Environment Minutes 14th June 2012

MINUTES of the Meeting of the ENVIRONMENT & HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE held at The Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich on Thursday 14th June 2012 commencing at 7pm

Present:
Councillors R Callender, Fowler and Double

In the Chair:
Councillor Flavell

Clerk:
Mrs M Townsend

Also present:
Councillor McLeod and no members of the public or press

E01/12 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillors Day, Thurlow and I Henderson

E02/12 ELECTION VICE-CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED: To appoint Cllr Day as Vice-Chairman of the Environment & Highways Committee

E03/12 DECLARATION OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
None

E04/12 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Environment & Highways meeting held on 20th March 2012 (previously circulated) be approved by the Committee and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

E05/12 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES
None raised

E06/12 TREE WARDEN REPORT
Clerk gave brief outline of future planting ideas from Tree Warden, Stephanie Tyrer and discussed her suggested tree planting programme to mark the 25th anniversary of the great storm of 1987.
RESOLVED: Clerk to proceed with order for a poplar tree to replace the one lost opposite the Boating Lake. Total spend approved up to £300, to include tree, delivery, planting and tree guard.

E07/12 FORMATION OF TDC’S LOCAL HIGHWAYS PANEL
Cllr R Callender updated members on the progress for the formation of the LHP and the scope of work it will cover. As the first meeting in imminent, all TDC councillors have been requested to compile a report of recommended projects.
RESOLVED: Clerk to compose a report of potential schemes and forward to Cllr R Callender

E08/12 WEST END RECYCLING FACILITY
Members discussed complaints received regarding the reduced service and poor traffic management.
RESOLVED: Clerk to write to Cllr K Bentley expressing HTC’s concerns.

E09/12 POTHOLES
Cllr R Callender updated members on the announcement from Cllr Peter Martin, on the proposals to invest an additional £11 million to repair the damage caused to the county’s roads following the severe weather extremes of recent months and
confirmed that ECC will start work on its annual surface dressing programme w/c 18th June 2012. All members were urged to report all potholes to ECC.

E10/12 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

• Cllr Flavell sought approval for his invitation, as an observer, to the Stour and Orwell Estuaries Forum.
• The press release from TDC was welcomed which confirmed all residents are to be given a free parking permit in a bid to boost local trade.
• The budget for Environment Schemes/Projects was discussed.

RESOLVED: All members to collate ideas for future projects to be discussed and agreed at the next meeting.

E11/12 MATTERS RECEIVED IN THE POST OR RAISED BY MEMBERS

• Cllr Double noted that the Mine Sweepers Memorial was in need of renewed planting.

RESOLVED: Clerk to proceed with ordering miniature rose bushes and crocuses with an agreed spent of up to £100 for the plants, delivery and planting.

Cllr McLeod informed members that the Queen Victoria Memorial is in desperate need of a clean.
RESOLVED: Clerk to write to TDC to request the memorial to be cleaned.

E12/12 TIME AND DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Environment & Highways Committee will be held on 23rd August 2012, at The Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich at 7pm.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 7.38pm