Copdock and Washbrook
Parish Council
Parish Council
Parish Council
Suffolk born and bed, I have lived in the village with my family since 2001. In a professional capacity, I worked with various organisations to help them to improve their leadership capability and the performance of their workforce. In my personal life, I enjoy keeping fit and hill walking amongst the wonderfully diverse scenery that this country has to offer. I am a lifelong Ipswich Town fan and shareholder in Adnams brewery, two great Suffolk institutions!
What made you join the PC:
On a general level, as my working life draws to a close, I wish to give something back to the local community in which I and my family have lived so happily for over 20 years. More
specifically, I believe our village identity and that of neighbouring communities is under threat through over development of the “Ipswich fringe” by Babergh & Mid Suffolk council and I wish to ensure that the concerns and aspirations of local residents are both heard and properly represented in the strategic planning process.
What do you hope to achieve as a PC:
I think all Parish Councillors should aspire to leaving their community in better shape than
when they first joined and that will certainly be my aim too.
Tell us about you:
I have lived in the village with my family for 12 years, seeing our children through local primary and secondary schools, and been a resident in Suffolk for over 20. I am a keen (if very amateur) runner and cyclist, so have spent my time getting to know and love the parish roads, tracks and footpaths: one of the main attractive features of the area for me is the fact we maintain a distinctly rural village feel despite the proximity to Ipswich.
What made you join the PC:
I joined Copdock and Washbrook Parish Council in 2020, having previously been part of the village neighbourhood plan working group. I enjoyed getting to know more local residents through this and making some good new friends. I joined the council to build on some of the work we have done in building a plan for the village and help build and develop our local environmental plans.
What do you hope to achieve as a PC:
I would like to see the adoption of the Neighbourhood plan which will set out our strategy for future development of the village. I am also looking forward to working with fellow councillors to address traffic issues in the area and hope to gain support and adoption of plans to improve the safely along the Old London Road and Swan Hill where we have seen a number of serious incidents.
What is the best thing about the village:
A lot of folk rightly say the pub! I enjoy that we have a really good, friendly local community which makes this an attractive place to live. We also have such a beautiful location in the countryside whilst being close to town for amenities.
My family has been in the village since early 2020; moving in at the start of the pandemic certainly presented many challenges, that’s for sure!
Professionally, I run my own business in the business technology sector, with many of my clients in central London.
When not working, as a family, we like to spend time together on country walks with our two labradors; every walk is certainly an adventure. The walks around the parish are always enjoyable, allowing me to explore the area and meet people in the village.
I joined the Parish Council because I’m passionate about maintaining the friendly country village environment and helping others to ensure that life within the parish is enjoyable for all and that the needs of the parishioners are being considered.
What I love most about living in C&W is the people and the wonderful countryside around us all, the cricket club and the wonderful Brook Inn village pub/restaurant. I look forward to seeing you around the village.
I am a resident of the village. Since retiring from my career 3 years ago, I've spent time doing charity work and also as a trustee (and now the treasurer) of the Copdock and Washbrook Village Hall.
My interest in joining the Parish Council stems from my love of the fabulous area we are fortunate to live in and a desire to help maintain it. In my spare time I enjoy travelling, most sports and reading.
About Me:
After moving to Suffolk over 31 years ago, and living out on the coast for most of that time, we chose to settle in Washbrook about 6 years ago as we felt at home in the village. With having the dogs, we are often meeting others in and around the village when we're out walking them and people always have time to say hello.
What Made you join the Parish Council?
Joining the Parish Council is something I had been considering for some time, and joining the Footpath Group and seeing the impact a group of volunteers had in one morning gave me the push I needed. I responded to the notice in the Parish Council's January 2025 Newsletter calling for people to come forward and join.
What do you hope to achieve as a parish councillor?
Working with the Parish Council and see the village thrive. I am approachable and will listen to people’s concerns.
What is the best thing about the village?
The people are what makes the village, there is a real sense of community and people looking out for each other.
We live in a wonderful hidden gem, surrounded by open countryside, yet readily accessible with close links to the Counties major road networks and railways. The village is a great place to live and, by giving up some of my time, I want to do my part in keeping it that way.
James has lived in the village with his family for over 10 years and values being part of the local community. A civil engineer by profession, he aims to use practical experience and a problem solving mindset within the Pariah Council. He is keen to see more facilities for younger people and ensuring the village remains a safe welcoming place for all.
Sue Frankis, Parish Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer (RFO)
I’ve been a parish clerk & RFO since 2005 and gained the Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA) in 2008.
I enjoy the varied aspects of the role of a clerk; although the structure of the workload remains a constant, no two days are ever the same.
The Clerk is employed by the Council and is the only proper officer of the Copdock & Washbrook Parish Council. My role is to help and guide the Council on governance and procedural matters, making sure their decisions are lawful, as well as the day-to-day administration of the Council.
I’ve been in my role at Copdock & Washbrook Parish Council since September 2023 and am very much enjoying it. Everyone is friendly and I’m very impressed by the way in which the community works together for the good of all.
Outside of work, I enjoy crafts, gardening, travel, going to the theatre and concerts.
Telephone - 07849 055699
