Pre-meeting Reports

1 October 2019

83. County Councillor

Cllr Rainger sent his apologies and submitted a short report and an answer to the question on transport, raised at the previous meeting.

84. District Councillor

Cllr Cooper sent his apologies. Cllr Haworth-Culf and Cllr Bond had tabled a comprehensive report and briefing for members and residents. An addition was the news that East Suffolk would be hosting the Cyclo-cross World Championships. Cllr Haworth-Culf also reminded the meeting that this was “unbloctober” – an initiative from Anglian Water encouraging people not to put inappropriate items down the toilet or drains. There was a reminder that the Household Recycling Centre had now reverted to winter hours which led on to a discussion on the recycling anomalies across the county and the country and the difficulty people have determining what can be recycled etc. Cllr Betson asked the District Councillors to look at the conditions that might be applied to the SZB relocation plans to now take account of the emerging new strategy for SZA decommissioning.

85. Public Forum

No items were raised.

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

held in the COMMUNITY CENTRE, King Georges Avenue, Leiston, on

TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER 2019 at 7.30pm

PRESENT

Councillor Mrs L Hill (in the Chair)

Councillor D Bailey

Councillor D Boast

Councillor Mrs S Betson

Councillor D Dix

Councillor Mrs S M Geater

Councillor P Harle

Councillor J N Last

Councillor S Levermore

Councillor D Morsley

Councillor S O’Reilly

Councillor Ms M A Woolf

86. Minutes

It was proposed by Cllr Betson, seconded by Cllr Morsley and agreed that the minutes for the meeting of 3 September 2019 be signed as a true record. It was further proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr O’Reilly and agreed that the minutes from the extraordinary meeting of 24 September be signed as a true record.

87. Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllr Ginger and Cllr Cooper.

88. Chairman’s Communications

Councillor Mrs Hill reported as follows:

On 5 September I attended the Leiston Dementia Project Group meeting where Sharon Cuthbert the Project Officer reported on the programme of local ‘dementia friendly’ activities which she uses for people in our community. The Leiston Good Neighbour Scheme was partly set up to provide support to people to access these activities. Representatives from The Long Shop Museum, Rose & Sweet William Club, The Wardens Trust and Active Lives were invited to attend to share information about what was currently available and their future plans to help people in the community.

On 12 September together with Councillor Last and the Town Clerk I attended an engagement meeting regarding the regulation of the proposed SZC nuclear power station. The attendees included key personnel from the Environment Agency and the Office for Nuclear Regulations together with representatives of local groups and councils. The meeting explained the roles of the Environment Agency and ONR in regulating new nuclear power stations and the national picture including assessing the design of the proposed power station and site assessment. Also, the requirements and process in permitting and licensing new nuclear power stations and associated developments. There was an opportunity for local stakeholders to ask questions and an indication was given by the EA and ONR that they would be willing to attend a future meeting with stakeholders. The Town Clerk recently forwarded an email to Councillors which gave website links to the Environment Agency and ONR which covers the roles of the regulators.

Also, on the 12 September together with the Town Clerk and other councillors I attended the East Anglia Two and East Anglia One North Planning Process Community Briefing hosted by SPR. The presentation was given by independent planning experts, one a former Lead Examiner with the Planning Inspectorate and a Chartered Town Planner. They explained the process and timeline once SPR have submitted their applications for a Development Consent Order. I understand that the applications from SPR are expected to be submitted later this month and it would be necessary to take note of the examination timetable. Those attending had the opportunity to ask questions but only ones relating to the planning process and not on the project itself. I have tabled a help sheet for interested parties, which was provided by the presenters at the end of the meeting.

Together with Councillor Last and the Deputy Town Clerk I was pleased to attend the official opening of the newly refurbished Leiston Leisure Centre on 17 September. It was officially opened by ESC Chairman Colin Hedgley and Andrea Thompson, the World’s Strongest Woman who lives in Melton.

Councillor Last and I accepted an invitation to attend a tea party on Sunday 22 September at the Long Shop Museum to celebrate the 100th birthday of Ruth Felton. Being a long-time supporter and neighbour of the Long Shop Museum, Trustee Lord Cranbrook presented Ruth with a special photograph of herself with a Garrett traction engine which was also 100 years old. On behalf of the Town Council I was pleased to present a card and bouquet of flowers.

On 24 September I was pleased to be asked by the Manager of Leiston Library to present certificates and medals to children who had taken part and completed this year’s Summer Reading Challenge entitled Space Chase. 79 children had successfully completed the challenge. This year the event was held in the gymnasium of the Waterloo Centre and it was a delight to see so many children, with their parents and grandparents there to be a part of this special presentation event.

As Town Council representative on the Leiston CLT I attended the East Suffolk Council and Leiston CLT Group project meeting at Melton on 25 September. A further meeting is scheduled to be held in Leiston on 26 November. My CLT report is later in the agenda.

Also, on 25 September, I together with other councillors and members of the Leiston Business Association attended the feedback meeting on the recent Leiston Town Centre Survey organised by the East Suffolk Council with the People and Places Partnership. This was a very informative session showing comparisons on a number of headings with other local towns, towns in all of East Suffolk Council and the national picture. This information will be extremely useful as we proceed with plans for the town and it has been requested that a further meeting be held to work on the findings. Copies of the report and summary will be available shortly.

I was unable to accept an invitation from the ATC but Cllr Last was able to attend. He reports - It was a pleasure to attend 1379 Squadron Leiston ATC's Annual Presentation evening on Friday 27 September and see the various awards made to the Cadets in recognition of their achievements during the last year. It was also pleasing to see the amount of voluntary work the cadets had carried out in the community in support of local community events and we also heard of the work the Fundraising Committee carry out in support of the unit.

89. Declarations of Interest

Cllr Hill for Leiston Film Theatre.

90. Co-option for the Casual Vacancy

Currently, there had been two expressions of interest but these had gone no further.

91. Leiston Together Update

Mrs Gibson sent her apologies and the Clerk updated members on the current efforts to secure another two years of Leiston Together under the new East Suffolk Council. There was a cabinet meeting that very evening which would be making the decision with the next meeting of Leiston Together scheduled for 25 October.

92. CLT Steering Group Update

Cllr Hill updated the meeting on this item thus:

At the last CLT meeting on 4 September the Trustees discussed the scoping report received from Alan Collard our Plunkett Foundation adviser and prioritised the categories for which we needed support under the 10 day package provided. It was felt that out of the categories presented the drafting of a Business Plan was currently the most urgent issue. The next step is to organise the support days with our advisor to cover the various elements to get the business plan together. On the section dealing with support from external suppliers with Bright Ideas grant funding of up to £15,000, our advisor has submitted an application on our behalf. The focus is on a marketing strategy with a website together with a video to support increased community engagement and to assist with future funding applications. As you know this is a complex project which will need large scale financial support and Bright Ideas funding is limited to providing initial help to move the venture forward but our advisor has signposted other funding streams and the CLT also have other avenues to follow.

At the last Council meeting, I reported on the new phased approach to the town centre development with Stage 1 being proposals to enhance the area around the United Church. In order to engage young people in supporting the town centre proposals, CYDS has been approached as to whether they wished to be involved in the United Church garden project as they had, in the past enjoyed this area. Following a presentation to CYDS youth workers and the young people they were keen to be a part of this project and submitted a Locality Youth Involvement funding application to support their members working with us and the church. Zoe Botten the East Suffolk Council Communities Officer has also offered to work with the CLT, CYDS and Church members. Due to the timescales set for the funding application it was necessary for this to be submitted before we had met with the Church congregation. The presentation took place on 24 September and the overall town centre project was explained with particular mention on the proposed Church project. There was an opportunity for the members to ask questions and their response to the ideas presented was encouraging. As yet we have not yet received a decision and if the congregation wished to proceed with the project, agreement would also have to be sought from the Church Authorities. If, as hoped, the Church project commences as Stage 1, the CLT will continue to focus and move forwards on the main phase of the town centre project.

A further meeting between ESC officers and CLT Trustees was held on 25 September. The Officers were brought up to date on the work of the CLT and it was reported that the Leiston Together Development Plan had been updated regarding the town centre regeneration. In order for the CLT to progress the business plan, it was agreed that it needed to be based on a scale of funds that might be required for the acquisition of the land, ranging from zero to a maximum figure. This figure to include any possible decontamination costs for the site. ESC agreed to undertake a desk top survey on possible contamination and to provide an estimated maximum figure for the business plan. Since our last meeting, Peter Goodrick the Housing Officer has left ESC and his replacement Sean Hays attended his first meeting with us. He has agreed to visit Leiston in order to view the location and to be shown the town centre proposals. The next joint group meeting is to be held in Leiston on 26 November.

The second newsletter entitled Leiston Squares has been published and sent to members. The CLT currently has 164 members.

Finally, I would like to remind councillors and members of the public that they are warmly invited to attend the CLT Open Day on Saturday 5 October at our office at No.22 Sizewell Road which will be open from 10.00am to 4.00pm. This marks the first anniversary of when the CLT were incorporated as a Community Benefit Society. It has been an encouraging and busy year and we look to continue in our endeavours to secure the success of this project.

On behalf of the Town Council, I would like to thank the Chairman and Trustees of the Leiston CLT for the time and commitment they have given over the past year.

93. Allotment Walkround

The Deputy Clerk briefed members on the recent walkround. There were a small number of untidy plots who needed to be reminded of their obligations but, on the whole, the site was well maintained and the two new tap boxes had been constructed and would soon be in place. It was also confirmed that there was a newsletter and an updated copy of the terms and conditions being given to all allotment holders as they came in to pay next year’s rent.

94. Community Orchard

Cllr Levermore reminded members that they had recently agreed to purchase more bulbs for the orchard and reported that she had omitted to ask for more trees at the same time. There were some gaps which would really benefit from a new selection of trees and, to get good stock at an appropriate height to blend in well with the current plan, a quotation had been received which could be covered by an investment of £500. Members concurred and, on a proposal from Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Last, it was agreed to make £500 from the Landscape earmarked reserve available for the project.

95. Assets of Community Value

Cllr Woolf asked members their opinions on whether, in view of the planning application for the rear of the Engineers Arms being refused, that the site might need to be re-registered as an Asset of Community Value to underline the importance attached to the site by the Town. There was uncertainty of what the future might be for the site and perhaps this was a way of maintaining visibility and engagement with the landowner. The Clerk briefed members that the circumstances since the last registration had changed in that the pub itself was now a viable going concern and therefore would not be subject to a Community Right to Buy should it be put up for sale. It might therefore be difficult to persuade the East Suffolk Council to register it again and, in effect, even if they did, it would have no function and not serve the purpose for which it was intended. Instead, on a proposition from Cllr Levermore, seconded by Cllr Harle it was agreed that the Clerk make contact with the landowner and enquire what future plans he may have for the site.

96. Councillor Fact Finding Visit to Hinkley

Cllr Last felt that it was difficult to form views and envisage how the SZC project would truly impact the area and therefore, it was as difficult to gauge what mitigation and compensation would be most appropriate for the town. He thought that members would really benefit from some insight into what had happened at Hinkley against what the residents thought might happen etc. To do this there was the option of phone calls, an invitation to a local councillor from the Hinkley area to come and brief members or a fact finding trip by some Councillors to Hinkley to engage with their local counterparts and to witness the area for themselves. It was overwhelmingly felt that to see the area and to talk to the councils most affected like we would be was the best way forward. The trip would be independent of EDF and would therefore have to be funded from contingency funds. After some discussion it was proposed by Cllr O’Reilly, seconded by Cllr Harle and agreed that members work toward sending a delegation to Hinkley and that the Clerk try and identify some good contacts for them to visit around the site.

97. Finance and Personnel

a) Accounts for Payment

It was proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed that accounts presented in the sum of £19,634.41p along with £33,591.87p paid since the last meeting, be approved for payment.

Cllr Dix had an interest in cheque 314244.

b) External Auditors Report for 2018-2019

Members were pleased to see that the annual accounts had been signed off by the external auditors with no matters being brought to their attention at all. It was proposed by Cllr Boast, seconded by Cllr Betson that the Town Council accept the auditors report for 2018-2019 and note that there were no actions to consider.

c) Review of Charges for 2019/2021

Members noted the Deputy Clerks report and recommendations on the Allotments, Community Centre and the Waterloo Centre. Mrs Rinder had laid out the costs for water on the allotments over the previous years and members noted that it would be prudent to make a small increase in the water charge per rod to help keep up with cost of supplying that water. It was therefore proposed by Cllr Morsley, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed that 20p per rod be charged for water from 1 October 2020. There was no change to the rental cost per rod and, on a proposition from Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Morsley, no change to the rental cost for Coldfair Green either.

It was proposed by Cllr Betson, seconded by Cllr Geater and agreed that the charges for the hire of the Film Theatre, laid out and recommended by the Theatre Manager, be accepted and take effect from 1 November 2019.

There were votes proposed by Cllrs Betson and Morsley, seconded by Cllrs Levermore and Boast, that the status quo remain regarding the hire charges for the Community Centre and Waterloo Centre respectively.

d) VE Day 2020 Funding

Cllr Last informed members that a working party had been set up for VE Day 2020 and that another meeting was scheduled the next day. As funds would be required for the initial set up and for booking the band etc, he asked members whether they would be happy to allow the working group to use the Leiston Events Fund for this. The Events Fund belongs to the community with the Council as custodians. It is designated for this sort of venture so, on a proposition from Cllr Morsley, seconded by Cllr Harle, it was agreed that the fund be opened for this event.

98. Planning Matters

a) DC/19/ 3436/FUL – Single storey extension to side of dwelling at 6 Southfield Drive, Leiston

RECOMMEND APPROVAL

b) DC/19/3598/FUL – Detached single storey outbuilding for storage purposes in conjunction with existing dwelling house at Old Vicarage Gardens, King Edward Road, Leiston

RECOMMEND APPROVAL

c) DC/19/3525/DRC | Details as required to discharge Conditions 3, 4, 5, 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of DC/18/3697/FUL | Former Leiston School Waterloo Avenue Leiston. Members were unhappy that the bin presentation areas for each property which were on the front boundary of the property, adjacent to the pavement and facing the street. This was considered unacceptable - the bin storage areas should be next to the building and screened, perhaps making use of the laurel hedging currently on site. There should also be provision made for a green bin as well as the general and recyclable waste bins. Members also requested that, to discharge the other conditions, the developer be asked to paint a white line around the legal extent of his property to allow the neighbours (ourselves and the Children’s centre) to be aware of his boundary.

RECOMMEND APPROVAL

99. County Matters

Members raised the ongoing problems with misleading signage during road closures and diversions. This would be raised again by the Highways Committee with the County.

100. District Matters

No questions were raised.

101. Correspondence

East Suffolk Community Safety Partnership event

Members noted the above event planned for 9 December at the Riverside, Stratford St Andrew. Cllr Hill confirmed her attendance.

East Suffolk Council (ESC) Community Partnership Workshops

Members noted the date of a forthcoming workshop to introduce the new ESC Community Partnerships. There were other papers on the table giving information on this for members to take away. Cllr Hill and Cllr Betson expressed a wish to attend the workshop and other Councillors were asked to contact the Clerk should they decide, in the future, that they would like to go along too.

Funding Request United Church

Councillors noted the funding request from the United Church to help purchase materials for a project for young people to be part of their Craft Fair and Christmas Celebration planned for 30 November. This was the day before the Long Shop’s Christmas event and members felt this was a good fit and wished to support it. It was therefore proposed by Cllr Levermore, seconded by Cllr Betson and agreed that £140 be granted to the Leiston United Church.

ESC Offer to Suspend Car Parking Charges for Christmas Events

ESC have asked towns and villages with an ESC car park whether they would like them to suspend charges for a limited time to support an event or Christmas shopping. Members discussed possibilities and decided that it could be done for 30 November to support the Christmas Celebration at the United Church and then again for the afternoon of 21 December to encourage Christmas shopping.

SSG Meeting

Cllr Betson tabled a report of the recent SSG meeting she had attended. The meeting had been briefed by Andy Osman on the emerging emergency plan for SZB and there was a draft leaflet distributed for comment which would be given to all households in the appropriate zones. The leaflet was reproduced for members to take away and for them to pass any comments they might have on it back to Cllr Betson. Cllr Hill asked that the acronyms used might need an explanation.

102. Questions to the Chairman

Cllr Betson reported on a very successful and well attended craft fair recently held at the Sizewell Sports and Social Club and Cllr Boast asked about the Speed Activated sign on Aldeburgh Road.

The meeting finished at 9.03pm.

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

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