Environment Minutes 17th November 2011
MINUTES of the Meeting of the ENVIRONMENT & HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE held at
The Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich on Thursday 17th November 2011 commencing at 7pm
Present: Councillors Double, Flavell and I Henderson
In the Chair: Councillor McLeod
Clerk: Mrs M Townsend
Also present: Councillor Brown (until 8pm), Town Clerk Mrs L Ballard, Cllr Todd and 2 members
of the public
The Chairman announced that an emergency item 9a, has been added to the agenda – To discuss the need for a zebra crossing where the current speed bump is situated on Low Road.
E35/11 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillors R Callender, Day, Thurlow
E36/11 DECLARATIONOF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
None
E37/11 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Environment & Highways meeting held on 30th August 2011 (previously circulated) be approved by the Committee and signed by the Chairman as a true record.
E38/11 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES
Taxi Rank/Pick-up Point – Further to minute E17/11, Clerk gave update confirming that there had only been one response from the local taxi firms. The members noted Ian Taylor’s agreement to attend a meeting with HTC.
RESOLVED: Clerk to arrange a meeting and invite Cllr McLeod, Cllr Day, Ian Taylor, Lawrie Payne and the local taxi firms to discuss the way forward.
Painting on Flood Wall – Cllr Todd updated members on his progress so far and correspondence received from Peter Fletcher, Planning Services. Although planning permission is not required, advertisement consent will be required. Cllr Double queried whether a ‘Welcome to Harwich’ sign constitutes an advertisement.
Bottle Bank – Clerk gave brief update following contact made to Network Rail, National Express and The Harwich Mayflower Project.
RESOLVED: Cllr Flavell to meet with Bill Smith, Environmental Services and move this project on.
Relocation of West End Recycling Facility – Further to minute E29/11, no response has been received from Cllr Tracy Chapman.
RESOLVED: Clerk to check that she is the correct contact and chase response.
2O MPH Zone – Cllr Flavell was very disappointed to see that there has been no progress and a suggestion was made by Cllr I Henderson to formalise the procedure for passing requests for action to the Essex County Councillor.
RESOLVED: Clerk to liaise with Cllr Flavell and write to Essex County Council
Highways and copy in Cllr Callendar.
Junction at George Street – Further to minute E22/11, there has been no progress.
RESOLVED: Clerk to liaise with Cllr Flavell and write to Essex County Council Highways and copy in Cllr Callendar
E39/11 A120
Members reviewed and discussed the Planning Committee Reports which fully explain the highway aspects of the Bathside Bay scheme, both as approved under the 2006 permissions and as proposed. All members noted that the new conditions seek to alter the phasing of development in relation to the timing of the two main sets of highway improvements. Taking into account the increased extension of time of 10years, Cllr Double recommended that focus is placed on smaller changes to the A120 following previous accidents and the recent accident involving a school bus
and car. In particular, the following are areas of concerns
– Wix/Ramsey bends – speed limits with cameras similar to the action taken at Haughley on A14
– Remedial action and management of traffic from Hare Green to Horsley Cross
– The road is breaking up on the eastern approach to Harwich
RESOLVED: Clerk to liaise with Cllr Double and write to MP stating that there is a cause for action along A120 and request that he supports the council. A copy of this letter is to be sent to the Highways Agency with a letter raising concerns for these dangerous areas.
E40/11 FRIDAY MARKET RESTRICTIONS
Further to Minute E23/1, Clerk updated members confirming that The District Council is writing to, and meeting with, North Essex Parking Partnership at a Joint Committee meeting of the partnership on 20th October 2011. Ian Taylor confirmed that the District Council will raise it formally and report back. A polite reminder has been sent by the Assistant Clerk and is currently awaiting a response.
RESOLVED: Clerk to report back at next meeting.
E41/11 TREE PLANTING PROJECT
Further to Minute Reference E27/11 Clerk confirm that TDC has awarded HTC with a Tree Planting Grant of £485, subject to total expenditure on the tree planting project of at least £970 and all claims for payment to be submitted by 24th February 2012. Cllr Double felt that the issue of maintenance of existing trees should be prioritised before continuing with further planting.
RESOLVED: to proceed with programme as agreed and investigate and request some of the budget to be used towards maintenance of existing trees, including replacing broken tree guards.
E42/11 SALT BINS
Clerk informed members that there are 7 salt bins situated in Dovercourt.
RESOLVED: Clerk to forward details of locations to all members.
E43/11 DOG BINS
Clerk informed members that TDC had no further budget for additional dog bins. This cost would need to be met by HTC and a contract set up with Veolia.
RESOLVED: Clerk to speak to Stephen Sparrow to gain further advice for using normal rubbish bins to discard dog waste in sealed bags and source available posters.
E44/11 ZEBRA CROSSING – LOWER MARINE PARADE
Members reviewed the reply received from East Area Highways Office, Colchester, in relation to Mrs Palmers request for a zebra crossing in the promenade, Dovercourt and expressed their shock at comments made. As this is a well populated area, particularly in the summer all members shared this view and concern.
RESOLVED: Clerk to request an on site meeting with an officer from Essex County Council Highways.
E45/11 BUDGETS 2012/2013
The Chairman provided members with background information of the previous Guildhall budgets and the Clerk gave examples of expenditure against that budget.
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND: Budget for the Municipal Year 2012/2013
EXPENDITURE
MEMORIAL FUND EARMARKED FUND 500
ENVIRONMENT SCHEMES/PROJECTS 1500
HARWICH IN BLOOM (s.137 GRANT) 1200
HIGHWAY SAFETY 200 TREE PLANTING 1600
E46/11 CHAIRMAN’S COMMENTS
Cllr McLeod reported that a member of the public had reported oil on the beach at West End. He would investigate in the morning and contact Harwich Haven Authority if necessary.
E47/11 ROAD CLOSURES
Members noted advanced warning from ECC regarding temporary road closures.
E48/11 MATTERS RECEIVED IN THE POST OR RAISED BY MEMBERS
Cllr Flavell requested that we ask TDC to organise for the toilets situated by The Pier Hotel to be in operation for the New Year celebrations.
RESOLVED: To be deferred to Full Council under matters raised by members.
E49/11 TIME AND DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Environment & Highways Committee will be held at 7pm on Thursday 19th January 2012 at The Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich