Pre-meeting Reports
10 January 2023
191. David Williams from
Leiston Football Club was in attendance and gave a presentation on the Football
Clubs future aspirations to install a 3G pitch and upgrade lighting.
Councillors questioned funding
options and asked if other Football Clubs, Parish and Town Councils within the
area had been approached for funding. Mr
Williams confirmed that other Football Clubs in the area have expressed
interest in the project but were not in a position to contribute financially. However they would be prepared to pay a
booking fee to use the pitch once installed.
He has not contacted any other Town or Parish Councils but will take
this in to consideration. Mr Williams confirmed that Sport England do not
support funding for football. There is other
funding from Football Authorities that
has been secured but Mr Williams stressed many of the funding sources available
have strict guidelines which lock you in to their preferred suppliers making
the project cost, as a whole, less competitive than tendering privately.
Cllr Dix challenged the change in
focus to now upgrade the main pitch and not the training pitch as presented in
their bid for CIL funding submitted to the Council last year. Mr Williams confirmed that with the recent
rise in costs it will now be more cost effective to upgrade the main pitch where
surrounding infrastructure is already in place.
Cllr Levermore asked if
the pitch could be used for other sports such as hockey. Mr Williams confirmed the type of surface
used for this pitch would not lend itself to be used for hockey or cricket but
could be used for rugby. She also
questioned how many of the 300 players signed up to the club are local to
Leiston. Mr Williams confirmed most of the children that play in the Saturday
youth teams are local to Leiston, the more senior players and the Sunday league
players come from the wider east Suffolk community.
During the above item,
the time reached 7.30pm. It was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Hawkins
and agreed, Standing Orders be suspended to allow the public part of the
meeting to be completed.
192. County Councillor
County Cllr
Haworth-Culf sent apologies and a report had been previously circulated.
Cllr Levermore raised
concerns regarding the potholes along Park Hill, Leiston. Mrs Kemp confirmed these had been reported
via the Suffolk Highways online reporting tool and have been classified as a
category 4 repair. Mrs Kemp has chased this with Highways to try and get a
more definitive timeline of repair but they were unable to confirm when this
would be. The Clerk will follow this up
with County Cllr Haworth-Culf. Action:
Town Clerk
Cllr Geater reported
that the one of the beacons on the pedestrian crossing in Hayling’s Road is not
flashing. Mrs Kemp will report this to
SCC Highways. Action: Mrs Kemp
Mrs Kemp reminded
councillors to report any highways issues using the SCC Highways online
reporting tool. https://highwaysreporting.suffolk.gov.uk/
193. District Councillor
District Cllr Rainger
and District Cllr Cooper were in attendance.
District Cllr Rainger advised Councillors of new funding opportunities
available from East Suffolk Council (ESC) through The UK Shared Prosperity Fund and The
Rural England Prosperity Fund to help strengthen the local economy. Cllr Rainger spoke of the Leiston Masterplan Proposals and
confirmed the document is now on the ESC
website for public feedback. https://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/business/regeneration-projects/leiston-town-centre-masterplan/
Cllr
Rainger also mentioned the Digital Springboard which is available to support
local businesses https://www.thedigitalspringboard.co.uk/
Cllr Rainger also commented that Suffolk’s Police and Crime
Commissioner, Tim Passmore, has a public survey available on the Suffolk Police
and Crime Commissioner website regarding his draft proposal to increase the
precept for the policing accept of Council Tax. https://suffolk-pcc.gov.uk/news/precept-survey-pcc-proposes-increase-in-precept-to-fund-constabulary-in-2023-24
194. Public Forum
There were a number of
residents from Sizewell in attendance seeking support from Leiston Town Council
to reject planning application DC/22/4509/FUL – Demolition of the existing bungalow and outbuildings and
the construction of 4 new homes (2x 2 bedroom and 2x 3 bedroom) with associated
parking to the rear. Construction of an entranceway at bottom of track. –
Timber Top Sizewell Gap Sizewell Leiston Suffolk IP16 4UH.
Several of the residents made representation to Councillors highlighting
their concerns which had been received in writing, and previously circulated. The Chairman thanked the residents for
attending, acknowledged receipt of their written letters, noted their concerns,
and confirmed site visits had taken place.
The Chairman confirmed this application would be discussed under item
14b of tonight’s agenda.
A resident asked if Leiston
Town Council had received a reply from
the Police or ESC in regard to licensing hearings for the Engineers Arms and
Leiston Newsagents. This was in relation to there having been no representation
from the Police as a consultee. The
Clerk confirmed no response has been received yet and would chase up a
response. Action: Town Clerk
At a meeting of the
LEISTON-cum-SIZEWELL TOWN COUNCIL
held in the COMMUNITY
CENTRE, King Georges Avenue, Leiston, on
TUESDAY 10 January 2023
at 8.04pm
Councillor J Last (in the Chair)
Councillor D Bailey
Councillor D Boast
Councillor T Cooper
Councillor Mrs N Corbett
Councillor D Dix
Councillor Mrs S Geater
Councillor T Hawkins
Councillor Mrs L Hill
Councillor Mrs S Levermore
Councillor D Morsley
At the start of the meeting, it was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by
Cllr Morsley and agreed to discuss planning application 14b after item 4.
195. Minutes
It was proposed by Cllr
Bailey, seconded by Cllr Hill, and agreed that the minutes for the meeting of 06
December 2022 be signed as a true record.
196. Apologies
Apologies were received
from Cllr Kyle.
197. Chairman’s Communications
With our meeting
running a bit later this month it’s a belated Happy New Year greeting to one
and all.
At the end of December
Councillor Susan Geater retired from her post at Leiston Doctors surgery after
joining the Surgery in 1987, which I make about 35 years’ service. Before that Councillor Geater following her
training at Ipswich Hospital was a staff nurse working at Aldeburgh Community
Hospital from 1980 until 2005. I would like to thank Councillor Geater for all
the work she has done in our community over the last 42 years and wish her all
the very best in her retirement.
On 7 December, along
with Councillors, I attended the Thanksgiving Service for Councillor Phil Harle
at St Margaret’s Church, Leiston. I was pleased to be able to say a few words
on behalf of the Town Council and the well-attended service was a great tribute
to Phil and showed how well respected Phil was in our community.
On 8 December, I
attended the Alde Valley Academy Christmas Concert where we were all treated to
a great evening’s entertainment with a sprinkling of Christmas favourites and more.
On 14 December I
attended the Leiston and District Philatelic Society Christmas event. The group
was founded some 50 years or more ago with a founder member still attending and
the group is still going strong. A very good and informative exhibition was on
display and also a quiz took place, which I have to say I wasn’t very
successful at but was pleased to present the prizes to those who were.
On 5 January myself and
Councillors attended a presentation by the East Suffolk Council Regeneration Team
on the Leiston Masterplan Proposals. Consultants will require the Town Council to respond by
18 January, as part of the consultation.
An A3 version of the Masterplan is available in the Council Chambers for
Councillors to use.
Finally, I just want to say once
again how wonderful our town looked over the festive season with the street
Christmas lights and tree. Also, the
events held on a very foggy and cold day went down well with our community and
I want to thank all those involved. I have sent a letter of thanks on behalf of
the Town Council to the organisers for all their hard work.
198. Declarations of Interest
Cllr Cooper for items
14 and 17, Cllr Hill for Leiston Film Theatre and CLT, Cllr Levermore for
Leiston Film Theatre and CLT, Cllr Boast for CLT and item 17, Cllr Geater
finance and personnel and Cllr Bailey item 17.
The Town Clerk reminded Councillors
of Standing Orders ref 1 Rules of Debate at meetings reference (i-p). Councillors
acknowledged the comments and written responses from residents. After a debate it was proposed by Cllr Levermore, seconded by
Cllr Morsley and agreed to recommend refusal for this planning
application. Cllr Hill proposed an
amendment and asked that the Town Clerk includes all the points mentioned in
the briefing papers previously circulated and some of the points raised by
residents at tonight’s meeting. Cllr Levermore was in agreement with the
amendment and the motion was agreed.
RECOMMEND
REFUSAL
200. Play
Areas/Open Spaces
Nothing to report.
201. Assets
a)
Waterloo Centre Wellbeing Pilot Update
Councillors
noted the previously circulated report.
After a brief discussion it was proposed by Cllr Levermore, seconded by
Cllr Corbett and agreed that a charge of £5K be made to the Integrated
Neighbourhood Team for the use of the Waterloo Centre as a Wellbeing Hub for a
period of up to one year.
It
was proposed by Cllr Morsley, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed to make
recommendation to the Integrated Neighbourhood Team and other partners, that subject
to funding being sourced the part time Coordinator post to manage and run the
Wellbeing Hub be employed by Leiston Town Council on a 12 month fixed term
contract.
202. Highways and Transport
The Chairman reported that County Cllr
Haworth-Culf is chasing up a response for us regarding the pedestrian crossing.
The Highways meeting scheduled for
14 February has been cancelled and will be rearranged. Cllr Hill commented that it is not worth the
Highways Committee meeting if no Suffolk County Council Highways representative
attends, and suggested that we escalate our concerns to somebody higher, the
Clerk will follow this up.
Action: Town Clerk
203. Energy Projects
a)
SZC Deed of Obligation and Terms of Reference
Councillors noted the
previously circulated report and change of the SZC Deed of Obligation Working
Group to the Energy Projects Working Party.
204. Outside Bodies
a) CLT Trustee Report
Councillors noted the
previously circulated report.
b)
ALS Community Partnership of 7 December 2022
The Clerk informed
Councillors that the minutes of the ALS Community Partnership Meeting held on 7
December 2022 will be circulated once available. Action: Town Clerk
c) Net Zero Leiston
Councillors noted the
previously circulated report.
Cllr Levermore asked
what was happening regarding Electric Vehicle charging points. The Clerk confirmed these are part of a wider
project that is still ongoing.
205. Civic
Events
a) Christmas 2022
The Chairman commented
that the Town Council became aware that the Christmas lights on the council
building had not been working for the
Christmas Eve carol service. He
confirmed these have now been repaired.
Cllr Cooper commented
that several residents had complimented how nice the town centre looked but
were disappointed to see no lights up outside the Community Centre. Cllr Dix will raise this at the next Leiston
Events Group meeting.
Cllr Morsley raised
safety concerns regarding the carpark area at the front of the Council Chamber
during the Christmas Eve carol service and asked if a parking suspension could
be put in place. Mrs Everett-Spearing
confirmed this is an ESC Carpark but as it would only be for a short period of
time cones could be put out on the day and emphasised a volunteer would be required
to do this. It was decided to agenda
this item to be discussed at our October meeting.
b) Chairmans Reception 2023
Councillors noted the
proposed date of the 31 March at Leiston Community Centre.
c) Coronation Memorabilia
After a brief
discussion it was proposed by Cllr Dix, seconded by Cllr Geater and agreed to
purchase 360 King Charles Coronation Coins at a cost of £874 (plus VAT), one to
be gifted to every child at Leiston Primary School.
206. Finance and Personnel
a)
Accounts for Payment
It was proposed by Cllr
Cooper, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed that the accounts paid since the last
meeting of £65,810.65 be approved for payment.
Cllr Last questioned
the amount for booking fees. The RFO will check this.
b)
CIL Presentation
Following a successful
CIL presentation from ESC on 13 December 2022, an assets meeting to discuss
future CIL projects has been arranged for Monday 23 January, 6.30pm at Leiston
Community Centre.
c)
Parochial Charities
It was proposed by Cllr
Cooper, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed to confirm Cllr Geater as a signatory
for the Parochial Charities Fund.
207. Set
the Precept Budget for 2023/24
Councillors noted the
detailed report previously circulated.
The RFO highlighted item
7 Future Proposals in her report which the
CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) reserve and Divestment Contingency is
available with no addition needed to the precept..
The RFO recommended
within the report that Leiston Town Council precept to East Suffolk Council for 2023/2024
should be £339,000 thus meaning a 1.04% rise in council tax for our residents,
the first increase in two years. She
stressed the importance of slowly increasing our precept, so that when the cost-of-living
crisis has a knock on effect next year, we will not have to increase our tax by
a large percentage to cover overheads. Cllr Cooper reiterated this point. The
RFO informed Councillors that Suffolk
County Council, East Suffolk Council and the Police have yet to confirm their
precept but it is expected that they will increase their council tax.
Cllr Hill queried why only £2,000 has
been allocated towards the Neighbourhood plan as the review is going to cost
£10,000. The RFO and the Clerk confirmed
that they had checked previous Council Minutes which confirmed that an
additional £10,000 was expected to be forthcoming from Government Funding to
cover the full cost of the Neighbourhood Plan review.
After some discussion
it was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed that
Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council precept East Suffolk Council for £339,000 for
2023/24, which is a 1.04% increase.
208. Policies and Procedures
a) Publication Scheme
Members noted the
recently circulated Publication Scheme.
On a proposition from Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Cooper it was agreed
to approve and accept the amendments.
209. Planning Matters
a) DC/22/4746/FUL - Construction of one and
a half storey two bedroom dwelling - 35 King Georges Avenue Leiston Suffolk
IP16 4JX
RECOMMEND
REFUSAL
REFER
TO TREE OFFICER
210. County Matters
Nothing raised.
211. District Matters
Councillor Dix raised
further concerns regarding the trading of Leiston Local and the selling of
alcohol. Cllr Cooper confirmed they have
an alcohol licence, and all the signage issues are being dealt with by the
enforcement team. Councillors raised
further issues concerning chargeable parking, disability access, fire
regulations, deliveries, doorway and steps.
It was proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Geater and agreed to
write a letter to East Suffolk Council Planning Enforcement highlighting these
concerns and copy in Parking Services. Action:
Town Clerk
212. Correspondence
Leiston Football Club
Cllr Cooper confirmed that under Section 33
Localism Act 2011 this matter is not considered a Disclosable Pecuniary
Interest (DPI) nor an Other Registerable Interest under the LGA Model of
Councillor Code of Conduct. This
confirms he is both able to debate, and vote.
The Town Clerk confirmed that advice had been sought from SALC who had
confirmed this understanding.
Councillors noted the request from Leiston
Football Club requesting £110,000.00 of Leiston Town Council CIL money to go
towards the installation of an all-weather 3G football pitch at Victory Road. After a lengthy discussion it was proposed by
Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Morsley and agreed to match Leiston Football Clubs
contribution of £50,000 and grant £50,000 from our CIL fund and encourage them
to look elsewhere for further funding.
213 Questions to the Chairman
Cllr Levermore asked if the
Neighbourhood Plan could be updated to include Sizewell. She also asked if we can stipulate the
percentage of second homes and what signage is allowed within town centre
areas. Cllr Cooper commented that we
need to make sure our green spaces are protected and Cllr Geater commented
about restricting the development of large garden areas. The Clerk confirmed there is a Neighbourhood
Plan Review meeting scheduled for next week and she will raise these points. Action: Town Clerk
It was proposed by Cllr
Hill, seconded by Cllr Cooper and agreed that, under the Public Bodies (Admissions
to Meetings) Act 1960, the public be excluded from the Meeting on the grounds
that publicity would be prejudicial to public interest by reason of the
confidential nature of the business to be transacted.
214
Personnel
It was proposed by Cllr
Hill, seconded by Cllr Cooper and agreed that the time being 10pm,
Standing Orders be suspended for 10 minutes to permit continuing discussion of
Council business.
Members noted the confidential
Personnel minutes of 07 Dec 2022. Item 4
was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Boast and agreed.
Councillors noted the
recently circulated Maternity Policy. It
was proposed by Cllr Hill, seconded by Cllr Levermore and agreed to adopt this
policy.
The meeting finished at
10.10 pm
Chair
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Dated ---------------------------------------------