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Potential closure of level crossings threatens local communities

Published January 7, 2015 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Network Rail have released a consultation on their plans for 2019 to 2024 – the Anglia Route Study www.networkrail.co.uk/long-term-planning-process/anglia-area-route-study-draft-for-consultation.pdf The consultation ends on 3rd February 2015 and responses should be sent to AngliaRouteStudy@networkrail.co.uk

Prior to the timeframe this Study covers, a number of schemes are expected to be delivered including “safety improvements, particularly involving level crossings” (including closing 500 more level crossings across the country). Within the Study itself the key project affecting us is “Norwich in Ninety”. This project aims to cut journey times between Norwich and London to 90 minutes where they are currently between 104 and 115 minutes. The fear, locally, is that Network Rail will use this opportunity to save money by closing lots of level crossings whether road or footpath.

Closure of any crossings will have a devastating impact locally – villages cut off from each other (how to travel from Haughley to Old Newton for example); footpaths closed with access to the countryside completely limited; not to mention the damage to local businesses and general community cohesion.

Network Rail is not intending to confirm which crossings will be affected until after the consultation. If we don’t make our voices heard now – we may be too late. Please respond to the consultation and write to your MP.

For information on a local group set up to combat this, please see www.suffolkcrossings.co.uk

 

More items to be recycled

Published November 6, 2014 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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As from 3rd November, residents in Mid Suffolk District can recycle even more items – “tetrapak” cartons, aerosol cans, books, and metal pots, pans and trays. This is in addition to paper, card, cans, foil plus plastic bottles, tubs and trays. http://www.suffolkrecycle.info/

Suffolk’s recycling rate is about 53% and much that can be recycled is still thrown away.

I’d still like to see a waste food recycling scheme but apparently this is not being looked at currently.

Routes to better public health?

Published October 6, 2014 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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At last week’s Mid Suffolk and Babergh Joint Scrutiny Committee (that I chair) we looked at how district councils can make a positive impact on the public health of residents in our areas. We heard from council representatives on the Suffolk-wide Health & Wellbeing Board, Suffolk County Council’s Health Scrutiny Committee and also the Chief Executive of Healthwatch – the organisation that puts forward the views of the public on how health and social care services are delivered in order to improve those experiences.

bbFour key points were raised as areas for action – using councillors influence to drive change; working with troubled families; local dementia and isolation; and rural transport. The latter cut across many of the health issues – from travel to GPs, hospital etc at different times of day and night to general rural isolation issues that meant residents can’t access the services they need to improve their lifestyles. We do need to get some solutions for this and Councillors will be looking into what can be done to improve this at future meetings.b

Development incentives?

Published June 11, 2014 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Haughley field and housesMid Suffolk District Council has launched a public consultation on the first stage of setting it’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). This is effectively a charge placed on development which will be levied sometimes instead of, and sometimes in conjunction with, S106 agreements. (S106 is the current system when a developer makes a payment to mitigate the impact of the development so called as it is detailed under Section 106 of the Town & Country Planning Act 1990)

The CIL charge is levied per square metre of building and monies collected go towards infrastructure both locally and across the district that would be needed with any new development. Parishes will receive 15% of this to spend within their Parish and 25% if they have a Neighbourhood Plan. They are being encouraged to agree a “list” of items on which they would expect to spend CIL monies. Despite this percentage figure, the funding will still be relatively small (for one house built, the Parish may receive £750 for example.)

Planning Policy at Mid Suffolk expect that the charge will have two levels, high and low. Broadly speaking low will cover areas where development is currently being encouraged (such as Stowmarket and areas along the A14 particularly towards Needham) and high will cover elsewhere. Note that developments already with planning permission are not affected and strategic sites will be covered separately.

Further consultations will follow with the CIL expected to be adopted by April 2015: although given the amount of centralised planning policy changes in the last few years, this may still be changed again.

 

More or less litter

Published April 16, 2014 Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Thanks to those who helped at the Wetherden litter pick – 15 bags of rubbish, 2 tyres, 2 bins, 1 bucket and a cable reel were collected – and thanks to those who helped in Haughley – 20 bags, more tyres and a wheel plus an old TV.  At least it seems to be less than last year.

ImageImageJust a reminder that if you do see anyone fly-tipping, you can report this by phoning 0845 606 6170 or reporting it at www.midsuffolk.gov.uk (clicking on “Report it”).

Broadband developments for Haughley Green

Published January 20, 2014 Uncategorized 4 Comments
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Displaying Broadband cabinet (600x800).jpgOn Friday I received an important update from the Better Broadband team at Suffolk County Council and there are some significant developments regarding broadband in our area.  This is, in part, due to the overwhelming pressure placed on the Council, BT and others by members of the public.

 The major issue for our area has been that we were told BT would include us in their commercial upgrade but the reality is that for most of us this has not happened (as many suspected at the time).  Additionally some areas in Suffolk were not covered either by a commercial upgrade or the publicly-funded intervention area.

These two areas are now being addressed by a new procurement process which starts today.  The public consultation for this will be in the Spring with the new contract being signed in the Summer and work commencing before the end of 2014.  I will do all I can to help bring these dates forward (as much as the procurement rules allow) but, in the meantime, will advise you when the public consultation is open.

Say “No” to A14 toll

Published November 7, 2013 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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With the news that Suffolk County Council are planning to provide £1m in subsidies towards a tolling scheme for the A14, the Green Party believe far more should be done for public transport and safer roads.

http://midsuffolk.greenparty.org.uk/news/a14-subsidy-should-be-spent-on-public-transport-and-safer-roads-say-greens.html

 

News for October

Published October 17, 2013 Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Community Right to Bid – Within The Localism Act 2011 the Government introduced a range of community rights designed to empower local communities.  These rights include, among others, Neighbourhood Plans, Community Right to Bid (for assets of community value) and Community Right to Challenge.  Mid Suffolk District Council (MSDC) has recently introduced protocols specifically to address the Community Rights to Bid and to Challenge.

 Under the new arrangements a community group (such as a Parish Council) can register with the Council an “asset of community value” where its purpose is cultural, social or sporting.  The asset can be owned privately (eg: a pub) or publicly (eg: a playing field).  If the asset is registered and the owner decides to sell it, the protocol ensures that there is a period of time in which the community can, if they wish, prepare a bid for the asset before a sale goes ahead.  MSDC’s protocol allows for an initial 8 week timeframe for a community to signal its intention to bid followed by a twenty week period during which the community can actually bid for the asset.

 Development in Haughley – At a recent MSDC meeting it was finally agreed that development in Bixby Avenue should be planned to go ahead and that this will not lead to any compulsory purchase orders.  We now await plans from MSDC and I have asked that any news is communicated to residents as soon as possible.  Linked to this, we are still awaiting a planning application for the area owned by MSDC between Denny Avenue and Ladyfield.  Again, I have asked MSDC to make sure residents are informed as soon as possible.

 

Suffolk Wildlife Trust Family Day Sunday 7 July

Published July 3, 2013 Uncategorized Leave a Comment

Looking forward to this event. Great to see how many people are getting involved.

Why do people drop litter?

Published March 24, 2013 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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This month there were community litter picks in Haughley and Wetherden – volunteers targeted roads leading into the village centres to give them an annual tidy up. Thanks to everyone who came and helped but why do people drop litter? One young volunteer helped pick up rubbish from the edge of Haughley playing field and from that alone 2013-03-16 12.07.35403002405five bin-bags were collected including one just of plastic bottles and one just of glass. And this is on a site with two waste bins nearby. Still it all looks tidier – for a while.

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rachel.eburne@midsuffolk.gov.uk tel: 01449 673311 or 07768 460 108

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