REPORT TO PARISH, BRANTHAM WARD 

APRIL 2024

Babergh District Councillor Alastair McCraw

UK COUNCIL OF THE YEAR 2024.

Over the years Babergh and Mid Suffolk, working together, have won several awards, the most recent being a 2023 Silver award for our Tree Canopy mapping project, a notable first. But this is the first time we've won the big one, UK Council of the Year. That's for the whole of the UK, not just England and Wales. 

To quote the citation: ''This award is presented to a council deemed outstanding in transforming its services and creating vibrant communities.''

''Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have provided extensive evidence of the fantastic progress they have achieved since their 'merger' and becoming a dual authority. They are vision led and have sought to improve all their sectors holistically. Their approach includes collaboration, partnership working, the merging and sharing of services, and working closely with their partners and communities. Their success is truly based on a combined effort. Their unified approach has allowed the council to speak with one voice at a regional level and to be influential. They have demonstrated genuine innovation, achieving a number of UK firsts, and drawing on best practice to raise the bar across the agenda. They are honest about their imperfections, which they deal with by fostering a desire to learn, reinvent, and solve problems, working with their partners and communities to drive solutions forward.''

Babergh chef exec Arthur Charvonia and acting leader John Ward picking up award (Pictue: iese)

These are not my words, but those of a jury of our peers in the public sector. This doesn't just reflect the last year but a long-term transformation, the building of a team with a culture of service to our district. Through my years at Babergh, I've always felt that there are better ways to do things than traditional politics or 'business as usual' Local Government.

I've been there to watch a teamwork-based approach spread within the organisation, as an opposition member, as Chair of Scrutiny and as a Cabinet member in the last two administrations. That's been a unique opportunity to see the bigger picture across the whole organisation. This award owes a massive amount to our officers and partners at all levels. I'd like to think Councillors and the administrations can take some of the credit, but we too work best when we work with others, in the interests of all.  

The Babergh tradition of coalition working fits entirely into this theme. We know where things are imperfect. We acknowledge them and deal with them within our legal abilities. So, we'll continue to learn, to innovate, and to make improvements to our services. This, despite the massive financial pressures we face in the next few years. The work is always ongoing and always open for discussion. I hope you can be as proud of your District Council as I am, but I understand it's not perfect.

To add to this, the Shotley Peninsula (which as we all know runs from Brantham to Shotley Gate) has once again been recognised by The Sunday Times as one of the best places in the UK to live in. Having cycled through it from end to end for years, it's nice to have our beautiful home area recognised.

COUNCIL TAX. (again)

The Council Tax bills are out now. As expected Babergh raised its precept by 2.99%, Suffolk by 4.99% and the Police by 4.9%. The overall change in Brantham works out at 4.8%. As predicted, Babergh's bit has risen by about 10 or 11p a week to approx. £3.62 per week at Band D. If you're band C, it's around £3.20 a week, and Band E would be just over £4.00. That should cover most households in Brantham.

CAR PARKING. (again)

We've just finished an extensive engagement with the towns and parishes over the always thorny issue of Car Parking Charges. Simply, three hours free parking in Sudbury, Hadleigh and Lavenham has been subsidised by all Council Taxpayers for many years. It isn't free at all. You're paying for it whether you use it or not. It's not a statutory service. We chose to do it and didn't change to aid recovery from the pandemic. Residents and businesses in those towns fear even small charges will drive people away. I've seen no real evidence of that, if anything the reverse. Those car parks need maintenance and upgrading, also not free.

I doubt any business has been able to freeze its prices through these years. They couldn't. They need to make a profit to survive. Babergh don't need to make a profit, just recover costs, to break even. I don't want us to cut services for those in real need instead. The scale of the charges might be around the cost of a litre of petrol, maybe what you'd use to get there and back. We do, after all, pay for car parking nearly everywhere.

The matter and any proposals has been subject to scrutiny before returning to the Cabinet. This is not some great civil rights issue, but simply a matter of fairness.

As always, I'm still around and about. Have a look at the website for updates. Contact me with anything important by phone and email primarily. I'll always work to respond quickly. Or if you see one of the bike stable, wave or look for me nearby. I'm always happy to talk and help. 

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

Brantham Video:  YouTube: Search for Alastair McCraw Brantham.

Alastair McCraw. 07812 564188 (or 07548 154296) [email protected]

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