TOWN
COUNCIL 2022-2023 ANNUAL REPORT
2023-2024 COUNCIL 2022-2023 CHAIRMAN, CLLR JOHN LAST BEM
Welcome to this Leiston cum-Sizewell Town Council annual report. This document shows what we have achieved in 2022 and 2023.
Our Town Councillors work incredibly hard all year round to deliver the very best on behalf of our residents, businesses and organisations. It is our job as Councillors to deliver Leiston-cum-Sizewell a great place to live, work and visit.
It has been an extraordinary civic year. We celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Diamond Jubilee last summer and mourned the passing of her great reign in the Autumn, whilst welcoming in the reign of King Charles III.
In closing our council year, we would like to reflect on our goodbyes:
Caroline Rinder, Town Clerk who left in October to pursue new challenges.
We are pleased to welcome Helen Greengrass as our new Town Clerk.
We mourn the loss of Cllr Phil Harle who sadly died in November 2022.
We thank Cllr Trevor Hawkins, Cllr Peter Kyle and Cllr David Bailey who have decided not to stand in the forthcoming Council year.
Finally, I would like to thank all our staff, at the Council Offices, at the Leiston Film Theatre and our community centre, for their hard work.
It has been an honour to represent Leiston and I look forward to continuing to serve the Council in the future.
Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council was uncontested at the Local Elections on May 4th , 2023. We are delighted to welcome our new council for 2023-2024:
We currently have six Council vacancies. If you are interested in becoming a Councillor, please get in touch with the Town Clerk.
Chair Cllr Lesley Hill
Vice chair Cllr Nicky Corbett
Council Cllr Bing Boast
Cllr Tony Cooper
Cllr David Dix
Cllr Susan Geater
Cllr John Last
Cllr Selena Levermore
Cllr David Morsley
2023-2024 CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME
At the Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council Annual General Meeting held in May I was delighted to be elected as Chair for the year 2023/2024. It is a privilege to serve on the Council and I am looking forward to the year ahead working with councillors, officers and outside bodies on the various proposals that are contained within this as the year progresses, consider many other matters which affect our community as they come to our notice.
Information can be found on our website (www.leistontowncouncil.gov.uk)
with the minutes of meetings and other items, newsletters (emailed or delivered at your request) and Facebook. Our monthly Council meeting is held on the first Tuesday evening of the month and members of the public are welcome to attend.
LEISTON-CUM-SIZEWELL TOWN COUNCIL 2022-2023
Leiston Film Theatre enjoyed a positive 2022 overall, as the venue's recovery from the lengthy Covid closure continued, with big screen blockbusters finally coming to cinema screens. Films including Top Gun Maverick, Elvis and Matilda the Musical all attracting excellent footfall, seeing the Film Theatre
WATERLOO CENTRE
Council continues to contribute monies annually to Earmarked Reserves to cover replacement equipment and future developments. There have been extensive works in and around the Waterloo Centre in 2022-2023 which has resulted in disruption to the facilities we can offer.
We are pleased to announce our Centre is fully functional and open for hire.
In this year Council has continued to improve the Waterloo Centre installing new emergency access doors and new bow top fencing at the top of the Waterloo field.
Council continues to contribute monies annually to Earmarked Reserves to cover future development of the Waterloo Centre. follow the national trend and ending the year with just shy of 27,000 admissions. In 2019 (pre-pandemic), admission sat at 29,000 - the highest total since the Town Council saved the venue from closure in 1970. This provides great optimism for 2023, especially given the strong slate of films throughout the year.
Live entertainment was also popular, with the annual Pantomime once again selling out and providing traditional entertainment for families.
The venue saw the installation of an automated stage winch system, the funding for which was match funded by the Film Theatre Support Club. There were concerns that the Support Club might disband, as several long serving committee members stepped down, but thankfully a new committee was formed. There are exciting plans in the year ahead to further support the venue.
LEISTON LIVE WELL HUB
Council has been working with partners from the Integrated Neighbourhood Team, and CONNECT team on a pilot project – the Leiston Live Well Hub – to provide access to a range of health and wellbeing services.
Look out for news of its official opening in July 2023.
LEISTON-CUM-SIZEWELL TOWN COUNCIL 2022-2023
COMMUNITY CENTRE, KING GEORGES AVENUE
It has been encouraging to re-open the centre post COVID and to once again be open to private bookings and to welcome back our regulars including:
- The Bridge Cub
- Chantel Health Fitness
- Rose and Sweet William Club
- The Worry Tree
Council holds Earmarked Reserves for future improvements to the Community centre.
DINSDALE ROAD PUBLIC CONVENIENCES
Leiston-cum-Sizewell Council continues to provide the town with these conveniences with ongoing cleaning and maintenance in year.
LEISTON-CUM-SIZEWELL TOWN COUNCIL - OPEN SPACES
COMMUNITY ORCHARD, KING GEORGES AVENUE
KING GEORGES AVENUE RECREATION GROUND AND PLAY PARK
HAYLINGS POND
VICTORY ROAD RECREATION GROUND
KING GEORGES AVENUE COMMUNITY ORCHARD
Despite the long, hot summer of 2022, the trees and new hedging survived, with the help of a decent layer of mulch and regular watering by the team at East Suffolk Norse. We have continued to develop the area, adding new picnic benches and seating, plus widened and resurfaced the entrances.
In the autumn LMSFW (Leiston Makes Space for Wildlife) planted more wildflower bulbs and topped up the mulch. It has been difficult to establish wildflowers so in the spring, Norse planted a variety of wildflower seeds across a large area. We just need to be patient to see if it is successful. The area continues to be enjoyed by many residents, either walking around the mown paths, or stopping to sit for a while, on one of the benches.
We eagerly await the arrival of our ‘nature board’ which we started working on before the pandemic, this will provide useful information on the flora and fauna in the Orchard.
As the Council Year closes we are pleased to be exploring opportunities to further enhance and develop these green spaces. Look out for news later in the summer as we progress proposals.
KING GEORGES AVENUE AND HAYLINGS ROAD ALLOTMENTS
Council provide over 200 allotment sites at King Georges Avenue and Haylings Road. Our allotments are fully tenanted and by halving plots we have reduced our waiting list to only eight.
The allotment site was cleared of accumulated rubbish in March 2023 ready for the growing season.
We would like to thank the Leiston Allotment Association and allotment holders for maintaining their sites to a high standard.
LEISTON-CUM-SIZEWELL TOWN COUNCIL 2022-2023 4
KING GEORGES AVENUE RECREATION GROUND, BMX AND PLAY PARK
This lovely quiet wildlife santuary continues to attract visitors who can sit and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.
Council continues to maintain and enhance the area and have Earmarked Reserves for future improvements.
We would like to thank LYCAS (Leiston Youth and Community Angling Society) who continue to work with us to maintain the area to a high standard.
SKATEPARK
Council is pleased to have invested over £150k Community Infrastructure Levy on the redeveloped Skatepark providing improved youth facilities.
Betongpark Ltd were awarded the tender and work commenced in February and completed just as our Council year ended.
VICTORY ROAD RECREATION GROUND
In 2022-20223 we were pleased to significantly invest in Victory Park ‘recreational’ facilities.
TODDLER PARK
Council invested £25k in new toddler play equipment. The equipment was installed Proludic and includes:
Playhouse shelter / Crawl Tunnel / Hammock / Swing / 4 in a Row / Sensory and Inclusive Play Panels / Tic, Tac, Toe / Orchestra and Talk Tubes
We would like to thank all the young people who supported the project with ideas and suggestions. We applaud their efforts to raise an additional £2k which we match funded to provide repairs and polishing to the existing park, which gave the feel that the existing and new section of the skatepark were built together.
Finally, the project benefited from the dedicated support and enthusiasm of Mr Andrew Pegg who went above and beyond to make sure the site was protected during construction. Thank you.
The Skatepark was officially opened at the Coronation Event May 7th .
INVESTING IN LEISTONS FUTURE
LEISTON MASTERPLAN PROPOSALS
Council have been pleased to be a key contributor to the Leiston Masterplan proposals developed by East Suffolk Council. These proposals provide a high level framework for Leiston Town Centre.
We look forward to continuing to work with partners to identify short, medium, and long-term projects.
NET ZERO LEISTON CHURCH SQUARE DEVELOPMENT
Council was pleased to see the Church Square Development complete following investment in the previous year. We would like to congratulate Leiston Community Land Trust on their successful contribution to the town.
We were especially proud to attend the East Suffolk Council Awards 2023 Celebrating business and community success in East Suffolk. Leiston collected High Award for enhancing the high street experience for residents, visitors, and businesses.
We would like to thank the many partners who contributed to the project.
headline news at the Long Shop Museum is that it has secured a £1.1m grant from the government’s Cultural Investment Fund. This money will be used to repair and restore the museum buildings and is essential to the longterm future of the Long Shop. Securing this grant required the trustees to raise almost £100,000 of match funding. The museum is for their significant contribution to this total, and for helping to make the grant bid successful. Meanwhile the museum continues to focus on improving its accessibility and inclusivity, on diversifying its audience and enhancing the visitor experience, and on developing its role as a community support actor and advocate.
This year Net Zero Leiston has continued increase engagement and reach of the project and made further steps towards achieving its aims. This has involved raising awareness through events and social media.
programme, capitalising on public and private grant funds to increase the insulation in vulnerable customer's homes. This aspect of the project saw NZL win "small project of the year" at the East of England Energy Efficiency awards. The project has also engaged with more organisations and conducted a thermal imaging survey with several Leiston homes, in partnership with the Suffolk Climate Change Partnership.
ENERGY PROJECTS
SIZEWELL C PROJECT (SZC)
Council continues to monitor the SZC project carefully. The Development Consent Order approved in August 2022 set out a range of measures the project will need to mitigate the effects construction and maximise benefits for the local community.
We are awaiting news that funding for SZC is confirmed and a date for construction works to commence. At this time the SZC Deed of Obligation will come into effect through which Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council will seek to hold SZC accountable to their commitments whilst pursuing mitigation projects.
Keep up to date with progress of the SZC project with the SZC Tracker
OTHER ENERGY RELATED PROJECTS
The Council continues to monitor the progress of other energy projects that have the potential to impact Leiston namely:
Scottish Power Renewables
East Anglia ONE, TWO and THREE Projects
FIVE Estuaries Offshore Wind Farm Project
Development Consent Order application expected late 2023.
National Grid Ventures
Nautilus, EuroLink (now LionsLink) and SeaLink
TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORT
Council continues to work with Suffolk Highways to bring forward a new pedestrian crossing on Aldeburgh Road and a new parking bay in Seaward Avenue.
We have reserved Community Infrastructure Levy funds to complete these works.
INVESTING IN LEISTON’S COMMUNITY
GRANT FUNDING
In 2022-2023 Council has invested £8,705.00 in grants to support:
Rose and Sweet William Club
PLANNING
Council continues to act as a consultee on local planning matters and thank members of the public who have made representation at Full Council meetings where planning applications are considered.
LEISTON-CUM-SIZEWELL NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
Neighbourhood planning gives communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area.
Council is currently reviewing the existing Leiston-cum-Sizewell Neighbourhood Plan (Made) 2017.
We will be engaging with the public in 2023-2024 on the revision and look forward to working with stakeholders on this important piece of work.
Leiston Youth Anglian Club
Dentaid
ABC Radio
SARS
Russel Cooper
Bright Sparks
RAF Air Cadets
Dementia Project
Creative Leiston
Citizens Advice
Mingle
We also support Leiston Library and Leiston Youth club throughout the year.
Please contact us if you would like to apply for a small grant in 2023-2024.
LEISTON-CUM-SIZEWELL TOWN COUNCIL 2022-2023 7
Council has been delighted to provide CIL funding to the following organisations:
COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY INVESTING IN YOUR TOWN COUNCIL
Leiston Long Shop Museum – with £20K for restoration works
Leiston Football Club Association with £50k to match fund a 3G pitch.
Council has continued to invest in the personal and professional development of staff. Two members of staff are currently working toward their CiLCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration) Qualification.
We continue to adopt sound policies and practices and work continuously to be compliant in terms of our statutory responsibilities utilising external advice where appropriate.
We have invested £12k in purchasing laptops and IT equipment for Councillors to use to:
• Create efficiencies in service and access to SharePoint and TEAMs.
• Reduce our carbon footprint with a reduction in printed copy.
• Improve our security against potential cyber-attack.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS
Our monthly Town Full Council meeting is held on the first Tuesday of every month at the Community Centre in King Georges Avenue.
Anyone can attend the Town Council meetings and raise an issue or an area of concern in the public forum.
The dates of all these meetings are advertised on the notice board outside the Council Offices and on the Council website.
All papers are uploaded to the website for perusal by members of the public ahead of all meetings.
TOWN
COUNCIL QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
As part of Council’s own journey toward Net Zero (and cost efficiencies) our newsletter is now available digitally.
It can be viewed on our website and members of the public can request a copy be sent via email or posted if you prefer.
SOCIAL MEDIA GET IN TOUCH
News and information is regularly shared on our Facebook Page
Council Address Council Offices, Main Street. Leiston, IP16 4ER
Council Tel 01728 830388
Council Email townclerk@leistontowncouncil.gov.uk
Town Clerk Assets Officer & Responsible Financial Officer Administration Assistant
Leiston Film Theatre Manager
Council Staff
Ms Helen Greengrass
Mrs Hannah Everett-Spearing
Mrs Beverly Kemp Mr
Wayne Burns