LONDON SOUTHEND AIRPORT Minutes of meeting No. 59 of the Consultative Committee held on Wednesday, 19 August 2008 at 2pm. Present: David Osborn Vice-Chairman (in the chair) Andrew Walters Chairman, London Southend Airport Co. Ltd. Alastair Welch Airport Managing Director Councillor Peter Ashley Southend on Sea Borough Council Councillor Jim Clinkscales Southend on Sea Borough Council Councillor Peter Elliott Maldon District Council Norah Goodman Eastwood & St. Laurence Residents Assocn. Councillor Ray Howard Essex County Council Councillor Tony Humphries Rayleigh Town Council Mark Murphy Southend on Sea Borough Council (Officer) Councillor Roy Pearson Essex County 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 Sallyanne Thallon Essex County Council (Officer) Derry Thorpe Southend Trades Council George Crowe Secretary 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies for absence were received from Stuart Greengrass (Chairman), Councillor Keith Bobbin (Essex County Council), Councillor Mrs. Pam Challis (Director, Thames Gateway), Keith Ross (Ipeco Holdings), Councillor Kevin Salt (Rochford Hundred Association of Local Councils) and from Rob Tinlin and Steve Kearney (Southend on Sea Borough Council officers). 2. CHAIRMAN S OPENING REMARKS David Osborne welcomed members. He referred to the tour of the Airport that some members had attended before the start of the meeting which, he said, showed how the Airport was progressing. 3. MEMBERSHIP The Secretary reported that Councillors Peter Ashley and Martin Terry had been appointed to represent Southend Borough Council on the Committee. They were welcomed to their first meeting of the Committee. 1
4. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING The minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2008 that had previously been circulated were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 5. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES Proposals for the reorganisation of air routes to the north of London and extension of services at London City Airport (LCA) (minute 6 refers) In response to a question from Councillor Howard about the implications of statements by National Air Traffic Services (NATS) and the Mayor of London s ideas for a Thames estuary airport to replace Heathrow, Mr Walters advised that the NATS proposals would have meant that aircraft inbound to LCA would be fairly low over Southend. NATS was now proposing that aircraft would be held over the sea which showed that it had taken notice of the concerns. He thanked the authorities that had lobbied against NATS s original proposals. The Mayor of London had asked that the Newham Planning Committee defer a decision on the additional movements to LCA until the Thames Bridge and safety issues had been resolved. Mr Walters did not believe that the Thames estuary airport proposal was now feasible for various reasons. Councillor Terry commented that the case needed to be made that modern aircraft were quieter and achieved a higher altitude sooner than older ones. 6. AIRPORT SALE UPDATE Mr Walters reported that the sale was progressing and that he was confident that it would be completed in the fairly near future. 7. AIRPORT MANAGING DIRECTOR S REPORT Alastair Welch presented the 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 2008/09 4,987 3,909 3,841 12,737 2007/08 4,407 4,008 4,006 12,421 Commercial 472 468 360 1,300 mvts. 2008/09 Commercial mvts. 2007/08 472 395 418 1,285 2
(b) Overview The report advised that there had been good progress in the past three months. The strong market for aircraft maintenance, cargo and passenger numbers had continued and flying club activity was also doing well. The market for private business jet had been less strong, partly due to the economic conditions but also due to a Southend operator being without an operating licence for a time. Fuel volumes were down as airlines uplifted the minimum amount of fuel for their needs. Diversions continued to be at a higher level than in the previous year. The programme to improve the Airport s appearance continued. Ford were now using their new car park, new fuel tanks have been installed in the fuel farm and the perimeter fence project was well under way. Inflite s project to install new doors to their hangar had almost been completed and their new 60m x 18m workshop now had its roof. An article in Jane s Airport Review in June confirmed that Southend was the fastest growing airport in the UK for the second year running. Whilst this is in percentage terms, it demonstrated the development and growth to date. (c) Staff update At the end of July an air traffic controller (ATC) had returned from a three month tower course and would be spending the next few months validating his tower rating. As part of the development programme one ATC was validating his tower qualification, one would be away for an approach course in the autumn and two members of staff were validating their radar qualifications. The succession planning programme continued in the fire service and other areas. (d) Financial Position The trading year to date was slightly ahead of budget following the successful year that had closed at the end of March. (e) Planning and Development The Committee was updated on progress on Phase 1 of the Airport development programme. The design of the new Control Tower was being finalised prior to ohbtaining permission for access to the tower, approval from a security angle by the Department for Transport and checks for any ordnance. Once this was done a permitted development application would be made with a view to construction starting in early 2009. Following the improvements to the Terminal Building in early spring, new X-Ray machines and bins had been installed and new seating was being provided. New televisions in the coffee shop would conclude the first stage of the works. Ford, the Airport s biggest customer had advised that the new facilities were a great improvement and that there had been an improvement in punctuality which they attributed to the new layout. 3
A meeting would be held shortly with the proposed Hotel operator to progress the plans with a view to it opening in advance of the railway station. Mr Welch added that it was proposed that conference facilities and a restaurant would be provided on the top floor. So far as the station was concerned, good progress was being made with GRIP 4 which was due to be signed off in November. Tender documents were due to be issued to contractors in September and contract award was scheduled for 20 November. Commercial negotiations with Network Rail had yet to be concluded but progress was being made. Phase 2 involved the JAAP consultation which was completed on 8 August. There had been wide support from staff, businesses and a large number of residents of the area, especially those who recalled the town when it had a thriving airport. A number of residents had raised questions about the impact of a longer runway and people wanted answers to a number of detailed questions for which it was too early to have detailed answers. The two key themes which were emerging involved noise impacts and the local transport infrastructure and these would be addressed in due course. Mr Welch commented that it was frustrating that some people were focusing on the runway extension. He advised that the Embraer 195 which would be able to use the Airport had 14 more seats than the BAe 146 and it consumed 25% less fuel. It was also 35% quieter and would be able to fly from Southend to the further reaches of the Mediterranean Sea. Responding to a comment by Councillor Terry, Mr Walters advised that Ove Arup & Partners had studied the issue of local people being able to fly from Southend and not having to travel to the other London airports. When asked by Councillor Terry if Southend Council could make use of the study report, Mr Welch said that it would be necessary to look at it again to ascertain its relevance. Mark Murphy advised that the report was part of the JAAP group s considerations and that it would be commissioning its own studies on noise and environmental impact. A question was asked about the JAAP programme and the Committee was informed that the two councils preferred option was due to go out for consultation on 3 November. The next consultation would extend into 2009 and that the final document containing the councils proposals would be submitted to the Secretary of State no later than July next year. Councillor Howard advised that Essex County Council had responded in support of option 3. Councillor Terry asked whether a facility for buses would be provided and Mr Walters advised that there was a long term objective to provide an interchange near to the proposed railway station. (f) Spring Clean The spring clean programme had progressed and over 1km length of new perimeter fencing had been installed. Further painting and improvement works generally were being carried out. All redundant aircraft would be removed and one aircraft had been scrapped each month for the past three months. It was 4
envisaged that a further four would be broken up in the autumn. It was possible that Heavylift s Short Belfast aircraft would be included. (g) Visits and Community communication A visit by Leigh Town Council members had been made in June to help them to understand the Airport s current activities as well as setting the context for the JAAP. Mr Welch had attended a planning meeting of the Council on 22 July to help clarify some aspects of the Airport s longer term aspirations. A small delegation of councillors and planning officers had been taken to Southampton Airport in May to help them to get an idea of an airport with 2 million passengers per annum. Southampton Airport had housing at the ends of the runway and there was a road at one end and a railway line at the other. These and the proximity of the railway station to the terminal represented a very similar situation to the potential one at Southend. In answer to a question from Mrs Goodman about the distance of Southampton Airport s runway, the Committee was informed that its length was 1723 metres, 130 metres longer than Southend s. Mr Sawyer mentioned a reference to a hill in the direction of Leigh on Sea. Mr Walters advised that the climb surface criteria were based on a Dakota aircraft flying with one engine not operating. An average of one visit a week by school/scout/guide groups had been hosted and staff had devised a quiz which seemed to go down well with the children and supervisors. (h) Noise comments The Airport Noise comments report was attached to the Managing Director s report. Mr Welch advised that a total of 23 noise comments relating to Southend had been received in the second quarter of 2008. 16 of these had been recorded in May. The Airport continued to address each comment with the complainant personally. He commented that complaints tended to increase in the summer when homes had their windows open. Some of the complaints related to the Police helicopter and aircraft attending the Biggin Hill Airshow. Councillor Clinkscales asked whether the Dakota flights had prompted any complaints. Mr Welch didn t think they had but would check. Action: Airport Managing Director Councillor Ashley asked if the comments record was distorted by individuals who regularly made complaints. Mr Welch replied that there were such people but that it was not a significant issue. 8. PLANNING ISSUES The planning issues were dealt with under the Airport Managing Director s report (minute 7(e) above). 5
9. INWARD INVESTMENT, EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING Some inward investment, employment and training issues were dealt with under the Airport Managing Director s report (minute 7 above). 10. CIVIL AVIATION ACT 2006 IMPLEMENTATION OF NEW POWERS Referring to minute 10 (20 May 2008), the Committee was informed that the Airport had regard to the environmental impact whenever any developments were being considered. 11. PRESS PACK The press pack of newspaper cuttings relating to the Airport was received and noted. No questions or issues were raised about them. 12. COMMUNITY RELATIONS Information was provided in the Airport Managing Director s report (minute 7(g) above). Mr Welch provided reported on the tours of the Airport being provided for members of the public during the weekend of Friday and Saturday, 29 and 30 August. A large response had already been received. 13. ANY OTHER BUSINESS There were no items of any other business. 14. DATES OF NEXT MEETINGS It was noted that it had been agreed that the next meeting would be held at 2pm at the Airport on Wednesday, 19 November 2008. It was noted that, in the meantime, an additional meeting could be arranged at short notice with the proposed new owners of the Airport. The meeting ended at 2.55pm. 6