A county councillor has hit out at the “arbitrary” decisions on Suffolk speed limits made on the “whim” of a single Conservative politician at the authority.

Green county councillor Robert Lindsay, who represents Cockfield village, had supported residents and Cockfield Parish Council in their request to cut the 60mph speed limit to 40mph on a half mile stretch of the A1141 in the village.

The stretch is between an existing 30 limit and 40 limit but children on their way to and from the village school have to cross the road in the 60mph section.

Mr Lindsay said: “This section is the most direct route to the nearby primary school for children living in the new estate. Residents need to feel safe walking in their own village. The half mile of national speed limit is sandwiched between a 30mph limit and a 40mph limit so it is encouraging drivers to accelerate just where children need to walk and cross the road.

“But our application, which took much time and discussion to produce, has been refused in three sentences. The reason given is because it has not “definitively” met any of the Conservative’s eight criteria, many of which are vague and subjective. The officers themselves state in the report that they are unsure whether the various criteria have been met or not, and the Conservative administration has never stated how many of their criteria have to be met to win approval.

“In addition, there is no record kept by the council of applications that are refused, nor any minutes of decisions taken. They are taken by a cabinet member in consultation with one officer.

“The result is that we get an arbitrary decision on the whim of a cabinet member. Perhaps it depends on whether he’s had a good lunch, or whether the councillor applying is a political ally. Who knows? The process at the moment is completely opaque.”

Last summer, an application by Woolverstone Parish Council backed by Green county councillor Simon Harley, to cut the limit from 60mph to 40 at an accident blackspot on the B1456 was rejected, on the basis it didn’t meet the Conservative council’s criteria. The parish council submitted a Freedom of Information request to find out how the decision was made and were told that the meeting was not minuted.

Mr Lindsay said: “It’s time Suffolk improved the whole process, using one or two simple measurable, objective criteria, like average speed of traffic, and an open panel that the public can attend with the local councillor allowed to speak and put forward the wishes of their residents.”

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Photo courtesy of visitsuffolk.com

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.Let to James Cartlidge MP – 23.07.24

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Our general election candidate for South Suffolk is Jessie Carter. Jessie is a very

experienced local councillor currently sitting on Sudbury Town Council, Babergh

District Council and Suffolk County Council.

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The Agenda is broadly as follows:

• Welcome
• Last meeting minutes & action points

EGM business

• To adopt the GP model local party constitution

Regular monthly business

• Latest from Babergh and Suffolk councils (incl. TGS Hustings)
• Campaigns/Candidates – County & GE
• Local issues (incl. Poplar Road floods)
• Reports: coordinator, membership secretary, treasurer;
• Events (markets; ceilidh; beaver visit)
• AOB
• Next meeting: date/place/time etc

Zoom details from Laura: coordinator@babergh.greenparty.org.uk

Hope to see you then,

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Choose your most convenient location and come along for a drink and a chat. Bring a friend if you like; it’s all informal and everyone is welcome!

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On the weekend of the 6-8th October 8 Babergh Green Councillors attended the Autumn Green Party Conference held at the Brighton Centre.

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Two Green Party Councillors have stepped in to breathe new life into Sudbury squash courts by funding some essential repairs.

At Ormiston Sudbury Academy, the squash courts have undergone a much-needed refurbishment to the floor and markings, making the courts fit for use once more.

Local ward Councillors for Sudbury North West, Jessie Carter and Tim Regester, both used £500 of their respective locality funding to ensure the renovation was completed and now, with the work concluded, the courts are back to their best for the local community to use.

It is hoped that this investment will help keep the local community active, support mental and physical wellbeing, and meet the demand for the space.

Cllr Jessie Carter said:

“The squash courts had been closed due to the hazardous state of the floor, so this refurbishment has the potential to be transformative for Sudbury.

“This work will promote social interaction and the growth of the local economy, ensuring that our community has safe access to recreational facilities.”

Cllr Tim Regester said:

“This investment helps to ensure that there are a wide range of sports on offer in the Sudbury area, encouraging our community to get involved in things they enjoy or to try something new.

“Investing in sports, like squash, is so important and gives people the resources they need to stay fit and healthy, leading active lifestyles.”

Nick Bowen, Managing Director at Edu-Lettings, said:

“We are delighted to be able to support the academy and the squash community.

“We very much welcome the investment from Babergh to support the facilities and the health and social wellbeing of the community.”

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