LONDON SOUTHEND AIRPORT Minutes of meeting No. 63 of the Consultative Committee held on Wednesday, 19 August 2009 at 2pm. Present: Stuart Greengrass Chairman David Osborn Vice-Chairman Alastair Welch Airport Managing Director Councillor Peter Ashley Southend on Sea Borough Council Councillor Jim Clinkscales Southend on Sea Borough Council Councillor Mike Dolby* Leigh on Sea Town Council Councillor Peter Elliott Maldon District Council Richard Evans Rochford District Council (Officer) Norah Goodman Eastwood & St. Laurence Residents Assocn. Councillor Ray Howard Essex County Council Councillor Tony Humphries Rayleigh Town Council Councillor John Pullen Rochford District Council Nigel Robbins Southend on Sea Borough Council (Officer) Les Sawyer West Leigh Residents Association Shaun Scrutton Rochford District Council (Officer) Ron Smithson Flying Clubs Councillor Derek Stansby Rochford District Council Councillor Michael Starke Rochford District Council Councillor Martin Terry Southend on Sea Borough Council Derry Thorpe Southend Trades Council George Crowe Secretary *substitute 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Pam Challis (Director, Thames Gateway), Councillor Roy Pearson (Essex County Council), Keith Ross (Ipeco Holdings), Councillor Jean Rowswell (Leigh on Sea Town Council), Councillor Kevin Salt (Rochford Hundred Association of Local Councils) and from Sallyanne Thallon (Essex County Council (Officer)). 2. CHAIRMAN S OPENING REMARKS The Chairman welcomed members to the meeting. 3. MEMBERSHIP Referring to minute 4 (20 May 2009), the Chairman advised that he had written to Chris Mallam, the Chairman of the Blenheim Primary School Governing Body to and had passed on the offer by the Airport Managing Director to attend a meeting of the Governing Body. Alastair Welch reported that he had attended a meeting of the Resources Committee of the Governing Body and would be attending a further meeting in September. 1
4. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2009 that had previously been circulated were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 5. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (a) Stop Airport Extension Now (SAEN) (minute 4 refers) The Chairman reported that he had written to Kiti Theobald to thank her for the contribution to the debate about the development of the Airport and to recommend that SAEN should have discussions with the Airport Managing Director. Alastair Welch advised that he had written to Kiti Theobald in March and she had replied saying that she did not think it was necessary to meet with him. He had written twice since the last meeting to offer to discuss issues and no reply had been received. (b) Noise (minute 7(c) refers) The Chairman confirmed that Councillor Salt had declined to attend a meeting of the working group. (c) Flying clubs (Appendix section (e) refers) Ron Smithson clarified the point he was making about the unfocussed nature of the SAEN presentation. 6. AIRPORT MANAGING DIRECTOR S REPORT The Committee received Alastair Welch s report for May to July that had been previously circulated with the agenda. (a) Performance The following movements were reported:- Total aviation May June July Total movements 2009/10 3,776 3,833 3,550 11,159 2008/09 4,987 3,909 3,841 12,737 Commercial 229 178 266 673 mvts. 2009/10 Commercial mvts. 2008/09 472 468 360 1,300 (b) Overview The report advised that the economic situation had been reflected in lower activity levels at the Airport. The main difference in commercial movements was due to the 2
cancellation of the Ford operation from Southend. Activity levels in other sectors appeared to be stabilising. Business jet and flying club activity were stable and aircraft maintenance continued to grow. The Director suggested that the current employment situation might present allow local employers to secure additional staff to aid future growth. Much work continued to be carried out to secure the final permissions to progress work on the railway line. Orders had been placed for long lead items to allow as much lost time as possible to be made up. In addition work was progressing to establish a clear understanding of the benefits and impacts of any extension to the runway and the results should be published before October. (c) Noise A total of 42 noise comments had been received in the quarter of which 34 related to Southend Airport. This compared with 16 for the same period in 2008, despite there being less aircraft activity. It was understood that SAEN was encouraging people to make complaints to the Airport. The majority of the complaints had been from three people, one of whom had made nine in one day. Referring to minute 7(c) (20 May 2009), the Chairman and the Director reported that a scheme of noise controls was being proposed. The working group was suggesting that the Airport Noise Action Plan (NAP) should include a significantly reduced cap on movements during an extended night period, if an extended runway was brought into use. It would also be proposing that aircraft would not be allowed to turn until they were over Two Tree Island. The Chairman advised that the working group would also be proposing that noise measuring equipment should be installed. At present there was no means of measuring noise. The working group had completed the work that it was possible to carry out date. It would be reconstituted, when appropriate, to complete the production of the NAP to go out for consultation. The Airport Director explained the difference between the NAP and the Airport Management Plan. He also outlined the Quota Count (QC) system of rating aircraft noise. In answer to a question he advised that the BAe 748 that was on the Airport apron had a QC rating of 2 and under the working group s proposals, would not be able to operate at the Airport during the night. Councillor Elliott said that he was receiving complaints that aircraft were flying lower over Burnham on Crouch. Alastair Welch advised that there had been no changes to procedures and that aircraft would be reducing height by 300 feet in every mile. Norah Goodman asked whether the Civil Aviation Authority had any regulations relating to noise at airports. The Committee was informed that there were no restrictions and that noise on the ground was the responsibility of the Department 3
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and in the air, the Department for Transport. 7. PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT The Airport Managing Director s report updated the Committee on progress with the Airport development programme. In Phase 1, the technical equipment tender for the new Control Tower had been completed and supplier proposals were being reviewed. Detailed building design was underway. The Airport had chosen not to proceed on a design and build basis but to complete detailed design work first. The Hotel developer had assured the Airport that the outstanding planning matters and financing would be resolved in August. There were other developers who would like to progress the scheme if the current one was not in a position to do so. The Airport had progressed to Grip 5 stage for the Rail Station in record time. Network Rail had changed their approach and had required the completion of a series of complex negotiations prior to the work starting on the site. These were in the very late stages and the Director was confident that positive news would be announced soon. It was planned that the new car park adjacent to the station would be available in time for the opening of the Station. In answer to a question the Grip procedure was explained. So far as Phase 2 was concerned, the two local councils were reviewing the responses to the Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP) and the Airport was progressing with work to understand the impacts and benefits that a runway extension would bring. The proposed scope of the work that would be done as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) had been shared with key stakeholders, including interest groups. Consultation drop-in sessions had been held in Leigh, Rochford and at the Airport and suggestions for issues that may have been omitted had been requested. The EIA was scheduled to be completed by October. In answer to a question from Councillor Stansby, the Committee was informed that the declared distance of the runway at Southampton was 1830 metres and that the development proposals for Southend Airport envisaged a declared distance of 1799 metres. Councillor Stansby said that he had timed aircraft taking off at Southampton Airport and they had cleared the vicinity of the Airport in 20 seconds. Councillor Howard said that he had returned from Guernsey earlier that day and modern aircraft used its airport and there were no complaints. In answer to a question from him the Airport Director advised that Ford was now using a scheduled Cologne service and that their aircraft was up for sale. Councillor Stansby said that continental passengers should be encouraged to fly to Southend and visit the shops in the area to benefit from the exchange rate being in their favour. Alastair Welch replied that he saw the Airport s key role as serving people who wished to visit London and some may stay overnight in Southend. 4
8. INWARD INVESTMENT, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING The Airport Managing Director s report advised that the second of the new fire vehicles had been delivered. Inflite had opened their new workshops and were investing further to prepare for the additional aircraft due to come to them for maintenance over the next year. The Airport continued to liaise with a number of organisations that wished to invest in the Airport. These included some Middle-East companies. However, at present none would consider doing so until the runway was extended. The aircraft technician apprentice programme continued and the practical elements of the training were to be carried out at Southend Airport. This was the first stage of the Airport s aim to develop a skills centre at the Airport, in association with the local councils, Renaissance Southend, the East of England Development Agency and other organisations. ATC Lasham was starting a recruitment drive. 9. PRESS PACK The press pack of newspaper cuttings relating to the Airport was received and noted. 10. COMMUNITY RELATIONS In the Airport Managing Director s report the Committee was informed that the Airport staff continued to meet, where possible, with members of the public who had concerns. As mentioned above (minute 5(a)), as yet, SAEN had not met with any representatives of the Airport. The Director would continue to try to engage with them. The report advised that during the past year a number of surveys, polls and consultations had taken place. A table setting out the responses showed support for the development proposals of between 82% and 90%. In addition, the current EIA consultation was showing similar levels of support for the proposals for the Airport s development. 11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS There were no items of any other business. 12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING It was noted that the Committee had agreed that the next meeting would be held at 2pm on Wednesday, 18 November 2009. The meeting ended at 2.55pm. 5