Meeting Report
Regarding: Date: 15 February 2018 EDF Energy Hinkley Point C: Community Forum
Attending: David Harper Bridgwater and Taunton College Jim Claydon, Chair Sally Hill Knightstone Housing Neil Adams, National Grid Simon Hill Church of England Terry Ayre, Holford Parish Council Linda Hyde North Petherton Town Council Doug Bamsey, Sedgemoor District Council Amy Jones Citizens Advice Sedgemoor Alan Beasley, Cannington Parish Council Neil Kimmins, Avon & Somerset Police Bob Birkenhead Otterhampton Parish Robin Phipps, Cannington Parish Council Council Michael Pitcher Friends of Quantock Val Bishop Somerset Community Roy Pumfrey, Stop Hinkley Foundation Leigh Redman, Bridgwater Town Council Ann Bown Sedgemoor District Council Jim Ridout, Fiddington Parish Council Tatiana Cant, Burham-on-Sea & John Sivyer Stockland-Bristol Parish Meeting Highbridge Town Council Lucinda Spellman-Ives, North Petherton Town Julie Cooper Sedgemoor District Council Council Andy Coupé, Somerset County Council Tim Whittingham CPRE Somerset Richard Cuttell W.H.A.G Jason Woods Wemdon Parish Council Jill Dillamore Stogursey Parish Council Lisa Wright Environment Agency Mike Dixon, Kilve Parish Council Claire Faun Sedgemoor District Council David Eccles, EDF Energy Anne Fraser Sedgemoor District Council Luke Stevens, EDF Energy Paul Gallagher Mace Group Hayley Terrell, EDF Energy Sue Goss, West Somerset Council Laura Edwards EDF Energy Chinks Grylls Green Party Isaac Casson, Newgate
Item 1. Introduction and apologies 1.1 Jim Claydon (JC) welcomed attendees and asked them to introduce themselves.
1.2 Apologies were recorded from: Anne Reed (Wemdon Parish Council), Richard Frost (Mendip Society), Trevor Howes (Civil Nuclear Constabulary)
2. Matters arising
2.1 The following afternotes and matters arising from the previous minutes from the meeting on 9 November 2017 were raised:
2.2 Under item 3.6 of the previous minutes, AFTERNOTE: There have been inaccurate claims about radiation levels of this sediment and the testing undertaken. The sediment is not classed as radioactive under UK law and poses no threat to human health or the environment. The sediment has been tested by an independent, expert body (CEFAS) in
Item 2009, 2013 and 2017 - this included sampling at depths to 4m below the surface. The testing and radiological impacts were assessed using internationally accepted best practice.
In this as with all work for Hinkley Point C, we work closely with and are strictly regulated by a number of statutory bodies, including Natural Resources Wales, and the Environment Agency. This ensures the environment and public are protected at all times.
2.3 Under item 3.7 of the previous minutes, AFTERNOTE: We intend to carry out the works to refurbish and extend Combwich Wharf in accordance with our Development Consent Order and Marine Licence, including any subsequent approvals by Sedgemoor District Council and the Marine Management Organisation. Recently, we have been carrying out site investigations to inform the detailed design and construction of the redevelopment. Our contractor, Hochtief, drilled boreholes and carried out other tests in and around the Wharf facility on the river and berth bed in order to determine the characteristics of the soil/rock layers in the ground. These works were carefully controlled, including restricting the hours of work and closely monitoring noise levels. Advance notification of the works was also given to local residents. We have now successfully completed the site investigations and continue to prepare for the main phase of works in due course.
2.4 Under item 3.9 of the previous minutes, AFTERNOTE: Small quantities of salt are present on site for treating pedestrian pathways in cold weather.
2.5 Under item 3.10 of the previous minutes, AFTERNOTE: Delivery of concrete segments from Avonmouth will start in the New Year for approximately 30 months. This will mean a peak of 35 HGV deliveries per day. There are no current plans to deliver by sea and the use of the jetty is used for aggregate. This may evolve to take other commodities over time but this is not yet confirmed.
2.6 Under item 3.14 of the previous minutes, AFTERNOTE: The DCO requirement for HGV identification is to display the HPC delivery sign in the front windscreen. At the rear, HGVs need to display the mandatory legal markers and reflectors i.e. any hazardous loads but require no specific signage/disc indicating the vehicle is related to HPC activities.
2.7 The minutes from the meeting on 9 November 2017 were signed off as accurate by attendees.
Item 3. Project Milestones 3.1 A film was shown outlining recent activity from the Hinkley Point C project. DE provided an update on associated developments:
• The jetty is due to be completed at the end of 2018 and fully operational by the middle of 2019; • The wharf at Combwich will start construction at the end of 2018 and be operational by 2020; • J23 signalisation has been installed and completed ahead of schedule; • J23 Park & Ride has been completed and will be formally opened next week; • Talks are underway with Somerset County Council regarding the next phase of improvements to Bristol Rd/Wylds Rd junction; • Letters will be issued shortly to residents around Frederick Road, regarding the permanent closure of Frederick Road by the end of March;
3.2 Roy Pumfrey (RP) queried the gender balance of the Hinkley Point C workforce. DE stated that the number of women operatives working on the project is many times higher than the industry average of 2%.
4. CIM Fund Update 4.1 DE outlined detail around recent approved bids for the Community Impact Mitigation (CIM) fund. A copy of this presentation is available on request.
4.2 The recently approved bids are:
• Holford and District Village Hall – Fit for Future Project (£125,000) Refurbish and extend the Village Hall enabling provision of a co-ordinated plan of community activities (social, health care, leisure, education, employment, youth)
• Somerset County Council - Somerset Education Business Partnership (£393,850) To provide an advice and a brokerage service to employers and educators linking young people with skills, training, work placed learning and employment opportunities aiming to build an appropriately skilled work ready workforce.
4.3 A summary of the operation of the fund to-date was also provided: • £7,958,000 available for community impact mitigation projects in Somerset • 34 projects have received funding to date • Total amount awarded to projects so far £4,289,000 • Cannington and Stogursey are yet to fully allocate their ring-fenced funding • As of 1st February 2018 c£2,000,000 remaining for community impact mitigation projects across Somerset
4.4 Robin Phipps (RoP) commented on the difficulties Cannington Parish Council were experiencing in drawing down the ring fenced funding for the proposed Traffic Calming scheme.
Item 5. Introduction to Somerset Community Foundation
5.1 Val Bishop (VB), programmes director at the Somerset Community Foundation, gave a presentation on the foundation and its relationship with the CIM fund. A copy of this presentation is available on request.
5.2 The SCF HPC Community Fund launched in November 2017 and provides another fund where community groups are able to bid for money for community projects. The HPC Community Fund will work alongside the CIM fund until that money is spent.
5.3 VB set out the criteria for applications to this fund. These are projects that are:
• Going to benefit Somerset communities impacted by the Hinkley Point C development or its associated projects. • Going to avoid, reduce, remove or improve the impacts being felt in the community and improve community wellbeing and quality of life • Going to help your community take advantage of the opportunities arising from the Hinkley Point C project
5.4 VB stated that two projects have already received funding from SCF, which are Burnham and Highbridge Men’s Shed and Middlezoy Arts.
5.5 RP questioned the justification for an award given to Middlezoy. VB stated that all applications are judged on their own merit.
6. HPC Skills and Training Outreach
6.1 Paul Gallagher (PG) gave an overview of the skills and training outreach conducted by the Hinkley Point C project. A copy of this presentation is available on request.
6.2 PG gave historical figures on employment and education:
• 2,832 people registered with the Employment Service, of which 1,551 (55%) are local candidates looking for employment opportunities. This is an increase of 14% in local candidates registering, as a percentage of the overall total registered. • 374 people supported into employment by the Employment Service since it was established. An increase of 77 (26%) since the last report. 90 vacancies were received in the period, leading to an 86% vacancy to jobs conversion rate. • 1,252 local people were reached through 31 targeted events or presentations between July to December 2017. This is a slight dip in engagement (5%), although 20 additional events were delivered, compared to the first half of the year. • 158 local people receiving tailored Information, Advice and Guidance via the Employment Service between July to December 2017. An increase of 115 (267%), reflecting the additional capacity and targeting by Employment Service staff ;
Item • 61 non-HPC employees supported by the Employment Service whilst under threat of redundancy; and • Creation and launch of the HPC Skills and Education website: https://www.edfenergy.com/energy/nuclear-new-build-projects/hinkley-point- c/education-and-skills
6.3 An image was shown detailing the five phases of recruitment against a timeline. Attendees asked if it’s possible this timeline can slip. DE stated that the timeline is indicative and there may be small movements in time either side.
6.4 PG reiterated that maintenance staff will be heavily sourced from the local community. This phase of recruitment will increase once the accommodation campuses and on-site buildings are complete.
6.5 Following a question from RP, PG said that whilst many local people would be getting work on the HPC construction, it was to be expected that they would need to move to work further afield as the demand for their skill set at HPC declined.
7. Transport Forum meeting
7.1 Draft minutes from the Transport Forum held on 1 February 2018 were available at the meeting. A presentation was received from the Quantock Cluster Group and Stogursey Parish Council on highways issues. An addendum to the minutes will be circulated detailed a joint response from EDF Energy and Somerset County Council to each issue raised.
7.2 Topics discussed at the meeting included the temporary HGV cap and the operation of worker buses.
7.3 Lisa Wright expressed concern regarding litter spreading from the site and queried the method of reporting this. DE responded that the correct point of contact is Site Ops.
8. Main Site Forum meeting 8.1 Draft minutes from the Main Site Forum that was held on 10 January 2018 were available at the meeting. Two workshops were held focussing on the marine works and the operation of Sedgemoor and Hinkley Campus.
8.2 Topics discussed at the meeting included the operation of swipe card buses for workers and fly-parking.
9. AOB 9.1 Three questions were submitted in advance by Allan Jeffrey and Roy Pumfrey.
9.2 Roy Pumfrey – “I'd like to raise the matter of the continuation of the provision of the free Community Bus from Minehead to Bridgwater and the issue of the pressure that demand
Item from HPC workers has placed on the local rental property market.” DE stated that the bus service will continue to run for another year and that a buoyant economy does indeed raise things such as rental levels, although these were not excessive at the moment.
9.2 Allan Jeffrey – “In EDF’s initial plans for HPC, the method given for storing spent fuel for Safe Interim storage on site for 160 years, until a National Geological Storage Facility becomes available, was in wet storage in cooling ponds. Why has EDF changed its plans to dry concrete cask storage? Please could you explain the reasons for this major change of storing the high level radioactive waste in the spent fuel? Is it related to security issues?” DE stated that these changes have been as a result of lessons learnt from other projects, such as Sizewell B, and that the Office of Nuclear Regulation would be considering the proposal extremely carefully once it had been submitted formally to them.
9.3 Allan Jeffrey – “Which steel components of Hinkley Point C will be/have been produced, at Areva’s forge in Le Creusot? Pressure vessel parts, steam generators or other steel technology?” DE stated that the French nuclear regulator ASN is monitoring the quality of all components used in France and that the ONR would do the same in this country.
9.4 A discussion was had about the status of other EPR type projects in other countries.
9.5 After discussion it was agreed that an agenda item on 'HPC's effect on Tourism in West Somerset & Weston-super-Mare’ will be heard at the next meeting on 17 May.
10. Date of next meeting The date of the next Community Forum meeting is;
• Thursday 17 May 2018
These meetings will be held at Main Hall, Bridgwater College, Cannington TA5 2LS