At a virtual meeting of the LEISTON-cum-SIZEWELL TOWN
COUNCIL
held, via
Zoom, on TUESDAY 06 April 2021 at 7.30pm
Councillor J N Last BEM (in the Chair)
Councillor D Bailey
Councillor D Boast
Councillor T Cooper (8.05pm)
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
197. Minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded
by Cllr Hawkins and agreed that the minutes for the meeting of 2 March 2021 be
signed as a true record.
198. Apologies
Apologies
were received from District Cllr TJ Haworth-Culf and District Cllr Bond.
199. Chairman’s Communications
I must say, the daffodils at the
Community Orchard have looked magnificent this year and if Councillors or
members of the public haven’t had the opportunity to see them as yet, they are
well worth the visit before they start to go off.
On 8 March myself and the Transport
Group met in preparation for a meeting with Suffolk County Council and EDF to
further discuss options regarding traffic, road systems and cycle pathways.
On 15 March I attended the ASB
meeting chaired by Zoe Botten from East Suffolk
Council.
On 22 March I sat on the Greater
Gabbard Wind Farm Awards and Grants Panel and was delighted that along with the
two other panel members, we were able to award grants to several applicants.
This did include some local projects that have been before this Council.
Also, on 22 March myself and other
members of the Transport Group met with Suffolk County Council Highways and
EDF, to continue dialogue on the traffic, road system and cycle pathways and
the bullet points from that meeting are contained in Councillors packs and
covered by item 6 of the agenda.
On 30 March I, along with John
Rayner, sat in on an interview with a tutor and students from Oxford
University, where questions were asked about the proposed Sizewell C project
and application from the Town Council’s perception.
On 31 March with easing of
restrictions it was good to visit the allotments with the Town Clerk, Bev Kemp
and a representative from the Allotment Association. It was very pleasing to
see so many plots being worked so well and we also noted where there had been
some improvements and good progress since our last visit. A brief report will be given under agenda item
13.
On the evening of 31 March I also
attended via Zoom, the EA Regulation of Sizewell C Meeting.
On 1 April the Town Clerk, John
Rayner, and myself met with EDF for a Relevant Representation liaison meeting
to further discuss key points from the Town Council submission and receive
feedback from the previous meeting actions. This meeting took place just before
the Easter break so therefore minutes/notes from that meeting will be available
at a later date.
Finally, a meetings update. The current legislation allowing remote
meetings ceases to have effect from 7 May, and the Government have firmly
stated that it will not be extended beyond that date, despite the considerable
lobbying for this at all tiers of local government. The Local Lawyers in
Government have taken counsel advice and are taking a case to the High Court on
19 April, seeking a declaration that existing legislation allows remote
meetings to continue.
SALC have advised: Lawfully, we
have to hold face-to-face meetings from step 3 of the Government’s 4 step
plan (from 17 May) but if we do decide to continue using zoom
until all the restrictions are lifted (21 June), any decisions we do make
will still be valid and very unlikely to be challenged. There
is still a chance the legal challenge will enable remote meetings to continue. The Chairman asked if councillors were happy
to continue with the May and June meetings via Zoom to which this was agreed.
200. Declarations of Interest
Cllr Hill for item 10, Leiston Film Theatre and
item 15d, Cllr Levermore item 10, Cllr Bailey item 18
letter 1, Cllr Ginger item 18 letter 1, Cllr Boast item 10 and Cllr Cooper for
item 15 and item 18 letter 1.
201. Public Forum
SCC
County
Cllr Rainger reported that as we are now in the moratorium period due
to the upcoming elections he had nothing new to report, he will however
continue to support Councillors with ongoing issues.
Cllr Corbett thanked County Cllr Rainger for his support from his locality budget for the
Leiston Makes Space for Wildlife Project and said the seeds had now been
purchased and will be distributed starting next week.
ESC
A
report had been previously circulated.
A
resident raised her concerns about the access to Aldhurst
Farm from Carr Avenue, confirming all the points detailed
in her letter previously circulated to Councillors.
202. EDF Transport
Group
Report previously circulated. Cllr Last informed Councillors that there
will be a member’s briefing on the Transport Group’s proposals regarding
transport and cycle ways on 27 April at 7pm via zoom.
203. Leiston
Together update
Joanne Thain gave a brief update and informed Councillors about an ongoing project
East Suffolk Council are working on regarding small item recycling including
paper banks within town centres. She
advised that now restrictions are easing
she will be working more in the community on significant deliverables including
the park run, town centre improvements and.
She asked Councillors to contact her if they had any projects/ideas to
be considered. She informed Councillors
that there had been one candidate apply for the independent chair position for
Leiston Together, they have been shortlisted and an interview arranged.
204. Net Zero update
Councillors noted the previously
circulated report. Cllr Woolf raised
that she felt it would be good for Net Zero to respond to the East Suffolk
Sustainable Construction Supplementary Planning Document Consultation, the Town
Clerk will take this forward to the next Net Zero meeting.
205. ALS Community Partnership
Councillors noted the
previously circulated report and no questions were raised.
206. CLT
Trustee Board Update
Cllr Boast updated
thus:
The CLT continues its
progress although there is little news to give you today.
Activity
is very much behind the scenes completing application forms for
investors,
grant funders and stakeholders.
The Business Plan is
now complete and is with our senior partners, East Suffolk Council for their
approval and once approved that will help our applications for grants/funds. In the last month we have had good contact
around the differing agencies associated with the church, this has led to
confirmation on the legal paperwork being prepared to cover the permissive walk
way as well as potential funds for aspects of the work associated with the
church, security windows, new ramp access and bifold doors.
A local contractor was
employed to remove the ivy prior to the bird nesting season and possible
disruption for plans for the removal of the wall.
The new Facebook page
for the CLT is proving popular increasing our likes/acknowledgements from low
hundreds to nearly 5,000 over Easter, the awareness of the CLT is increasing. Our Facebook page is also working alongside
the Long Shop Museum.
Two dates for your
diaries - Steam Up Day 23 May and Suffolk Day 21 June. On both dates the CLT will be taking advantage
of being able to get out and about following COVID-19 restrictions. We will
have a stall on both dates promoting our work, meeting residents and answering
their questions.
We will also be inviting
residents to join the CLT and increase our membership, something we have very
much been wanting to do as it demonstrates to funders Leiston people support.
Phase two is also work
behind closed doors, negotiating with our stakeholders as to our way forward. We
are seeking out new partners with housing associations/developers and potential
architects who have experience of designing and planning town centres on the
scale of Leiston’s proposals.
207. SSG
Meeting – 5 March 2021
A report from Cllr
Woolf had been previously circulated and no questions were raised.
208. Projector/Touch
Screen for the Community Centre
Councillors noted the report and
quotes for a projector/touch screen for the Community Centre. After a brief discussion, it was proposed by
Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Corbett and agreed that a touch screen be purchased
at a cost of £2,446.00 + VAT for the Community Centre from the Community Centre
reserve. It was also suggested a cover
be purchased to keep the screen secure and undamaged.
209. Allotment
Working Party Walk Round - 31 March 2021
The Clerk reported the allotments
were generally looking good and councillors noted that just a few plots needed
an action letter. There is a significant
waiting list at the moment which is probably due to the Covid situation.
210. Finance and Personnel
a) Accounts for Payment
It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed that
accounts paid since the last meeting of £41,258.87 be approved for payment.
b) Retrospective Authorisation - Film Theatre Projector Server
It was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr
Boast and agreed that £8,522.40 for the Film Theatre projector server be
approved for payment.
211. Planning Matters
RECOMMEND REFUSAL
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
REFERAL
TO TREE OFFICER
RECOMMEND
APPROVAL
g)
DC/21/1444/FUL – Construction of new first floor to incorporate new bedroom and screened
terrace. – Unit 6 Former Leiston Middle School Waterloo Avenue Leiston Suffolk
IP16 4HF
h)
DC/21/1445/FUL - Creating new dormer providing access to new screened terrace. - Unit 8
Former Leiston Middle School Waterloo Avenue Leiston Suffolk IP16 4HF
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
i)
DC/21/1446/FUL - Creating new dormer providing access to new screened terrace. - Unit 9
Former Leiston Middle School Waterloo Avenue Leiston Suffolk IP16 4HF
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
j)
DC/21/1499/FUL - Change the use from a bed and breakfast back to residential use
- 48 Waterloo Avenue Leiston Suffolk IP16 4HE
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
212. County Matters
Cllr Harle advised
he had received a complaint from a resident at Waterloo Mews regarding bonfires
on the Masterlord Industrial Estate. The Town Clerk informed that the resident had
been in contact with the office and been referred to Environmental Health at
ESC. Cllr Cooper will follow this up to
make sure it has been addressed.
213. District Matters
Cllr Levermore
raised concerns about the rubbish at the Black Horse car park due to apparent
building works taking place. Cllr Hill raised concerns about the installation of a new extractor
fan. Cllr Cooper will follow up with Planning to ensure correct protocols are
being adhered to.
214. Correspondence
Funding request from The Royal British Legion Band
Cllr Cooper and Cllr Bailey were
put in the waiting room while this item was discussed.
Councillors noted the quote and funding
request from the Royal British Legion Band to upgrade their heating system. After a short discussion, it was proposed by
Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Ginger and agreed that we cover the cost of £5,220
from our CIL reserve. The Clerk to
investigate if further funding options are available through the Net Zero
Project Team.
Letter from Sizewell Seniors Walking Football Club
Councillors noted the letter from
Sizewell Seniors Walking Football Club requesting the Council’s approval to
seek funding from the Sizewell C Project Community Fund for a 3g pitch at
Sizewell Sports and Social Club. It was
proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Ginger and agreed that the Council are
unable to make a decision until further information is released on what funding
is available.
Removal of BT Payphone – Opp
Timber Top, Sizewell Gap, Sizewell
Councillors noted the letter from
ESC regarding BT’s consultation process on proposed public payphone
removals. It was proposed by Cllr Harle, seconded by Cllr Bailey and agreed that we request
the retention of this payphone for emergency use and if BT do decide to remove
it we are given the option to adopt it.
Proposal for welcoming children back to Leiston Town
Centre
Councillors noted the detailed report
from a local resident and agreed that this be referred to Leiston Together and
CLT as part of the High Street regeneration.
The Town Clerk will write to the resident to acknowledge the time and
effort put into the report.
During the above item,
the time reaching 10pm, it was proposed by Cllr Last, seconded by Cllr Hill and
agreed that standing orders be suspended to allow business to continue for a
further 5 minutes.
Aldhurst Farm Wildlife Habitat
Councillors noted the letters from residents
concerning the access to Aldhurst Farm from Carr Avenue. After
a brief discussion it was agreed that this be referred to EDF for resolution as
the Town Council have no authority over this matter.
215. Questions to the Chairman
Cllr Woolf felt that there should be an
official Town Council representative at the PINS Sizewell C DCO Preliminary
Hearings. The Clerk confirmed John
Rayner has been attending the meetings in his retained officer capacity. It was suggested Cllrs Woolf and Corbett would
also attend these meetings.
The meeting finished at
10.10pm
Chair
---------------------------------------------
Dated ---------------------------------------------