News and information from Jane Gould, Babergh District Councillor. To the Parish Councils and residents in Orwell Ward December 2020 Ward News.
I’m pleased to have been able to help Chelmondiston Parish Council with Funding from my locality fund towards a much needed new laptop. Tattingstone village have also been the recipients of some locality funding to support the publication of their village magazine.
Following the recent issues in Tattingstone with illegal parking I was able to ensure the subject was brought up at a recent Babergh DC Cabinet meeting; this has resulted in Parking Enforcement Officers having a visible presence in the area and parking tickets being issued.
Covid Update
Business Grants for closed business Businesses required to close in England due to restrictions have been eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG):
(a) For properties with a rateable value of £15k or under, grants to be £1,334 per four weeks.
(b) For properties with a rateable value of between £15k-£51k grants to be £2,000 per four weeks.
(c) For properties with a rateable value of £51k or over grants to be £3,000 per four weeks.
Once the application is submitted, the grants will be paid directly to the business bank account as quickly as possible.
Additional Restrictions Grant
The Additional Restrictions Grant is open to businesses that were trading up to and including 4 November, who were instructed to close because of the national lockdown or can demonstrate that they have been significantly financially impacted by the National Coronavirus restriction measures. The funding available through the grant will range from £1,334 to £3,000, in line with the Local Restrictions Support Grants. Applications for first round of Additional Restrictions Grant funding must be submitted by Friday 18th December.
Self-isolation support payments for low-income earners
Residents on low-incomes and unable to work because they have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, can now claim a £500 payment to compensate for loss of earnings.
Joint Local Plan
The Council have recently finalised the Joint Local Plan. The final version of the plan details how and where development should take place, ensuring suitable homes are built to meet Government housing targets, whilst also protecting and enhancing the districts’ natural environment and heritage. Sustainable development and transport options have been promoted in the plan to meet the councils’ continued commitment to addressing climate change. Before the plan can be formally adopted by both councils, it must be submitted for examination to the Secretary of State. Prior to this, there will be a six-week period inviting representations on the legal compliance and soundness of the plan. This consultation is now open and runs until Christmas Eve and full details can be found on the Babergh Website under Planning Policy - https://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/new-joint-localplan/joint-local-plan-r19-pre-submission/
Biodiversity Action Plan.
Councillors are also set to consider a raft of measures this month, developed by a cross-party task force to improve the biodiversity in our district. The proposals have been developed following the extensive work of the task force, made up of Councillors from all political parties. If agreed, the proposals will form the Councils’ first Biodiversity Action Plan, setting out how they aim to protect and strengthen biodiversity in the districts. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any issues that you think I can help with and all the very best to you all. Jane Gould Babergh District Councillor Orwell ward Jane.gould@babergh.gov.uk 07548 153777 01473 780777