To Chairman & Councillors – Harkstead Parish Council

From Mary McLaren Council

Monthly Councillor Report – 10 February 2020

Babergh District Council

Babergh Budget The first Draft of the Babergh District Council’s budget for 2020/2021 was agreed last month. The budget agreed an increase of £5 on council tax for Band D properties. Following consideration by the Babergh Cabinet and Overview & Scrutiny the draft budget will then go to the Full Council this month (26 February 2020) and if approved comes into effect on 1 April 2020.

Citizens Advice Funding Funding for the Citizens Advices Services has been approved by Babergh & Mid District Councils to the value of £420k. Some of this money will be allocated to Sudbury and District CA which has the largest centre in our district on a basis of £53,500 per annum. This will enable them to develop this much needed service with the assurance of long-term funding.

Neighbourhood Plans Aldham & have recently have had their NPs approved which should be an encouragement to our own parishes working hard to bring theirs to fruition.

Councillors set to consider new parking plan A new Joint Parking Management Plan (JAPMP) setting out the blueprint policies to support sustainable parking across the Babergh District will be considered by councilors this month. Those councillors (including me) with rural parishes have raised the concern that not only urban wards have a difficulty with safe and appropriate parking. Country Lanes and narrow streets which experience high volumes of traffic versus the safety of all age pedestrians possibly present a greater problem than a small town where drivers might be more alert to the road hazards.

Environmental & Biodiversity Policies at Parish Level I am grateful to the Chairman of Parish Council giving us access to the work they have done already. You are in receipt of that document, if that is helpful.

Coronavirus Advice You will be aware of the news about the Coronavirus in China. Enhanced measures have been put in place for direct flights into Heathrow Gatwick and Manchester from Wuhan. Attached is a poster offering advice to anyone that has been in Wuhan in the last 14 Days – Please help to promote where appropriate.

Hot Topics on Social Media • Sudbury What Next - Exhibition • Tree for Life • Bin Collections

Mary McLaren – 3 February 2020

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