REPORT FOR MARCH 2025 FROM CLLR BRYN HURREN.
Well into the new year now and a good time to take stock on local and national matters.
Nationally, there does seem to be a willingness to tackle some of our inherent problems but the lack of available finances to tackle the utter chaos of the previous administration is very restrictive. Just like families and everyone else, governments can only spend what they take in, taxes and other earned income, the lack of growth and the Brexit debacle have curbed that, as is, and was always, inevitable.
Maybe making sure that all who live and trade within our borders pay their fair share of tax would be a good place to start. The fact that some very large companies pay no tax at all because of the way they trade or where their HQ is now harms the UK more that ever before, also the eye-watering huge surge in profits now enjoyed by shareholders and bosses of previously publicly owned utilities at all of our expense cannot be allowed to continue, especially as the level of service in most cases has sunk to an all-time low.
If ever there was a time to impose a windfall tax on those, such as the fossil fuel giants, who have profited so much from the hardship of others, it must be now.
With our care and health services facing even higher levels of financial hardship and a near meltdown with public services, this must be tackled now. Words and promises are not enough anymore. Leave the crops and cows of the family farms alone, milk the sharks instead.
We also need growth built on a green revolution now, the idea of putting a 3rd runway at Heathrow Airport is frankly quite insane and sickening, even if aviation fuel is taxed at the same level as motorists and businesses are charged, it cannot alleviate or mitigate the health hazards to our local population and should be fought with everyone’s combined might. With pollution now a major problem and not that long ago being named by a coroner as responsible for a child’s death at 11 yrs old, this madness must stop. We cannot allow the next generation to cope with our mistakes anymore, let them have their say. Once I have my new knee I could be charging up to the picket line again, as well as working more, without pain and not limping around like an invalid any more.
We don’t need growth for growth’s sake, sensible governance and leadership can lead to wealth, sustainability and a decent future for us all, give us good health, a house we can afford to buy or rent to live in and a sustainable future so we can live and be happy.
Nearer to home, all Suffolk councils are working hard together to agree a way forward for devolution and unitary councils. This is a tough ask for us but at Babergh there is a strong willingness to move forward to get the best deal possible for the new council and all its new constituents. This is a chance in my view to take the confusion out of local government as to who does what and give real focus on the job at hand for the benefit of all. Although I have some reservations as to how this will be successfully brought about, I just pray that we can keep contact with local residents and parish councils to still give a personal service and help to those that need it, those elected as councilors will have a larger area to represent and it will become a much more demanding responsibility to look after everyone’s needs and to represent them well.
What is more alarming is the focus on electing a regional mayor to represent both Suffolk and Norfolk, I can see that the new government wants just one point of contact for a bigger region, but the two counties are so diverse, one size does not suit all. Maybe it could work in larger cities such as London and Manchester who have known leaders to fight their cause ably and strongly, but rural areas are so different. It is important that the new leader is not a political wannabee like some police commissioners but is actually able to do a fair job.
This post I am sure will come with a bucket load of our money which must be put to good use for the area they will represent, not creating another level of bureaucracy, otherwise the reform will be wasted, along with taxpayers’ hard-earned money and we have seen too much of that during the past ten years of shambolic national administrations.
Personally, I have tried to stay out of the consultation to close Boxford surgery, this is not something that comes within my District council duties to have a view on, however as a patient and long time user of the practice, I am horrified at the press coverage and statements issued by the partners of the practice that are now emitting into what should be a fair consultation but are turning into a hatchet job to close the surgery on financial, not health and service grounds.
Just as good a case can be made to keep it open to enable good healthcare and treatments for the masses of local people who would wish to still access it to save traveling to a local bigger town, with all the parking problems this will exacerbate.
Sometimes it is best to take Mohamed to the mountain, rather than the other way around.
Much more work to do on this one but I am on the case and will be writing to management bodies to express my concerns. We don’t need Anima to tell us remotely that the Drs cannot fit us in for an appointment, just a caring voice and care to look after us patients.
On that note, I will sign off now and lay down the cudgel for a short time to pick up the pen.
Hopefully I am on track for a new knee replacement now and am nearing the end of the path after 6 years of anticipation. Will give me more time to think and take stock, so much to do.
If you need your Councillor, I can be found at bryn.hurren@babergh.gov.uk
Tel 01787 210854 Mob 07771 508348