Full Council Minutes 28th February 2006
AT A MEETING of HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL held at THE GUILDHALL, HARWICH, ESSEX
on TUESDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2006 at 8.05pm.
PRESENT
The Mayor of Harwich Councillor G J Ford in the Chair
The Deputy Mayor Councillor J Thurlow
Councillors:
D McLeod
L Double
M Gardner
W Bleakley
D Rutson
H Markham Lee
P Brand
V Williams
G Calver
M Gibbins
W Rose
A Morrison
The Clerk to the Council Mrs D Humphris
The Assistant to the Clerk to the Council Mrs E Novorol
Also present was one member of the press and one member of the public.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Henderson and Payne and Major G
Warren.
90/05 REPRESENTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
None
91/05 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Double declared a personal interest in the Willow Way allotments.
92/05 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave details of engagements undertaken since the last meeting.
93/05 MINUTES
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on the 10th January 2006 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman and signed as a true record, except to insert Councillor Morrison as being present.
94/05 TOILET FACILITIES AS DOVERCOURT SEAFRONT
Further to minute 79/05, the Clerk read the response received from Tendring District Council. The Council expressed their disappointment.
RESOLVED: to ask Chris Kitcher, Councillor Talbot and the Portfolio holder as representatives of Tendring District Council to visit Harwich Town Council and explain the matter.
95/05 QUALITY COUNCIL
The Council were advised that the Clerk has achieved the CiCLA qualification.
96/05 CONQUEROR WOOD
The Certificate from Torbya Coast and Countryside Trust was shown to the Council and will be entered into the town archive.
97/05 ENVIRONMENT AND HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE
Councillor Mcleod presented the minutes of the meeting held on 26th January 2006. RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
98/05 GUILDHALL COMMITTEE
Councillor Calver presented the minutes of the meeting held on 31st January 2006.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
99/05 ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
Councillor Markham-Lee presented the minutes of the meeting held on 6th February 2006.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
100/05 FUTURE OF REGENERATION OF EAST WARD
A member of Harwich Town Council raised the matter that Tendring District Council were channelling all government regeneration funding to Jaywick and West Clacton and felt that the regeneration needs of East Ward should be brought to the attention of Tendring District Council. The Clerk advised the meeting as follows: – that subject to the Local Government Act 1972 and supporting case law, a council cannot lawfully decide any matter not specified on the agenda. The Chairman agreed to take the item and it was RESOLVED: to write to Tendring District Council and invite the relevant cabinet and members of the management team to visit East Ward to assess the
situation.
101/05 FRIENDS OF THE EARTH: UPGRADING OF THE A120
Pursuant to Standing Order 18: Notice of motion. Propose that Harwich Town Council writes to Friends of the Earth to express its anger and concern that FOE’s Regional Campaigns Manager has publicly stated that FOE does not believe that the upgrading of the A120 presently being considered should go ahead.
RESOLVED: to write to Friends of the Earth to express Harwich Town Council’s anger and concern regarding this.
102/05 BRIEF REPORTS OF MEMBERS
Councillor Markham-Lee gave a report on a meeting of the Museums in Essex Committee. Councillor Ford gave a report of the Harwich Festival Society.
103/05 FINANCE – PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
The Petty Cash expenditure list was presented for consideration by members. The Finance Payment of Accounts will be presented at the next meeting.
RESOLVED: that the Accounts Appendix ‘A’ is approved.
104/05 SKATEPARK
The Committee were informed that a request has been received from the Police Community Support Team for lighting at the Skatepark.
RESOLVED: to write to Tendring District Council and ask them to consider funding lighting at the skatepark.
105/05 GRAFFITI
The Clerk read a communication received from the manager of Dovercourt Swimming Pool regarding graffiti at the skatepark and the offer of graffiti removal from the Essex Probation Service.
RESOLVED: to refer to the Environment and Highways committee to consider a town-wide removal of graffiti (but not at the skatepark).
106/05 MOBILE LIBRARY ROUTE
Information from Essex County Council regarding changes to the mobile library route was noted.
107/05 THE LICENSING ACT 2003
Applications for variation of premises licence from Harwich and Parkeston Football Club and Off Licence 24 Kingsway, Dovercourt were noted. Application for grant of premises licence for Reynolds News and Convenience Stores
was noted.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.00 pm