Suffolk moves closer to brighter broadband future

Suffolk’s bid to build a broadband network fit for the twenty first century has taken a step closer – with the Government expected to make a funding decision for Suffolk next month.

Representatives from Suffolk have held positive talks with officials from the Government’s broadband body - and advised them how Suffolk County Council intends to invest up to £10 million in the project over the next four years.

Suffolk County Council’s Leader, Councillor Mark Bee, said:

“The discussions we’ve had with Broadband Delivery UK have been very positive and I’m pleased to say that our planned £10 million investment appears to be having the right impact.

“We must not underestimate the impact that securing this investment will have on local business growth, improving educational attainment and removing a major block to public service transformation in Suffolk.

“I very much hope the financial contribution we’ve pledged, and the partnership approach we’ve taken with our business, community, council and parliamentary colleagues, will secure the vital government support we need.”

The total cost of the Suffolk broadband project is estimated at £41.7 million, of which approximately half should come from the private sector. Suffolk County Council has committed up to £10m in the expectation that BDUK will match that amount.

The Government has set aside £530 million to support broadband projects around the country. Indicative funding decisions are expected to be announced in the first two weeks of July.

Given that Creeting St Peter is particularly poorly served, being as it is a long way from the telephone exchange, and dependent on aging telecoms infrastructure, villagers can only hope that the bid is successful.

Saturday morning is coffee morning

Yes, it's that time once again, hot on the heels of the Village Pub Night, the Creeting St Peter Parochial Church Council is hosting another of its very successful coffee mornings.

And it isn't just an opportunity to drink coffee (or tea, if you're that way inclined) and eat extremely good baked stuff, there are plants to buy and other useful/interesting stuff too, including some Creeting St Peter notelets.

So, make your way to the Church Room at the end of The Lane on Saturday morning, between 10 a.m. and noon - you're sure of a warm welcome.

Andrea Hill goes!

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council has confirmed that its Chief Executive, Andrea Hill, will be leaving her post with immediate effect. 

"There has been significant media attention attached to Mrs Hill which has become a distraction and both parties accept that with new political leadership of Suffolk County Council in place, it is better to allow the organisation to move forward with new managerial leadership."

The Dismissals and Appeals Committee of Suffolk County Council has today concluded its investigation into the 'whistleblowing' allegations made her, concluded that whilst there were undoubtedly expenses claims which, in the current climate, might not represent best use of public money, the Committee accepted that there was no dishonesty in the claims made. It was also satisfied that there was no evidence to support claims of bullying and harassment, or that she was responsible for the death of David White (former Head of Legal Services).

After negotiations between representatives of Mrs Hill and the County Council, compensation is to be paid to Mrs Hill of £218,592. This figure includes her contractual notice period.

The response from the Leader of the Opposition on Suffolk County Council, Kathy Pollard (Liberal Democrat), was swift, condemning the Conservative Group and, in particular, those Conservative councillors responsible for altering the salary scale without proper authority, allowing her to earn such a vast salary.

One presumes that Andrea Hill's replacement will be engaged on a more appropriate salary, given the need to make large savings in the overall budget, with the prospect of more to come over the next three years.

Suffolk launches ‘Stay Safe’ card scheme

Suffolk’s Hate Crime team has launched a new safety initiative to help protect vulnerable people when they’re out and about in Suffolk.

The ‘Stay Safe’ scheme, which was launched in Felixstowe ahead of its county-wide rollout, will give ‘Stay Safe’ cards to young people and adults with learning disabilities. The cards, which provide vital information about the card holder as well as helpful contact details, are there to give the person more confidence when leaving the house and enable them to be more independent in every day life. Card holders will soon be able to visit shops, restaurants, pubs and banks that support the scheme, all displaying specially-designed 'Stay Safe' window stickers. These safe places will have staff trained in how to support an individual who comes to them for support.

County Councillor Kathy Gosling, Portfolio Holder for Sport, Culture, Diversity, Health and Wellbeing said; “All those involved in the project recognise the need for all individuals to feel safe in their environment and understand the importance of having places they can identify as safe places to go for help if necessary."I am absolutely delighted that a scheme of this kind is being launched in our county. It will give vulnerable people a sense of safety and security should they find themselves in a challenging situation. I hope as many businesses as possible will sign up to join the scheme. We are pleased to be able to launch this scheme and look forward to seeing the results.”

The scheme is a project run by Suffolk's Hate Crime Service, in partnership with Suffolk Acre, learning disability groups and Suffolk Youth Parliament. The Hate Crime Service is co-ordinated by Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Police, and was set up to combat discrimination and hate incidents. Allocated workers from the team are on hand to support all those who have been victims.

Every incident is recorded and reported to Suffolk Police through the dedicated Hate Crime team number: 01473 668966.

The Hate Crime service supports people in all walks of life who have experienced prejudice on the grounds of race, religion or belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or age.

Suffolk Libraries roll into town again

Just a brief reminder that the Mobile Library Service comes to The Lane, here in the village, on two dates this month;

Friday, 8th July

Friday, 22nd July

The Mobile Library will be present between 11.45 a.m. and 12 noon.

The Parochial Church Council welcomes you to Village Pub Night, the sequel...

Unfortunately, I missed the first pub night, held on Friday, May 20th, as Ros and I were in Dresden for a conference (although I must confess that I was drinking wine that evening in a schloss on the River Elbe, so it wasn't a total write off...). However, given that something like 20% of the parish's population turned up, and that a good time was had by all, it must be unreservedly declared a success.

I am therefore delighted to note that another such event will take place on Friday, July 8th, same time (7.30 p.m.), same place (the Church Room at the end of The Lane), same beer (Adam's Ale from the fabulous Bartrams Brewery in Rougham) and same cause (an armed services charity).

I'm going to be there, unless something very untoward happens, and I'll see you at the bar...

Pickerel Project holds AGM

The Pickerel Project Group has announced that their Annual General meeting will take place at Stowmarket Town Council Chamber, Milton House, Milton Road South, Stowmarket IP14 1EZ on Tuesday, July 5th.

Apart from appointing a new management Committee, there will be a presentation of the Group's plans for Phase 2 of their project to look at ways of improving the river area in the heart of Stowmarket, close to the Pickerel Bridge. In phase 1, the group prepared a scheme of works for the river banks, between the river bridges in Stowupland Street and Station Road. The project group feel that there are opportunities to improve the accessibility of other parts of the river corridors in town for the benefit of all.

For more information, call Sally Sharma on 01449 612060 or email sallys@stowmarket.org.