Pre-meeting Reports
07 March 2023
237. County
Councillor
County Cllr
Haworth-Culf was in attendance and a report had been previously circulated. County Cllr Haworth-Culf congratulated the Town Council and
the CLT for winning the High Street of the Year award
for the recent Church Square development and commented that it was very well
deserved and a proud moment for Leiston.
She informed Councillors that her locality budget has now all been
allocated however there is £500 available to Leiston for a Coronation event
that will be paid out in May should we wish to apply. She recently chaired the AONB Gallopher Wind Farm Grant applications and attended the ALS
Community Partnership Board meeting where she heard of many good projects
planned for Leiston which are encouraging.
She told Councillors to keep her informed about any Highways issues and
she will continue to support these.
238. District Councillor
District Cllr Daly was
in attendance. He reminded Councillors
that we enter the pre-election period from 16 March but reassured them council
business will continue as normal and he will still be there to support with any
issues. He offered his congratulations
to the Town Council and CLT on winning the High Street of the Year Award. He confirmed that his Enabling Communities
Budget has all been spent. A report will
follow in due course.
239. Public Forum
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 07 March 2023
at 7.30pm
Councillor J Last (in the Chair)
Councillor D Bailey
Councillor Mrs N Corbett
Councillor Mrs S Geater
Councillor D Boast
Councillor T Hawkins
Councillor Mrs L Hill
Councillor Mrs S Levermore
240. Minutes
It was proposed by Cllr
Corbett, seconded by Cllr Hill, and agreed that the minutes for the meeting of 7
February 2023 be signed as a true record.
241. Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr Kyle, Cllr Cooper, Cllr
Morsley and Cllr Dix.
242. Chairman’s Communications
As Councillors are
aware, the Council Offices have been experiencing a number of issues of late
relating to services and building defects. This in turn has made it difficult
for staff to operate effectively and efficiently as they would have liked.
I just want to
acknowledge and thank the staff for their flexibility and change of working
arrangements during this difficult period.
I also want to thank Councillor Cooper for all his efforts in
coordinating the remedial work required through East Suffolk Council.
It has been
disappointing to learn of recent acts of vandalism in the Town Centre, which is
being dealt with by the Police.
I understand the
Leiston Film Theatre Support Group held their AGM on Saturday 4 March and a
number of long standing committee members have decided to stand down and on
behalf of the Town Council, I offer the Town Council’s sincere thanks and
gratitude for all their hard work and efforts over the years in respect of the
funds they have helped to raise. A
letter will be sent to acknowledge our thanks.
The Skate Park Project
is now well underway and we look forward to the completion.
On 14 February I
chaired the last meeting of the Partnership Board of Leiston Together as we
know it. A new format for the Board is
being looked at, that will focus on the
Town Centre Regeneration Masterplan and the Sizewell C Project.
On 23 February I
attended on behalf of Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council, the funeral of former
Town Councillor Thelma Hawkins at St Margaret’s Church, Leiston.
On 24 February during
the Waterloo Centre Steering Group Meeting Councillors along with many others
in the UK observed a minutes silence in respect of the anniversary of War in
Ukraine.
On 28 February along
with the Town Clerk, and representatives from the CLT, I attended the East Suffolk
awards ceremony at Snape Maltings,
anticipating that the Church Square Project, after being nominated for
High Street of the Year award ,would be successful. Indeed, it was, and it was
a very proud moment for Leiston to pick up this award. I recognise
the collective work of the CLT and partners in achieving this deserved win. I
have written on behalf of the Town Council to the CLT conveying our
congratulations.
On 3 March I sat on the
Galloper Wind Farm Fund awards panel for 2023. There was a record number of applications
this year and after the difficult task of assessing all the applications, I am
pleased to say 10 projects were awarded funding to the annual amount of £11K
including Leiston-cum-Sizewell.
And finally, just a
reminder of the Chairman’s Reception on 31 March 2023.
243. Declarations of Interest
Cllr Hill for CLT, Cllr
Levermore for CLT, Cllr Hawkins for item 13d, Cllr Boast for CLT and Cllr
Geater for finance and personnel.
244. Play
Areas/Open Spaces
a) Open
Spaces Minutes of 31 January 2023.
After a brief discussion it was proposed by Cllr Levermore, seconded by
Cllr Corbett and agreed to approve the quote of £3,800 from
Native Gardens and Forestry Ltd to manage and maintain the Community Orchard
for 1 year, at which point it will be reviewed.
It was then proposed by Cllr
Levermore, seconded by Cllr Corbett and agreed to look for other funding
sources for the additional works detailed in the report. Cllr Corbett commented
that Net Zero Leiston maybe able to offer some funding.
It was proposed by Cllr Levermore, seconded by Cllr Hill and agreed to
accept the quote from Norse of £850 to apply mulch to the 3 main areas of
Victory Road Recreation Ground, the flowerbed by the tree, large flowerbeds in
the park area and the flowerbed on the slope by the bridge.
b) Update
on Victory Park Skatepark Development
Cllr Last updated thus:
Works have commenced on the Victory Road Skatepark Redevelopment, these
works are due to complete by Easter 2023.
Current works include the digging out the soakaway and bowl. Betongparks have
put in place a security cordon called an Armadillo which will alert a local
security guard and the police in the event of trespass. Police were called out on the weekend of the
25 February at 4am and they are now regularly patrolling.
245. Assets
a)
Update on Waterloo Centre
Cllr
Last gave a brief update on the Waterloo Centre. The Assets Officer is working with Brooks and
Wood on final snagging works following the installation of heat pumps and the
new emergency exit. The telegraph pole
needed for the reconnection of internet has now been erected and the order
placed for installation of internet provision.
The Assets Officer is also chasing up the owner of a Jeep which is
constantly parked at the Waterloo Centre.
It belongs to builder who is yet to clear a large pile of unsightly
rubbish.
246. Highways and Transport
a)
Highways Update
Councillors
noted the previously circulated report. It
was proposed by Cllr Levermore, seconded by Cllr Bailey and agreed that the
white lining along Seaward Avenue include both sides of the road and the
parking bays. Cllr Bailey highlighted
safety concerns regarding the parking along both sides of the road along the
carriageway by Sizewell B. Cllr Hill
suggested that we chase a meeting with the Transport Strategy Group to
highlight this again. Cllr Levermore
raised concerns over the response regarding the Red House Lane junction. Cllr Last confirmed this is still being
followed up with Highways and the council will continue to follow it up until a
suitable resolution is implemented.
b)
Neighbourhood Plan Review Update
Councillors noted the
previously circulated report. Cllr
Corbett questioned if SZC would change the demographic of the plan. Cllr Last confirmed that the plan is still
being assessed for revision requirements.
Cllr Corbett also commented on item 13, Self Catering Tourist
Accommodation confirming that the Caravan Park site on Lovers Lane would not be
able to be retained for local use after SZC construction as it is stated in the
DCO that this site is returned to farmland.
The Clerk confirmed that the Neighbourhood Plan Review would take at
least a year to update.
247. Energy Projects
a)
Energy Working Group Minutes of 20 February
Councillors noted the
previously circulated report. Cllr
Corbett confirmed the presentation from this meeting had now been circulated to
all councillors and to contact her if they had any questions. She also confirmed that work on the wetlands
has now finished and Marjorie Barnes, Head of Regional External Affairs at SZC
has offered to take councillors on a tour of the Aldhurst/Marsh
Farm areas in late spring. Cllr Hill
commented that we must keep receiving updates/revisiting and ensure any new
councillors are fully aware of the SZC developments, the Clerk suggested a
briefing paper.
248. Outside Bodies
a)
CLT Report
Councillors noted the
previously circulated report. Cllr Boast
commented on how proud the CLT are of Leiston winning the East Suffolk Council
‘High Street of the Year Award’ for the development of the Church Square.
b) Net Zero Leiston
Councillors noted the
previously circulated report.
c) Leiston Together
Cllr Last reported the
last Leiston Together Meeting as we know it was held on 14 February. Key discussion points were Leiston Town
Centre Masterplan which goes to the East Suffolk Council Cabinet Meeting
tonight, Ease the Squeeze and the future of Leiston Together. A meeting is being convened to have early
discussions on the shaping of a Leiston Place Board which will have a more
strategic approach. The intention is to
have greater collaboration between partners over projects arising through the
Masterplan and to have better liaison over SZC as work progresses.
249. Civic
Events
a) Kings Coronation Weekend Plans
Councillors noted the
previously circulated report detailing plans to hold a Coronation Skate Jam
Event for the town at Victory Road Recreation Ground on Sunday 7 May 2023. After a brief discussion it was proposed by
Cllr Hill to grant £5400 from council funds to pay this event. This proposal was subsequently withdrawn, and
a second proposal was put forward from Cllr Corbett, seconded by Cllr Geater
and agreed to grant £6,000 from council funds to facilitate a Coronation Event
for the town, this includes a contingency of £600. It was also agreed to apply to County Cllr
Haworth-Culf for the £500 from Suffolk County Council towards a Coronation
event. Cllr Corbett commented that the
deadline to put an advert in the Leiston Observer is 15 March.
250. Finance and Personnel
a)
Accounts for Payment
It was proposed by Cllr
Hill, seconded by Cllr Corbett and agreed that the accounts paid for January
2023 of £111,135.44 be approved for payment.
It was proposed by Cllr Bailey, seconded by Cllr Geater and agreed that
the accounts paid for February 2023 of £107,963.07 be approved for payment.
The Clerk thanked the
RFO for her hard work in finalising these accounts so quickly, given recent
office disruptions.
b)
Pantomime Finance Breakdown
Councillors noted the
previously circulated report. Cllr Hill
questioned the figures in italics detailing the 50/50 split of gross
admissions, the Clerk will follow this up with the RFO.
251. Policies and Procedures
a) Standing Orders
On recommendation from
the Clerk it was decided to set-up a meeting to discuss the Standing Orders in
more detail before approving at full council.
252. Planning Matters
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
b)
DC/21/2343/LBC
- DC/21/2343/LBC Listed Building Consent - Install a 7kW air-source heat
pump as part of the Leiston zero carbon initiative. The heat pump is a
replacement for a gas boiler. Site
Address: The Long Shop Museum, main Street, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16 4ES
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
c)
DC/21/2342/FUL
- DC/21/2342/FUL Proposal: Install a 7kW air-source heat pump as part of
the Leiston zero carbon initiative. The heat pump is a replacement for a gas
boiler. Site address: The Long Shop Museum, Main Street, Leiston, Suffolk, IP16
4ES,
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
d)
DC/23/0737/FUL
- Extension of roof line to form canopy over front of dwelling. Removal of
3no Velux roof lights and replaced with 3no pitched roof dormer windows. - 6
Queen Elizabeth Close Leiston Suffolk IP16 4XB
RECOMMEND APPROVAL
253. County Matters
Cllr Geater raised
concerns regarding the traffic lights in the town centre regarding the direction
of the pedestrian crossing screens.. The
office will report to SCC Highways.
Cllr Levermore raised
concerns over gullies in the town not being cleaned out. Cllr Last and the Clerk both reiterated that
these need to be reported using the SCC Highways Online Reporting Tool: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/highway-maintenance/report-a-highways-issue
254. District Matters
Nothing raised.
255. Correspondence
Licensing Application – Nistors
Further information from the applicant was
brought to the attention of the Council and as a result 9 councillors confirmed
their wish to withdraw the council’s objection on the understanding the
applicant agreed to licensing hours of 9am-10pm daily. The applicant agreed and the objection was
subsequently withdrawn.
Project40Seven Grant
Application
Councillors noted the request from
Project40Seven requesting a grant of £1000 to go towards making their venue
accessible and more thermally efficient.
After a brief discussion it was proposed by Cllr Levermore, seconded by
Cllr Hill and agreed to grant £1000 towards this project providing we have
sufficient funds left within our Grants Fund for this financial year, the Clerk
will check this with the RFO. Cllr Hill
asked the proposal to be amended to ask that the Project40Seven provide regular
updates to the town council on their development, this was duly accepted and
agreed.
Mingle Grant Application
Councillors noted the request from Mingle
requesting £240 towards a 2023 Christmas Party.
After a brief discussion it was proposed by Cllr Boast, seconded by Cllr
Hill and agreed to grant £100 and suggest they approach other organisations for
additional funding.
Britten Pears Arts Waterloo Centre Request
Councillors noted the request from Britten
Pears Arts to continue to use the Waterloo Centre free of charge from
1.30pm-4.30pm on Wednesdays from 26 April until 19 July. After a lengthy discussion it was decided
that no decision could be made until it is clear if this group will be
facilitated under the Well-Being Hub due to commence at the Waterloo Centre in
April. The Clerk will contact Kevin
Hines, INT Manager to progress further.
256. Questions to the Chairman
Cllr Levermore informed Councillors
about the maintenance session being held at the Community Orchard on Saturday
01 April 2023 from 10am-12noon, the Scouts will be coming along to help and
plant their new tree.
Cllr Levermore reported that LYCAS
have raised £300 for two memorial trees to be planted at Hayling’s Pond in
memory of two local residents. Cllr
Corbett will contact Gary Whitting to ascertain further details regarding types
of tree and the proposed planting locations and report back to Councillors.
It was proposed by Cllr Hill ,
seconded by Cllr Levermore 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.
257.
Personnel
In the absence of Cllr Cooper, the Clerk
gave a verbal update regarding the recent power issues at the Council
Office. The principal issues have been
addressed and the building is safe however more remedial works will be required
which will warrant the offices to close for up to two weeks, a meeting with ESC
Head of Service is scheduled for tomorrow morning. The Clerk conveyed her sincere thanks to Cllr
Cooper for all his help and support in getting these issues resolved.
The Chairman asked Council opinion
to formally approve Cllr Kyle absence under Section 85 Local Government Act for
6 consecutive months. It was proposed by Cllr Boast, seconded by Cllr Geater
and agreed to approve Cllr Kyle absence until end of this Council Year.
The meeting finished at
9.30pm
Chair
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Dated ---------------------------------------------