LONDON SOUTHEND AIRPORT Minutes of meeting No. 79 of the Consultative Committee held on Wednesday, 21 August 2013 at 2pm at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Southend Airport Present: Stuart Greengrass David Osborn David Lister Alastair Welch B Carter Jo Marchetti Iain Campbell Councillor Peter Elliott Councillor Heather Glynn Norah Goodman Councillor Ray Howard Councillor Vic Leach Councillor Graham Longley Councillor Joan Mockford Councillor Alf Partridge Les Sawyer Ron Smithson Councillor Mike Steptoe Derry Thorpe George Crowe Also present: Tamara Goodwin Claire Lindley Liz Procter Chairman Deputy Chairman Operations Director, Southend Airport (AOD) Former Airport Managing Director (AMD) Southend Airport Community Affairs Co-ordinator, Southend Airport Ipeco Holdings Maldon District Council Rochford District Council Eastwood & St. Laurence Residents Association Essex County Council Rochford Hundred Association of Parish Councils Southend on Sea Borough Council Rochford District Council Castle Point Borough Council West Leigh Residents Association Flying Clubs Rochford District Council Southend Trades Council Secretary Department for Transport (DfT) Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Civil Aviation Authority 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Councillors John Lamb and David Norman (Southend on Sea Borough Council) and Councillor Cliff Passmore (Leigh on Sea Town Council) and from Roger Clements (Director, Stobartair) and Richard Evans (Rochford District Council, Officer). 2. CHAIRMAN S OPENING REMARKS The Chairman whilst welcoming members to the meeting particularly welcomed Councillor Joan Mockford to her first Consultative Committee meeting. Alastair Welch was also welcomed thanked for agreeing to attend the meeting and forgiving up his own time to do so. The Chairman also thanked Stobart for making it possible for Alastair to attend. He asked members to stay behind at the end of the meeting in order for the Committee s appreciation of Alastair s work in managing the development of the Airport and for his support of the Committee to be recognised. Stuart Greengrass also mentioned that there was a lot on the agenda and asked members to be succinct in their questions and comments. 1
3. MEMBERSHIP It was noted that Councillor Joan Mockford had been appointed to replace Councillor Simon Smith as a representative of Rochford Council. Councillor Howard advised that he would arrange for the two Essex County Council member vacancies to be filled. Referring to minute 3 (15 May 2013), the following were received: letter dated 23 May 2013 from the Secretary to Jon Fuller, the Vice-Chairman of SAEN; letters dated 25 May and 15 July 2013 from Jon Fuller to the Secretary; letters dated 6 June and 20 July 2013 from the Secretary to Jon Fuller acknowledging the above letters. The Chairman summarised the letters from Jon Fuller and provided some further information including approaches that SAEN had made to the Department for Transport. He also distinguished between the situation relating to the Consultative Committee of Fairoaks Airport which was the subject of a judgement which was attached to the letter dated 20 July 2013 from Mr Fuller. In particular, the Fairoaks judgement related to the Guidelines for Consultative Committees (non-statutory) published by the DfT and the court found against that airport because its consultative committee had no category c members and did not admit representatives from community or residents associations. This is not the case with the Southend Consultative Committee. Furthermore, at Fairoaks some members were not treated equally in terms of participation and again this is not the case in Southend. Councillor Vic Leach of Rochford Hundred Association of Parish Councils and Mrs Nora Goodman of Eastwood and St Lawrence Residents Association both expressed unhappiness with the unfounded accusations in SAEN s correspondence in relation to lack of representation and gave examples where SAEN was demonstrable wrong. During the debate all members who spoke, expressed their discontent about SAEN s approach. The Chairman asked if, in fairness to SAEN, any members would speak in favour of SAEN having membership but no members wished to do so. During the discussion of the correspondence, Tamara Goodwin advised that this Airport Consultative Committee complied with the Guidelines for Consultative Committees and that the Department for Transport was not obliged to and would not be getting involved in SAEN s request for it to arrange for the Committee to be disbanded. A proposal that the Committee adhere to its previous decision not to admit SAEN to its membership and that SAEN be advised that no useful purpose would be served in the communications on this issue continuing. The proposal was approved and the Secretary was asked to write to John Fuller to convey the decision. Action: Secretary The Chairman suggested that it would be useful for the legal position of the Consultative Committee to be clarified and for advice to be obtained on any possible liabilities on members. The Committee agreed that the Airport should be asked to fund and arrange 2
for such advice to be obtained with a view to such advice is being provided at the Committee s next meeting. Action: AOD 4. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2013 that had previously been circulated were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 5. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES Harp House roundabout (minute 5 (b) refers) It was agreed that the situation relating to the problems relating to the Harp House roundabout and access to the Airport would be included on the agenda for the next meeting. Action: Secretary 6. REVIEW OF GUIDELINES FOR AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEES The Committee received: current Guidelines for Airport Consultative Committees; paper from DfT on its review of the Guidelines for Airport Consultative Committees; Constitution of London Southend Airport Consultative Committee. Whilst presenting the paper on the review, Tamara Goodwin advised that its purpose was to clarify issues and it was concentrating on the overall role of consultative committees than particular detailed issues. She advised that the DfT intended to publish the revised guidelines by April 2014 and would welcome comments from individuals as well as from consultative committees. In response to a question from the Chairman, she confirmed that proposals for inclusion in the draft Guidelines would be welcome to prior to their publication. Tamara answered a comment from Councillor Mrs Glynn by advising that the guidelines would continue to be non-statutory and that it would not be necessary for consultative committees to appoint a sub-group to deal with passenger issues. The Deputy Chairman suggested that a working group be set up to review the Committee s Constitution and the Chairman suggested that the working group be chaired by David Osborn. It was agreed that the working group would consist of David Osborn (Chairman), Iain Campbell or Ron Smithson (they subsequently confirmed that it would be Iain Campbell), Councillor Mrs Glynn, Norah Goodman and Councillor Alf Partridge. The Secretary undertook to contact David Osborn to make arrangements for the working group to meet. Action: Secretary On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman thanked Tamara for her presentation and advice. 7. REVISIONS TO PUBLIC SAFETY ZONE (PSZ) The AOD introduced this item by advising that PSZs were currently being reviewed with the view to them being renewed and that the exercise was now carried out on behalf of the DfT by the CAA. 3
Liz Procter from the CAA gave a PowerPoint presentation during which, inter alia, she: o advised that PSZs were reviewed every seven years and were carried out under Section 16(1) of the Civil Aviation Act 1982; o showed maps showing the current and proposed PSZs relating to Southend Airport; o advised that 28 properties would be included in the proposed PSZ at the 06 and of the runway, an additional twenty-eight properties; o informed members that extensions to properties in the PSZ would be allowed but no development which would enable large numbers of people to congregate in the properties would be authorised. Alastair Welch advised that the 1 in 100,000 risk contour had reduced due to aircraft now being safer. Previously, Blenheim School had been included in the PSZ but was not in the current one. However, it was included in the draft PSZ and the Governing Body had been informed. In answer to questions, the Committee was informed that: o properties in the PSZ were not included in the Airport s insurance; o emergency appliances on the Airport can respond to any aircraft-related to incidents off the Airport; o the arrow narrows further from the Airport because aircraft are statistically more likely to crash on landing than on take-off; o the fact that the fire service in Rochford is part-time was not a matter for the CAA; o the existence of gas and oil terminals on Canvey Island was an issue for another section of the CAA; o there were no occupied buildings within the 1 to 10,000 contour; o replacement dwellings would be likely to be allowed in PSZs. It was agreed that the DfT document on PSZs together with contact details for Liz Procter and Clare Lindley would be circulated with the minutes (attached as Appendix 1). The Chairman thanked them for attending the meeting and for the presentation. 8. AIRPORT MANAGING DIRECTOR S REPORT The Committee received the report for February to April that had been previously circulated with the agenda. It was presented by the AOD and Alastair Welch. (a) Performance Total aviation May June July Total movements 2013/14 2,910 3,039 3,378 9.327 2012/13 3,425 2,921 2,843 9,189 Commercial mvts. 2013/14 1,195 1,297 1,321 3,813 Commercial mvts. 2012/13 1,059 1,094 1,250 3,403 Passengers 2012/13 77,467 87,646 112,043 277,156 Passengers 2011/12 66,946 77,833 86,148 230,927 4
(b) Overview Included in the overview section of the report was information that the Airport s growth had continued to gain momentum and that its millionth passenger had passed through in the quarter. The first Annual Report had been published and had been well received. (c) Routes The report advised that new easyjet services commenced to Edinburgh in May and to Newquay, Berlin and Krakow in June. In addition, Thompson Holidays started services to Palma on Saturdays. However, easyjet had announced that the Belfast route was to be dropped and a suitable replacement route was being considered. In answer to a question, the committee was informed that Aer Arann operated services three times a day to Dublin. (d) Customer service The Committee was pleased to hear that during the previous week, the results of a Which? survey on customer service and facilities at airports had been published. Southend Airport had come out on top and had received five stars in five categories. (e) Visits to the Airport It was noted that Ministerial visits to the Airport had been made by the Minister for Aviation, Simon Burns and the Minister for Veterans, Mark Francois. 9. PLANNING ISSUES The AMD s report updated members on progress with the Airport development programme. (a) Radar The new radar is now in use and an alternative radar data supply had been secured from Stansted. This would ensure that, in the event of Southend s radar having planned maintenance or a failure, an alternative supply can be switched on to ensure continued safety for aircraft. (b) Terminal extension Members noted that the arrivals extension had opened according to the programme in early June. The new landside staircase and toilets would be opening in September, when the new covered walkway from the station would be coming into use. In October the new security area should open to passengers and, in November, the new check-in area was scheduled to open. The extended departure lounge was programmed to come into use in December and, in the meantime, the temporary pavilion was proving very helpful. 5
The completion of the terminal extension would ensure that the standard of customer service provided to passengers would be maintained as passenger numbers continue to grow. The suggestion was made that the designated smoking area outside the terminal building should be moved to prevent non-smokers needing to pass by it. The Committee was informed that it was an issue that would be reviewed once the extension was completed. In response to two further suggestions relating to car parking, members noted that: o it was accepted by the Airport that the current 5 minute free drop-off period could probably be improved upon; o the Airport was investigating how information about where to park could be made clear to visitors. (c) Future projects Options for improving the Airport fire station and the fire training ground continued to be considered. (d) Footpath The Committee was informed that the process to permanently divert the footpath that used to cross an Airport taxiway continued to be pursued by agreement. It was temporarily closed until Christmas 2013. Failing agreement, the Airport would be seeking to close it formally using pounds available to the Secretary of State. There was no possible diversion route. (e) Approach lights runway 24 After over a year of negotiation, agreement had not been able to be reached with a local landowner to allow the replacement of three old runway approach light masts with three new ones in a field he owns. The replacement of these lamps would significantly improve safety and reduce the number of occasions on which aircraft need to divert elsewhere in poor weather. Application had now been made to the Secretary of State for Transport to secure consent for the closure. Reference was made to an understanding that a corrugated iron fence adjacent to Southend Road would be tidied up. Councillor Mrs Glynn advised that she had observed that work was currently being carried out on the fence. (f) Davies Commission The report reminded Committee members of the work the Government had commissioned to identify how the predicted growth in demand for air travel in the southeast could best be met. The Airport had taken part in a number of the Commission s calls for evidence. The two key submissions were: o Additional runways a number of airports had submitted information about how they could facilitate additional runways. These included Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted. Southend Airport has not made any submissions to indicate a case for either an additional runway in Southend or for an extension of the current runway. o Making best use of existing airport runway capacity the Airport had worked with officers from Essex, Rochford and Southend in putting together its submission that it can and should continue to play a key role within a balanced 6
London Airport system. Southend Airport had handled over 100,000 aircraft movements per annum before and the AMD there was no reason why this could not take place in future. Advances in technology provided scope for increased movements with little or no increases in overall noise. The AOD advised that it was likely that the Commission would be expressing a view by Christmas 2013. (g) Noise The report advised that the total number of complaints continued to reduce. Total complaints for the period May/June/July were 60/92/149, a total of 301 for the quarter. This compares with 318 and 357 for the previous 2 quarters. As usual, most of the complaints continued to come from ten or fewer people. 10. PRM (PERSONS WITH REDUCED MOBILITY) STANDARDS The AOD displayed the current standards together with the page of the Airport s website about PRM standards. In answer to questions, David Lister: o confirmed that the performance against the standards would be reported to the Consultative Committee and included in the Annual Report; o the measurement of time started from when the aircraft lands at the Airport; o the Airport aims to have staff available when an aircraft lands but during busy periods this may not always be possible. He responded to a further question by outlining the assistance that could be provided to a person with reduced mobility and advised that there were no particular rules; each case being dealt with as required. 11. INWARD INVESTMENT, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING Included in the AMD s report was the following information relating to inward investment, employment and training. (a) Inward investment The report advised that, as the Airport company s major investment programme of over 130m was ending, an increase in interest from third party organisations seeking to invest in the area was anticipated. One local business had recently taken a lease on a major hangar at the Airport which would provide a significant increase in the services that can be offered to business jet users and, in particular, an increase in the range of aircraft for which maintenance services could be provided. The Airport company continued to have discussions with a number of investors who would like to secure additional hangar space and talks were taking place with a number of new operators about potential new routes and services. Balkan Holidays had already announced that they would be offering services to the Black Sea in summer 2014. 7
Following the first full year of easyjet operations the airline would be reassessing destination options for 2014 and beyond. Whilst progress on the application to reinstate controlled airspace may appear slow due to the thorough process that required to be pursued, the aim continued to be reinstatement by November 2014. Councillor Elliott referred to a rumour that the flight-path was to be amended to avoid aircraft, particularly Aer Lingus ones, overflying Burnham on Crouch. The AOD responded that the Airport was unable to change the flight-path but that it would be reviewed as part of the London Airspace Management Programme (LAMP) but that there was unlikely to be any significant changes to Southend Airport flight-paths. (b) Employment and training Towards the end of the summer an assessment would be undertaken as to whether any permanent contracts would be offered to the 30 seasonal staff referred to in minute 9(b)(15 May 2013). 11. COMMUNITY RELATIONS (a) Public Art The AMD s report advised that new artwork outside the terminal was proving to be popular. It was intended that further seating of a similar design to the ones around the artwork would be provided outside the terminal extension. (b) Backroom Boys To illustrate the level of support that Southend Airport receives from the local community, the AMD s report reported that a group of local residents had been working hard to ensure that it was correctly represented on departure boards around Europe and London Southend was now shown on boards at more and more airports around Europe. (c) Annual Report Referring to minute 11 (15 May 2013) a published version of the Annual Report was received. The AMD s report highlighted that the Annual Report identified a number of properties at the Rochford end of the runway that, following the independent noise assessment, were eligible for noise insulation. The owners of these properties had been contacted and the noise insulation arrangements were being progressed. It was noted that future reports would include: o more information about employment; o compliance with the PRM standards measurements (minute 10 above refers); o energy efficiency information. Councillor Longley asked for the information about employment to include a further breakdown to show, for instance, the number of apprenticeships. 8
12. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 106 AGREEMENT The Quarterly Section 106 Return for the three-month period to the end of July 2013 was received which set out the statistics relating to the requirements of the section 106 agreement that had been entered into in relation to the planning permission for the extension of the runway. The Committee noted that there had been 6 departure movements that had been identified by the Airport as not following the Noise Preferential Routes (NPRs). The following two papers were attached to the Return that provided: more details on the 6 movements; information about the action taken in relation to these movements. It was noted that three of these 6 movements had been carried out on the instructions of air-traffic control for reasons of safety and that infringement notices had been issued in relation to the other 3 movements. One of these had subsequently been withdrawn when evidence had been provided that the particular aircraft was lighter than the 5,700 kg threshold for the NPR. Jo Marchetti he advised that the operator had, however, agreed to conform with the NPRs in future. In response to a question, Jo Marchetti advised that none of the infringements of the NPR had led to complaints from members of the public. 13. PRESS PACK The pack of newspaper cuttings relating to the Airport was received and noted. 14. ANY OTHER BUSINESS There were no items of any other business. 15. DATES OF MEETINGS Members were reminded that it had been agreed that the next meeting would be held on Wednesday, 20 November 2013 at 2pm in the Airport Hotel. The Committee agreed that meetings during 2014 should be held on the following dates: o Wednesday, 26 February 2014; o Wednesday, 21 May 2014; o Wednesday, 20 August 2014; o Wednesday, 19 November 2014. 16. AIRPORT MANAGING DIRECTOR At the conclusion of the meeting the Chairman said that he was unable to think of any individual or organisation that had contributed as much to the area as Stobart and that the delivery of the Airport development programme had been managed by Alastair Welch. He said that it was amazing what had been delivered and that Southend on Sea and its surrounding area generally owes him deep gratitude. Councillor Howard said that Alistair had been a credit to his profession and would be a loss. Councillor Mrs Glynn said that she would like there to be an Alastair Welch Way in Rochford. Noah Goodman echoed what had already been said and said that few people had achieved as much as 9
Alastair and came up to his standard. She added that she could not believe that he was leaving. On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman made a presentation to Alastair including a pen set and wished him continued success in his future career. In thanking the Committee, Alastair Welch said that he was really lucky to have had the opportunity to be involved in the redevelopment of the Airport which, he said, clearly had a lot of potential when he was appointed as the AMD. He said that he had been pleasantly surprised at the amount of support coming from the local community and that it had been a pleasure to be involved in the project which, he believed, was good for the area. He foresaw that the Airport had a very good future. He thanked the Committee for its work and support and said that he had enjoyed its meetings. The meeting ended at 4.40pm. 10