To Chairman & Councillors – Parish Council

From Mary McLaren Council

Monthly Councillor Report – 8 June 2020

Babergh District Council activity continues very vigorously, even though very few people are actually working from Endeavour House. All our staff like many in our population are working from home which brings with it challenges not encountered in the work place. I am very grateful for all the help I am receiving from officers who help me to respond promptly to Harkstead’s resident’s concerns and problems.

Planning Committee Meetings (Virtual) are now back to a two weekly routine and can be seen by the public on YouTube. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee who are essential to hold council activity to account will hold its first meeting after the lockdown on Monday 22 June 2020 at 9.30am. This is a public meeting and can be heard live on the council’s YouTube Channel

It has been agreed that all Full Council, Cabinet and Committee Meetings will be held virtually until at least September 2020 in accordance with the existing schedule of meetings. The July Full Council Meeting will be the Annual Meeting 2020. (Public)

Rooting for new parents during COVID-19 and beyond. A Tree For Life scheme in Babergh which offers a free tree for new parents is now open for 2020 applications allowing families to apply from home during the current coronavirus outbreak.

New grant scheme opens for small business A new Discretionary Grant is now open for businesses based in shared offices or other flexible work spaces, market traders, bed and breakfasts and small charity properties. Apply to the BDC website.

Safer places as lockdown measures ease Businesses, towns and spaces in Babergh are getting extra help to make them safer and reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading as lockdown measures are eased.

Communities benefit from Coronavirus funding Communities have received more than £100,000 in vital funding to help them respond to the needs of their residents in a very practical way.

Small businesses to benefit from new innovation and growth fund. A new £300,000 funding programme has been agreed for Babergh and Mid to be allocated over the next three years to enable and help sustain and create jobs, provide opportunities to grow and innovate in what is now a changing business landscape.

Thank You To all our frontline workers in Harkstead, we continue to applaud your hard work and commitment in continuing to provide the community with care, safety and support in different areas of our lives. Thank you to everyone in the community who is going the extra mile for neighbours and friends and to The Good Neighbour Scheme who have consistently organized the delivery of food and prescriptions, essential lifts in cars and support for those alone, elderly and shielding.

Mary McLaren 2 June 2020

Babergh and District Councils Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, IP1 2BX Telephone: (0300) 1234 000 www.babergh.gov.uk www.midsuffolk.gov.uk