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Pre-meeting
Reports 08 April 2024 |
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225. |
Suffolk
Community Foundation Update Melanie Craig, Chief Executive, Sarah Mortimer, Project
Manager and Helen Taylor, Trustee Awards Manager from the Suffolk Community
Foundation were in attendance and gave a brief presentation about the SZC
Community Fund. The presentation can be viewed on the Council website https://www.leistontowncouncil.gov.uk/minutes-23-24/ Cllr Last commented it is imperative that we
form good working relationships with Suffolk Community Foundation as Leiston
will be severely impacted by the SZC development. Melanie Craig replied that Suffolk
Community Fund are aware of the importance of supporting Leiston and
confirmed two members of staff have been recruited to manage the SZC fund and
will be supporting towns and parishes. Councillors questioned how much funding would
be ringfenced for Leiston. Melanie
Craig confirmed there is no obligation to ring fence any funding for Leiston,
but it would be a recommendation put forward to the Awards Panel for
consideration. It is likely to be the Summer before a decision is made and no
decisions will be made until all panel members are recruited. Cllr Motion questioned Suffolk Community
Foundation staffing costs and if these will be taken from the fund, Melanie
Craig confirmed a separate management fee has been agreed with SZC as is
their usual practice. Cllr Levermore questioned how the Suffolk
Community Foundation would engage with Community Groups and questioned if the
Town Council could help with this.
Melanie Craig confirmed the Town Council’s support would be very much appreciated. The Clerk commented that it is often
Community Groups that are weaker in writing funding bids and if there were
plans to help prepare such applicants.
This request was noted. Cllr Corbett commented it is imperative that projects
are sustainable and leave legacy. |
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226. |
County
Councillor County Cllr
Haworth-Culf submitted apologies. |
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227. |
District Councillor District Cllr Daly was
in attendance. He informed Councillors the District
Councillors Enabling Communities budget is now open for small grant
applications https://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/community/community-grants-and-funding/enabling-communities-budgets/ Grants of up to £2000
are now available through the Field to Fork scheme. This scheme aims to increase the
number of local residents engaging with local allotments, community
gardens, green spaces or equivalents, that offer the ability to grow
produce https://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/community/community-grants-and-funding/field-to-fork/. East Suffolk Councils Ease the Squeeze
campaign continues and a webpage has been set up containing all the
information residents should need to obtain help and advice: https://www.eastsuffolk.gov.uk/community/squeeze/. Cllr Levermore
questioned progress regarding the Leiston Place Board. Cllr Daly was pleased to report progress is
being made with monies identified and the Feasibility Study published for
bidding. A member of the
public was pleased progress is being made regarding the Leiston Place Board
but expressed their concern that Leiston never seem to make the East Suffolk
Council’s main social media pages. They
also asked District Cllr Daly if he could share the Energy Projects main
updates verbally at these meetings as his written reports are not shared with
the public, the Chair agreed this would be a good idea. Cllr Daly will take these comments forward to
see if the reports could be shared with the public via the Town Council
website in the future and confirm with the Clerk. This month’s report is not yet complete and
will be circulated in due course. |
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228. |
Public Forum A member of the public questioned policing in
the area as more people move into the town and we already have a lack of
parking in the town. The Chair
confirmed we have a designated Police Sergeant Rebecca O’Neill based in
Leiston and the Clerk will forward on these concerns. Cllr Corbett commented that Sizewell C will
be appointing a Community Officer to deal with fly parking, which has worked
well at Hinkley Point C and encouraged residents to report any issues to the
Sizewell C Office on: 08001976102. Matters such as sewage are not within the
remit of the Town Council and should be addressed to either Suffolk County
Council or The Environment Agency. Increased traffic is a major concern for all
residents. Councillors confirmed they
are aware of these concerns and looking at possible resolutions including the
purchase of some solar powered speed signs for the town. An update was requested on the proposed
Pedestrian Crossing in Aldeburgh Road near the Catholic Church. The Chair confirmed the Pedestrian Crossing
works are still being progressed with Suffolk County Highways who are waiting
on costs back from street lighting.
The design work has been paid for.
It will take 14 weeks to deliver once signed off. The Town Council have expressed their
continued dissatisfaction with lack of progress to Suffolk County Highways. The latest position with the Towns Traffic
and Transport Strategy was questioned.
The Chair confirmed the Transport Strategy forms part of the SZC DCO therefore
no further works could take place until the DCO was triggered. She was pleased to report these meetings
have now reconvened. A resident was happy to report that since the
last meeting the footpath along Park Hill has now been cleared. During the above item, the time
reached 7.30pm. It was proposed by
Cllr Corbett, seconded by Cllr Last and agreed, Standing Orders be suspended
to allow the public part of the meeting to be completed. Councillor Julia Ewart was in the Public
Forum as an observer of the meeting.
She introduced herself to residents and Councillors as a prospective
parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Democrats and said that she is happy
for residents and councillors to contact her with any concerns. Mr Rainger reported that the Leiston Long
Shop Museum renovation works have been delayed due to the finding of an
asbestos sewage pipe that needs to be safely removed. The museum hopes to be able to re-open at
the end of May. Mr Rainger advised that the Long Shop would not be able to
hold the 2nd May election. POST MEETING Clerk has been advised
that the Polling Station is to be relocated to the Quaker Meeting House and signs
will be put in place to advise the public. Further concerns were made regarding traffic
and parking issues in the town especially in Crown Street and Kings Road/Haylings Road near the Premier Shop. Cllr Corbett suggested
that one of the Town Councils two questions for the next SZC Main Site Forum
meeting should be traffic problems in the town. The Clerk will report the parking issues
regarding Kings Road/Haylings Road to ESC Parking
Enforcement. |
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At a meeting of the
LEISTON-cum-SIZEWELL TOWN COUNCIL held in the COMMUNITY
CENTRE, King Georges Avenue, Leiston, on TUESDAY 08 April 2024
at 7.39pm PRESENT
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Councillor Lesley
Hill (in the Chair) Councillor Bing Boast Councillor Tony
Cooper Councillor Nicky
Corbett Councillor Andrew
Crisp Councillor David Dix Councillor Susan
Geater Councillor John Last Councillor Selena
Levermore Councillor David
Morsley Councillor Paul
Motion Councillor Adrian
Swift |
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229. |
Apologies
Apologies
were received from Cllr Hawkins. |
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230. |
Declarations
of Interest Cllr Cooper for CYDS, Cllr Last for Leiston
Place Board, Cllr Boast for CLT, Cllr Crisp for CLT, Cllr Levermore for CLT,
Cllr Corbett for Leiston Place Board and Cllr Geater for Finance and planning
application DC/24/0923/FUL, Cllr Hill for CLT and Leiston Place Board. |
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231. |
Minutes
of the Meeting held 12 March 2024 It
was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Levermore, and agreed the
minutes for the Meeting held 12 March 2024 be signed as a true record. |
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232. |
Chair’s Communications The Chair commented thus: On 13th March I represented the
Town Council on the Galloper Wind Farm Fund Panel to consider new
applications for 2024/25. County Cllr T J Haworth-Culf was the Chair and Cllr
Tom Daly represented East Suffolk Council.
There were six applications to consider, and I am pleased to report
that we were able to support four of the applications using the total
allocation of £11,000. Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National
Landscape who operate the fund and act as advisors to the panel were generous
in waiving their administration fee that they could have taken from the fund. I am pleased to report that 1379 (Leiston)
Squadron, Air Training Corps has been nominated by Norfolk and Suffolk Wing
for the awards of the “Marshall Trophy” which is awarded for the most
improved Squadron in the Air Training Corps.
I am advised by their Officer Commanding that even to be the Wing
nomination is a big achievement and recognises the significant regeneration
and growth of 1379 Squadron over the past two years. Yesterday Cllr Last and myself attended the
showing of the film Little Voice which Wayne Burns was showing to mark his 30
years as Leiston Film Theatre Manager. On behalf of the Council, I had the
opportunity to thank Wayne for his dedicated service to the Film Theatre and
presented a framed certificate of appreciation. Wayne has asked me to pass on
his thanks to the Council for the certificate. |
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233. |
Assets Steering Groups a)
Community Centre and other Assets Steering Group A revised meeting
date will be circulated by the Deputy Clerk in due course. b)
Live Well Hub Update Councillors noted the
previously circulated report. The
Clerk reported volunteers have now completed the classroom painting and funding
to continue the hub for a second year is being investigated, |
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234. |
Parks and Recreation Working Groups a) Parks and Recreation Grounds Steering Group Note Date of Next Meeting 23 April 2024, 3pm Waterloo Centre Councillors noted the
date of the next meeting. |
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235. |
Infrastructure
Working Groups a)
Highways
Working Group, Notes of Meeting held 19 March 2024. Councillors noted the previously circulated notes. The Chair
confirmed the Seward Avenue Parking works to remove lighting columns is due
to start on 6 May 2024. County Councillor
Haworth-Culf is requesting resurfacing of Park Hill. The Suffolk Highways
representative is to seek clarification on what commitments SZC has made. b)
Energy
Projects Working Group Cllr Corbett reported thus: East Suffolk
Communities Energy Partnership Councillors will have been sent the link to
the Terms of Reference for this new group. It has taken several years of
lobbying to directly engage the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
(DESNZ) with our parishes and the offer of this regular, quarterly meeting is
very welcome indeed. I have been working with a small group of parish
representatives to establish terms of reference which have now been
finalised. I strongly recommend that Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council
becomes a member of this group as the parish is at the heart of the proposed
offshore developments and the host parish for SZC. DESNZ has also agreed to monitor the
effectiveness of the SZC forums and the benefits the communities affected
will receive from SZC and other proposed energy projects. The only financial
outlay for parishes would be travel expenses for face to face meetings. It was proposed by Cllr Corbett, seconded
by Cllr Morsley and agreed the Council becomes affiliated to the group, Cllr
Corbett volunteered to be our representative and this was agreed. Scottish Power
Renewables Meeting A
large group of Councillors met with the team from SPR to learn about the
investigative works beginning in April. These works are in relation to
surface water behaviour along cable route groundworks. Councillors asked several
questions about the wider project and SPR shared maps of the cable route from
landfall at Sizewell Gap to the converter station at Friston. Councillors shared with SPR their concerns
about the impact of the energy projects, while recognising that the SPR plans
were the first to gain planning consent and alone would have not caused too
much concern. The SPR representatives were understanding of our concerns
while reiterating the need to meet government targets by 2030. It is fair to
say that there was an air of resignation amongst councillors. Wild
Aldhurst Risk Assessment: Council continues to chase for this at every
monthly meeting. Nothing has been forthcoming yet. Other dates for your
diary are: ● SZC
Forums: ○ Annual
Forum at Trinity Park, 9 April (five councillors and the clerk are attending,
Cllr Corbett is representative). Two questions have been submitted and there
will be a report at full council in May. ○ Main
Site Forum, LTAA, 16 April (anyone can attend, Cllr Corbett is
representative). ○ Northern
Transport Forum, Darsham in May. SZC has agreed to
allow LTC to be represented (Cllr Corbett) ● Energy
Group Meeting: 7 May - to discuss priorities for the SZC Community Fund. Please send your feedback on the top
priorities to the clerk by 1 May. ● Wild
Aldhurst tour with Dr Steve Mannings is now confirmed for 23 May - timings to
be confirmed. ● Lionlink
webinar - 16 or 18 April at 6pm. Cllr Corbett is not able to attend either
date as the 16th clashes with the SZC Main site forum and she is away for the
18th. The Clerk will provide an update for May Council. c)
Leiston Working Group (Traffic and
Transport) Councillors
noted date of next meeting 12 April 2024, 11.00am, Community Centre. d)
Neighbourhood Plan Review Steering
Group, Notes of Meeting held 26 March 2024 Councillors
noted the previously circulated notes.
Cllr Last reported feedback from the public engagement event is being
assessed and specialist working groups formed. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday
23 April 2024, 4.45pm-5.45pm. |
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236. |
Outside
Bodies a)
Leiston
CLT Councillors noted the previously circulated report. Cllr Morsley requested the Town Council
re-consider taking on the cleaning and maintenance of the church Square, this
will be taken forward to the next Parks Recreations Ground Steering Group for
consideration. b)
Leiston
Place Board, Notes of Town Centre Working Group Meeting held 21 March 2024
and Market Square Feasibility Study Phase 1 The Clerk was pleased to report the last meeting was
positive. The feasibility study has
now gone out for bid. The Leiston
Place Board have requested a Town Councillor representative for the Tender
Panel. It was proposed by Cllr Hill,
seconded by Cllr Corbett, and agreed that Cllr Cooper would represent the
Town Council on the Leiston Place Board Tender Panel. East Suffolk have launched a Town
Improvement Fund. East Suffolk Council have asked for Councillors opinions on
what they would like to see done to 16-22b the High Street in the short-term,
vinyl’s is an option, email the Clerk with any ideas as soon as
possible. The next meeting is
scheduled for 21 May 2024, 2pm, 22 Sizewell Road. c)
Fairtrade Cllr Dix reported no further updates. d)
Aldeburgh,
Leiston, Saxmundham and Villages Community
Partnership Note Date of Next Meeting, 5 June 2024, venue to be confirmed Councillors noted date of next meeting. e)
Feedback
from Community Partnership Forum held 22 March 2024 The Chair, Cllr Corbett and the Deputy Clerk attended this
event. They reported the event was informative
with good connections made. Cllr Hill commented that she attended a workshop
on young people’s mental health and was pleased to be able to feedback to
Alde Valley Academy about a successful scheme used at Farlingaye
and Kesgrave High Schools, which she is hopeful will be adopted. Cllr Corbett
commented that should the Live Well Hub still be running next year they have
a market stall at this event. f)
Anti-Social
Behavioural Meeting Note Date of Next Meeting 16 April 2024, 10.00am Councillors noted
date of next meeting. g)
Net Zero
Leiston The Clerk reported that following the previous presentation to
Councillors regarding EV Chargers, E-Bikes, Car Sharing Net Zero have now
received mapping back from their consultants regarding possible
locations. Net Zero will be inviting
organisations to tender and asked for a Councillor to join the Evaluation
Panel. It was proposed by Cllr Cooper,
seconded by Cllr Motion, and agreed that Cllr Levermore would represent the Council
on the Net Zero Evaluation Panel. Cllr Crisp questioned charges and who the funds would be going
to. The Clerk was able to confirm that
the liabilities on EV charging points is confusing and will continue to seek
clarification. |
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237. |
Civic Matters/Events a)
D-Day 80 Update The
Chair reported plans are progressing well. The beacon post has now been
installed and they are looking into a plaque for it. The café will be open, and they will be
serving fish and chips, Leiston Fish and Chip Shops will also be given
information on the event. They will be
asking the Leiston Events Group to display flags in the town. b)
Extension of Public Forum After a brief discussion Councillors decided not to place
any time restrictions on the extension of the public forum and keep as is to
ensure the public have appropriate time to address Councillors. c)
Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town
Council – Role of the Mayor Councillors
noted the previously circulated report.
Cllr Corbett commented being
this is the 50th year of Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council it
would be a fitting tribute. It was
proposed by Cllr Dix, seconded by Cllr Geater that as of the next AGM that
the Chair of the Council resolved to be known as Mayor of
Leiston-cum-Sizewell Council. d)
Annual ‘Phil Harle’ Litter
Pick Cllr
Last reported the annual ‘Phil Harle’ Litter Pick will take place on Saturday
11 May 2024 10am-12noon meeting
at the Council Offices at 9.45am and finishing at the Community Centre at 12noon
for refreshments. Any Councillors able
to help please contact him as soon as possible, Scouts, Guides and Cadets
have all been asked. Posters and publicity
are ready and will be publicised shortly. e)
Leiston
Events Group, Summer Event Cllr Dix reported the Leiston Events Group are planning a summer
musical event at Victory Road Recreation Ground on 19/20 July 2024 ‘Leiston
Live’. Events will include Climbing
Wall, Skate Jam, Stocks Funfair and hot food.
Cllr Dix has a LEG meeting later week and will provide a further
update at our May meeting. f)
Chairs
Reception, 26 April 2024 The Chair reminded Councillors of the Chairs Reception
being held on 26 April 2024. g)
Suffolk
Devolution Consultation The Clerk shared the following video: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/devolution The Clerk asked Councillors to consider if they would like
to respond to the consultation as a Council, individually or both. It was proposed by Cllr Levermore, seconded
by Cllr Crisp to submit a response that Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council are
in favour of devolution in principal, with 4 for, 2 against and 4 abstentions
this motion was not carried. Councillors
commented that more detail is needed before they could make a decision. It was proposed by Cllr Motion, seconded by
Cllr Morsley to agenda this item for further discussion at our May meeting. h)
Councillor
Co-option The Clerk reported the closing date for new Town Councillor
applications is 10 May 2024. Application
forms are available from the Clerk. |
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237. |
Finance a)
Finance Committee
The notes from the Finance Working Group held 4 April 2024
will be circulated in due course. The
Clerk reported the East Suffolk Services Contract was reviewed and will be
circulated to all Councillors for approval at our May meeting. Fees and Charges for all Council assets
including allotments were reviewed and a slight increase in all fees
recommended, these will be brought to the May meeting for approval. b)
Quarter 4
and Year End Report Councillors noted the previously circulated Quarter 4 and
Year End Report. The Clerk confirmed
these were indicative reports. It was proposed by Cllr Levermore,
seconded by Cllr Cooper, and agreed to pay the annual insurance fee of £10,785.
The Finance Working Group received an
expression of interest from John Bayman for the Handyman position. The Finance Working Group would like to
recommend to Council that we sub-contract John Bayman two days per week at a
cost of £30ph, for a pilot period of six months to carry out Handyman duties. It was proposed by Cllr Morsley, seconded
by Cllr Dix and agreed to sub-contract John Bayman as Handyman for 2 days per
week at a cost of £30ph for a pilot period of six months. Councillors noted the previously circulated quotes for Health
and Safety works across our assets. It
was proposed by Cllr Levermore, seconded by Cllr Cooper and agreed to allow
up to £15000 from ear marked reserves to cover the costs of all works
required. c)
Accounts Paid February and March
2024 It was
proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Levermore and agreed the monthly
income and expenditure from Rialtas be approved. d)
Financial
Regulations The Clerk confirmed there were no changes to
the Financial Regulations just the procurement thresholds which will be added
as an appendix. It was proposed by Cllr Crisp, seconded by Cllr Boast and
agreed to approve the Financial Regulations and updated Procurement Threshold
appendix. |
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238. |
Policies and Procedures a)
Health
and Safety The further revisions are waiting approval therefore the
Health and Safety Policy will be added to the May agenda for approval. b)
Equal
Opportunities The new Equality and Diversity Policy was not
approved. The Clerk will seek further
clarification on the monitoring section of the Policy which is contradictory. Agenda item for the next meeting. c)
Privacy
Notice It was proposed by Cllr Cooper, seconded by Cllr Swift, and
agreed to approve the Privacy Notice. d)
Publication
Scheme It was proposed by Cllr Boast, seconded by Cllr Geater, and
agreed to approve the Publication Scheme in principal with two minor
amendments to add Cllr Crisp and a change to the contact details for Cllr
Geater. |
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239. |
Planning a)
Planning
Applications – These planning applications were considered by the Planning
Committee at their meeting held 26th March 2024
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240. |
County Matters Cllr Corbett requested feedback from County Haworth-Culf
regarding the Suffolk Devolution proposal.
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241. |
District Matters None. |
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242. |
Correspondence Leiston Long Shop Museum Councillors noted the request from Leiston Long Shop Museum
to use the Victory Road Recreation Ground for their Classic Car Fundraiser
Event on 19th May 2024. It
was proposed by Cllr Morsley, seconded by Cllr Dix and agreed to let the
Leiston Long Shop Museum use Victory Road Recreation Ground for their Classic
Car Fund raiser, weather dependent. CYDS The Chair read out the letter received from Jack
Fairweather, Chairman of Trustees of Young People Taking Action (CYDS)
requesting help with immediate funding to get them through until the end of
June 2024, they need £24,042 in total.
Councillors discussed the letter in detail. It was proposed by Cllr Motion, seconded by
Cllr Corbett (2 abstained) and agreed to arrange an urgent meeting with CYDS
to discuss their request in more detail. |
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243. |
Questions to Chair Cllr Morsley
passed on thanks from The Friends of Leiston Film Theatre in supporting their
fundraising events. Cllr
Levermore asked that action is taken to sort out the parking issues outside
the Premier Shop in Kings Road, Leiston.
Cllr Motion
asked when the new bench will be installed at King Georges Recreation Ground,
Mrs Kemp will chase. Cllr Geater
commented in moving with the times and changing from Chair to Mayor should we
consider becoming ‘Leiston with Sizewell Town Counci’l instead of
Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council. |
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The meeting finished at 9.42pm |
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Chair
_______________________________ |
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Dated _______________________________ |
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