Pre-meeting Reports

01 February 2022

 

            

229.    County Councillor

 

County Cllr Haworth-Culf sent apologies and a report had been previously circulated. 

 

230.    District Councillor

 

       Cllr Cooper sent his apologies.  District Cllr Rainger and District Cllr Daly were in attendance.  District Cllr Daly informed councillors the Covid-19 grant funding is available for hospitality, leisure and accommodation businesses.  Customer access has now re-opened for face to face appointments these must be booked in advance and  the East Suffolk Digital Business Festival will run for two weeks starting Monday 7 February, sessions can be booked online.  District Councillor Rainger informed councillors that East Suffolk Council are continuing to respond as necessary to the ongoing Energy Projects.  He spoke briefly about the new Sea Link Project, for which they are awaiting briefing dates. 

 

231.    Public Forum

    

            Nothing raised.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At a meeting of the LEISTON-cum-SIZEWELL TOWN COUNCIL

held in the COMMUNITY CENTRE, King Georges Avenue, Leiston, on

TUESDAY 01 February 2022 at 7.30pm

 

PRESENT

 

Councillor J N Last BEM (in the Chair)

Councillor D Bailey

Councillor D Boast

Councillor N Corbett

Councillor D Dix

Councillor S Geater

Councillor C Ginger

Councillor T Hawkins

Councillor Mrs L Hill

Councillor P Kyle

Councillor Mrs S Levermore

Councillor D Morsley

Councillor M Woolf

 

232.    Minutes

 

            It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed that the minutes for the meeting of 18 January 2022 be signed as a true record.

 

233.    Apologies

           

            Apologies were received from Cllr Harle and Cllr Cooper.

           

234.    Chairman’s Communications

 

            The Chairman reported thus:

           

It’s with sadness I learnt of the sudden passing of Lisa Chandler, the Sizewell C Officer at East Suffolk Council.   I’m sure like myself many councillors will have come across Lisa, as Lisa guided the Town Council through many areas of the Sizewell C process and we send our condolences to her family and friends.

 

The Pantomime at the Film Theatre went once again very well, so congratulations to everyone involved with that.

 

Disappointingly we are seeing further cases of fly tipping around our community.

 

Along with other Town Council representatives, I attended the Leiston Together Partnership Board meeting on 27 January and Helen Greengrass will be giving us an update under Item 5 of tonight’s agenda.

 

Yesterday, along with the Transport Group I attended a further meeting of the  Traffic and Transport  Group with SCC Highways and EDF.

 

On Friday 4 February myself and Cllr Woolf , will be attending the rescheduled meeting with Declan Burke, Director of Nuclear Projects at Snape Maltings.  Other Parishes will also be represented. Councillors will recall the original meeting was cancelled due to Covid.

 

Finally, just to remind councillors that the Town Council is a partner in the AONB community awards and I sit on the award panel for the Greater Gabbard Awards.  Communities are  now being invited to apply for grant funds for various projects for this.

 

235.    Declarations of Interest

 

Cllr Hill for CLT and Leiston Film Theatre, Cllr Boast for CLT, Cllr Levermore for CLT, Leiston Film Theatre and item 17d, Cllr Morsley for item 17d, Cllr Hawkins for item 17b and Cllr Geater for item 16 and item 17c.

 

236.    Leiston Together Update

           

Mrs Greengrass, Leiston Change Manager was in attendance and a report had been previously circulated.  Mrs Greengrass gave a brief update on items within the report.  Proofs of the new town signage should be available mid-February.  Possible locations identified for the planters are Leiston Library, Sizewell Tea Hut, Long Shop  Museum, Church Square and outside Additions.  The digital towns roll out is looking to be installed in the last quarter of the year.  Mrs Greengrass also spoke about the ‘Tell us about the transport in your area’ survey, she asked councillors to complete a survey and to encourage others to do so.

 

237.    Net Zero Update

 

            The clerk reported thus:

 

            The technical route manual will be published on 8 February and a press release circulated to media outlets on that day.  The manual will be available on the Net Zero Leiston website and the Town Council will promote this too.  A few members of the Steering Group are working on a calendar of  activities to raise the profile of Net Zero within the community, which will include some of the ideas presented by a local resident which Leiston Together has taken forward.  Various ideas have been suggested for half-term and Easter, build a nest box, build your own pond in a bucket and Leiston Makes Space for Wildlife could arrange planting of seeds etc.  These activities could be part of a community event in the new Church Square and funding streams are being investigated.

           

238.    CLT Trustee Board Report

 

            Cllr Boast updated thus:

           

Progress continues on phase one, we had a quiet week mid-January when like everybody else, COVID interrupted our work.   

 

Again, we are not able to control weather and our plans for completion will be affected by the weather, the rear path and communal area has a resin-based stone finish, the resin is very weather dependant, not to hot and not to cold this results in us needing to wait for completion until mid April.  All other ground works to be completed by 26 February. 

 

The two arches at either end of the through walk have been returned to manufacturers for power coating, this gives long life protection.  The band stand construction has been put on hold, the base complete with band stand fitments in place, ready when needed. 

 

Contrary to Social Media gossip we have not run out of money, but we do seek further support to complete the build of the band stand. Local business support has been welcomed, any further support from local donors will be also we very welcome and respectfully recognised.  

 

Much of the project will be complete, open and available for our first entertainment event, The First Light Festival Market on 26 March.  Diary dates are being finalised for Snape Maltings Music and Pro Corda to entertain Leiston residents at summer concerts. 

 

Phase two continues with Modece architects due to complete the feasibility study into the Sizewell Road shops suitability for retention. East Suffolk Council are proceeding with investigating other areas of land for possible inclusion into town centre regeneration plans. 

 

239.    Transport Strategy Update

 

Cllr Last informed councillors that the Transport Group met yesterday and   following the decision from the Town Council to approve the Transport Strategy, SCC Highways will now start working on the finer details of the scheme.

 

240.    EDF Transport Group Minutes of 13 December 2021

           

Councillors noted the previously circulated report.

 

Cllr Bailey asked if the extra parking bays along Seaward Avenue will be included in the Transport Strategy or need to be funded by the Town Council.  Cllr Last confirmed that the Transport Group are trying to pursue these as part of the Strategy but it is not confirmed yet these will be included, if they are not the Town Council will look at other options.

 

Cllr Woolf raised concerns that the Town Council will only have one representative on the Transport Working Group.  Cllr Last confirmed that he has asked for all the existing transport LTC members to be involved.

 

Cllr Ginger asked if loading/unloading bays had been discussed.  Cllr Last confirmed that the feedback from the businesses survey is being analysed and the design consultants are looking at the best locations for the bays.  Cllr Hill confirmed Lewis Boudville, Parking Services Manager for East Suffolk Council is also supporting with this.

 

241.    SSG Meeting of 12 January 2022

 

            Councillors noted the previously circulated report. 

 

Cllr Corbett asked councillors to let her know if they had any specific items they would like raised to let herself or Cllr Woolf know.

 

Cllr Bailey asked where the meetings are advertised so public can attend, the Clerk confirmed she had not received a notification.  Cllr Corbett will raise this to ensure the Clerk is notified about future meetings, she also informed councillors future meetings are likely to be face to face.

           

242.    Grounds Maintenance Meeting of 12 January 2022 

 

Councillors noted the previously circulated report.

           

243.    Open Spaces Committee Meeting of 19 January 2022

 

            After a brief discussion it was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Morsley and agreed to approve  the revised quote from Norse of  £915.50 for the purchase of two Jubilee trees and the planting and fencing of three trees, two to be planted at King Georges Recreation Ground and one at Victory Road Recreation Ground.

 

244.    Flagpole on Council Office Building

           

The Clerk informed councillors that East Suffolk Council have finally agreed to install a flagpole in the car park area in front of the council offices.  An initial site visit has been arranged by ESC to meet with the flag company on site on 7 March to assess the area prior to a pole being installed.  We have been informed the pole will be in place ready for the Queens Jubilee.   The Clerk suggested that we purchase a portable flagpole as a contingency.  Councillors voiced their concerns over the timescale, the Clerk reiterated she has tried to get this resolved sooner.  Cllr Hill requested that the flag be positioned as near to the council office as possible.  After a lengthy discussion it was proposed by Cllr Levermore, seconded by Cllr Woolf and agreed to purchase a portable flagpole at a cost of £150, on an amendment from Cllr Hill it was agreed to also purchase a union flag.

 

245.    Chairman’s Reception 2022

           

Cllr Last informed councillors he would not be holding a Chairman’s Reception this year with the last one only being in September.  He is still planning to award the Chairman’s Cup which could be presented at a future council meeting.  Cllr Levermore informed Cllr Last that the Events Group have an awards section arranged for the Jubilee Weekend and he would be welcome to present the cup at that event.

 

 

 

246.    Review of the Neighbourhood Plan

 

The Clerk informed councillors that our neighbourhood plan is now five years old and suggested a small working party be set up to review this and asked for volunteers.  Councillors Kyle, Woolf, Hill, Cooper, Bailey and Last all expressed an interest.  The Clerk will contact ESC Planning Policy and take this forward.

 

247.    Finance and Personnel

 

a)    Accounts for Payment

It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Bailey and agreed that accounts paid since the last meeting of £50,549.90 be approved for payment.

 

248.    Planning Matters

 

a)    DC/21/5779/VOC – Variation of Conditions No 2 of DC/15/2636/FUL - Conversion of existing "derelict" building to create 2 bed dwelling - Removal of garage by adjoining owner offered opportunity for better position of window to sitting room - Smyth House Residential Home 106 High Street Leiston Suffolk IP16 4BZ

RECOMMEND APPROVAL

 

b)    DC/22/0078/FUL - Planning application seeking full planning permission for the geotechnical trails for the enabling works of the proposed Sizewell C power station. These works comprise (i) up to 16 ground anchor trials, in 5 locations up to 0.95 ha with a further 0.09 ha for welfare compound, 1.04 ha in total (of which 0.54 ha is above ground) and (ii) deep soil mixing trial area comprising a total area of 0.52 ha, together with welfare and compound areas to support the works and access. - Sizewell C Sizewell Power Station Road Sizewell Leiston Suffolk

Cllr Last had received a number of concerns from residents regarding this application and why it hadn’t been included within the DCO.  Councillors were also concerned about this and queried why it was being submitted so late.  Cllr Woolf commented that as it is not part of the DCO it will only be reviewed locally and we as a town council do not have the technical expertise required.  It was noted that the planning authority engages with various professional bodies as part of the planning process to ensure all aspects of the application are covered.  After some discussion it was agreed to neither approve or refuse this application but have these comments noted.

 

c)    DC/22/0136/TPO - SCDC/84/00017 T558 Eucalyptus - reduce over extended limbs by 4m. T560 Ash - ash dieback disease, coppice. T561, 562, 563 Oaks - prune to clear overhead line. G1 Mixed trees and shrubs - prune to clear drive. G2 Leylandii, Sweet Chestnut - prune back from neighbours. G3 Holly, Laurel, Hazel Oak - clear from footpath, coppice hazel. G4 Oak, Ash, Hawthorn, Willow - Maintain clearance of 5m. over highway, prune to clear phone lines. All deadwood and ivy severence is allowed under exemptions from TPO regulations. - Summer Place Goldings Lane Leiston Suffolk IP16 4EA

REFER TO TREE OFFICER

 

d)    DC/21/4952/FUL Garden Shed – Walnut Cottage 16B Aldeburgh Road Leiston Suffolk IP16 4ED

RECOMMEND APPROVAL

 

249.    County Matters      

 

Cllr Hill raised that the fire hydrant in Seaward Avenue has been knocked down.  Cllr Last will obtain the information of the hydrant and report it to the Fire Service.

 

250.    District Matters

 

The Clerk informed councillors that a total of 105 penalty charge notices have been issued in Leiston during the period 01/10/21-31/12/21, 90 off street and 15 on street.  Councillors felt the number of on street charges is low, are the right times being targeted.  The clerk will raise this with Lewis Boudville, Parking Services Manager, ESC.

           

251.    Correspondence

 

            Disability Advice Service (East Suffolk)

Councillors noted the funding request from the Disability Advice Service towards their core running costs.  It was proposed by Cllr Boast, seconded by Cllr Levermore and agreed to grant £500.

           

            Beyond One Bar Open Water Swimming Club

Councillors noted the funding request from Beyond One Bar Open Water Swimming Club towards safety equipment.  After a brief discussion it was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Corbett and agreed to grant £100.

           

Fresh Start New Beginnings

            Councillors noted the funding request from Fresh Start New Beginnings towards the cost of supporting children in Suffolk.  After a short discussion it was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Dix and agreed to grant £100 and on an amendment from Cllr Corbett agreed to offer room hire in Leiston for free should it be needed.

 

252.    Questions to the Chairman

 

            Cllr Levermore informed councillors stalls can now be booked for the Jubilee weekend event, if they know of any groups/organisations who may be interested they can email leistoneventsgroup@gmail.com  to book.

           

The meeting finished at 9.15pm

 

 

 

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

 

 

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