REPORT TO PARISH, BRANTHAM WARD JANUARY 2021

Babergh District Councillor Alastair McCraw

Action for biodiversity

In a world where we must recognise the effects of climate change and those of all human activity on our environment, the two councils, Babergh & Mid-Suffolk formed a cross-party Biodiversity Task Force, supported by experts.

They have met throughout this year and presented their Biodiversity Action Plan to their respective cabinets in November. All life is involved here, plant, animal, insect, or even microbial. Species are under threat, in the number of species and the number of creatures.

The plan as adopted by the cabinets is not something set in stone, but (appropriately) a living document that should adapt and improve throughout. Its main features are developing a Wildlife Network Map, identifying and creating wildlife corridors for connections and improved management. Trees and hedgerows planting areas along with wildflower meadow verges will be created and encouraged.

Our towns and parishes are expected to become involved and the action of residents supported in whatever small ways are available. Planting flowers for bees, installing bird and bat boxes, being biodiversity aware in gardening, creating hedgehog corridors.

A green burial site is being sought and the Trees for Life scheme continues. We will also be preparing a Supplementary Planning Document to bring these principles within our Joint Local Plan, enhancing any development. Babergh scores highly, the highest in the county, in overall life satisfaction amongst its residents, but we must protect and enhance that further and the time to act on it is now.

Corporate plan

That plan, like everything we do, falls within the structure of our Corporate Plan (2019-2027). 'Corporate' should be seen in the sense of 'a group of people elected to govern' like old Council 'Corporations' that some may remember. We can't just make things up as we go along, hoping to join it up later.

Our Corporate Plan is shown as a circle or wheel feeding back into itself to deal with change and experience. At the hub are statements about What the overall aims are (Yes, it's a Vision and Mission thing). Those are the 'hot' words of these days.

The Joint Local Plan surrounds that because it will affect all the six strategic priorities we deal with. Here biodiversity clearly feeds into environment. But that can also be seen to relate to the others, Communities, Wellbeing, Customers, Housing and even Economy.

Our internal organisation also parallels the same approach. For fans of plans (there must be others) here's a link to the Oct 2019 paper on the draft plan adopted. here.

We've been filling in the spaces with developed sensible Strategies and Plans ever since. To my mind, the Vision/Mission principle has always been 'Make it Work, Make it Work Better!'

Covid-19 contact points

The arrival of the first vaccine, already being distributed, is more than a candle in this tunnel we're in. It's a shining beacon that allows us to glimpse the end. Take expert advice, not inexpert opinion. For now, I shall be just as cautious as before. Real people are not replaceable. Babergh will continue to provide support as needed. The latest grants are a little more rigorous than before, under Government rules and for obvious reasons, but they are going out.

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

HOME BUT NOT ALONE on 0800 876 6926 is there to find volunteer support for anybody in need.

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

Suffolk County Council

Inevitably, I am asked for help on SCC matters every week. I help as I can, with explanation, advice, making reports, emailing, or phoning. Sometimes I can bring a little simple persuasion into play. But it's not really my job, though we can all see the local problems daily.

After 10 years active experience at parish and district councils, I think I have something to offer you and our communities at Suffolk County Council. I will be standing as an Independent candidate for the Peninsula Division of SCC at the May 2021 elections.

You'll hear more about this in 2021, but not here in these 'Babergh' reports.

I can now see a happier New Year than I had thought possible a few months ago. We all deserve it. We have been resilient throughout and that is to your great credit.

Happy New Year.

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

Facebook: Alastair McCraw, Brantham Independent Councillor