A Shotley councillor has defended the peninsula after he was attacked for living in the area by a Tory councillor.

During a meeting about Babergh council tax, which would mean the proposed increase of 2% to Babergh's element of council tax would see an additional increase of £3.48 a year for a Band D property, taking the total annual bill to £177, and then including the Suffolk county council, police and crime commissioner and town and parish taxes, to more than £1,800, Cllr Davis suggested the rise would not have been necessary if car parking charges had been introduced in Sudbury and Hadleigh.

He pointed out that hard pressed residents are already facing national insurance contribution rises imposed by the Conservative government, rocketing energy costs, spiralling food prices and a steep increase in the cost of living and didn't need this extra increase, especially as it was unnecessary.

However, Great Cornard councillor, Simon Barrett who proposed the increase along with another £175 increase to council homes rent, dismissed Cllr Davis concerns because he was 'unfortunate' enough to live in Shotley.

Although Cllr Barrett admitted businesses in Sudbury and Hadleigh were struggling even when they are benefitting from three hours free parking he still attacked Cllr Davis for living in Shotley.

Cllr Barrett added: "The fact he lives on the edge of the district is unfortunate for him because he does not enjoy the benefit of working and living in Sudbury."

He also tried to claim people in Sudbury and Hadleigh contributed more to the council's coffers than other parts off the district, which stretches from Shotley to Glemsford.

However, Cllr Davis questioned Cllr Barrett's assertions regarding those figures as contributions are made by the majority of residents outside Sudbury and Hadleigh. He also disputed that only have one hour's free parking would put people off visiting the market towns and pointed out people will go there for what is on offer.

Cllr Davis countered: "I don't believe there is any basis of fact for what he says. There is no evidence that free parking, as we have seen by the independent report, helps high street business. None.

"As for living in Shotley - I could not be prouder. It is an absolutely fantastic place to live.

"We have parking at Pin Mill, which residents and visitors pay for because it is an attraction worth going. That proves people will pay for parking if the offer is worthwhile."

Brantham councillor Alastair McCraw also questioned Cllr Barrett's assertions and stood up for Babergh residents.

Meanwhile, Babergh leader John Ward, whose family are originally from Chelmondostion added: "I'm pleased you are standing up for Shotley, Chelmondiston and Pin Mill, they are lovely places and the Orwell estuary there is one of the jewells in the Babergh crown."

While the cabinet voted 6-3 in favour of Cllr Barrett's budget it has to go before full council on 23 February, with other councillors already arguing the the council tax charges would not have had to be so high if car parking charges had been introduced, as agreed by Babergh cabinet, in February last year.

Cllr Barrett, who has been dubbed Mr Toad due to his demeanour, failed to get reelected in 2019, but stood again in a by-election in 20021 and got in.

Following dissension among the South Suffolk Conservative Group, he and Cllr Sian Dawson forced their way onto Cllr Ward's cabinet leading to the resignation of long serving member Elisabeth Malvisi who became an Independent and was able to keep her place on the cabinet.

Watch full cabinet meeting here.