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WHAT HAVE WE DONE FOR YOU? Babergh District Council 2019-2022 End of Term Report
LONG MELFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
The Long Melford Neighbourhood Plan was “made” (adopted) by Babergh District Council on 31st October 2022. This followed a Referendum in the village where 95% of those who voted, answered “Yes” to the question “Do you want Babergh District Council to use the neighbourhood plan for Long Melford to help it decide planning applications in the neighbourhood area?”
The Turnout was 789 residents, or 25.2% of those eligible to vote.
For more information on the Plan please click on the navigation link ‘The Neighbourhood Plan’ above.
The full set of Plan documentation, including appendices and supporting documents, can be found on the Plan’s dedicated website: http://www.longmelfordnp.co.uk/
Information on the Plan is also available on the Babergh District Council website: www.babergh.gov.uk/LongMelfordNP
ABOUT LONG MELFORD PARISH COUNCIL
Long Melford Parish Council is the first tier of government for the civil parish of Long Melford, and is committed to working for the benefit of the parishioners.
It is a statutory body and legal entity with a range of powers granted to it by Parliament, including the authority to raise money through taxation (the council tax precept), and spending public money on behalf of the community. It has the right to be advised by the local Planning Authority of planning applications and decisions within the parish, and to have its views about them taken into account. While it has no decision making powers regarding planning, it can make representations to the Planning Authority to try and ensure that developments within the parish comply with the Neighbourhood Plan. It can also lobby for action regarding roads, village facilities, the environment and other issues. The Council’s actions, strategies and policies are determined by the majority decisions of its Councillors, who are elected by the parishioners every four years.
The Parish Council leases two major outdoor recreational amenities from Suffolk County Council; Melford Country Park, and the Melford Walk, both of which are designated Local Nature Reserves. The Parish Council also operates a number of facilities and services on behalf of parish residents, as described on the ‘Our Services‘ page.
The Council has thirteen elected or co-opted councillors, and four employees. A list of Councillors and their contact details can be found on our webpage here.
The Council’s employees are:
● The Parish Clerk, who carries out most legal and administrative duties for the Council.
● The Responsible Financial Officer, who is responsible for monetary matters.
● The Cemetery Manager, who is responsible for the Parish Council Cemetery Service and maintaining the Cemetery grounds.
● The Village Caretaker, who has a number of responsibilites including litter collection.
Two Parish Council meetings are usually held on the first Thursday of every month, with a Planning Committee meeting starting at 7:00pm, and a Full Council meeting at 7:30pm. Meeting notices and agendas are posted on the official Parish Council Notice Board situated outside the old United Reformed Church building in Hall Street, and on this website. Meeting minutes are published on this website and are also available from the Parish Clerk on request.
SERVICES PROVIDED BY OTHER BODIES
Many services in the parish are the responsibility of other authorities and bodies.
Babergh Distict Council is responsible for refuse collection, verge maintenance in residential streets, and the Cordell Place Play Area.
Suffolk County Council is responsible for all matters concerning the public highway, including general maintenance, pothole repair, road signs and markings, parking restrictions, highway verge and footpath maintenance, and drain clearance.
Parking regulation enforcement is the responsibility of West Suffolk Council, while Suffolk Constabulary remains responsible for dangerous parking and moving traffic violations (including speeding).
River and stream maintenance and clearance, including the Chad Brook and River Stour, is the responsibility of the owners of the land forming the banks of the watercourse along any given stretch.
The Parish Clerk will be happy to advise you regarding which body is responsible for the various services available in the village. You can contact the Council through the Parish Clerk on:
Tel. 01787 378084 / Email: clerk@longmelford-pc.gov.uk.