Environment Minutes 1st December 2010
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE
HELD ON
MONDAY 1st December 2010 at 6.30pm
HELD AT THE PARK PAVILION BOARD ROOM, BARRACK LANE, HARWICH, ESSEX
Present: Councillor D McLeod in the Chair
Councillors L Payne, J Brown and A Colbourne
Assistant to the Clerk to the Council, Ms L Keeley
Also present: The Mayor Councillor S Tyrer and two members of the public.
Public Question Time of 15 minutes
Mr David Flavell asked the Committee for information regarding implementation of 20 mph speed limits in Harwich Town. Councillor Payne responded and said that during a recent meeting with an Officer at Highways Department, Essex County Council, Councillor Payne proposed the speed limit be included in improvements at Harwich Quay due to commence in January 2011. The Officer acknowledged the proposal and expressed agreement.
E36/10 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillor D Rutson and Councillor R Callender.
E37/10 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
There were none.
E38/10 MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
It was RESOLVED that minutes of the Environment and Highways Committee meeting held on 7th October 2010 (previously circulated) be accepted as a true record and signed by the Chairman.
E39/10 ZEBRA CROSSING IN MAIN ROAD NEAR TO FRYATT HOSPITAL
Further to minute E22/10, re-development is currently pending determination with the Planning Department, Tendring District Council. Councillor Payne said it is important that Harwich Town Council is included in discussion and development of plans at the beginning and during the process.
RESOLVED for the Assistant to the Clerk to write to the Planning Officer, Tendring District Council, requesting a meeting with member (s) of the Environment and Highways Committee to agree conditions for safety and access.
E40/10 HIGHWAYS AND SIGNAGE
Further to minute E25/10, repair/replacement of finger posts in Harwich Town is in hand with the Leisure Department, Tendring District Council.
RESOLVED for the Assistant to the Clerk to contact the Assistant Head of Leisure to ask when repair may take place.
E41/10 SUNDIAL IN MEMORY FLOOD VICTIMS IN 1953
Further to minute E26/10, the planning application has been approved and Councillor Payne expressed thanks to the Mayor and to the Clerk to the Council for ensuring completion and submission of the application. Ownership of the land is yet to be confirmed after which time Councillor Payne will place an order for the sundial.
E42/10 TRAFFIC SPEEDS IN BARRACK LANE
Further to minutes E09/10 and E23/10, it was suggested the Committee writes to the Essex County Council Councillor, Councillor Callender, asking for information and it was RESOLVED for the Assistant to the Clerk to write accordingly.
E43/10 HARWICH TO HORSLEY CROSS
Further minute E28/10, awaiting response sent on 15 October.
E44/10 MARIA STREET AND VANSITTART STREET, HARWICH
Further to minute E34/10, Councillor Payne reported on a site meeting with an Officer at Environment Sustainability and Highways, Essex County Council. The Officer is currently looking at ownership of the land and when confirmed he will inform Councillor Payne.
E45/10 TREE PLANTING PROGRAMME
Councillor Tyrer informed the Committee that funding for 50 per cent of cost was not approved in time for submission to Horticultural Services, Tendring District Council, but purchase from our own budget will be as follows:-
- one red May tree on the area of grass in at the junction from Wellington Road into Kings Quay Street, Harwich
- one Holm Oak tree at St Helen’s Green, Harwich Approximate total cost and two tree guards is £559 plus value added tax
- an appropriate tree for Timberfields (near to the area proposed for the memorial sundial for 1953 flood victims)
- an appropriate tree for Harwich Community Primary School Cost to be explored
It was RESOLVED for Councillor Tyrer to proceed as above.
E46/10 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
Further to minute E11/10, Councillor McLeod said he had met with an Officer at Environmental Services, Tendring District Council, and Councillor Smith (Ramsey and Parkeston Parish Council) in November for a site meeting to look at the areas surrounding the School. Following the meeting Councillor McLeod received a communication from the Officer which included the following information
- a map of the area showing the location of nine litter bins in roads near to the School
- the School employs a dedicated cleaner to litter pick at Hall Lane and part of Fronks Road each day between Monday and Friday
- regular weekly litter picking by Tendring District Council
- at the time of the site visit all roads inspected were to a satisfactory standard of cleanliness
- the Officer left his contact details for the Head Teacher of Harwich School
- new litter bins will not be installed at present unless the cost is burdened by an organisation other than Tendring District Council
It was agreed there is adequate bins and regular litter clearance and it forms part of education in anti social behaviour. Councillor McLeod will inform Councillor Smith of the outcome.
Access Road to West End Beach
Councillor McLeod said he is pleased to report that repair/resurfacing of the access road to West End Beach, Dovercourt, is imminent. He said it would also be beneficial to users if the road was widened and a footpath made available.
It was agreed that the present location of the civic amenity site is not conducive to a recreation area and regarding movement of heavy duty vehicles along the access road and Councillor Payne proposed the Committee maintains the campaign for relocation of the site to a more suitable location such as areas adjacent to the A120.
RESOLVED for the Assistant to the Clerk to write to the Environmental Services at Tendring District Council with these points and propose relocation of the municipal site.
E47/10 SALT BAG PILOT SCHEME
A letter was received from Environmental, Sustainability and Highways, Essex County Council, asking if the Council would like to participate in the Pilot Scheme. The Scheme involves finding a suitable location for storage of one tonne of salt/sand mix and identification of a person to liaise between Essex County Council, Harwich Town Council and members of the public for control of and access to the mix.
It was agreed responsibility remains with Essex County Council and therefore not to participate in the Scheme.
E48/10 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES
None reported.
E49/10 MATTERS RECEIVED IN POST
A communication received from Mr Jack Keely, a user of the skate board park at Dovercourt, asking if the Council would help with improvements/repairs to the park and to erection of a canopy. The Assistant Clerk to the Council said that a planning application for erection of canopy was submitted to Planning Services, Tendring District Council, in 2009.
RESOLVED to invite Mr Jack Keely to speak to the Committee at the next meeting to enlarge upon his request and further RESOLVED for the Assistant to the Clerk to look at the planning application and the supporting documentation which transpired in 2009.
E50/10 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
A date for the next meeting is to be decided.
The meeting closed at 7.45 pm.