At a virtual meeting of the LEISTON-cum-SIZEWELL TOWN COUNCIL

held, via Zoom, on TUESDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2020 at 7.30pm

 

PRESENT

 

Councillor J N Last BEM (in the Chair)

Councillor D Bailey

Councillor D Boast

Councillor A M Cooper

Councillor Mrs N Corbett (from 7.38pm)

Councillor D Dix

Councillor Mrs S M Geater

Councillor C Ginger

Councillor P Harle

Councillor T Hawkins

Councillor Mrs L Hill

Councillor Mrs S Levermore

Councillor D Morsley

Councillor Ms M Woolf

 

 

45.      Minutes

 

            It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed that the minutes for the meeting of 4 August 2020 be signed as a true record.

 

46.       Apologies

 

            Apologies were received from Cllr O’Reilly.

 

47.       Councillor Co-option

 

            Members were pleased to see applications from three residents to fill the outstanding casual vacancy and thanked them very much for their interest.  A ballot was conducted (anonymously) on Zoom and the outcome was that Mrs Nicola Corbett was elected to join the Council for the remainder of this term and, on reading a declaration of office, joined the meeting as councillor.

 

48.       Chairman’s Communications

 

            The Chairman attended the 75th anniversary of VJ Day on 15 August at the Long Shop Museum.  He laid a wreath of behalf of Leiston Town Council and the event was well supported.

 

49.      Declarations of Interest

 

            Cllr Hill for item 9, item 21, item 18 and Leiston Film Theatre, Cllr Levermore for item 9, item 18 and item 21, Cllr Boast for item 9, item 18 and item 21, Cllr Cooper for item 18.

 

 

 

 

 

50.       Public Forum

 

            County Cllr Rainger reported good work was still being done with the Covid19 situation, levels are reducing and for all to keep promoting the social distancing and washing hands message.  He congratulated Cllr Corbett on being elected to the Council.  Cllr Harle queried why vans were not allowed at the recycling centre in Lover’s Lane and County Cllr Rainger advised it was based on the risk assessment and control measures for Covid19 and the size and design of the facility.  Cllr Ginger asked if there had been any discussions on local government reorganisation.  County Cllr Rainger advised nothing significant had been discussed.

 

            District Cllr Bond and Cllr Haworth-Culf were in attendance and a report had been circulated prior to the meeting.  Congratulations were extended to Cllr Corbett on her election.  Cllr Levermore suggested half hour free parking spaces in the High Street car park would help people visiting the chemist.  Cllr Cooper will investigate but advised free half hour spaces are available in the Sizewell Road car park.

 

            Mrs Betson, the Chairman of the CLT, thanked councillors for their support in Phase 1 of the High Street regeneration project.  She advised if the Council would agree to grant 10% of the total cost of the project, £30,000, from the CIL reserve, this would help the CLT on further funding bids and show the full support of the Council.

 

51.       EDF Transport Group Update

 

            The Clerk reported regular meetings are taking place with SCC and EDF on traffic issues in the town with the aim to have a package of initiatives as part of the Section 106 agreement.  The next meeting on Thursday is a walkaround with Steve Merry, SCC to look at problems and solutions and to expand on the cycle strategy.

 

52.       Leiston Together and Net Zero

 

            The next meeting of Leiston Together is on 17 September and the new Change Manager will be introduced.  The Clerk advised the Net Zero project is gaining some interest and there will be a hard launch next month.

 

53.       CLT Trustee Board Update

 

            A report had been previously circulated.  Cllr Boast advised Cllr Cooper had stepped down from the Trustee Board due to other commitments and thanked him for his endeavours.  Cllr Boast confirmed the website was now live and the link circulated to all councillors.

 

54.       Highways Committee Meeting – 12 August 2020

 

            Councillors noted the report. 

 

 

 

 

 

55.       ALS Community Partnership

 

            The Deputy Clerk gave an update from the meeting on 13 August which she and Cllr Hill attended.  The 3 priorities of transport, economic regeneration and housing are now at Board level for discussion at a higher level and we have 3 new community priorities to focus on which are education, opportunities and aspirations, social isolation and loneliness and to encourage everyone to be physically active and healthy.  It was agreed Task and Finish Groups would be set up and would meet to discuss a plan to bring forward to the next Partnership meeting on 29 September.  It was noted that the CLT would be included in any communications on the high street regeneration aspects.  Cllr Cooper will chase up the Task and Finish Group meeting dates.

 

56.       King Georges Avenue Fencing

 

            A revised quote from Clive Fuller and report previously circulated for fencing along the whole length of the footpath.  After a short discussion it was proposed by Cllr Ginger, seconded by Cllr Levermore and agreed to install 1.4m bow top fencing at a cost of £8,191.01 + VAT.  The Clerk advised this would not be part of the Hopkins Section 106 agreement and Cllr Cooper would investigate possible funding to tarmac the footpath from East Suffolk Council.  The footpath will be discussed further at the October Council meeting.

 

57.       Victory Road Park Hire Request for a Fair

 

            The Clerk asked councillors to consider allowing Stocks Fair to hold a fair on the Victory Park recreation ground in early October. Stocks have their Showman’s Guild Risk Assessment in place and we would put up notices at the park entrances advising people to maintain social distancing.  After a lengthy discussion where various points were raised, it was proposed by Cllr Morsley, seconded by Cllr Harle to not give permission for the fair.  The vote was 6/5 against the proposal with 1 abstention so this motion was not carried.  The Clerk will ensure all the relevant paperwork from Stocks is in place for the fair to take place in October.

 

58.       Sizewell C DCO Process Relevant Representation

 

            Councillors noted the report previously circulated.  The Clerk will draft a response and circulate to members for comment.  It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Morsley and agreed to hold a meeting on 22 September to sanction the final response for submission.

 

59.       Review of Council Policies

 

            The Deputy Town Clerk advised the various Council policies were currently being reviewed for relevance and compliance.  Councillors were asked if they would like a copy of the policies or wished to add any changes to them, to contact the Deputy Town Clerk.    These will then be endorsed at the October Council meeting. 

 

 

 

 

 

60.       Opening up the Waterloo Centre and Community Centre

 

            The Clerk confirmed the caretakers were back at work and had been issued with PPE.  Risk assessments have been completed for both sites under the Government Covid19 guidance and a copy given to the groups/organisations using the relevant venues.  Those groups who have booked to start again have completed their own risk assessments and we have been given copies.  Sanitiser stations were kindly provided by ESC.  It was proposed by Cllr Morsley, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed to open both sites.

 

61.       Finance and Personnel

 

a)    Accounts for Payment

It was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Hill and agreed that accounts paid since the last meeting of £26,688.51 be approved for payment.

 

b)    Personnel Committee

Report previously circulated.  It was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Levermore and agreed to approve the new Administrative Assistant post.  Mrs Rinder will place the advert this week. 

 

62.       Planning Matters

 

a)    DC/20/3150/FUL – Part 2 storey part single storey side extension – 30 Buller Road, Leiston

RECOMMEND APPROVAL

 

b)    DC/20/26250/LBC – Listed Building Consent and DC/20/2649/FUL – The construction of a small kitchen extension to the new community room locate din one of the former workshops currently used as an office and display area – The Long Shop Museum, Main Street, Leiston

Aesthetics to be noted and refer this to the Conservation Officer’s for their recommendations.

RECOMMEND APPROVAL

 

c)    DC/20/3185/FUL – Change of use of former private garden to public walkway and recreation area – 45a High Street, Leiston

 

RECOMMEND APPROVAL

 

63.       County Matters

 

            No questions were raised.

 

64.       District Matters

 

            No questions were raised.

 

 

 

 

 

 

65.       Correspondence

 

            Funding Request from the CLT

            Councillors noted the letter from the CLT requesting the Council consider using CIL money towards the cost of the project, suggesting 10% of the total cost which equates to £30,000.  After a lengthy discussion it was proposed by Cllr Morsley, seconded by Cllr Cooper and agreed, in principle, to earmark £30,000 from the CIL reserve to the Phase 1 Project.  This will be after the appropriate amount has been used for the pedestrian crossing on Aldeburgh Road.

           

66.       Questions to the Chairman

 

            Cllr Harle queried the ownership of the trees in Haylings Grove.  The Clerk advised he will ensure these are included in the bi-annual tree inspections.  Cllr Levermore raised concerns regarding the messy state of the car park at the top of Sylvester Road.  Cllr Ginger commented that CIL money could be used to alleviate the parking problems in Seaward Avenue.  Cllr Last confirmed this was being looked at by the Transport Group.  Cllr Bailey suggested having a list of projects on which to spend CIL money on.  Cllr Boast advised the beach lifebuoy support was still broken.  The Clerk confirmed ESC had been made aware.

 

 

 

 

The meeting finished at 9.50pm.

 

 

Chair                                                                    ---------------------------------------------

 

 

Dated                                                                    ---------------------------------------------