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The Committee received a presentation on energy projects in East Suffolk from Councillor Tom Daly, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Energy and Climate Change.
Councillor Daly summarised the motion on energy projects that had passed by the Full Council at its meeting of 27 September 2023, noting its impact on the Council's position relating to energy projects in the district.
Councillor Daly provided a summary update on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) in East Suffolk, providing updates on Sizewell C, East Anglia One North and East Anglia Two offshore wind farms, Sealink, North Falls, Five Estuaries, and the Norwich to Tilbury Grid Reinforcement project.
Councillor Daly summarised the proposed LionLink multipurpose interconnector and noted that alternative landfall and onshore cable corridor options were being considered. The Committee was advised that officers were reviewing the materials and would respond to the consultation.
Councillor Daly summarised how the Council was looking forward in respect of energy projects and encouraged Members to contact the Council's Energy Projects team with all NSIP queries.
The Chair invited questions to Councillor Daly. In response to a question from Councillor Hedgley on the impact of the proposed Energy Bill, Councillor Daly said it was unclear at this stage what the ramifications of the bill would be, but they could possibly be significant. Councillor Daly acknowledged the concerns regarding development and the government's suggestions to reopen gas and oil fields, and said that the Council needed to be in a position to make its feelings known on the impact of proposed changes on the district.
The Chair queried if the Council had sufficient resources in place to manage the NSIP work within the district; Councillor Daly said that the Energy Projects team was performing to a high standard and presented factual information in a way that made his role much easier.
In terms of the team's ongoing position, Councillor Daly concurred that a lot of NSIP related work would be required by the team to fulfil the Council's statutory duties and its duty to the community, and highlighted that NSIP Development Consent Orders (DCOs) granted made provision for funds that the Council could draw down to ensure that it was fully resourced to accommodate the work generated by NSIPs in the district.
In response to a question from Councillor Hammond relating to judicial reviews being brought against DCOs that had been granted, Councillor Daly said that those bringing the reviews were confident that there would be some degree of possible outcome. Councillor Daly considered that the judicial reviews, if they did not overturn the DCOs, could influence changes to certain elements of the NSIPs.
Councillor Ashdown referred to Councillor Daly's speech at the Full Council meeting of 27 September 2023, specifically on changing DCOs, and asked how this could be achieved. Councillor Daly stated that in his speech he had acknowledged that the DCOs had been granted by the Secretary of State and had highlighted that there would be opportunities to incentivise NSIP developers to improve elements such as connection sites.
Councillor Ewart noted the impact of Sizewell C highway developments in Kelsale and asked if any assurances had been received from Suffolk County Council (as highways authority) on roadways. The Energy Projects Manager, at Councillor Daly's invitation, advised that infrastructure for the development of Sizewell C would be coming forward and that local authorities were liaising with Sizewell C Ltd on the timing of this. The Energy Projects Manager assured the Committee that as soon as information on the progression of infrastructure was available it would be shared with all members of the Council; officers were party to discussions on highways infrastructure, but this element was being led by Suffolk County Council.
NOTE: Councillor Smith-Lyte arrived at this point of the meeting (10.52am).
Councillor Ninnmey questioned if there had been any consideration towards using Bradwell as a connector route. The Head of Planning and Coastal Management, at Councillor Daly's invitation, responded and advised that the connection infrastructure at Bradwell had been removed when the nuclear station stopped generating power, and that new connectors would be required; he advised that he could further update Members outside of the meeting.
There being no further questions, the Chair thanked Councillor Daly for his presentation.