Pre-meeting Reports

4 June 2019

 

13.     County Councillor

 

          County Councillor Rainger reported to members that parking enforcement is being implemented shortly outside schools, 8am-4.30pm Monday to Friday, no stopping or waiting.  He reported that from 12 June, paper bus timetables are being phased out at bus stops, which will save £100,000 each year.  Parishes can still request to continue with paper timetables if necessary.  County Cllr Rainger advised that SPR discussions taking place with National Grid and a meeting is due to be held in July.  Land surveys are currently being undertaken in the area and further details can be found on the SPR website.  Cllr Bailey asked why a street light in the High Street car park still had not been repaired after 6 months.  County Cllr Rainger will investigate.  Cllr Bailey asked when the civil parking enforcement would be handed over.  County Cllr Rainger confirmed Tim Passmore, the Police and Crime Commissioner, was pushing Government to get this mandate agreed.

 

          A resident queried the Leiston flood risk initiative situation, with regards to new housing developments.  The Clerk advised that SCC had responded to an application recently (Johnsons Farm) quoting the new Mitigation Scheme and that this initiative now seems to be well focussed on the flooding issues in the town.

 

A resident advised the meeting that there was a very informative video on social media, which showed a flyby of the Bawdsey/Bramford SPR cable route. It gave a very good indication of the devastation and affect that the works inflicted on the local communities.

 

14.     District Councillor

 

          Cllr Cooper had circulated and tabled a report. Cllr Last asked if East Suffolk Council were going to review green waste bins.  Cllr Cooper confirmed no changes at the moment.  Cllr O’Reilly asked how the 3 district councillors would serve the new Aldeburgh/Leiston Ward.  Cllr Cooper advised all 3 will cover the whole area and work together.

 

          A resident asked if Cllr Cooper will be able to switch between planning committees (north and south) and Cllr Cooper confirmed he will be able to do this.

 

          Several residents raised concerns regarding the Sizewell B planning application and asked for their comments to be included in the Council’s response.  A resident also requested that the Council ask EDF what was happening with the survey station (Lover’s Lane), the bungalow by the Sizewell rail crossing and the large training/outage building on Masterlord Industrial Estate.

 

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.

 

 

15.     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 4 JUNE 2019 at 7.44pm

 

PRESENT

 

Councillor Mrs L Hill (in the Chair)

Councillor D Bailey

Councillor Mrs S Betson

Councillor A M Cooper

Councillor D Dix

Councillor Mrs S M Geater

Councillor C Ginger

Councillor P Harle

Councillor T E Hodgson

Councillor J N Last

Councillor Mrs S Levermore

Councillor S O’Reilly

Councillor Ms M A Woolf

 

 

16.     Minutes

 

          It was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Last and agreed that the minutes for the meeting of 14 May 2019 be signed as a true record.

 

17.     Apologies

 

          Apologies were received from Cllr Morsley and Cllr Boast.

 

18.     Chairman’s Communications

 

          Councillor Mrs Hill reported as follows:

 

During the afternoon of 9 May, I attended the Inspire Suffolk Prince’s Trust Graduation Presentation held at the Community Centre. I presented certificates to the latest group of young people who had completed this nationally recognised programme based in Leiston. It was an opportunity to hear about their experiences and the skills they had gained over the 12 week programme and their plans for the future.

 

In the evening, I attended the Alde Valley Academy Celebration Evening held at Snape Maltings. As a sponsor of the event, the Council were credited in the programme and on the evening as sponsoring the Year 10 student awards. It was a very impressive event and a wonderful evening to showcase the success of the school’s students.

 

On 21 May I was invited to attend a special tea party at the Rose and Sweet William Club. This was to celebrate the 100th birthday of local resident Peggy Howard. On behalf of the Council, I presented Peggy with the Council’s official birthday card and a bouquet of flowers. Unfortunately, I did not have enough notice to get the card signed by councillors and therefore signed it on behalf of the Council.

 

I was pleased to accept an invitation to attend the Leiston Works Railway Big 160 Anniversary event to mark the reopening of a section of the Works line. It was a pleasure to meet so many of those involved in the project and the many members of the public who came along to support their efforts over this two-day event. The event had also attracted much interest from the local media.

 

19.     Declarations of Interest

 

          Cllr Hill for Leiston Film Theatre and Alde Valley Academy, Cllr Cooper item 11 and item 14 letter 5, Cllr Ginger item 7, Cllr Geater for item 10(a)

 

20.     Leiston Together Update

 

          Mrs Gibson was not in attendance.  The Clerk advised there was no update as the Board meeting was scheduled to take place tomorrow.  Cllr Cooper and Cllr TJ Haworth-Culf had been appointed to the Board. 

 

21.     CLT Steering Group Update

         

Cllr Hill updated the meeting on this item thus:

 

Firstly, I am delighted to report that the CLT have recently learnt that our application to the Bright Ideas Fund has been successful. The first stage is advisor support and an advisor will be allocated to work with the CLT. There will be an initial Scoping Meeting which is important to establish and confirm the aims, objectives and milestones of support.  Following successful completion of stage one, the CLT will be invited to apply for a grant under stage two of the programme.

 

On 22 May the Trustees were invited to give a presentation to the Leiston Business Association on the work of the Leiston Community Land Trust. It was also an opportunity to encourage membership from the LBA members and through them their staff.  The Chairman, Mrs Betson gave an explanation on the background and shared the CLT’s vision of what could be achieved to enhance the town. Indicative drawings showing a number of aspects of the town were explained and members had the opportunity to study and discuss them further after the presentation. The CLT have since had these drawings made into A1 posters which can be displayed at No.22 and used for other presentations.

 

The Trustees have met on a number of occasions since my last report in April to discuss the many aspects required to keep the project moving forward. An architect who had been involved with the CLT project in Southwold was invited to visit the town and attend a meeting. The Trustees were very encouraged with the advice and input he gave both on our proposals and ways of how we could go about achieving them.

 

The first official meeting of the recently formed Project Group with Trustees and key officers, including the Planning Officer of the East Suffolk Council took place on 28 May. This was a useful meeting, but the immediate need is still to access the additional pieces of adjoining land required for the proposed development and work is still ongoing in this respect. As an interim project to the proposed larger development, the CLT are looking into improving a smaller area of the town to give residents the opportunity to see what could be achieved. A date is yet to be agreed for the Housing Officer and Trustees to meet regarding the housing aspect of the project. The possibility of Leiston being considered for funding as a Heritage Action Zone is being investigated and other possible funding streams were also raised. Future dates for meetings have been put in the diary and the next meeting is in July.

 

Unfortunately, the proposed opening of No.22 and the meeting for members has had to be delayed but Councillors and CLT members will be invited as soon as we are in a position to confirm a date. In the meantime, if you would like to learn more, No.22 is open on a Tuesday morning 9.00 – 11.30 a.m. and the CLT will have a stall at the Long Shop Suffolk Day event on 21 June.

 

22.     Film Theatre Working Party – 18 April 2019

 

          It was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Geater and agreed to postpone this item until the end of the meeting and discuss in camera.

 

23.     Highways Committee – 21 May 2019

 

          Councillors noted the report from the meeting.  It was proposed by Cllr Last, seconded by Cllr Bailey and agreed to authorise the recommendation for a chevron sign at the Station Road crossing.  The cost of £2,469.49 (inc VAT) would be allocated from the Divestment Contingency reserve.  Cllr Betson thanked the Highways Committee for their input in supporting the 40mph speed limit along Lover’s Lane/Sizewell Gap Road.  The dropped kerb project on Crown Street had identified safety concerns and County Cllr Rainger confirmed further investigations were taking place.

 

24.     Standing Orders and Policies

 

          The Clerk advised Standing Orders and Council policies will be reviewed in July and asked councillors for any additions or deletions to be given in writing by 21 June.   

 

25.     Finance and Personnel

 

a)    Accounts for Payment

It was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Last and agreed that accounts presented in the sum of £33,810.27 along with £82,906.74 paid since the last meeting, be approved for payment.

 

b)    End of Year Internal Auditors report for 2018/2019

Councillors noted the report from Mrs Heelis regarding her inspection of the full annual accounts and that she had signed her section of the Annual Statement. It was proposed by Cllr Betson, seconded by Cllr Levermore and agreed that the Internal Auditors report be accepted.

 

c)     Annual Governance Statement for 2018/2019

It was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Levermore and agreed that all statements on the Annual Governance Statement could be answered in the affirmative and that the Chairman be authorised to sign the document on their behalf.

 

d)    Annual Accounts for 2018/2019

It was proposed by Cllr O’Reilly, seconded by Cllr Last and agreed that the accounts for 2018/2019 be approved and that the Chairman be authorised to sign the Annual Accounting Statement.

 

e)    Allowances

The Clerk advised the Chairman’s allowance stands at £1,100 and councillors allowance is £250.  These allowances cover any sundries incurred while on Council business.  Councillors were requested to let the Clerk know before the next meeting if they wished to take the allowance or not.

 

The meeting took a break from 8.10pm to 8.20pm

 

26.     Planning Matters

 

a)     DC/19/1637/FUL – Relocation of Visitor Centre, Outage Store etc and new outage car park on Pill box Field at Sizewell B Power Station

 

Draft response previously circulated.  After a lengthy discussion it was agreed to add:

 

·       Coronation Wood – use as mitigation for Dry Fuel Store

·       Strengthen argument re. footpaths as local amenity

·       40mph speed limit request

·       Reference the Sizewell A land option

·       Beef up Town and Country Planning Act comment

 

The Clerk will circulate amended response to all.

 

b)     DC/19/1883/ARM – Approval of reserve matters of DC/16/1961/OUT - an outline planning application for up to 187 dwellings to include car parking, open space provision with associated infrastructure and access at Johnson’s Farm, Land north of B1119, Saxmundham Road, Leiston

 

Section 106 covered footpath 3 and upgrading of 2 bus stops to include shelters and real time information.  Cllr Last requested that, if there was a clause in the deeds for properties not allowing residents to park commercial/ leisure type vehicles at their place of residence, then provisions should be made for them to park somewhere  within the development.  Cllr Ginger proposed for footpath 3 to remain unmetalled, seconded by Cllr O’Reilly and agreed.  Cllr O’Reilly also proposed to request for the hedgerow to remain, seconded by Cllr Betson and agreed.  It was proposed by Cllr Betson, seconded by Cllr O’Reilly and agreed to recommend refusal unless they were minded to accept the above comments.

RECOMMEND REFUSAL

 

c)     DC/19/1952/FUL – New dwelling and all associated works at 2 Upton Place, Leiston

 

Councillors agreed to recommend refusal on the grounds of inadequate parking for residents of 2 Upton Place.

RECOMMEND REFUSAL

 

 

d)     DC/19/2040/FUL – Redevelopment of the site for 15 dwellings comprising of conversation of the clubhouse into 12 apartments and redevelopment of the former bowling green for three bungalows with associated access and landscaping at Leiston and District Constitutional Club, Waterloo Avenue, Leiston

RECOMMEND APPROVAL

 

27.     County Matters

 

No questions were raised.

 

28.     District Matters

 

          No questions were raised.

         

29.     Correspondence

 

          Funding request from EACH Charity

          Councillors noted the letter from the EACH Charity and declined to offer funding.

 

          Funding request from the NSPCC Charity

          Councillors noted the letter from the NSPCC Charity and declined to offer funding.

 

          Funding request from Young People Taking Action (CYDS Project)

          Councillors noted the letter from CYDS requesting funding for their running costs.  It was proposed by Cllr Ginger, seconded by Cllr Harle to grant £3,000. After further discussion, Cllr Hill proposed an amendment to the motion to grant £1,000 immediately and to request further information on their situation for future deliberation, seconded by Cllr Levermore.  It was agreed the amendment to become the substantive motion and this was then agreed.

 

          Funding request from John Bayman

          Councillors noted the letter from John Bayman requesting funding towards his music band.  Councillors suggested he try crowdfunding and also to contact Jayne Knight, Arts Development Manager at SCC for help and advice.

 

          Letter from the Planning Inspectorate

          Councillors noted the letter from the Planning Inspectorate in relation to the Scoping Report for Sizewell C.  The Clerk will send the Council’s stage 3 response and Cllr Betson suggested including in the covering letter a request for air quality data with regards to base line and predicted traffic in the town centre.  

         

 

30.     Questions to the Chairman

 

          Cllr Betson gave a summary of the recent Sizewell Stakeholders meeting.  Cllr Last mentioned the website needed updating with new councillors details.  Cllr Harle asked where the Tommy Memorial was to be placed and the Clerk said it was up to the fundraisers to decide the location. 

 

 

Before the next item, it was proposed by Cllr Cooper and seconded by Cllr Betson 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.

 

31.     Film Theatre Working Group – 18 April 2019

 

          Personnel – Staff in Confidence

 

          The recommendations of the Staff in Confidence element of the Film Theatre Working Group were discussed.  It was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr O’Reilly and agreed to accept the recommendation.  It was noted that personnel matters would normally be referred to and discussed by the Personnel Committee and that this was an exception.

 

          A further item regarding personnel as discussed and agreed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The meeting finished at 9.40pm.

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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