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News from Your Councillor News from Your Councillor News from Your Councillor News from Your Councillor ---- John Matthissen December 2010

Onehouse, Onehouse, Onehouse, Onehouse, Harleston & ShellandHarleston & ShellandHarleston & ShellandHarleston & Shelland

Contact Your Local Green CouncillorContact Your Local Green CouncillorContact Your Local Green CouncillorContact Your Local Green Councillor John Matthissen, 3 Wash Lane Corner, Great Finborough, IP14 3BJ 01449 771742

john.matthissen@midsuffolk.gov.uk

Years of campaigning for an all-weather safe walking and cycling route to Stowmarket have at last been rewarded with a firm decision to go ahead, despite the one remaining objection. Suffolk County Council Rights of Way committee voted unanimously on September 13th to make an order upgrading all of Onehouse Footpath 20 to a bridleway, allowing use by cyclists and indeed horses. The path will be suitably surfaced so that bikes and prams will be able to use it throughout the winter instead of risking the dangers of Union Road.

Council officers will continue to negotiate with the objector against the background of this decision, knowing that at last there is political will to provide the much needed link. If the objection is not overcome there will have to be a public enquiry causing some further delay but there is now confidence that a proper path will be provided within two years at most.

I know that some residents have asked for this modest improvement over several decades and three generations of one family for more than forty years.

My own involvement began with Sustrans, who we persuaded in 1994 to plan their Newmarket to Ipswich section of the National Cycle Network via Stowmarket rather than Sudbury, then seeking suitable routes which led to exploring the path behind Stow Lodge and across the fields to Onehouse. The record clearly belongs to the Parish Council which has documented its own demands back to 1964. Since then countless millions of pounds have been spent providing

extra road space while generations of politicians ignored the simple need to walk and cycle safely.

Renewed Hope for Progress Renewed Hope for Progress Renewed Hope for Progress Renewed Hope for Progress with Path to Townwith Path to Townwith Path to Townwith Path to Town

New Harleston New Harleston New Harleston New Harleston Allotments Allotments Allotments Allotments

“On the Cards”“On the Cards”“On the Cards”“On the Cards”

With a sale agreed for the Mid Suffolk DC–owned housing land in Goddard Place , it is encouraging that an alternative site in Harleston is now a real possibility.

If this scheme is able to go ahead, it will be able to provide more than just a replacement for the plots previously used in Goddard Place.

Space for OnehouseSpace for OnehouseSpace for OnehouseSpace for Onehouse

This means there could also be space for people from Onehouse and Shelland.

The plan is to offer plots of 125 square metres, which equates to half the traditional 10 rod allotment size, which now seems too large for many people. Of course, if you have a big family, you could rent two plots.

Register Your Interest NowRegister Your Interest NowRegister Your Interest NowRegister Your Interest Now

If you think you would like to take on an allotment and grow some of your own food, or perhaps 100 different varieties of dahlia, then please let me know NOW, so that the level of interest can be gauged and the right size holding provided.

Please email or write to me at the address below.

Christmas Tree RecyclingChristmas Tree RecyclingChristmas Tree RecyclingChristmas Tree Recycling

At various places around the

District, including Stowmarket

Recreation Ground and

Household Waste Site, on 8th

and 9th January.

Campaigns Update

News In BriefNews In BriefNews In BriefNews In Brief

Sewage Flooding in HarlestonSewage Flooding in HarlestonSewage Flooding in HarlestonSewage Flooding in Harleston

I am assured that new pumps have now been installed, following a second meeting with Anglian Water and other agencies involved. Further actions were considered by the meeting in September, in the light of the CCTV survey of the pipes and chambers, which showed evidence of water ingress. A further meeting has been scheduled for April next year, but any recurrence meanwhile should be reported to the Parish Clerk and myself, for urgent action by Anglian Water.

Paupers’ GravesPaupers’ GravesPaupers’ GravesPaupers’ Graves

A small team from the high school recently weeded around the hedging trees planted last winter, and spread mulch to help them continue to establish. Thanks to them, and BTS for dropping off the chippings.

Asda, Stowmarket Asda, Stowmarket Asda, Stowmarket Asda, Stowmarket Following my intervention, there is now a footway along the edge of the car park, from Iliffe Way to the store rear entrance. This was gained as a condition of the recently completed extension and delivery vehicle changes. I am still pressing for a sign so more people know the path is available. We also got improved signing for the cycle route past the museum, and extra cycle parking.

Violet Hill Health Centre AccessViolet Hill Health Centre AccessViolet Hill Health Centre AccessViolet Hill Health Centre Access

The zebra crossing is at last being installed following a long Green Party campaign, after Mid Suffolk’s Chief Executive intervened to overcome a hold up.

The problem of car park over-crowding remains, with better town bus services our preferred solution. We will also need to renew pressure on the Town Council to reverse their ridiculous negative decision to close, rather than improve, access via the cemetery, once the zebra crossing is in use.

When Stowmarket develops further, the Green Party is lobbying for a new health centre on the Ashes Farm site, as this would serve Cedars Park and ease the strain on Violet Hill.

Recycling Recycling Recycling Recycling –––– we can do even better we can do even better we can do even better we can do even better Mid Suffolk is already one of the best areas in the country for dry recycling, which deals with all the material that goes in the green wheelie bins. There is however no reason to rest on our laurels as some continental European countries already achieve even higher recycling percentages. Now we have achieved 50%, the new target is to recycle 70% of domestic waste.

Most of us can probably do a little more to minimise what goes in to landfill (black wheelie bin) - equally improving our percentage achievement. It is also important to ensure nothing wrong contaminates the green bins, as this can disrupt the sorting equipment or even result in an entire lorry-load being rejected and sent to landfill.

• Most green bin material is fairly obvious, such as paper, cardboard, cans and plastic bottles, but other plastic material is often confusing.

• As a general rule if a plastic container has held liquid, such as shampoo, yoghurt, cooking oil or cosmetics, it is recyclable, but it is very helpful to remove any lids as these are often a different type of plastic, and prevent easy crushing after collection.

• Bags made of plastic are notnotnotnot wanted in the green bin; this includes crisp packets, supermarket bags, cling film and polythene.

• Egg boxes are tricky as some are made from each of three quite different materials. Clear plastic egg boxes can go in the green bin, but cardboard egg boxes (along with any shredded paper) should go in the brown bin if you have one, or your compost heap. Polystyrene egg boxes cannot be recycled and it is best not to buy them at all.

• Fruit juice and milk cartons (Tetra-paks) should not go in the green bin, but if you use lots of them it is worth saving them up and making an occasional trip to the household waste centre (HWC).

• If you are going to the HWC, various other materials can also be recycled instead of going in the black bin, including plastic bags, garden waste, scrap metal, wood, textiles, engine oil, mobile phones, batteries, hardcore, plaster board, and hard plastics such as plastic chairs, broken toys, laundry baskets and garden pots.

• Staff at the HWC will be happy to advise where material should go, and are now intercepting much of what has previously gone to landfill achieving an excellent 80%-plus tonnage recycled.

More help and information on wheelie bins at

www.midsuffolk.gov.uk

0845 606 60450845 606 60450845 606 60450845 606 6045

More help and information on Household Waste Centres at

www.suffolkrecycling.org.uk 08456 066 06708456 066 06708456 066 06708456 066 067

Tetra-paks

Around and AboutAround and AboutAround and AboutAround and About

Gas leak emergency Gas leak emergency Gas leak emergency Gas leak emergency –––– response needs response needs response needs response needs improvement improvement improvement improvement

I was disappointed to learn that, contrary to radio reports, the official response to this emergency (two months ago in Forest Road) and the need to evacuate some residents left much to be desired. I have now discussed this with the police and emergency planning officer, and made clear that all involved in emergency response (including Gas emergency service) need to draw on a common source of information, which includes parish key-holders. This is most particularly relevant where the village concerned has taken the trouble to draw up an Emergency Plan !

Wind Turbines Wind Turbines Wind Turbines Wind Turbines Approved Approved Approved Approved After several applications and much ill-informed public outcry, Mid Suffolk is to get its first large-scale

wind power plant. Two turbines each of 2.5MW capacity with a maximum height of 130m to the tip of the blade have been approved for an Eye airfield industrial estate site, close to the A140.

Council Committee Council Committee Council Committee Council Committee ChangesChangesChangesChanges Following the Green Party by-election win in Haughley & Wetherden, I am now a member of Mid Suffolk DC’s Scrutiny Committee. This brings extra work, but more opportunities to question the work of the Council and other public bodies such as the health service, police, transport undertakings, education, flood prevention and CSD.

If there is a particular public service about which you have serious misgivings, please let me know.

There are no guarantees, but Scrutiny Committee has been a path to shifting stubborn issues which resist common sense - like Violet Hill Health Centre - and I will always try and get problems onto the agenda.

Back on my bikeBack on my bikeBack on my bikeBack on my bike I would like to thank everyone who has wished me well following an unfortunate accident in September. My injury was not sustained falling off my trusty bicycle, contrary to some reports. It did however prevent me cycling for a month, but I am glad to be out and about around the villages once more.

John Peel John Peel John Peel John Peel Centre Centre Centre Centre –––– major major major major steps forwardsteps forwardsteps forwardsteps forward The bright idea of using the redundant Stowmarket Corn Exchange as an Arts Centre has been moved forward in recent months beginning with the agreement of John Peel’s widow Sheila Ravenscroft that his name could be associated with the project.

The John Peel Centre for Creative Arts – to use the full title – has just been given a much higher public profile through its successful participation in the ITV “People’s Millions” which awarded it £50,000 of National Lottery cash. The project team would like to thank everyone who phoned in their votes in support, as well as those who took part in the filming and spread the word until the whole town and the wider community across the region got behind our local bid. Phase 1 of work to restore and develop the Corn Exchange, little used for more than two decades, is currently under way and will provide the essentials such as toilets and a kitchenette. This work is being carried out by Gipping Homes at a substantial discount as a contribution to the Centre, and many other individuals and firms are lending their energies and professional skills. The lottery cash will with their help go a long way to carry through Phase 2, which will make the building usable as a public space. Further funding is being

sought to then make major improvements within the building and eventually it is hoped to reunite the Corn Exchange with its former main entrance onto the Market Place, currently occupied by NatWest Bank. I am especially pleased with the successes so far, since as a member of the Planning Committee I moved refusal of the application to convert the Corn Exchange to a wine bar a couple of years ago, preferring to seek some community use. Notable further local involvement comes from the now very active role of Finborough resident Sheila Ravenscroft, and of course I am proud that fellow Green Party Councillor Andrew Stringer is doing so much to drive the project forward, including chairing the fund-raising group.

Printed on

Recycled Paper Printed by Suffolk Greenprint and Promoted by John Matthissen, both at

3 Wash Lane Corner, Great Finborough IP14 3BJ

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Proceed with Proceed with Proceed with Proceed with Caution!Caution!Caution!Caution! Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils Babergh and Mid Suffolk Councils may merge.may merge.may merge.may merge.

Green Party councillors from both authorities have cautiously welcomed the plan to merge the two Districts. Andrew Stringer, Leader of the Green Group at Mid Suffolk, represents us on the Joint Member Board which is overseeing the project. He said:

” A model similar to this was our suggest ion to the Boundary Committee over two years ago. If we take an honest look at this partnership against the swingeing cuts we face, it could prove an opportunity to preserve the best elements of district

accountability and scale in the face of a financial desert. “

John and other Green Party councillors have attended joint meetings of members of both councils, and supported the progress so far, while sharing the concerns of many about the risk of weakening links between citizens and councillors if each councillor represents 1500 households, rather than about 1000 a at present.. Green Party councillors will try to balance the need for democratic accountability with the tightening budgets of households across the two Districts.

From a Green Party perspective there are a number of key requirements for a merger to be fully supported:

• Legitimacy – there should be widespread public support in the referendum across both Districts

• Public services – despite reducing Government grants and a council tax freeze, good quality services must be maintained

• Co-ordination with Suffolk County Council must be vastly improved, through local community boards based in each market town, and probably by the new district taking on some County functions as these are “divested”

• Town and Parish councils should have the right to provide some district services ifififif they wish and have the capacity

• Staff – with public sector cuts enforced from Westminster, morale is inevitably under pressure, and compulsory redundancy should minimised

• Outsourcing – there is no guarantee that this saves money, and every move to privatise must be closely examined

• Private Finance Initiative (PFI) – the Green Party is wholly opposed to PFI, an expensive sleight of hand to disguise Government borrowing

There will be a public referendum on merger on May 5th 2011.

More “DialMore “DialMore “DialMore “Dial----aaaa----Ride” BusesRide” BusesRide” BusesRide” Buses Although scheduled bus services are being pruned, notably for Finborough and villages through to Hadleigh, a welcome additional option is being launched. Gipping North Links, another Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) service, will complement that introduced in August for villages south of Stowmarket. While the capacity of these vehicles has proved insufficient at peak times, I would urge people to try to book journeys they need to make, and let me know how they get on. For more information or to book a journey, please call 01449 616000 between 8 am and 1 pm Monday to Saturday.