Bird Food along the River
It has been bought to the Council's attention that large quantities of bird food have been left along the banks of the river. Whilst this may seem like a kindness in this cold weather, it is not a sensible approach and may do more harm than good. The RSPB have a comprehensive guide to feeding birds safely here.
Loose bird feed on the ground can become contaminated, go mouldy and become a breeding ground for parasites and bacteria. It can also be eaten by other animals which it's not intended for, many dogs find bird food very tasty! Please continue to feed the birds in your garden or use window feeders if you don't have any outside space but leave public areas clear and safe for everyone to enjoy.
Have your say on Open Spaces in the District
Residents, businesses and other interested parties are invited to help shape the future of open spaces across East Suffolk.
East Suffolk Council is currently carrying out research to help shape the future of open spaces and sports facilities in the District. This includes parks, play areas, allotments, cemeteries, playing pitches (such as football, rugby, cricket, bowls and tennis) and indoor facilities (such as sports halls and swimming pools).
Find the survey here
Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards - nomination
Halesworth has been nominated in the Stars of Norfolk and Waveney Awards for Town/Village of the year.
The awards will be slightly different this year and determined by the latest Covid situation. The winners will be revealed on Friday, December 11, but a special winners’ supplement will be published in the EDP on Tuesday, December 15.
Read the full article here
Three new consultations from East Suffolk - Have your say
East Suffolk are asking the views of residents on 3 new consultations.
Draft Cycling and Walking Strategy
East Suffolk Council is looking to improve the options for people cycling and walking in East Suffolk, making it safer and more convenient as well as encouraging more people to try cycling and walking to school, work or for leisure.
Draft Statement of Community Involvement
East Suffolk Council is also keen to increase people’s engagement with the planning process. A draft document, known as the 'Statement of Community Involvement' (SCI) has been prepared which details how residents could be involved in the production of planning policy documents and have their say on planning applications.
Draft Recreational Disturbance Avoidance and Mitigation Strategy
East Suffolk Council is also inviting comments on a new Supplementary Planning Document which looks at how to reduce the impact of new housing developments on protected habitat sites.
https://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/news/comments-invited-on-planning-documents/
Outline planning application - new food store
An outline planning application has been received by the Town Council for a new food store, in the Thoroughfare car park (as shown on the map below).
There will be an extraordinary meeting of the Council on the revised date and time; 12th October at 6.30pm. 
Full details are available here on East Suffolk Council's Planning page:-
https://publicaccess.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=QH7YUQQXMKK00
Members of the public are encouraged to leave their views on this application via the link above which the Town Council can access before the meeting but comments can still be made up until the 30th October according to ESC's website (HTC's expiry date is the 23rd October).
Members of the public and press may also join the meeting via video conference in the 'Zoom' link below
Zoom video conference details
Topic: Extraordinary meeting
Time: Oct 12, 2020 06:30 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89021764174?pwd=M3J5bmVpblZTNUlJdHptZXpyMFlJdz09
Meeting ID: 890 2176 4174
Passcode: 763475
