In addition to any announcements made at the meeting, please see Paper BC/19/28 attached, detailing events attended by the Chair and Vice-Chair.
Minutes:
195.1 Councillor Grandon, Chair of Babergh Council, referred to Paper BC/19/28, which was for noting.
195.2 The Chair informed the Council that Glen Young, who was a member of the Council for twelve years had passed away and that she and Members of the Council passed their condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time.
195.3 The Chair announced that the Chairman’s Charity Ball would be supporting the Hadleigh Dementia Action Alliance and would take place on the 16th of May 2020. Tickets could be purchased from Mandy Smith, Member Support Officer.
195.4 She then invited Councillor Ward to make his announcement, which was for noting.
195.5 Councillor Ward, the Leader of the Council announced the following:
Public Realm
Just before Christmas Peter Garrett sent out a very informative update on what had been done by the Public Realm team, and the extensive range of day-to-day activities that the team undertook. Peter also said that the team would be offering Ward Tours to enable Members to see the team’s work at first hand in their wards. The things that the team do have a direct and highly visible effect on the quality of residents’ lives and there was a growing interest in the management of the Council’s open spaces for well-being and the environment. The Council’s proposals for tree planting and biodiversity corridors would also mean working directly with our communities. Peter also mentioned a new 5-year programme of play site improvements. So please contact Peter to arrange a tour and discuss improvements Members would like to see in their wards.
Thomas Gainsborough School
The Leader took the opportunity to congratulate TGS on behalf of the Council for becoming the first school in Suffolk to be accredited as a Heritage School. This was in recognition of the work that students and also teachers put into the Sudbury Silk Stories Project. It was something that the whole school and community can be proud of.
Food Bank Visit
Last Friday Councillor Jan Osborne and the Leader visited the Sudbury Food Bank run by the Vineyard Church. They were told how the food bank operated and discussed the increasing demand that it was experiencing. It was a very productive meeting, which identified some good ideas about how Babergh could work with the voluntary sector to help reduce the need for food banks, and how the Council could also provide some practical help for rough sleepers. This would be discussed with officers to see what the Council could do.
Sudbury Consultation
Next week there would be two days of consultation at St. Peters Church in Sudbury on several key aspects of the Council’s vision for the town. The results of a survey into the relocation of bus stops and public realm improvements to the Market Hill would be presented, to be conducted by WSP on behalf of SCC and Babergh District Council. There would also be a presentation of the four proposals received for the reuse of Belle Vue House, ideas for further improvements to the park and an update on the plans for a hotel and restaurant. All Members were invited to attend a preview for District and Sudbury Town Councillors on Wednesday morning.
Equality & Diversity Training
A reminder that Kate Parnum had sent out an email about the mandatory Equality & Diversity training. There were still some Members who had yet to attend and further dates would be announced soon. This was actually a very good and enlightening session and the Leader did recommend it.
Supporting documents: