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Report from the West Suffolk District Councillor, Sarah Pugh, for the
Whepstead Annual Parish Meeting on Friday 12 th April 2024
I am so sorry not to be with you this evening but as I explained to the Clerk, we have a large
family gathering in Wales on Saturday 13 th to celebrate my mother in law’s 90 th birthday – a
three line whip you might say!
In the last twelve months we have been getting used to the new, multi-party coalition of
Labour, Lib Dem, Green, West Suffolk Independents and Independent candidates who now
form the administration in West Suffolk District Council. They were all new to job and are
taking some time to get their heads around the roles and workload that comes with being
the decision making group. Equally, the Conservatives are getting used to being in
opposition, just as new for them. West Suffolk Council staff are also having to adjust to the
new order but on the whole we all seem to be getting on with things.
I have been appointed to the Rural Services Network as the West Suffolk Council
representative and it is a role I am really enjoying. The Rural Services Network comprises
members from all across the UK, mostly Councils but also some independent bodies such as
the RSPB, NFU, National Trust, First Bus, who lobby and campaign on behalf of rural
communities across the country. Some of our current hot topics are the roll out of digital
voice technology; lack of public transport; the rural economy and health provision. The
biggest challenge is getting fairer funding for rural communities because it costs more to
deliver services in rural areas. I am sure I don’t need to tell you all of this!
I have been pleased to support a number of projects in Whepstead during the last year with
contributions from my Locality Budget and I will continue to help when I can. My budget per
village for the year ahead is £466 so don’t go too mad please…
Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if there is something you need help with from
West Suffolk Council. I may not be able to solve a problem but I can hopefully find the right
person for you to work with.
Sarah Pugh
WSDC Whepstead and Wickhambrook.