A Babergh district councillor has been lambasted for demanding banners promoting a Hadleigh food bank charity and the Friday market be removed after decrying them as 'unsightly'.

Hadleigh south councillor Sian Dawson was also criticised for failing to respond to emails about the matter.

Hadleigh Foodbank Charity chair Angela Gregg spoke of he dismay and concerns at last Thursday's Hadleigh town council meeting where she described how Babergh's public realm team had twice removed the banners after being ordered to by Cllr Dawson.

"I initially contacted the Babergh Realm team after I noticed the banner had been removed by them, and asked where our banner was," said Mrs Gregg.

"They admitted they had it and said it was removed as they were instructed to remove them by a councillor in Hadleigh.

"I asked for permission from the Realm team to have it returned to me and to give the foodbank permission to put the banner up again as it was a vital source of information for people who needed our support.

"It was put back up only a few days later once again removed.

"Again I spoke to the public realm team who apologised to me but I was told they were instructed to remove them as they were "unsightly".

"I emailed Cllr Dawson on January 12 but she has not come to me, which is not really acceptable."

Cllr Dawson said in her monthly report that she was responsible for ordering the removal claiming they did not have permission, something denied by the banner owners, with the market actually run on behalf of the district.

Babergh has also said the banners will be allowed to go back up and they were keen to show their support for the community, the charity and the market.

A Babergh spokesperson said: "We have a duty to check that any banners on our land, including in our car parks, are up to date and have all the necessary permissions.

"All banners displayed in our Hadleigh car parks were collected earlier this month as part of our regular process and returned to their owners. Assuming the banners are still in date and the relevant permissions are in place they can be re-installed without any problems.

"Hadleigh Market is funded by Babergh district council, and we are keen to encourage people to shop local and support our amazing traders.

"We have recently seen new traders joining the market through our Innovate Local scheme and consulted on the market's future development.

"In the meantime, the market's ongoing promotion is, of course, far more wide-reaching than a car park banner, with advertising, PR, media coverage, and regular social media activity to keep everyone informed.

"Similarly, we are keen to support our local community groups and recognise the critical role they play, providing both practical and financial support to a range of organisations including local foodbanks, so we can work together to support those in need across our district."

A Hadleigh market stallholders told Nub News: "It seems to me Mrs Dawson is going about power crazy and I would suggest abusing her position.

"The more people that know about the market, the more will come and that has to be to the benefit of the whole town.

"She made a fuss about businesses being affected by the change of a pound in car parking charges, but then she does this. What a hypocrite, she should follow the lead of all those other councillors who have resigned."

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