Pre-meeting Reports
05 July 2022
56. Russ Rainger, Chairman
and Simon Merrett, Trustees of Leiston Community Land Trust were in attendance
and gave a brief presentation to councillors asking them to consider applying to East Suffolk
Council to register the Crown Public House as an Asset of Community Value. The Regulations give local groups the right
to nominate land or property to be listed as an Asset of Community Value if
certain principals are met. If
successful the nominating group is able to trigger a six month moratorium
period if the asset comes up for sale, giving time to mobilise, fundraise and
submit a bid. Mr Rainger explained that
the CLT strongly feel that the Crown Public House is an asset to the town due
to its prominent location. This location
has been identified in the Leiston Masterplan as a key site.
Cllr Woolf asked if
registering as an Asset of Community Value would stop the Crown Public House
being turned into a house of multiple occupancy. Mr Rainger and Mr Merrett confirmed it would
not stop future sales and development but would trigger the 6 month moratorium
period.
Cllr
Harle asked if it is a legal document and who currently owns the property. Mr Rainger confirmed yes it is a legal
document and the property would be listed on a national register, he is unsure
who owns the property at present.
Cllr
Bailey questioned why the Town Council should do the application and why its
not being done by East Suffolk Council.
Mr Rainger informed councillors that the application needs to be made by
a parish or community group and East Suffolk Council do not fit the
criteria.
57. County Councillor
County Cllr
Haworth-Culf submitted apologies and a report had been previously circulated.
Cllr Geater raised
concerns regarding the faded white lines on the pedestrian crossing at King
Georges Avenue, the Clerk advised Cllr Geater to report this using the SCC
online reporting tool.
Cllr Harle asked for an
update on footpath 8 behind Stocks Fairground.
The Clerk will follow this up with County Cllr Haworth-Culf.
58. District Councillor
District Cllr Rainger was
in attendance and reported no updates.
Cllr Corbett asked
District Cllr Rainger if he could provide any further information about the
Leisure Strategy Report released by ESC which identified low quality areas
within Leiston. She stated that
councillors were unaware of this report until it was released in the press last
week. District Cllr Rainger reported he
was unaware of the report. The Clerk
confirmed this strategy is an agenda item for ESC Cabinet meeting tonight which
District Councillor Cooper is attending and will report back. Cllr Hill was particularly dismayed that
councillors were not informed about this strategy.
During
the above item, the time reached 7.30pm. It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded
by Cllr Harle and agreed, Standing Orders be suspended to allow the public part
of the meeting to be completed.
Cllr Levermore asked if
it would be possible for the CLT project to be included in the leaders
bulletin. District Cllr Rainger will
progress this.
No questions were raised.
At a meeting of the
LEISTON-cum-SIZEWELL TOWN COUNCIL
held in the COMMUNITY
CENTRE, King Georges Avenue, Leiston, on
TUESDAY 05 July 2022 at
7.33pm
Councillor J Last (in the Chair)
Councillor D Bailey
Councillor D Boast
Councillor Mrs N Corbett
Councillor D Dix
Councillor Mrs S M Geater
Councillor P Harle
Councillor T Hawkins
Councillor Mrs L Hill
Councillor Mrs S Levermore
Councillor D Morsley
Councillor Mrs M Woolf
60. Minutes
It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded
by Cllr Corbett and agreed that the minutes for the meeting of 07 June 2022 be
signed as a true record.
61. Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr Kyle and Cllr Cooper.
62. Chairman’s Communications
The Chairman reported thus:
Having taken some holiday this month I do not have much to
update councillors on. Being away I
was not able to attend the opening of the Church Square on 11 June, but
very pleased this project has now come to fruition after the CLT’s hard work.
It looked like a very good occasion from the photographs. Of course now is an
opportunity for the whole community to enjoy this
space as was the case on 25/26 June
when I went along to musical entertainment performed by Britten Pears students,
which was well received and attended.
On 17 June a small
gathering took place at the Community Centre to mark the retirement of Pauline
Clarke, who has been an employee of the Town Council completing 40 years
service. I presented Pauline with a certificate, card and gift vouchers on
behalf of the Town Council and wished Pauline all the very best for her
retirement.
On 28 June as
Councillors will be aware I hosted a thank you gathering for the Leiston Events
Group to show the Town Council’s appreciation for the weekend celebrations of
the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and acknowledge their fantastic contribution to
the community event.
63. Declarations of Interest
Cllr Morsley for items
17a and 15, Cllr Boast for LTAA, CLT and item 17c, Cllr Harle for item 17a,
Cllr Levermore for items 7,8,15 and 17a, Cllr Bailey for item 17a, Cllr Last
correspondence item 2, Cllr Geater for items 17a and 18c, Cllr Dix for item 15
and Cllr Hill for CLT in particular item 8, Leiston Film Theatre in particular
item 10 and correspondence 5.
64. 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. She has submitted a funding application to the Suffolk
Growth Living with COVID Funding for 2 gazebos, e-Cargo bike and some A Frames.
Moving forward Mrs Greengrass will include the Town Masterplan in her monthly
report.
Cllr
Levermore questioned how the digital trails had been advertised. Mrs Greengrass confirmed ESC have done all
the promotions for these, she will share these with the Clerk for inclusion on
our Facebook page.
65. Net Zero Update
The clerk
reported no further updates, the next meeting is scheduled for 6 July.
66. CLT Trustee Board Report
Councillors noted the previously
circulated report.
67. Consider Request to Nominate the Crown
Public House Asset of Community Value
Following the presentation from the
CLT after a brief discussion it was proposed by Cllr Morsley, seconded by Cllr
Levermore and agreed to proceed with the application to register the Crown
Public House as an Asset of Community Value.
68. Transport Group Update
Cllr Last reported no further updates
and confirmed no further meetings are scheduled at present, new dates will be
determined once the decision for Sizewell C has been received.
69. Film
Theatre Balcony Report
Councillors noted the
previously circulated report. After a
short discussion it was proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Harle and
agreed to move forward with costings of a balcony. Councillors also wished to see projected
income reports.
70. Waterloo
Centre Playing Field Update
Councillors noted the previously
circulated report. The Clerk informed
councillors that a 9-a-side pitch could now be a provided in the available space
as opposed to a 7-a-side as originally reported.
71. Waterloo Centre Steering Group of 9 June
Councillors noted the previously
circulated report. The Clerk gave a brief update regarding the fire escape exit,
SCC are installing a new door and a second fire exit at their expense, the
shared outside area will be levelled off and the locking of the bottom gates is
being reviewed. The lead time for this
works is approximately 8 weeks.
72. Open Spaces Committee of 14 June
After a brief
discussion it was proposed by Cllr Morsley, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed
in principle, to fund £25,000 to purchase an additional play equipment for
the toddler area of Victory Road Recreation Park. The Clerk confirmed there was £13,000 in the
play equipment reserve and the remainder would be funded from the divestment
contingency reserve.
73. Community Centre Management Group of 20
June
Councillors noted the previously
circulated report.
74. Leiston Events Group Finance Report
An updated finance report was tabled. Cllr Levermore reported there was a surplus
of £1100.00 from the last event, the Clerk confirmed there is £8856.00 in the
Community Event Fund for the new Leiston Events Group to move forward
with. Cllr Levermore informed
councillors that Leiston Events Group would be having a meeting in due course
to determine new roles.
75. SSG Meeting of 8 June 2022
Councillor Corbett gave councillors a
brief report on the SSG Meeting herself and Cllr Woolf attended on 8 June. The Sizewell A and Bradwell Plant Director
informed members that some of the decommission works at SZA will be shared with
Bradwell meaning a small amount of intermediate waste will come to
Sizewell. Turbine decommissioning works
will start in the Autumn, a meeting for local residents will take place in
July/August to explain the works taking place.
The works will take approximately 2-3 years. John McNamara from the
Nuclear Decommissioning Agency reported that 3 local authorities come forward
for the high level waste disposal unit 2 in Cumbia and 1 in Lincolnshire. A
community partnership will now be formed with these local authorities to look
further into which is most suitable. SZB
Director Robert Gunn reported the seal is still in the holding area, attempts
to push him out by the RSPCA have been unsuccessful so he will be there until
the next outage when the hole will be repaired.
The damage spent fuel rod is still in the pond as they are not sure what
to do with it but are seeking expert advice.
EDF have pledged to no longer source uranium from Russia. Councillor Woolf has started looking at the
consultation with the Environment Agency which focuses on water discharge,
radioactive emissions and combustion, she asked councillors to send her any
questions they have that could be included in the draft responses. Cllr Hill commented that she felt that the meeting
the Environment Agency are having on 16 July didn’t give much time to read the
paperwork received.
76. Finance and Personnel
a) Accounts for Payment
It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Woolf and agreed that the
accounts paid since the last meeting of £53,743.77 be approved for payment.
b) Budget Review and Finance Update
Members noted the report from the RFO with a full
breakdown of the budget to date and a thorough review of the earmarked reserves
currently held. It was proposed by Cllr Morsley, seconded by Cllr Levermore and
agreed that the report be accepted and that the earmarked reserves be retained
as presented.
c) Consider Financial Risk Assessment for 2022/23
Councillors noted the report previously circulated.
It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Morsley and agreed
that members accepted that a proper and thorough risk assessment had been
carried out covering all physical, financial and governance risks which the
Council could reasonably be expected to encounter and that appropriate measures
were in place to cover or reduce those risks where possible. There was a short debate on the merits of
having a risk assessment or insurance in place should a member of staff leave.
d) Consider appointment of Internal Auditor
Councillors noted the report previously circulated. It
was proposed by Cllr Levermore, seconded by Cllr Corbett and
agreed that the checks and balances in use to ensure propriety and accuracy of
accounting for internal controls are appropriate and the monthly statement of
accounts is carried out to their expectations and instructions and that Heelis
and Lodge be appointed as Internal Auditors to the Council for 2022/2023.
77. Planning Matters
a)
DC/22/2273/FUL
- Creation of wetland habitat for wildlife on land in the
vicinity of lower abbey farm within the EDF Sizewell Estate. The habitat will
comprise reedbed, open water and ditches surrounded by tussocky grassland. Part
of the reedbed will be managed to create wet woodland through natural
succession. Provision of 55 car parking spaces at Bentwaters
Park, Rendlesham, Woodbridge, to support the workforce. - Land To The East Of
Lower Abbey Farm Eastbridge Road Leiston Suffolk
Councillors
felt they didn't have enough time to absorb all the information and make a
decision on this application for such a big project and will raise questions
regarding Bridleway 19/Eastbridge Road, parking at Bentwaters, fencing of the open countryside, soil movement
and water management issues and consultation with Natural England.
b)
DC/22/2348/FUL
- Construction of a
single storey front extension – 51 St Margarets
Crescent, Leiston, IP16 4HS
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
78. County Matters
Cllr Harle raised on behalf
a resident overgrown grass verges along Victory Road, Leiston. Mrs Kemp reported that Norse are behind on
cutting of verges but will contact Norse to ensure Victory Road is included on
the schedule.
Cllr Geater raised
concerns about the condition of the footpath leading from Westward Ho to
Waterloo Avenue. The Clerk advised this
is maintained by SCC and advised Cllr Geater to report it using the SCC online
reporting tool.
Cllr Levermore commented
on the amount of weeds on the slope leading from Seaward Avenue to King Georges
Avenue Recreation Ground and the top end of the footpath that leads to the
Primary School. Mrs Kemp will contact
Norse to get this area tidied.
79. District Matters
Nothing raised.
80. Correspondence
Leiston Football Club
Councillors noted the letter from
Leiston Football Club requesting a donation of £60,000.00 from our
neighbourhood CIL reserve to support the development of a 3G football pitch at
Victory Road. Councillors discussed the
environmental impact of 3G, the limits of community use and future projects the
council has planned for the town. After
considering all these factors councillors felt the 3G pitch would not be the
most appropriate use of our neighbourhood CIL fund. A proposal was put forward by Cllr Hill,
seconded by Cllr Morsley to grant £10,000.00 from our neighbourhood CIL but
this motion was not carried. (4 for, 7 against, 1 absention)
ABC Community Radio
Cllr Last declared an interest in
this item and left the room whilst it was discussed. Cllr Hill took
the chair.
Councillors noted the request from
ABC radio to support their move to a larger location. It was proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by
Cllr Levermore and agreed to grant £500.00.
Suffolk Accident Resue Service
Councillors noted the request from
SARS to support their running costs. It was proposed by Cllr Levermore,
seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed to grant £500.00.
Britten Pears Arts
Councillors noted the request from
Britten Pears Arts to continue 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 13
September to 29 November. It was proposed by Cllr Levermore,
seconded by Cllr Morsley and agreed to let them use the centre for free up
until 29 November then Council will review again.
Stocks Fairground
Councillors noted the email from Sally Stocks requesting permission to
use the recreation ground again this year 8-11 September. It was
proposed by Cllr Dix, seconded by Cllr Geater and agreed to grant permission providing
there is adequate stewarding and the correct Risk Assessments and Insurances
are in place.
It was proposed by Cllr Hill,
seconded by Cllr Dix and agreed that, the time being 10pm, Standing Orders
be suspended for 5 minutes to permit continuing discussion of Council business.
81. Questions to the Chairman
The Clerk commented that there will be a
meeting on 2 August to discuss planning matters.
The meeting finished at
10.03pm
Chair
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Dated ---------------------------------------------