Residents of Suffolk council region ‘Babergh’ are demanding a name change…

For the proud residents of Babergh, it’s not a problem. But for newcomers it seems the area’s name is a bit of a challenge.

The small district council now is considering spending thousands of pounds on a new name after claims that people don’t know how to pronounce it.

A special meeting of Babergh District Council in Suffolk has been called for next month ‘in order to eliminate confusion’.

Locals pronounce it ‘Bayber’ – but many newcomers say ‘Baberg’ – and now councillors will decide whether to change the name to South Suffolk Council in line with neighbouring authorities.

John Ward, the council’s leader, said: ‘Babergh has a proud history, but we know that people from further afield are often unaware of exactly where Babergh is and even struggle over its pronunciation.

‘By renaming to South Suffolk we can be clear about who we are, where we are and what we represent as well as clearly identifying the council, it will also align with the name of our parliamentary constituency, cutting down on any confusion.’

Babergh District Council has been in existence since 1974 and covers a largely rural area of 230 square miles, with a population of more than 90,000 many living in a handful of small country towns like Sudbury and Hadleigh.

In order to change the name, under the Local Government Act 1972 the authority must pass a resolution at a specially convened meeting and it must be by a majority of at least two-thirds.

The cost of any change has been put at more than £10,000 to cover things like repainting vehicles like dust-carts, new stationery and road signs

A council spokesman said Wednesday that if a change of name is agreed, the cost of implementing it will be kept ‘to an absolute minimum’, tying in with work already taking place examining how existing logos for both Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are used and involving councillors from all parties.