COTTON COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLAN
(updated Feb 2026 – the latest version is always on the Village website)
| Local Risk
Assessment |
There are no specific risks but the London to Norwich main railway line runs adjacent to the village, also, there are two through traffic routes with attendant risks. Extreme weather and prolonged power loss may also offer risks at any time. The village is on a regular low-flying route for military aircraft which may also pose a risk. |
| Local Skills &
Resources |
This small rural community has many farms and businesses with skills and equipment. Individuals on the Emergency Contacts List will have local knowledge and contact details – see below. |
| Places of Safety | The following Places of Safety have been identified. They should be used in the following order:-
Village Hall, Blacksmith’s Road, Cotton. IP14 4QN (good facilities for all weather conditions and parking) The keys are held in a coded key box by the front door. Co-ordinator: Steve Winder – 07944 883791 Local Councillors also have the key box code. Trowel and Hammer Pub, Mill Road, Cotton, IP14 4QL (good facilities and parking open every day) – 01449 701201 St. Andrews Church, Church Road, Cotton, IP14 4RG (large building, no water or heating or parking) Keyholder – Christine Marsden – or the vicar |
| Emergency
Contacts |
Facebook – Cotton Village Grapevine (Facebook Page Grapevine)
Web-site – Cotton Village Website (cotton-pc.gov.uk)
In the first instance contact the following in order: 1) Clerk to Parish Council – Emma Cribb – 07855 131445 (parishclerk@cotton-pc.gov.uk) 2) Chairman of the Parish Council – Paul Howlett – 07810 860840 (paul.howlett@cotton-pc.gov.uk) 3) County Councillor – Andrew Stringer – 01449 780339 (m) 07774 199061 (andrew.stringer@suffolk.gov.uk) 4) District Councillor – Andrew Mellen – 07790 992619 (andrew.mellen@midsuffolk.gov.uk)
Also inform Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils Office hours call 0300 1234000 and request a call back from the Emergency Planning Duty Officer Out of hours call Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils on 0808 168 7794 and request a call back from the Emergency Planning Duty Officer
This is a small village so most people know how to find the relevant individuals with knowledge, skills, equipment etc. |
| Key
Community Supporters |
Neighbourhood Watch is Coordinated by the Parish Council
Good Neighbour Scheme on call mobile no: 07980 948641 Vicar – Revd. Dan Cant – 07960 069284 or 01449 258149 |
| Activation of
The Plan |
Activation will normally be made by the Emergency
Services or the Local Authority however if common- sense indicates implementation is necessary then this should be done straight away by anybody who is assisting with the Emergency |
| First Actions | Set up a coordinating group to include at least one
member of the Parish Council. Inform the Emergency Services on 999/101 or (www.suffolkprepared.co.uk) Establish a contact telephone number which can be staffed at all times. In the event of power failure a ‘hard-wired’ land-line may be needed for emergency contact. An Emergency Pack kept in a yellow bag is held at the Village Hall. It contains all the necessary items to run a Community Emergency Incident/Rest Centre |
| Agreed
actions if evacuation is required |
Normally Emergency Services will be at the scene of an emergency before any community action is required. They will direct what needs doing.
They will require: A liaison person who is known and identifiable and readily available to pass information/instructions District Council staff run ‘Places of Safety’ but they will need a small team to log people entering/leaving the Place of Safety, also the recording of instructions/requests/problems/actions within the community For an extended evacuation a community control centre will be necessary, (probably in the Place of Safety). Catering will also be needed at an early stage. |
| Staying in
contact if the usual means have been disrupted |
Assume mobile phones will be inoperable for at least 12 hours so consider runners/cyclists/drivers to pass messages.
Keep a record of who is doing what. Social media such as Village Facebook page (Cotton Village Grapevine) should be considered along with the village web-site and public meetings |
| Other information | Make sure volunteers work in pairs, for their own safety.
If it is going to be a long job, plan for extra people to be available to cover all hours including night-time. Use your own initiative but always tell someone else what you are doing and record decisions. Large maps of the village are held by the Parish Clerk and at each Place of Safety. Any media interviews should be co-ordinated through the Emergency Services press officer. Bacton Parish is adjacent to Cotton and also has a Community Emergency Plan which gives further contacts, Places of Safety etc. Pairs of FLOOD signs are held by residents living near known flood risk locations – Stonham Road, Wickham Lane, Brookhouse Road, Mendlesham Road. |
