Chairman’s Cllr John Last BEM

Welcome to the first edition of the Town Council Newsletter for 2023. Christmas and the New Year festivities seem some time ago now, but I want to thank and congratulate the members of our community for once again organising the Christmas Event, which we all enjoyed on a cold, and foggy day back in December. The Leiston Events Group, Long Shop Museum, Creative Leiston all worked very hard, along with Sonny and Karl Cracknell who put the Christmas lights up around the town.

We went into this winter with concerns for the Economy and how the increase in Energy bills would impact. The Town Council are pleased to support the Long Shop Museum and the Leiston Library with their warm room initiatives.

Since my last Newsletter notes, sadly Councillor Phil Harle has passed away. Phil worked very hard for the Town Council and the community of Leiston and was a person who cared a great deal about people. He was well respected in our community and is a great loss to us all. Our condolences go out to Sandra and family.

Councillor Susan Geater retired from Leiston Surgery at the end of 2022. Susan had been at the Surgery since 1987 and also at Aldeburgh Community Hospital since 1980, which in total is 42 years service to the community. I thank Susan for her service and wish her all the best in her well earned retirement.

I am pleased that the Town Council were able to invest in new play equipment at the Victory Road Park recently and upgrade the facilities for the younger children to enjoy.

The Skate Park upgrade contract has now been awarded, after a lot of input by the Town Council Asset Manager, Skate Park users and Councillors to get a specification prepared, based on the users knowledge, experience and future needs. I look forward to seeing the work progress in the near future.

The Town Centre Regeneration Masterplan, went out to consultation back in September last year and there was some valuable input from residents, which the design team have used in producing the Masterplan proposal. Councillors have been briefed on the output, this has been shared with the community and I hope you were able to comment through the consultation process and have some input into how the plan will shape the way the Town Centre will evolve over the next few years.

The Town Council Elections will take place in May as we come to the end of the last 4 years tenure. If you feel that being a Councillor is something you might like to commit to and have input into how the interests of Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council are managed, then you may wish to consider to stand for election. If you are interested and would like to know more about it, the Town Clerk and myself will be more than pleased to provide further information for you.

All the very best. John

John Last BEM - Chairman Leiston-cum-Sizewell Town Council