At a virtual meeting of the LEISTON-cum-SIZEWELL TOWN
COUNCIL
held, via
Zoom, on TUESDAY 1 DECEMBER 2020 at 7.30pm
Councillor J N Last BEM (in the Chair)
Councillor D Bailey
Councillor D Boast
Councillor Mrs N Corbett
Councillor D Dix
Councillor Mrs S M Geater
Councillor C Ginger
Councillor P Harle
Councillor T Hawkins
Councillor Mrs L Hill
Councillor S Levermore
Councillor Ms M Woolf
Councillor T Cooper (7.44pm)
Councillor D Morsley
120. Minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Hawkins and
agreed that the minutes for the meeting of 3 November 2020 be signed as a true
record.
121. Apologies
Apologies
were received from Cllr O’Reilly.
122. Chairman’s Communications
The Chairman updated
the meeting thus:
On 8 November I
attended the Remembrance Day parade and Act of Remembrance at St Margaret’s
Church. It was good to see that the parade, albeit not quite as normal took
place. I laid a wreath at the Memorial on behalf of the Town Council and also
thank councillors who also attended, laying wreaths on behalf of other
organisations.
On 9 November
I along with fellow councillors attended a Transport Group meeting with Suffolk
County Council Highways and EDF.
On
Armistice Day, 11 November I attended, along with other councillors a gathering
at the
On 24 November
I sat in on the Leiston Together Partnership Board meeting. There is an update
of that on our agenda this evening.
After a lot of work
from our colleagues in the Town Council offices, we have the Facebook page up
and running. This allows us to now keep abreast of social media communications
and a vehicle to keep in close touch with our community. I encourage all councillors
and the office to identify opportunities when the best use of this can be made
in getting important messages and information out to our community. As we have
stated previous that needs to be through the office to approve anything going
out and also any responses to the public will also be issued by the office.
It is good to see the
Christmas lights appear in our town centre to give us a ray of light at this
time of year. I know this year, it has not been
possible to have the normal level of volunteers available, but would
like to thank Sonny Cracknell, David Knights and Karl Cracknell who helped with
the lights, Tim Blowers for the supply of the tree and Leiston Plant Hire for
the cherry picker. I believe Jo our
Leiston Change Manager or Cllr Corbett, will mention ‘Let the Light in’ a bit
later in the meeting.
As we all know our Town
Clerk, John Rayner, retires at the end of the month. So this is John’s last
council meeting. I would just like to
say on behalf of the Town Council, councillors past and present, a big thank
you for his 21 years loyal service as Town Clerk. We all know these Council
meetings have always run very well, due to John’s support to us councillors and
of course the guidance John has given in his briefings and agenda packs. John has also been the important interface
between ourselves other councils and also organisations as well as the public. I am sure you join with me in wishing John a
long and happy retirement and all the best for the future.
This being our last
full Council meeting of 2020, in what has been a very strange year, I would
like to thank councillors for adapting to the new ways of working. Also to
members of our community and businesses who have supported the town in so many
ways during difficult times and to residents for their understanding. I take
this opportunity to thank you all and wish you all a Merry Christmas and all
the very best for 2021.
123. Declarations of Interest
Cllr Hawkins for items 16a/16b, Cllr
Hill for CLT and Leiston Film Theatre, Cllr Boast for CLT, Cllr Levermore for CLT, Cllr Cooper for item 16.
124. Public Forum
Tom
McGarry, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at EDF, Dr Stephen Roast, Planning
Manager (Marine) and Carly Vince, Head of Planning gave an update on the latest Sizewell C Consultation
including a short presentation.
Cllr
Ginger asked if bridleway 19 is going to be closed during construction and if
so will it re-open when works are complete.
Mr McGarry was able to confirm that bridleway 19 will be closed
throughout construction but will re-open once works are complete. Cllr Ginger also raised issues over access
along the beach and if there would be lengthy closures. Mr McGarry confirmed that there would be no lengthy
closures, it would only be closed for safety reasons and these closures would
be for hours not days.
Cllr Harle raised concerns regarding the size
of the beach landing facility and, if it is now alright, why wasn’t it before.
What would be the effect on the coastline.
Dr Roast advised Environmental Impact Assessments will be done.
Cllr
Boast raised safety concerns around the speed of traffic along Lovers
Lane. Mr McGarry confirmed that road
safety is of paramount importance and that there will be changes to that part
of the road to address this issue, and improved signage will be put in place.
A
resident raised concerns over the noise/vibrations and timescale of
pilling. Mr McGarry was unable to
provide a timescale for this but will come back to the council with an update
in due course.
SCC
County
Cllr Rainger spoke about Suffolk going in to Tier 2
from 2 December. He acknowledged that
people were disappointed to be in Tier 2 but reiterated our need to follow the
rules regarding hands, space, face and hopes we will be placed in Tier 1 in the
near future. He said that support
programmes launched by SCC and ESC during the pandemic are all still running
and encouraged people to make use of them.
He also emphasised that the NHS/111 service is open and should be used
as needed. In response to a question
from Cllr Ginger regarding the track by the Primary School, County Cllr Rainger has had no further updates as of yet. County Cllr Rainger
passed on his personal thanks and best wishes to John Rayner on his retirement.
ESC
District
Cllr Haworth-Culf circulated a report giving an
update before the meeting. Cllr Cooper
confirmed that the Dementia Group run by Sharon Cuthbert had been awarded
further funding from the Community Partnership.
125. EDF
Transport Group
The Clerk reported that the EDF
Transport Group were making good progress with WSP, EDF’s contractors, in
refining some of the elements and details in the draft Town Centre
reconfiguration plans and cycle routes. It is hoped that these can be brought
to a stage, very early in the new year, where they can be given to Council for
comment and consultation.
126. Leiston
Together update
Joanne Thain advised she has now updated the
strategic plan and presented it to the Leiston Together Board at their meeting
last week. She has launched a new
project ‘Let the Light In’ encouraging residents of the town to put up some
lights in their windows and help us join together as a community. She has written a draft business plan for the
CLT
127. Net
Zero update
The Clerk reported that 6 of the 10
homes that had come forward for the pilot project had now been surveyed. The
Leiston Better Together Energy tariff was in place and a heat pump grant offer
was being circulated to residents on oil or LPG heating. Next year Groundworks
East will be working with Alde Valley Academy on climate and net zero projects
and Leiston Together has applied for electric vehicle charging points to be
installed in the town. Along with the cycling initiative being pushed with ESC
and EDF there is some good progress being made. This will all be summarised in
the executive summary of the “Net Zero” route map currently being put together.
128. CLT Trustee Board Update
A report had been previously
circulated. Cllr Boast advised thus:
Since the last update, progress
continues as the LCLT works on a number of themes.
Phil Edwards, Finance Director is
working with SCC and ESC Officers, to secure suitable funding. Several grant
applications have proved positive and further funding sources are being
followed up.
With the help of ESC the CLT are
engaging with the new representatives of the Coop. The Coop is a key
stakeholder in their phase one project at the Church.
The Church has been busy looking at
funding they have to support the building of the disabled access ramp and
bi-fold doors.
Thanks to a suggestion from Stuart
Tilbrook they have been told that EDF Sizewell B apprentices are keen to work
on designing and building the Garden Walk Arches. They can use this as match
funding to engage other funders.
The Sizewell C Traffic Management
Group continue to work alongside the CLT, taking account of future plans when
looking at the programme of traffic management for a possible Sizewell C.
Their AGM will take place on 8 December
at 6:30pm, taking advice from National CLT the meeting will be a virtual
meeting. Leiston CLT are keen for all
members to be as involved as possible. They will use the AGM to formalise the
financial end of year date to 31 March, so future AGMs can be in May or June.
All members are encouraged to
attend, use their vote to support their plans. This will include the election
process of third of board of Trustees for their three years rotational service,
plus addition of two new Trustees due to be voted in at the AGM. A link to the AGM
will be on website beginning of December.
Finally, Cllr Ginger asked for an
update on the Sizewell Road phase of works. It is pleasing to see the Dive shop
has recently moved in. Much of the land in question is controlled by ESC and
they are currently working with the Leiston CLT on the phase one, church
walkway scheme. ESC are considering how development of the Sizewell Road site
could be enhanced by other social projects such as rejuvenating High Streets
post Covid19. ESC are working a number of projects that may influence this.
Cllr Boast emphasised that the AGM
is on Tuesday 8 December and 6.30pm and encouraged all to attend.
Cllr Ginger asked what is happening
with the Sizewell Road site, Cllr Boast confirmed work is ongoing and that they
meet 6 weekly with the District Council.
Cllr Last questioned grants and if
these where just promises or secured funding, Cllr Boast confirmed that at
present these are just promises.
129. Open Spaces Walk Around – 28 September 2020
It was proposed by Cllr Hill,
seconded by Cllr Morsley and agreed that permission
be granted to the Leiston Youth and Community Angling Club for a new picnic
bench to be placed on the other side of the ramp at Haylings
Pond.
130. New
Bollard on Footpath at King Georges Avenue
Councillors noted the
report and quotes. It was proposed by
Cllr Levermore, seconded by Cllr Hill and agreed that
we purchase the solar bollard for the footpath at King Georges Avenue, at a
cost of £650.00+VAT.
131. ALS
Community Partnership
The Deputy Clerk
reported:
The Aldeburgh, Leiston,
Saxmundham and villages Community Partnership met on
9 November with myself and Cllr Hill in attendance. TJ Haworth-Culf was
proposed as the Vice-Chairman of the Community Partnership and was duly
elected.
The Grants Scheme has £5,000
available to voluntary sector organisations and community groups with
anticipated funding ranging from £250 to £1,000. Applications will be appraised by the Funding
Team and presented to a multi-agency Funding Panel for a recommendation to the
Leader/Cabinet Member who would sign off the recommendations.
Sharon Cuthbert
presented her report from the Task and Finish Group for social isolation and
loneliness. Twelve groups from Saxmundham, Leiston and Aldeburgh and surrounding villages
took part and the most supported suggestion was to run a homebased art project
through the winter with an exhibition in the spring if restrictions
allowed. A funding application has been
submitted for this project.
The Task and Finish
Group for education, opportunities and aspirations still hasn’t held a meeting
but a date in early December has been agreed.
It is hoped proposals can be discussed and put forward to the Community
Partnership meeting in January. Cllr
Hill was very disappointed again in the delay in getting a meeting arranged.
An extraordinary
meeting was held earlier today to discuss the funding application for Dementia
Project which was subsequently approved.
Cllr Hill mentioned the Task and Finish Group also met earlier today and
proposals will be put forward to the Community Partnership meeting in January.
132. Highways
Committee of 10 November 2020
Members
noted the report previously circulated.
133. Grants
Policy
After some discussion, it was
proposed by Cllr Morsley, seconded by Cllr Boast and
agreed the grants application be adopted and the Deputy Clerk will include a
further question on other funding. The
Deputy Clerk will review all applications and will suggest a donation amount before
circulating in packs for councillors to consider. This will be reviewed in 12 months.
134. 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 £47,756.18 be approved for payment.
b) Accept Internal Auditors Mid-Term Report
Members noted the previously circulated report and
were pleased to see there were no recommendations in relation to the
report. It was proposed by Cllr Levermore, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed to accept the
report.
c) Change of Bank Mandate for Business Accounts
It was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Ginger
and agreed to approve the removal of Mr Rayner from the business accounts.
d) Precept and Budget
The Deputy Clerk advised she is currently working on
the budget for next year and asked councillors to let her know by 21 December
if they had any suggestions or projects they would like to be considered.
135. Planning Matters
a) DC/20/4459/DRC - Details Reserved by Cond. 12 off DC/19/1637/FUL - 1. In
outline, comprising a Visitor Centre (maximum 2,000sq.m GEA) and a maximum of
9,500sq.m (GEA) of floorspace to provide administration, storage, welfare and
canteen facilities with all matters reserved apart from access. 2. In full, for
the demolition of the existing Outage Store, Laydown Area, Operations Training
Centre, Technical Training Facility, Visitor Centre, and Rosery Cottage garage;
removal of technical training and pool car park (63 spaces), Coronation Wood
car park (21 spaces), Visitor Centre car park (16 spaces) and northern outage
car park (576 spaces); meantime use of the Technical Training Centre as an
interim Visitor Centre followed by its demolition; and erection of new (all
floorspace in GEA) Outage Store (2,778sq.m), Laydown Area (11,990sq.m)
including New Western Access Road, Yardman's Office (23sq.m), Training Centre
(4,032sq.m), Rosery Cottage garage (30sq.m), Replacement Car Park (2,363sq.m)
providing 112 spaces, and Outage Car Park (15,525sq.m) providing (576 spaces)
including new access road (and alternative access to bridleway), footpath and
amended junction at Sizewell Gap; and associated landscaping
earthworks/recontouring, tree felling and boundary treatment. - Sizewell B
Power Station Complex And Adjoining Land Sizewell Power Station Road Sizewell
Leiston Suffolk IP16 4UR
NO COMMENT
b) DC/20/4646/FUL - Hybrid application seeking outline planning permission,
with all matters reserved, for up to 9,500 square metres Gross External Area
(GEA) to provide administration, storage, welfare and canteen facilities and a visitor
centre of up to 1,000 square metres GEA. Detailed planning permission is sought
for demolition of some existing structures and redevelopment to include a
training centre and interim visitor centre, an outage store, lay down area, car
and cycle parking, landscaping, associated infrastructure (including utilities,
plant and highway works), tree felling and other relevant works. - Sizewell B
Sizewell Power Station Complex And Adjoining Land Sizewell Power Station Road
Sizewell Leiston Suffolk IP16 4UR
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
c) Latest Sizewell C Consultation Discussion
Councillors noted the previously circulated report. Cllr Corbett raised concerns about how we
will be able to move along the beach during construction and asked if a visual
was available. The Clerk reassured that
we are in talks with EDF over this but there is no visual at present. Cllr Harle questioned
when the new sleepers for the rail line where being laid, the Clerk advised
this should be happening next week. Cllr
Woolfe proposed we agree to the response drafted by
the Clerk and this was seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed for submission
136. County Matters
Nothing raised.
137. District Matters
Nothing raised.
138. Correspondence
a)
The Long Shop Museum
Councillors
noted the letter from the Long Shop Museum requesting funding towards their
running costs. It was proposed by Cllr Ginger,
seconded by Cllr Hill and agreed to grant £1,500.
b)
Carol Service
Councillors noted the
email from Mark Oxborrow regarding permission to use
Victory Road Park for the Christmas Eve Carol Service. After a lengthy
discussion, it was proposed by Cllr
Hill, seconded by Cllr Bailey and agreed that a letter be sent to Mr Oxborrow explaining that due to Covid19, suitability of the
venue (dark) and other safety concerns it might be better for them to seek an
alternative venue this year.
139. Questions to the Chairman
County
Cllr Rainger expressed his thanks to the council for
once again supporting the Long Shop Museum.
He also informed the council that they have recently taken on a new
manager, Fraser Hale.
Cllr Bailey raised concerns with
regards to public safety with broken plant plots on the path around the Crown Hotel. The Clerk will try to find out who owns the
site and make contact with them.
The meeting finished at 10pm
Chair
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Dated ---------------------------------------------