March 2008	For new about the latest council vacancy see here for a Web Page or here for a Microsoft Word document. For new about the Police notice see here for a Web Page or here for a Microsoft Word document.
February 2008	There is a new vacancy for a member of the Parish Council. For details of the first vacancy click here for a Web Page or here for a Microsoft Word document.
October 2007	The Parish Council Meeting on 6th November 07 has been postponed. The meeting will now be held on 13th November 07 in the Methodist Hall (back room). The Parish Council Meeting on 4th December 07 has been postponed. The meeting will now be held on 11th December 07. Venue to be arranged.
September 2007	HMS Ganges Application Viewing - see html or Word. Edition 5 of Ganges news is available here. Babergh's Draft Conservation Area Appraisal for Pin Mill Exhibition to be held at the Sailing Club, Pin Mill between 7.00 and 8.30pm on Wednesday 26th September 2007 A public consultation to discuss the appraisal, so come along and make your views know.
August 2007	HMS GANGES This application is now in and will be discussed at the next Planning Meeting on 21st August 07 B/07/01237/FUL/GD Former HMS Ganges site & Shotley Marina, Shotley Gate IP9 Construction of a Spine Road across the former HMS Ganges site, which connects the B1456 Bristol Hill to the King Edward VII Drive & includes a new roundabout junction on the B1456, to give access to Shotley Marina. The proposed Spine Road is approx. 840m long & designed to adoptable standards including pedestrian footpaths shared cycle/footway & traffic management measures.
July 2007	Two new links added to the links page, one for Suffolk County Council Children and Young People's Services and one for Suffolk County Council School Organisation Review.
May 2007	POLICE DIRECT SERVICE RESUMES Suffolk Police's high tech public messaging service is back online. Police Direct was suspended on 31 March when the technology supporting it was shutdown by the National Policing Improvement Agency. An interim solution, funded through NPIA, means that I can now resume the service to you. Temporary Chief Constable Colin Langham-Fitt said, "We are very pleased that the Police Direct Service has returned and will once again provide up to date information to local people." "Suffolk Constabulary recognised how important the Police Direct service is to people living and working in the county and has worked hard to find a solution. It received tremendous feedback and messages of support following the suspension of the service, including an e-petition on the Number 10 Downing Street website." A local company, Ipswich based HTK Ltd., have worked in partnership with Suffolk Constabulary to develop and implement the new system. The only significant change in the service is that it is now not possible to register by sending a text message with your postcode details, as the 88588 service is not available to us. Anyone who previously registered this way and who no longer wishes to receive alerts can deregister by calling 01473 613997 or can send an email containing their mobile number to policedirect@suffolk.pnn.police.uk asking to be removed from the system. Your existing passwords and usernames will continue to allow you access to your personal details, if you want to update your details go to www.suffolk.police.uk and follow the links to Police Direct. Further details about the service and to register for Police Direct please go online at www.suffolk.police.uk or contact the Police Direct team on 01473 613997. Its great to be back providing Police Direct messaging to you, I would like to thank you for your support and your comments were much appreciated by the Police Direct team. Sgt Bob Chapman To view the NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT OF DATE FOR THE EXERCISE OF THE ELECTORS’ RIGHTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST MARCH 2007 click here: Microsoft Word or HTML. To view a summary of your rights with regard the accounts click click here: here.
April 2007	For more information about a Unitary Council for Ipswich click here: Microsoft Word or HTML.
March 2007	Village litter pick - for the latest information click here: Microsoft Word or HTML.
February 2007	For the latest information about Bird Flu click here: Microsoft Word or HTML. CPRE's information bureau updating you on the East of England Plan is available here: Microsoft Word or HTML.
December 2006	For information about Christmas Tree Re-cycling click here for a Web Page or here for a Microsoft Word document. For information about "Police Direct" click here for a Web Page or here for a Microsoft Word document.
November 2006	Public Transport-New Arrangements The "First" bus service is to withdraw from their commercial routes south of Ipswich from 31st December 2006, affecting services 95 Ipswich-Capel St. Mary. 96 Ipswich-Brantham and 97 Ipswich-Shotley. Suffolk County Council have been in negotiations with other bus companies to encourage them to take on some of the withdrawn services. As from 2nd January 2007, "Far East Travel" (01473 467 970) will run 97B, 98 Ipswich-Shotley Gate. "Gemini Travel" (sponsored by Suffolk County Council) will run 98 Ipswich-Harkstead-Shotley. For further information regarding all routes please call Traveline 0870 608 2 608. Suffolk County Council outlines plans for 2007/2008 Budget The administration at the County Council has outlined its budget plans for 2007/2008. Indications suggest that the county could be facing a budget shortfall of around £22 million. This is the gap between what the council expects to receive in extra income and the increase in the cost of services. The level of Council Tax and the Budget will be set at a meeting of the full Council on 22 Feb.2007. To view papers on the budget scrutiny please visit the following web address: http://apps2.suffolk.gov.uk/cgi-bin/committee_xml.cgi Warm Front Scheme A Government funded scheme that has been set up by the Department of the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to tackle Fuel Poverty. Government funded grants of up to £2,700 (this goes up to £4,000 if oil fired heating is fitted) are available to homeowners and private tenants receiving certain income related or disability related benefits or credits, to provide heating and insulation to improve their homes. WARM FRONT will organise and pay for all work up to the value of the grant. This scheme is funded by the Government and managed by Eaga Group Ltd. All you have to do is call free on 0800 316 2814 (between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday or 9am and 5pm on Saturdays) to find out if you are eligible. If you are not eligibly we offer a Benefit Entitlement Check to see if you are eligible for any benefits. You will be guided through the process by a trained advisor. For further information regarding the Scheme or leaflets please contact Claire Moore on 07983 805 647 or Claire.moore@eaga.co.uk What should the Sizewell A land be used for once the nuclear power station has been decommissioned? The consultation runs until 24th November. A consultation questionnaire can be found online at: http://www.sizewellstakeholdergroup.org An independent report of the outcome of this consultation will be presented to the Sizewell Stakeholder Group in January 2007 and will be made available to the public at that time.
October 2006	We still have an open vacancy for a member of the Parish Council. For details of the first vacancy click here for a Web Page or here for a Microsoft Word document.
September 2006	New Council Member We are pleased to announce that Colin Keeble was co-opted to the council at the meeting on August 29th, 2006 - filling the first vacancy detailed below.
July 2006	HMS Ganges - "The Inspector recommended that planning permission be refused." For more details see Document 1 and Document 2. Two vacancies have arisen on the Parish Council. For details of the first vacancy click here for a Web Page or here for a Microsoft Word document. For details of the second vacancy click here for a Web Page or here for a Microsoft Word document. For more information about the "PROPOSED REVISIONS TO THE REGIONAL SPATIAL STRATEGY FOR THE EAST OF ENGLAND (EAST OF ENGLAND PLAN) PUBLICATION OF PANEL REPORT" click HERE.
March 2006	New Council Member We are pleased to announce that John Hawkins was co-opted to the council at the meeting on March 7th, 2006.
February 2006	GANGES PUBLIC INQUIRY INSPECTOR COMES TO SHOTLEY THIS THURSDAY 23rd FEB CLICK HERE.
December 2005	HMS Ganges--Planning Inquiry--- urgent. Dear Colleagues Dr. Wendy Le-las, the consultant representing the Peninsula Parishes at the forthcoming Ganges planning Inquiry would like our help in gathering photographic evidence of the impact of traffic on the B1456 and other local roads. She specifically wants photographic evidence of damaged verges, buildings, flooding, traffic congestion due to agricultural etc. All photographs should be accompanied by precise details of where and when they were taken and by whom and a brief description of what the picture shows and should be sent to:- Laurie Mayer, The Holt, Main Road, Woolverstone, Suffolk, IP9 1AR. Digital photographs are especially welcome and should be e-mailed to lauriemayer @aol.com. All our evidence must be submitted by 17th January so time is short. We would be grateful if you could pass this request to your parishioners as soon as possible. Thank you for your help. Kind regards Elizabeth Elizabeth Aldous (Telephone - 01473780243) Coordinator PPA One Voice Suffolk For more information about One Voice Suffolk click here. The Campaign to Protect Rural England Fifth report from "The Campaign to Protect Rural England" is available here: Microsoft Word or HTML.
November 2005	The Campaign to Protect Rural England A report from "The Campaign to Protect Rural England" is available here: Microsoft Word or HTML. Second report from "The Campaign to Protect Rural England" is available here: Microsoft Word or HTML. Third report from "The Campaign to Protect Rural England" is available here: Microsoft Word or HTML. Fourth report from "The Campaign to Protect Rural England" is available here: Microsoft Word or HTML.
October 2005	Planning Inquiry (HMS Ganges) To find out more about the actions of the Peninsula Parishes Alliance and the forthcoming public Inquiry please visit http://www.myshotley.com/planning-ganges.html.
August 2005	A letter from the Peninsula Parishes Alliance to all residents. To view click here. Babergh District Council Media Release Re: HMS Ganges. To view click here. HMS GANGES: PLANNING INSPECTORATE INVITES LOCAL OPINIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!! Letters sent must arrive by September 5th, 2005 !!!!!!!!!! Residents living in and around the Shotley Peninsula are being invited to make their views known regarding the proposed development of the former HMS Ganges naval training base in Shotley. The Secretary of State is currently in the process of gathering information relating to the site, its planning history and local interest prior to holding a public inquiry to determine the site's future. The scheme under investigation proposes the erection of 325 Dwellings (including affordable housing and starter homes), local retail and employment units, public open space, access and internal roads. Although may of us have written many times to Babergh and the County on this issue, please find time to write again (copies of previous correspondence will be fine). Those wishing to make representations to the Planning Inspectorate direct may do so by writing, in triplicate, to the following, quoting the Inspectorate reference APP/D3505/V/05/1185675: Sian Evans The Planning Inspectorate 4/04 Kite Wing Temple Quay House 2 The Square Temple Quay Bristol, BS1 6PN enquiries@planning-inspectorate.gsi.gov.uk A public notice from Babergh District Council talking about the above is available here. Statement from the Suffolk East Primary Care Trusts, The Ipswich Hospital Trust and Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. Today, all of the NHS organisations working together in Suffolk East have launched a full public consultation on service changes. The document, which is available at here sets out the case for change and explains how this fits in with national policy and local service strategies, and our wider financial recovery strategy. It is also the formal consultation document in relation to proposed service changes in the Primary Care Trusts, The Ipswich Hospital Trust and Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.
July 2005	The Government Office for the Eastern region today decided to call in Babergh's decision to grant outline planning permission for the HMS Ganges site. The matter now moves to the Deputy Prime Minister who will make his decision on the recommendation of an independent assessor who will in turn make his reccomendations following a public inquiry. Letter from Patrick Mann to Go East giving the view of Chelmondiston Parish Council to the proposed Ganges development can be found below: View. Microsoft Word. PPA Update from Elizabeth Aldous Dear Colleagues PPA update re Ganges planning application I have attached the letters that Shotley PC have sent to Go East and BDC. A number of PC's have also sent letters to Go East and BDC. Thank you. If you require copies can you please let me know and I will fwd the ones that I have been sent. GOEastFinal View. Microsoft Word. Babergh1 View. Microsoft Word. I have received an e-mail from Richard Watson to say Go East has written to him saying that they have been unable to complete their consideration of the proposal and have directed BDC not to grant permission until they hear from them further. This I understand is normal and it could be some time before a decision is made on whether there will be an inquiry. On Thursday 21st July at the Suffolk County Council Meeting Cllr David Wood and seconded by Cllr Kathy Pollard proposed a motion:- "This Council expresses it concern at the granting of planning permission by Babergh District Council for the building of 325 properties at the former HMS Ganges site in Shotley. We call upon the Government Office for the East of England to call-in this decision to a Public Inquiry." I understand this received cross party support and following the meeting this request was forwarded to Go East. This is just an update for your Parish Council. I will ask Laurie Mayer to issue another Newsletter soon which you can then use on websites and in your newsletters if you wish. Regards Elizabeth Elizabeth Aldous PPA Coordinator BUZABOUT FUNDING For full details about Buzabout funding click here.
June 2005	TIM YEO TO FIGHT GANGES DECISION "ALL THE WAY" PRESS RELEASE FROM PENINSULA PARISHES' ALLIANCE. Suffolk South MP Tim Yeo last night pledged his full support in the fight to overturn the controversial decision to develop the Ganges site on Shotley Peninsula. At a public meeting in Freston village hall he told residents, "I was surprised and appalled at Babergh's decision to approve plans to build 325 homes on the site of HMS Ganges. They have ignored the county council's advice, the recommendation of their own planning director and government policy. I will do everything in my power to help local people fight this decision all the way." Mr Yeo said it was rare for him to intervene in planning applications but he regarded this as a special case. He is to write to Suffolk County Council, Babergh District Council and the Government Office for the East of England in a bid to get the plans called in for determination by the Secretary of State. Alliance spokesman, Laurie Mayer, said "Babergh's decision must be called in. It cries out for a full public inquiry and meets all the criteria. It conflicts with national planning policy, it will have an enormous adverse impact on the entire area - not just Shotley - and has caused huge local controversy." The 10 parishes on the Shotley peninsula have set up an action committee to fight the decision. It is examining a wide range of options including judicial review, a referral to the Ombudsman and the Standards Board. The Alliance will soon have an expert legal opinion from a specialist in planning law. ENDS For more information contact Laurie Mayer - 01473 780168 REVIEW OF BUZABOUT BUS SERVICES Suffolk County Council has asked consultant Paul Beecham & Associates to undertake a review of the Buzabout Door to Door services operating on Shotley peninsula. Paul would welcome input to this review from those living on the peninsula whether you currently use the door to door services or not. For full details click here..
May 2005	BUZABOUT A new Buzabout time table is available here.
March 2005	Chelpin An article from the Parish Council is to appear in the next release of the Chelpin. It talks about the vancancy for a Parish Councillor and the proposed development of H M S Ganges. The complete article can be found here. More information relating to the executive committee meeting to be held by Suffolk county council on April 5th, 2005 can be found here. Vacancy for Parish Councillor. - !!! SINCE FILLED !!! The Parsh Council has a vacancy for one new Parish Councillor. If you feel that you would like to become a Parish Councillor then please read the notice on the village notice boards or contact the Parish Clerk or the Chairman. Crime At the Parish Council Meeting on March 1st, 2005 PC John CampBell reminded us that we should all be aware of crime prevention techniques.
December 2004	BUZABOUT As from January 2005 the Buzabout service is to be improved. To see the official press release click here. For more information about the Buzabout service in general click here.
November 2004	HMS Ganges The parish council planning committee response to the proposed HMS Ganges development can be viewed here.