Harwich Town Council

01255 507211

9.30am – 1pm Monday, Wednesday & Friday

Environment Minutes 6th November 2012

HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich, Essex CO12 3DS
Tel: 01255 507211
email: info@harwichtowncouncil.co.uk

MINUTES of the Meeting of the ENVIRONMENT & HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE
held at
The Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich
on
Tuesday, 06 November 2012 @ 7pm

Present:

Councillors R Callender and Fowler

In the Chair:

Councillor Flavell

Clerk:

Kate Mayhew (Asst Clerk)

Also present:

Councillor Thurlow and 4 members of the public

Public Question Time:

Dr Rogers spoken on Item 7 and stated that he supports the changes to the West End Recycling Facility but queried what lobbying was taking place with TDC for plastic collections to increase and could ECC be asked to supply a mixed plastics recycling facility. Cllr Callender agreed to speak with Cllrs Turner and Bentley and seek clarification on types of plastics that can be recycled on the doorstep and at the recycling facility.
Mr Morrison spoke on Item 8 and made an offer to maintain the gardens at his own expense.
Ms Thompson spoke on Item 8 and asked how the school was being held to account over the state of the gardens.
Mr Strachan spoke on Item 8 and asked if there was any spare land in that area for use by the Electric Palace.

E24/12 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Councillors McLeod, Double, I Henderson & Day

E25/12 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
None

E26/12 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Environment & Highways meeting held on 23rd August 2012 (previously circulated) be approved by the Committee and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

E27/12 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
RESOLVED: Cllr Callender asked to be kept updated with progress over the ‘blue’ roundabout. Cllr I Henderson and Cllr Day were going to liaise with Trinity House over possible assistance with a donation. Cllr Callender agreed to speak with Cllr Bentley regards the traffic management at West End Recycling Facility.

E28/12 TREE WARDEN REPORT
RESOLVED: Members agreed to support the request for 2 new trees in Wellington Road. All in favour.

Cllr Callender proposed that TDC ensure all new trees are protected with plastic guards due to damage to trees. Cllr Fowler seconded. All in favour.

Mark Stanford suggested there be 2 trees on the site of the Flood Memorial Garden and felt that there would be enough room to accommodate this growth – to be discussed in Item 8.

Cllr Callender to speak with TDC to request they replace the dead ornamental cherry tree and Clerk to support with a formal letter of request.

Clerk to further request TDC remove the tree guard from corner of St Austins Lane and Kings Head Street and that TDC replace the damaged stump with a tree as intended.

The damaged Hawthorn tree on Harwich Green, as per the tree Warden’s report, it was agreed the Clerk needs to write to TDC and request they replace this damaged tree in order to prevent it from becoming a Hawthorn bush at it’s lower level.

E29/12 UPDATE FROM LOCAL HIGHWAY PANEL
RESOLVED: Cllr Callender gave a report – All four of the Committee’s proposals had been accepted for action but priority will be given to the pedestrian crossing near the skating rink.

E30/12 TO AGREE PROJECTS FOR ENVIRONMENT SCHEMES/PROJECTS BUDGET
RESOLVED: Cllr Flavell gave his proposals to the Meeting for new schemes and these were as follow:

i) A new bench at the Flood Memorial Garden, approximate cost £500 – Proposed by Cllr Flavell and Seconded by Cllr Fowler that the Clerk obtain 3 quotes for a new bench and accept the lowest including installation. Clerk to ensure permission is sought from TDC for the hard-standing.

ii) Norwegian Houses Flood Memorial Plaque (Harbour Crescent) – Cllr Flavell proposed the memorial be cleaned and refurbished to a maximum cost of £300, in readiness for the 60th Anniversary. This was seconded by Cllr Fowler. No objections. Clerk to action.

iii) A new litter bin at Dovercourt Station to a maximum cost of £200. This would not be maintained or emptied by HTC and no further costs would be incurred. Cllr Callender proposed, seconded by Cllr Fowler – all in favour.

iv) A new bench at the Welcome to Harwich buoy next to the telephone box – to a maximum cost of £500. Proposed by Cllr Flavell (this is subject to funding otherwise defer until next financial year), Seconded by Cllr Fowler, all in favour.

Cllr Flavell closed the Meeting briefly to discuss the issue of a litter bin at Dovercourt Station which would be on private property and thus TDC would not empty. Cllr Callender felt this was okay as long as HTC was not liable for any maintenance, emptying, damage etc. All agreed.

E31/12 FLOOD MEMORIAL GARDEN
RESOLVED: Cllr Flavell gave an update on the current situation and stated that whatever the outcome the garden needed to be in good order in readiness for the 60th Anniversary on the 31st January and any subsequent marking of the occasion. Cllr Callender felt that anyone willing to take over should be given the leftover monies and suggested a letter be sent to the school asking their intentions and the Clerk to liaise with the school on expenditure. Clerk to action as a matter of urgency.
Cllr Thurlow to speak with Cllr Double to establish ownership of premises next to Flood Memorial Garden.

E32/12 CHAIRMANS REPORT
RESOLVED: The Chairman gave his report and spoke on the parking at the Quay.

E33/12 BUDGET 2013/2014
Cllr Flavell proposed there be no increase on the budget but proposed that £600 be taken off the tree planting budget and added to the Environmental Schemes budget. It was further proposed that the Highway Safety allocation of £200 be cancelled and added to the Tree Planting budget allocation. Seconded by Cllr Fowler. All in favour.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND: Budget for the Municipal Year 2013/2014

Memorial Fund (earmarked fund)

£ 500

Environment Schemes/Projects

£2100

Harwich in Bloom (s137 Grant)

£1200

Highway Safety

£0

Tree Planting

£1200

E34/12 MATTERS RECEIVED IN THE POST OR RAISED BY MEMBERS
(for information only)
Noted.

E35/12 TIME AND DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Environment & Highways Committee will be held on Thursday 17th January 2013 at The Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich at 7pm.

The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.05pm

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