh District Council, have you changed your most recent position on car parking, namely, that Babergh will not introduce additional car parking charges in the remaining period of this current administration?"

Cllr Ward acknowledged that the decision to reduce free car parking in Hadleigh and Sudbury was the most controversial and divisive decision that Babergh has ever made but insisted the decision made last year still stands..

Jane Gould has spoken out against free parking

Peninsula councillors Jane Gould, Mary McLaren Alastair McCraw and Derek Davis have spoken in support of the reduction of free parking in the town, especially as the council owned car park at Pin Mill does not benefit from any free parking.

Cllr Ward said: "Currently, we have three hours free parking, with a limit of three hours in short-stay car parks and charges for stays longer than this in long-stay car parks.

"The changes we approved will reduce this free period to one hour, with very modest charges of between £1 and £2 for stays between one and three hours, depending on location. The average dwell time in our town car parks is 64 minutes and so a large number of users would be unaffected by this change.

"As you are aware, the Cabinet decision had cross-party support as, indeed, did the 2021/22 budget which included the financial impact based on a proposed implementation start date of July 2021.

"As a result of the then ongoing effects of the Covid pandemic, the Conservative group changed its mind and the start date was postponed in the autumn of last year.

"Irrespective of my personal view, the Cabinet decision from February 2021 still stands.

"The implementation date has not been decided yet but will be announced well in advance of new charges being introduced.

Babergh leader John Ward

Cllr Ward started his response by clarifying that he, along with three other councillors, had left the Tory group to become Independent Conservatives, just as Mr Ferguson had done in the previous administration along with current councillors Sian Dawson, along with Simon and Melanie Barrett.

Cllrs Dawson, and both Barretts were elected as Conservatives but their group has been reduced to 10 and they do not have any seats on the current Cabinet. The Tories also failed to win a single chair or vice chair committee seat on the council on every motion at last Wednesday's annual meeting.

Three of the four Independent Conservatives, Cllrs Osborne, McLaren and Ward, remain on the cabinet.

The Independent Group also has three members on the Cabinet, including the council's deputy leader Clive Arthey, along with Jane Gould, a Green, and Lib Dem member Dave Busby.

Derek Davis called for changes to be implemented

Hadleigh councillor Kathryn Grandon has been re-elected as chair, while fellow Independent Derek Davis is now the council's vice chairman.

Glemsford's Stephen Plumb remains chair of the planning committee, with Green councillor Leigh Jamieson his deputy.

Mary McLaren challenged 'urban' councillors

Cllr Ward's answer in full.

Thank you for your question Mr. Ferguson regarding the vexed matter of car parking charges. Firstly, I would like to say that I am not an Independent councillor: like you and several others currently in this chamber were, I am an Independent Conservative councillor.

I do acknowledge that this is the most controversial and divisive decision that Babergh has ever made and so I would first briefly like to provide a reminder of the original Cabinet decision in February 2021. Currently, we have three hours free parking, with a limit of three hours in short-stay car parks and charges for stays longer than this in long-stay car parks. The changes we approved will reduce this free period to one hour, with very modest charges of between £1 and £2 for stays between one and three hours, depending on location. The average dwell time in our town car parks is 64 minutes and so a large number of users would be unaffected by this change.

As you are aware, the Cabinet decision had cross-party support as, indeed, did the 2021/22 budget which included the financial impact based on a proposed implementation start date of July 2021. As a result of the then ongoing effects of the Covid pandemic, the Conservative group changed its mind and the start date was postponed in the autumn of last year.

Irrespective of my personal view, the Cabinet decision from February 2021 still stands. The implementation date has not been decided yet but will be announced well in advance of new charges being introduced.

Alastair McCraw wants date set