Derek Davis, Ganges ward (Shotley & Erwarton) 

Council Tax precepts

Babergh has set its portion of the Council Tax to an increase of 2.99%, which equates to a £5.46 a year increase for residents in a Band D home, in a bid to keep the burden to its residents to a minimum.

We at Babergh are determined to keep as many of our services at the highest possible level for all as long as possible. That means us needing to balance the budget by looking for as much cost recovery we can reasonably effect, that will probably include readjusting the huge subsidy tax-payers pay for motorist to park for free parking in Hadleigh and Sudbury.

There will of course be additional portions to be added by Suffolk County Council, a ring-fenced Social Care payment, Police and Crime Commissioner and the parish council. 

We are fortunate in the Ganges ward that Shotley PC is relatively rich with lots of money to spend on village facilities, including the long awaited new equipment at the two playgrounds in Kingsland and Shotley Gate. 

The additional council tax from Shotley PC for an individual in a Band D property will be £86.25p a year, on top of the other precept payments being billed.

While there are many wealthy people in the Shotley area, I recognise not everyone is so fortunate and the cost of living crisis brought about by 14 years of Conservatism, which means we are today in recession, hits even the hard-working individuals and families in the village.

If you need support please use this Babergh Household support page or get in touch with me directly 

Erwarton Hall appeal decision made 

In what was a surprisingly quick decision the Planning Inspector has made the decision to refuse an appeal by JRH Veenbaas to build five new luxury houses, and part demolition of barns at the farmyard next to the Grade II-listed Erwarton Hall, and Grade I* Gatehouse. 

I made no secret that I, along with many others including the owners of hall, the AONB, Stour and Orwell Society, and indeed Babergh planners, was against the development and backed the officers, then committee's decision to refuse.

Erwarton Hall gardens (Picture: Nub News)

The main issues were the harm to the heritage assets, AONB, and the unsustainable location, outweighed any potential benefits. The Inspectorate agree and after holding a hearing at Chelmondiston and making site visits to the farmyard, Gatehouse, Erwarton Hall and nearby settings, agreed and refused the appeal.

You can see the full report here -   

Suffolk Coastal Forum 

It was a very interesting and informative meeting with the Suffolk Coastal Forum, of which I'm the Babergh representative.  

Among the many items discussed with the Shore Management Project (8) which includes the Shotley foreshore and Landguard Fort.

Babergh shortlisted for prestigious award – again

 As a cabinet member, I have been fortunate to represent Babergh at numerous award ceremonies Now we as your district council, have been shortlisted as the UK Council of the Year in the national iESE awards 2024.

Good luck all involved, and well deserved in my humble opinion.

Along with other Babergh councillors I have £2,000 to share among community groups, or other good causes, in the Ganges ward. So far over the past couple of years I have allocated grants to a wide range of groups including Shotley Village Hall, Shotley Drama Group, Shotley Bowls Club, Shotley Rangers and the Friend sf Shotley Library, to name a few

This year's allocation needs to be applied for by mid-March, so if you could use a £250+ grant please get in touch ASAP, as I have very little left to award.

No breach of legal agreements

There appears to be a cabal of people, mainly down the bottom of Bristol Hill, hell bent of spreading misinformation or putting in spurious complaints about work going on down at Shotley marina and on the former Ganges site.

The truth is Babergh's enforcement team has found no breach of the legal agreement (S106) between the two separate parties, especially involving the dinghy park, King Edward V11 Drive and the proposed Spine Road.

The lesson is, don't listen to the Barrack Room Lawyers, stick to the facts.

Help at hand for our Armed Forces 

As part of the Armed Forced Covenant local authorities like Babergh, are committed to ensuring no disadvantage takes place and we do what we can for the parties involved. As your Armed Forces Champion I'm always prepared to be the first point of call. 24/7.  

The Armed Forces Covenant is a promise from the nation that those who serve or have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly. It is an important pledge and all involved should make it a tangible benefit and not just to pay lip service to it.  

Babergh Armed Forces pledge. 

Please feel free to get in touch on all these and any other matter.

I shall be at Shotley village hall on Friday, March 2, between 2pm and 3pm. Officers from Babergh district council's customer services' team will also be there as part of the pop up library, which has moved from its Monday slot.  

I'm always happy to give informed updates, so if you want to know what is really going on, ignore the nonsense on certain Facebook Groups and ask me direct. 

Alternatively, my Derek Davis – Independent Councillor FB page gives regular updates.    

Derek Davis

Ganges ward member

[email protected]

Council phone: 07548153784

Work phone: 07824167196