Box Vale Report from Cllr Bryn Hurren April 2025.

Can it really be spring already with Easter around the corner? Obviously yes because the calendar says so, but the thermometer does not, Brrrr, hopefully by the time you are reading this, the weather will be catching up.

So much going on now politically that will effect us all, right down to local and parish level.

I am referring of course to the governments plans to reform local government completely by unifying District and County administrations and introducing a whole new Mayoral level above as a direct level of communication to national government.

While much of this is admirable in its intent, it could, in a predominantly rural area, make smaller communities remote and isolated from those that govern them, with little hope of having any say or influence on what is done to them, or access to much needed facilities.

This must not be allowed to happen and to try to prevent this all District Councils along with Ipswich Borough have united to make a case for having three unitories across the whole of Suffolk. Namely, Greater Ipswich, East Suffolk and Western Suffolk based at Bury St Edmunds, which would include our area here.

Suffolk CC want one big area of unitary Council across the whole of Suffolk which is too big, remote and unwieldy which is exactly as they are now.

I hope everyone can support the District approach, which will remain in contact with our public for support and accountability as it is now Also with good governance, we can improve what we are not so good at and enhance even more our stronger points.

Above all of this it is deemed that we are to have a mayor across the combined area of Norfolk and Suffolk with huge powers of governance in planning, housing, health and transport.

This will include Tax raising powers, ie their own precept upon residents, which in my view will be several steps too far. This will be balanced of course by savings from amalgamating District and County functions and hopefully getting rid of the dreadful Police and Crime Commissioner post. Politics should have no part to play in policing our areas and responsibility must be neutral and unfettered and without any bias whatsoever. The same should apply to the Mayor I think.

I am saddened and shocked that my area is to lose its local surgery, while I realized that the writing was on the wall once the patient safety card was played and highlighted.

I do feel that there has to be balance in all things, we now have a situation where many older, vulnerable, sick and infirm patients have to somehow get an appointment via a remote and soon to be AI system, maybe without reliable, affordable or timely transport, to a place with limited parking within walking distance. Also what was an easy trip for a local family to take a school child for quick jab or examination or treatment, now becomes a journey needing permission and planning. Now that mental illness, anxiety and stress has become a major illness, especially amongst the younger generation because of the way we live and the pressure that is put on them just to survive, was this really the correct decision? I think Not.

On a better more positive note, with the six new houses at Goodlands in their final stages of completion, the Woodland Trust will soon be able to plant up the new village amenity land with trees and shrubs and install access and kissing gate at the top for maintenance and full pedestrian access for all walkers down to Primrose Wood.

There is already access down to the wood through fencing just below little playground since 

the major works have been completed and I would encourage all to use it due to the difficulty and unsafe nature of the original outer field path.

There may be some difficulty when gates are installed and the path is slightly re-routed but once building is finished this should not prevent or hinder access again.

This route has been a long time coming and I am sorry about that but the final result will I feel be a credit to all and I am sure the Woodland Trust will make a good job of the path and the new planting.

Even better news is that due to an initiative by Boxford PC member and landowner, with myself to provide finance from my locality budget, there is now a strong will to re-open the permissive path along Stone St. This will provide a safe link between the two parts of the village to walk safely in both directions. Thanks to all involved. When this is all funded and ratified, a few volunteers may be needed to help as we would like to get all the work done to re-open the path by Easter. A great achievement indeed.

A good walking network is vital in rural communities as it is not just about pleasure walking, although this is so important now for fitness and mental health reasons, footpaths are part of the highway and general connectivity of our rural community

And are a means of exploring our area for visiting tourists who visit our rural pubs and restaurants and bring vital jobs and finance into our area.

Finally, a plea for everyone to take part in our local democracy in our area.

All my six parish councils across Box Vale will be holding AGMs in April/May which are open to parishioners to listen and speak on local matters.

This is a good chance to have your say and ask questions, as these are your meetings and a chance to ask questions of those that represent you at the local level.

Also to float an idea or initiative for the village in which you live.

  Bryn.

Tel 01787 210854. Mob 07771 508348.  Email  bryn.hurren@babergh.gov.uk