Pre-meeting
Reports
2 July 2019
As a mark of respect
to Cllr Terry Hodgson, who recently passed away, everyone
stood and observed a minute silence.
32. County Councillor
County Councillor
Rainger reported to members that the Sizewell C Community Forum will be held
tomorrow (3 July) with the announcement in the press today that a stage 4
consultation will run from 18 July to 27 September. He felt there was no evidence to suggest much
had changed but encouraged everyone to participate in the consultation. County Cllr Rainger confirmed the CEO of Scottish
Power Renewables, David Walker, will be attending parish workshops (not public)
at Friston on 12 July and Thorpeness on 16 July. County Cllr Rainger has granted £1,000 from his
Highways budget towards the town council’s CIL application for the pedestrian
crossing on Aldeburgh Road and Cllr Hill thanked him for his support. He further reported that the Police and Crime
Commissioner, Tim Passmore is holding a public engagement session on 18 July at
the Fire/Police Station and encouraged everyone to attend. County Cllr Rainger confirmed SCC are
supporting a ‘Skills for the Future’ scheme which gives a year’s placement on a
bursary and the scheme is currently open for applications. County Cllr Rainger also commented that SCC
are doing well with pot-hole repairs and other councils are copying the SCC model. Councillors raised various questions regarding
the timing of the EDF consultation, verge grass cutting and parking enforcement.
County Cllr Rainger confirmed SCC had
highlighted the timing of the EDF consultation period, coming during the summer
break, and this will be raised with EDF.
He explained that some verges are being left uncut for environmental
reasons for the seeding of wildflowers and to give habitat to bees and suchlike. If there is a safety issue at road junctions
on visibility, then people should report it on the SCC website Highways reporting
tool. The Police are still responsible
for parking enforcement on double yellow lines and County Cllr Rainger suggested
this could be raised at the meeting with Tim Passmore on 18 July.
33. District Councillor
Cllr Cooper will circulate a report
tomorrow to councillors.
During the
above item, the time reached 7.30pm, it was proposed by Cllr Ginger and seconded
by Cllr Harle and agreed that Standing Orders be suspended to allow the public
session to complete.
34. Public Forum
Nothing was
raised.
At a meeting of the LEISTON-cum-SIZEWELL TOWN COUNCIL
held in
the COMMUNITY CENTRE, King Georges Avenue, Leiston, on
TUESDAY 2
JULY 2019 at 7.33pm
Councillor Mrs L Hill (in the Chair)
Councillor D Bailey
Councillor D Boast
Councillor Mrs S Betson
Councillor A M Cooper (left at 8.10pm)
Councillor D Dix
Councillor Mrs S M Geater
Councillor C Ginger
Councillor P Harle
Councillor J N Last
Councillor S O’Reilly
Councillor Ms M A Woolf
35. Minutes
It
was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Last and agreed that the minutes
for the meeting of 4 June 2019 be signed as a true record.
36. Apologies
Apologies
were received from Cllr Levermore, Cllr Morsley and District Cllr TJ
Haworth-Culf.
37. Chairman’s Communications
Councillor Mrs
Hill reported as follows:
The
Leiston Surgery Patient Participation Group held their AGM on 19 June and my
report as their Chairman is included in the pack of agenda papers for your
information. I was re-elected as Chairman of the PPG and I’m
pleased to report that interest in the group continues. We have 14 members,
three having attended the AGM.
On 24
June, with other Councillors and the Town Clerk, I attended the funeral service
of our colleague and friend Terry Hodgson. The number of people in attendance
very much reflected the high regard and respect people had for Terry over the
many years of service he gave to the community.
On 25
June I was invited to attend the Open Day at Charles Miller Court following a
recent major refurbishment. I was made very welcome and enjoyed meeting the
tenants and taking part in the activities which included a session on being a
Dementia Friend and a quiz. I was impressed with the décor and furnishings in
the lounge, kitchen and guest bedroom and learnt the tenants had had an input
into the plans and were pleased with their new surroundings.
On
Friday, I attended with the Town Clerk, a meeting hosted by Dr Therese Coffey
MP regarding Scottish Power Renewables’ latest proposals for the offshore wind
farms and associated infrastructure in the Friston area. County Councillors,
District Councillors and members of the public affected by the proposals were in
attendance. A representative from Leiston Town Council was also invited. Dr
Coffey, County Councillors and District Councillors gave an overview of the
latest position and actions already taken and those being progressed. The
public were able to voice their concerns and ask questions. There was a
consensus at the meeting, including from our MP, that the proposals were
totally inappropriate for this area and that more information needed to be
obtained from SPR, the National Grid and Government officials.
Last
night, I was pleased to attend the opening of the Art Exhibition at St Margaret’s
Church which showcases the talents of children attending Alde Valley Academy
and Leiston Primary School. The guest speaker was Tom Merrett, an ex-pupil of
Leiston High School, who is now a successful sculptor and teacher based in
London. The exhibition is open until Saturday 6 July 10am to 4pm.
Finally,
you may have seen in the local press that there is to be an additional stage of
consultation on proposals for Sizewell C. The Stage 4 consultation will run
from 18 July to 27 September and we await further information.
38. Declarations of Interest
Cllr Cooper for item 13 Planning and CYDS, Cllr Hill for Leiston Film Theatre,
Aldeburgh Summer Theatre and Alde Valley Academy and item 12(a) cheque, Cllr
Ginger item 12(a) cheque and Leiston Film Theatre, Cllr Geater for item 13(b),
Cllr Bailey for item 10 and item 16 letter 3, Cllr Betson for item 12(a) cheque,
Cllr Harle for item 12(a) cheque.
39. Leiston Together Update
Mrs Gibson joined the meeting and gave
an update. She thanked the Long Shop
Museum for hosting Suffolk Day on 21 June which was a successful and well
attended event. Mrs Gibson confirmed the
Leiston Town Pocket Guide will be produced and funded from the Coastal Revival
Fund as part of the new information point being created in the foyer of the
film theatre. It is hoped the guide will
be available in September. Mrs Gibson reported the East Suffolk Community
Business Awards are being held in September and suggested the Sizewell Park Run
be nominated. Cllr Betson also proposed including
the Leiston Surgery be put forward jointly as the ‘Park Run Practice’. Cllr Harle asked if the number of students at Alde
Valley was increasing and how the College is doing. Mrs Gibson confirmed intake at the school had
increased and 40 students are currently enrolled at the College with the aim to
achieve 80 for the coming year with new courses on offer for students. Mrs Gibson is also looking for funding for a
library at the school.
40. CLT Steering Group Update
Cllr Hill updated the
meeting on this item thus:
Trustee Jim Florance has
attended a Navigus workshop held in Melton to assist the CLT in how to pitch a
project and seek supporters. This was also an opportunity to talk to others in
the same situation and although Leiston’s project seemed to be further ahead
and of a much larger scale it was a useful meeting. Jim Florance and Sammy
Betson will also be attending a Locality Conference in Cambridge on 11 July to
understand forms of finance available for the Leiston project and hear
experiences of asset transfer and the benefits of creative hubs in the community.
At a meeting on 19
June the Board considered an application from Tony Cooper to become a
Trustee. It was agreed that Tony Cooper should be co-opted to the Board with
immediate effect. His term will run
until the AGM towards the end of this year when he would be able to stand for
formal election as a Trustee.
Following advice from
Debbie Wildridge from the National Community Land Trust East an application has
been made to the Homes England Community Housing Fund. Other funding streams
are also being investigated such as High Street Funding and Heritage Action
Zone Funding via East Suffolk Council although it puts Leiston in competition
with other local towns.
The CLT have been
advised that the Plunkett Foundation will be providing 10 days of support
funded by the Bright Ideas fund. Our advisor is Alan Collard who will be in
contact to arrange a meeting once he has returned from holiday. The support
will be working with the CLT to complete a community business development plan
and to help us to apply for a grant under the Bright Ideas project.
The CLT had a stand at
the Long Shop Museum on Suffolk Day recruiting members and talking to visitors
and showing the indicative plans for the town. Six people signed up as members on
the day. A number also took applications away and two have already been
returned making a total membership of 143.
To engage with more
people in the community regarding the proposals and with a view to gaining more
members the CLT will be having a stand at the Co-op store on Thursday 25 July from
9am – 4pm.
The official opening
and reception mentioned in my previous reports will now be held in September. I
hope some councillors were able to take up the invitation to visit No.22
earlier this evening which is also open from 9am to 11.30am on a Tuesday
morning for those wishing to find out more.
The next meeting of the
Project Group comprising the CLT and officers of the East Suffolk Council will
take place later this month.
41. Waterloo
Centre Steering Group meeting – 6 June 2019
Members
noted the minutes and discussed the recommendations contained in them. It was
proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Last and agreed that the quotes for
signage, car park work and sports field reparations
all be accepted and that the cost, £8,271 be taken from the Waterloo Centre Reserve.
Members congratulated Hannah on her vision
and professional presentation and would await further updates on feasibility, viability and business planning in due course.
42. Open
Spaces meeting – 11 June 2019
Councillors
noted the report from the meeting. Cllr Ginger was pleased that Mr Fuller had
looked at the slightly wobbly fence alongside Victory Park and we are awaiting
recommendations.
43. Standing
Orders and Policies
The Clerk introduced the suggested amendments to Standing Orders
regarding the length of tenure for being Chairman and whether to formally
require, or allow, standing at the Annual Meeting. After discussion it was
proposed by Cllr Ginger, seconded by Cllr Cooper and
agreed that the following be inserted at Order 1(r):
“A
member shall remain seated when speaking unless requested to stand by the
Chairman. At the Annual Meeting members may remain seated, unless they prefer
to stand, or are requested to do so by the Chairman.”
It was
proposed by Cllr Ginger, seconded by Cllr Bailey and
approved that the following paragraphs be added as Order 5(f) and 5(g)
f) That a
Councillor shall only hold the office of Chairman for a maximum of two
consecutive years unless there is no other candidate.
g) That the Vice
Chairman be expected to take the position of Chairman, should they be so minded,
and that this is then confirmed by the councillors present at the meeting.
The
amendment to Financial Standing Orders to clarify that the Deputy Clerk was now
the RFO was also passed.
Members
noted the request to approve the continued use of all the Councils’ current
policies and, on a proposition from Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Ginger, it
was agreed to endorse their continued use.
Members
deferred the possibility of forming a Planning Committee to the September
meeting.
Cllr Cooper left the meeting
during the above item.
44. VE
and VJ Day – 75th Anniversary 2020
Members noted the correspondence which drew attention to the anniversary
of both VE Day (8 May) and VJ Day (15 August) next year. Members noted that, should any celebration or
commemoration, be considered then the Leiston Events Group were not able to
organise this (due to other events and commitments). After a short discussion,
it was proposed by Cllr Last, seconded by Cllr Harle and agreed for the town
council to investigate possible interest in the town for an event. Cllr Boast commented that it may also be an
appropriate time to determine the location for the Tommy.
45. Air
Quality
Item postponed until
September.
46. Finance
and Personnel
a) Accounts for Payment
It was proposed by Cllr Last, seconded by Cllr Bailey and agreed that accounts
presented in the sum of £38,098.60 along with £27,418.29 paid since the last meeting,
be approved for payment.
b) Financial Management and Risk Assessment for 2019-2021
Councillors noted the report and addendum to include the Waterloo Centre from
the RFO on the Council’s risks. It was proposed by Cllr Betson, seconded by
Cllr Geater and agreed that members accepted that a proper and thorough risk
assessment had been carried out covering all physical, financial and governance
risks which the Council could reasonably be expected to encounter and that
appropriate measures were in place to cover or reduce those risks where
possible.
c) Budget Review and Finance Update
Members noted the report from the RFO with a full breakdown of the budget
to date and a thorough review of the earmarked reserves currently held. It was
proposed by Cllr Betson, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed that the report be
accepted and that the earmarked reserves be retained as presented.
d) Appointment of Internal Auditor 2019/21
Councillors noted the report from the RFO on internal controls and the recommendation
for appointment of Internal Auditors for 2019-2021. It was proposed by Cllr Ginger, seconded by
Cllr Boast and agreed that the checks and balances in use to ensure propriety
and accuracy of accounting for internal controls are appropriate and the
monthly statement of accounts is carried out to their expectations and
instructions. It was further proposed by
Cllr Ginger, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed for Heelis and Lodge be
appointed as Internal Auditors to the Council for 2019/2021.
e) Request for Additional Cheque Signatory
With the sad passing of Cllr Hodgson and the recent retirement of Cllr
Howard it was considered prudent to seek another councillor to become a cheque
signatory. With Cllr Geater volunteering it was proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded
by Cllr O’Reilly and agreed that she be appointed as a
cheque signatory.
f) Review of Film Theatre Admission Charges
Members noted the report from the Film Theatre Manager which gave a good
overview of the current pricing regime and how it compared to the other local
cinemas in the area. He made a good case for a modest increase in some of the
admission charges and, on a proposal from Cllr Last, seconded by Cllr Bailey it
was agreed to implement all the recommendations with effect from 19 July 2019. This
included an increase of 10p to all classes of ticket and 40p to a family ticket.
Premier seats and 3D surcharge remain unchanged.
The meeting took a break from 8.45pm
to 8.55pm
47. Planning Matters
Members were surprised this application had been
resubmitted as it had been roundly refused earlier in the year. It remained wholly
unacceptable and the same response would be sent.
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
b)
DC/19/2346/COU – Retrospective Application – change of use
of farmland to extend existing campsite installation of additional electric
hook-ups. Additional kitchen area and 3
showers and 3 toilets in existing building.
Increase the total number of caravans, campervans, motorhomes
or tents on site at anyone time to 45. Applefields Caravan and Camping Site,
The Orchard, Abbey Road, Leiston
The only concern members had for this increase in numbers
was the traffic movements past neighbouring properties otherwise the site was
well laid out, well run and easily able to absorb the increased numbers.
Cllr Geater left the room for this item.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
c)
DC/19/2241/ARM – Outline planning permissions reference
DC/17/3105/OUT to seek permission on access, appearance, landscaping, layout and scale matters. Part side garden, 8 Andrew Close,
Leiston
Members agreed to make
no comment as they felt the inclusion of this property on Andrew Close was
totally out of character and spoilt the street scene. It had unfortunately
gained outline permission however so there was nothing more to say.
NO COMMENT
d)
DC/19/2546/FUL – Minor alterations to facilitate approved
change of use from dwelling to C2 residential care home for vulnerable young people
(ref DC/18/2801/FUL). Work includes replacement windows and doors, raising of
parapet wall by 150mm to comply with Building Regulations and addition of
privacy screening to parapet. The Old Vicarage, 2 King Edward Road, Leiston
With the inclusion of a
privacy screen on the parapet of the garage roof this retrospective application
was now acceptable.
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
48. County Matters
No questions were raised.
49. District Matters
Cllr Ginger commented that the display board
at Heath View showing the new house numbers still had not been resolved. The Deputy Clerk will raise this again with
Norse. Cllr Last commented that the
grass cutting this year on the open spaces was very slack and especially at the
cemetery.
50. Correspondence
Funding Request from CYDS
Councillors noted the briefing from the
Clerk regarding further funding for CYDS.
Cllr Betson suggested raising this issue with Leiston Together and to get
them involved in supporting this organisation.
It was proposed by Cllr Ginger, seconded by Cllr Woolf
and agreed to grant £2,500 and to make provision in the precept for next year.
Funding
Request from the Long Shop Museum
Councillors
noted the funding request from the Long Shop, which had been deferred in
March. It was proposed by Cllr Betson,
seconded by Cllr Last and agreed to grant £1,500 towards the running costs.
Funding
Request from Southwold and Aldeburgh Theatre Company
Councillors
noted the email from Marianne Fellowes requesting funding for participants to
attend the summer theatre. It was
proposed by Cllr Boast, seconded by Cllr Betson and
agreed to grant £500.00.
Festival
of Remembrance 2019
Councillors
noted the letter from the Band of the Royal British Legion requesting use of
the film theatre and subsequent financial support for their Festival of Remembrance. It was proposed by Cllr Ginger, seconded by
Cllr Harle and agreed that the Council supports this request.
Summerhill Blue Plaque
Councillors
noted the email from Sally Howard regarding a blue plaque to mark the centenary
of Summerhill School at a cost of £360.00.
It was proposed by Cllr Last, seconded by Cllr Ginger and agreed to progress
this.
Funding
Request from the Leiston Film Theatre Support Club
Councillors
noted the letter from the Film Theatre Support Club requesting a donation toward
their grand draw. It was proposed by Cllr Bailey to grant £100, but on an
amendment by Cllr Betson to grant £150.00, which Cllr Bailey was in agreement
and seconded, it was agreed to donate £150.00.
During the above item Cllr Hill left
the room and Cllr Last took the chair.
Letter re. Public Footpath Barriers
Councillors noted the letter from a
resident regarding difficulty in negotiating steel barriers on public footpaths
in a mobility scooter. It was suggested
to investigate the matter further and take to the Highways Committee in August.
Permission Request from Stocks Fair to Use Victory Park
Members
noted the email from Sally Stocks requesting permission to use the recreation
ground again this year 12–15 September. It
was proposed by Cllr Ginger, seconded by Cllr Harle and agreed to grant permission
at £150 per day and the Clerk to be in control of the fencing.
51. Questions to the Chairman
Cllr Woolf
advised members she will be attending the Sizewell C Community Forum and to let
her have any questions to raise. Cllr Harle
asked about the signage for Ashfield Drive on the corner of Haylings Road. The Clerk advised East Suffolk Council were dealing
with it. Cllr Harle also mentioned the art
exhibition by Alde Valley and the primary school students at St Margaret’s
Church which runs until 6 July.
Before the next item, it was proposed by Cllr Ginger and
seconded by Cllr Woolf and agreed that under the Public Bodies (Admission to
Meetings) Act 1960, the public be excluded from the meeting on the grounds that
publicity would be prejudicial to public interest by reason of the confidential
nature of the business to be transacted.
52. Personnel – Staff in Confidence
A matter of confidence was discussed.
The meeting finished at 9.50pm.
Chair ---------------------------------------------
Dated ---------------------------------------------