Pre-meeting Reports
07 September 2021
89. SZC
Presentation by EDF Energy
Tom McGarry, Head of Stakeholder Engagement at EDF, gave an update on the
Sizewell C Project his written presentation is attached to these minutes.
Cllr Ginger asked Mr
McGarry how could bringing in potable water by tankers not cause an increase in traffic. Mr McGarry confirmed that there would be an
increase in traffic to bring in the water, however this would not exceed the
forecast limit of HGVs predicted for the early years of construction as these additional
movements are included within the published figures and not an addition.
Cllr Ginger asked if
the Chinese will be helping to finance the building of Sizewell C. Mr McGarry informed councillors that how the
build is financed will be decided by the UK Government if Sizewell C is
permitted. He confirmed that the 20%
stake that the Chinese have at present ends in April 2022 when the final
decision is made.
Cllr Kyle asked if
there are any known environmental impacts on the water desalination plant? Mr McGarry said that all of the environmental
impacts are listed within the main consultation document which he will send via
email to all councillors.
Cllr Bailey asked Mr
McGarry if Sizewell C is given permission would EDF be funding the cost of
the proposed Traffic and Transport
Strategy and if so would this be done in the early stages. Mr McGarry confirmed that should Sizewell C
be given permission, EDF would fund the Transport Strategy through there Deed
of Obligation and that it would be done in the early stages.
District Cllr Daly
asked about numbers of lorries, how many extra lorries per day will there to be
carry the water and how many in total.
Mr McGarry advised that all the figures are in the main public
consultation document. District Cllr
Daly also asked about the B1122 which is currently earmarked as the main route
for Sizewell traffic. Mr McGarry
confirmed that planning for a link road has been submitted and if this gets
permission would be implemented in the early stages reducing the traffic on the
B1122 by 95%.
Cllr Harle asked about
tourism mitigation as it wasn’t mentioned.
Mr McGarry confirmed that tourism mitigation was mentioned within his
presentation and was part of their Deed of Obligation, which he anticipates
will be published on the PINS website this week. Once it has been published he will email Cllr
Harle.
Cllr Ginger asked if
the Theberton (B1122) by-pass will be temporary or
permanent. Mr McGarry confirmed that is
in the application to be permanent.
During the above item,
the time reaching 7.30pm, it was proposed by Cllr Ginger, seconded by Cllr Harle
and agreed that standing orders be suspended to allow the public session to
finish.
90. County Councillor
County Cllr
Haworth-Culf was in attendance and a report had been circulated prior to the
meeting.
Cllr Harle asked for an
update on footpath 8 that runs behind Stocks Fair. County Cllr Haworth-Culf and the Clerk have
received no further updates so County Cllr Haworth-Culf will chase this.
Cllr Ginger asked
County Cllr Haworth-Culf if she could meet with a resident of St Margaret’s
Crescent, on-site to look at and discuss traffic calming measures. Cllr Ginger and County Cllr Haworth-Culf will
discuss.
91. District Councillor
Cllr Cooper sent his
apologies. District Cllr Rainger and District Cllr Daly where in attendance and
a report had been previously circulated.
District Cllr Rainger reminded councillors that they have a locality
grant scheme available. District Cllr
Daly introduced himself to councillors.
Cllr Harle asked why
the caravan park at King Georges Avenue is not being used and could it be used
for SZC. District Cllr Rainger informed councillors that this site is part of a
collective review of sites within the town and is being looked at as part of a
wider strategic review support and regeneration. Mr McGarry confirmed that the reason that
they have chosen a new site and not this existing site is because they want to
discourage Sizewell traffic from coming into the town.
A resident raised concerns
about a previous planning application for South Close, Leiston regarding
displaced parking and road safety.
Councillors noted the points raised.
Cllr Haworth-Culf and
Mr McGarry asked to be excused and left the meeting.
Nothing raised.
At a meeting of the
LEISTON-cum-SIZEWELL TOWN COUNCIL
held in the COMMUNITY CENTRE,
King Georges Avenue, Leiston, on
TUESDAY 07 SEPTEMBER
2021 at 7.30pm and also via Zoom
Councillor J N Last BEM (in the Chair)
Councillor D Bailey
Councillor D Boast
Councillor D Dix
Councillor Mrs S M Geater
Councillor C Ginger
Councillor P Harle
Councillor T Hawkins
Councillor Mrs L Hill
Councillor P Kyle
Councillor D Morsley
93. Minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded
by Cllr Boast and agreed that the minutes for the meeting of 06 July 2021 be
signed as a true record.
94. Apologies
Apologies
were received from Cllr Cooper, Cllr Woolf, Cllr Corbett and Cllr Levermore.
95. Chairman’s Communications
I
trust Councillors have managed some relaxation and quality time since our last
meeting.
We have a had a few more acts of vandalism around the town over the last
month or so, and like myself and the residents of the town I am sure
Councillors will find this very disappointing. The Clerk will update us all
during the meeting.
I would like to thank the residents that attended the Town Transport
Strategy exhibitions and clinics and for the submission of feedback forms.
On 7 July I attended the Leiston Together Partnership Board meeting.
On 19 July I attended the Transport Groups meeting ahead of the Public
Consultation.
On 27 July I was pleased to attend the Allotment Associations
presentation for the Best Kept Allotment for 2021. I would like to
congratulate Mr
and Mrs Turner for winning the award.
On 28 July I attended the Annual General Meeting of the Citizens Advice
Bureau at Alde Valley High School, where Stephen Baker, Chief Executive of East
Suffolk Council also gave a talk.
The 5 August saw the first meeting of the Leiston Together Youth Working
Group, which I sat in on.
On 12 August the Clerk and myself attended the launch of ABC Community
Radio at their Saxmundham studio.
On 14 August I was interviewed by ABC Radio regarding the Council’s
Transport Strategy Public Consultation and responded to questions from
listeners.
On 17 August I sat in on the
inaugural meeting of the Skate Park working group. This meeting was put
together by Hannah and Bev and involved some of the Skate Park users, as well
as a representative from East Suffolk Council. The group will continue to put
forward ideas and plans on how they would like to see the Skate Park improved
and extended.
I would like to thank the Vice
Chairman Councillor Cooper for attending the Inspire Suffolk Awards on 1
September which I was unable to attend.
As you will be aware, Jo Thain, Leiston Change Manager, moves on to
pastures new later this month, and on behalf of the Town Council, I just want
to thank Jo in her role with the Leiston Together Partnership Board and her
contribution towards Leiston. Jo has brought much energy, enthusiasm and
commitment to the many aspects of the job in bringing benefits to Leiston. I
know some of her projects will be on going for a while. I wish her all the very best for the future.
And finally, just a reminder the Chairman’s reception takes place on 17
September at the Waterloo Centre. I look forward to seeing you all there.
96. Declarations of Interest
Cllr Boast for CLT, Cllr Hill for CLT, Leiston
Film Theatre and item 20a and Cllr Ginger for Leiston Film Theatre.
97. Leiston
Together Update
Joanne Thain gave a brief update on some of the current projects she has
been working on. Designs for the new town signage will be finalised next week
and sent to Councillors for approval.
The Visit-Leiston website update is ongoing. She will be speaking with Mr Mayhew,
Headteacher at Alde Valley next week regarding a permanent site for a community
swap shop to run in conjunction with Leiston Free Friday (a Facebook group
which has been set up by the community to share unwanted items). She has applied for a grant for the Dementia
Project to set them up with a formal office and drop in space at the town
council offices. Town Centre enhancements are ongoing. Chris Newson a local
artist is working on a project to get daffodils and wildflowers planted on the
verges between Leiston and Saxmundham later next
year. This project will be funded by
Maggi Hambling. Mrs Thain thanked councillors
and residents for their help and support during her time as Leiston Change Manager.
98. Net Zero Update
The
Net Zero Leiston Steering Group recently met on 1
September.
The previous meeting on
20 July focused on the outline plan and structure of the route
map and the technical data involved in pulling that together with the
expert consultancies. A launch plan proposal was shared on how the
project could promote the completion of the route map. I have spoken
with Jack Raven at the Project Team and it is hoped they will be
attending our Council meeting possibly in October or November to give
a presentation and officially launch the route map. The
Chairman and I have a meeting scheduled next week to determine the initial
sign-off and way forward for a launch. Following that there will be
a launch event for Suffolk at Endeavour House and finally an eventual
national launch event at Westminster. As this is a Leiston
Together initiative I have asked for some assistance from the
Board members to help support this project which has been
agreed.
99. CLT Trustee Board Report
Cllr Boast update thus:
The Community Land Trust continues
its progress with both phase 1 and phase 2.
Phase 1
Physical evidence can now
be seen with CYDS members hard graft the removal and recycling of the block
paving, restoration of the seating and tables together with the clearance of
the whole base has been completed. Detectorists
can now get in and do their sweep of the area.
The CLT recognises the excellent work efforts that CYDS members have
been putting in, not easy work and considerably wide ranging in their work, a
big well done to them.
The detectorists will be seeking any
evidence of past early settlements, evidence of any previous town square or
signs of early living, this could prove an interesting search.
Work has also commenced
on the Church with the opening of the wall above the ramp to the church, to
install the bifold doors, steel girders installed and reinforcement of the
emergency fire door.
It was good to see this
work had started and could be seen by those attending the Traffic Management
Proposal exhibition, real evidence of the CLT in action.
Work on the security
glazing of the Church windows is due to start any day. Whilst this is not evident from the High
Street, soon we hope further work will show the full exciting plans for the
Church walk beginning to be put in place.
The Sizewell
apprentices have now completed the finalised design for the arches ready for
construction, the CLT are very impressed by the designs and feel sure the
public will be once they are in place.
The joint stakeholders,
the CLT, Co-op and Church elders have been meeting to put in place the
necessary pre-development contractual agreements to ensure safe egress access
of HGVs etc and ensure customer health and safety requirements are in place
prior to the walls removal.
The CLT are concerned
that lack of materials could affect the start date.
Phase 2
Phase 2 is progressing well behind
the scenes, ESC are very much in proactive mood and are working closely with
the CLT to look at progressing what has up to now been concept images of the
new town centre and looking how to turn them into a realistic and achievable
dynamic town centre.
Progress on engaging architects with
the proven past skills at developing large town centre complexes is now well
advanced.
Skills that will be
needed to create Leiston into an exciting town centre to look at and provide
designs for shops, communal units, housing, cultural areas all encircling and
open plan town centre.
The CLT are pleased to report whilst
these are well advanced a new town centre of this size will not be produced
overnight.
The additional
associated sites Challis’s and Trillium which are seen as possible further
areas of development to enhance the town centre are being progressed well with
the CLT and ESC deploying delicate but purposeful negotiations.
The CLT trustees are pleased at the
progress being made and recognise they will need patience and diligence as they
look toward the future new town centre.
100. Traffic
and Transport Proposals
Just over 4,000 newsletters detailing the transport proposals were
delivered by Royal Mail to all IP16 postcodes, which also included
businesses. Two exhibitions were held and a total of 179 people
attended. We also offered 24 slots for 1:1 clinics on 3 different days
which 12 people booked and attended. We received 315 feedback forms from
the consultation and just over half of the responses have been analysed with the overall sentiment so far of 66% against
the proposals. The main issue being the one-way system. The
Transport Group will discuss the findings at the next meeting later this month
to review the data and discuss a way forward. A final report will be
compiled with all the data in readiness for the Council meeting in October.
101. EDF
Transport Group 19 July
Councillors noted the
previously circulated report.
102. Relevant
Representations 21 June
Councillors
noted the previously circulated report.
103. SZC
PINS Hearings/Examinations Update
The Clerk informed
councillors she has requested representation at 3 of the next issue specific
hearings and a meeting with Cllr Corbett and Cllr Woolf is scheduled for later
this week to discuss.
104. SALC
AGM 29 July
Councillors
noted the previously circulated report.
105. Open
Spaces Committee Walkround 1 July – New Climbing
Frame
After a brief
discussion it was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Morsley
and agreed to purchase the Kuma climbing frame from Kompan
for King Georges Recreation Ground at a cost of £23,023.69 which includes the
safety flooring.
106. Film Theatre Working Party 15 July
Councillors noted the previously circulated report.
107. Leiston Library Steering Group 22 July
Councillors noted the previously
circulated report.
108. Grounds
Maintenance Committee 11 August
After a short discussion it was proposed by Cllr Ginger, seconded by Cllr
Bailey and agreed to write to ESC requesting for all of the grass be cut short
at Leiston Cemetery. Cllr Hill asked for
an amendment to the proposal for the grass to be cut and cleared which Cllr
Ginger approved.
109. Skatepark
Working Group 17 August
Councillors noted the previously circulated report.
110. Highways Committee 25 August
Further to recommendation from the Highways Committee to renew 3 slow
road markings after a brief discussion
it was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Morsley
and it was agreed to approve the cost of £773.04 and it was noted that the
level crossing warning signs would be swapped at Suffolk Highways exspense.
111. Vandalism in the Town
As Councillors are already aware there has
been a significant amount of vandalism in the town since the beginning of the
year. Both King George’s Avenue and Victory Road parks have had problems
as well as the Town Council offices and public toilets in Dinsdale Road.
All of these incidents have been reported to the Police. There was also a
break-in at the LTAA clubhouse and some young teenagers were caught and
identified through their CCTV. The Police and other agencies are
working with them and their families. Since this time, things have
quietened down and there have been no further incidents and I hope it stays that
way.
112. Finance and Personnel
a) Accounts for Payment
It was proposed by Cllr Boast, seconded by Cllr Bailey and agreed that
accounts paid since the last meeting of £142,172.45 be approved for payment.
b)
External Auditors Report 2020/2021
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 Morsely, seconded by
Cllr Ginger and agreed that the Town Council accept the auditor’s report for 2020/2021
and note that there were no actions to consider.
113. Planning Matters
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
b) DC/21/3810/FUL
- Single storey flat roof
extension to rear of property - 5 Red House Lane Leiston Suffolk IP16 4JZ
RECOMMEND
APPROVAL
RECOMMEND
APPROVAL
RECOMMEND
APPROVAL
114. County Matters
Cllr Geater asked when Westward
Ho resurfacing works will take place as the revised date as passed. The Clerk will investigate.
115. District Matters
Cllr Bailey asked for
an update regarding the flagpole at the Council offices. The Clerk advised a survey has been carried
out and confirmed a new flagpole will be installed shortly she will chase this
up.
116. Correspondence
Woodbridge Marie Curie
Fundraising Group
Councillors noted the
request from Woodbridge Marie Currie to support the funding of Marie Currie
nurses working in Suffolk. It was proposed by Cllr Bailey,
seconded by Cllr Ginger and agreed to grant £250.00.
Leiston Football Club
Youths
Councillors noted the
request from the Leiston Football Club Youths asking for a grant towards the cost
of new goals. After a brief discussion it
was proposed by Cllr Morsley, seconded by Cllr Dix
and agreed to grant £400.00.
Stocks Fairground
Councillors noted the email
from Sally Stocks requesting permission to use the recreation ground again this
year 1-10 October. It was proposed by
Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Harle and agreed to grant permission at £150 per
day.
Britten Pears Arts
Councillors noted the request
from Britten Pears Arts to use the Waterloo Centre free of charge to run their Participate
Group which aims to increase the health and wellbeing of older people in
Leiston who are at risk of isolation, once weekly from 07 September-07
December. It was proposed by Cllr Hill,
seconded by Cllr Morsley and agreed to let them use
the centre for free up until 07 December and then Council will review.
117. Questions to the Chairman
Cllr Dix raised concerns about the
visibility splay coming out of lovers lane due to the number of advertising
boards on display. Cllr Bailey commented
that the visibility coming out of Black
Heath Corner is also bad due to the same.
Cllr Dix will report this issue to Highways via the online reporting
tool.
The meeting finished at
9.30pm
Chair
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Dated ---------------------------------------------