Full Council Minutes 28th November 2006
AT A MEETING of HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
held at THE GUILDHALL, HARWICH, ESSEX on
TUESDAY 28 TH NOVEMBER 2006 at 7.00pm.
PRESENT
The Mayor of Harwich Councillor J Thurlow in the Chair
The Deputy Mayor Councillor D McLeod
Councillors:
W Bleakley
L Payne
A Morrison
V Williams
L Double
M Gardner
W Rose
J Ford
H MarkhamLee
D Rutson
P Brand from 8.10pm
Assistant to the Clerk to the Council Mrs S Anderson.
Also present was one member of the press.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Gibbins, Calver and Henderson
87/06 PRAYERS
Prayers were said by Reverend Erwin Lammens
88/06 REPRESENTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
None
89/06 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Double declared a personal interest in Item 12 Vacant plots at Willow Way.
90/06 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave details of engagements undertaken since the last meeting.
91/06 MINUTES
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on the 17 th October 2006 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman and signed as a true record.
92/06 GRASS CUTTING DOVERCOURT SEAFRONT
Further to minute 67/06, a letter was read out to members from Tendring District Council.
RESOLVED: to keep the letter on file.
93/06 PUBLIC CONVENIENCES DOVERCOURT SEAFRONT
Further to minute 68/06, a response from Tendring District Council was read out to members.
RESOLVED: letter be noted.
94/06 FUNDING OF DENTISTRY
Further to Minute 70/06 a response from North East Essex Primary Care Trust was read out to members.
RESOLVED: to invite Dr ZollingerRead, Chief Executive, to attend the next Full Council meeting to
discuss Members concerns.
95/06 INVESTMENT FOR HARWICH AND DOVERCOURT
A response from Tendring District Council regarding minute 71/06, investment for Harwich and Dovercourt, was read. Members expressed their disappointment with the response from Tendring District Council and expressed their concern that there was no assurance for the security of the Town’s assets. The members welcomed the proposal of building a new modern swimming pool but not at the expense of losing the existing one in Dovercourt.
RESOLVED: letter was noted.
96/06 FRIENDS OF THE EARTH/UPGRADING OF THE A120
Further to Minute 73/06, a response from Friends of the Earth was read to Members.
RESOLVED: send copy of letter to Hutchinson Ports (UK) Limited.
97/06 LIME COURT/STAFFING ISSUES
Members considered a letter from Lime Court Healthcare Limited outlining the current employment staffing issues.
RESOLVED: It was agreed to reply to the letter expressing the Council’s concerns at the misleading press reports and also the erosion of the Terms and Conditions of Lime Court staff. Members agreed to decline the invitation to visit the Home.
98/06 GUILDING HALL COMMITTEE
Councillor Gardner presented the minutes of the meeting held on 7 th November 2006.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
99/06 HILL SCHOOL COMMITTE
Councillor Brand presented the minutes of the meeting held on 7 th November 2006. RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
100/06 ENVIRONMENT & HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE
Councillor Williams presented the minutes of the meeting held on 14 th November 2006. RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
101/06 ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
Councillor MarkhamLee presented the minutes of the meeting held on 15 th November 2006.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
It was FURTHER RESOLVED: Minute A40/06 – Vacant plots at Willow Way to be referred to the next meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee.
Councillor Double declared a personal interest in Minute A40/06.
102/06 BRIEF REPORT OF MEMBERS
Councillor Brand attended the AGM of Teen Talk and advised Members that it had been a difficult year but the facility is well used by youngsters. Councillor McLeod reported on the introduction of two new buses and, as a result, new areas of the town are available by Public Transport.
103/06 MILTON ROAD CAR PARK
Pursuant to Standing Order 17: Motion to Council Councillor McLeod proposed that the Council seek serious discussion with the appropriate port folio holder at Tendring District Council, to negotiate an agreement on obtaining a trial period to accommodate a ‘first hour free parking’ policy at Milton Road car park this to help toward the viability of our town centre which is at risk from competition. After a lengthy debate it was RESOLVED: Councillor McLeod will arrange a
meeting and invite Mr H Shearing, Technical and Procurement Manager at Tendring District Council.
104/06 FINANCIAL UPDATE
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets and earmarked funds were noted and approved.
105/06 AL FRESCO, KINGSWAY AND THE HUSTLER SNOOKER AND SOCIAL CLUB, KINGSWAY
Two applications had been received from TendringDistrict Council to extend/vary the hours under The Licensing Act 2003, from Al Fresco, Kingsway and The Hustler Snooker and Social Club, Kingsway.
RESOLVED: applications noted.
106/06 ROWLES OF DOVERCOURT
A letter from Rowles of Dovercourt was read to the Members regarding resurfacing
of Main Road/High
Street.
RESOLVED: letter noted.
107/06 ADULT COMMUNITY LEARNING COLLEGE
A letter received from Essex County Council inviting the Council to nominate a representative to joint the Harwich Local Consultative Committee.
RESOLVED: Councillor McLeod was elected to join the group.
108/06 REVIEW OF MOBILE LIBRARY SERVICES IN ESSEX
A letter received from Essex County Council reviewing the mobile library service within the town, was discussed at length. The Members accepted that amendments to the schedule was necessary but not at the curtailment of the service altogether.
RESOLVED: to write to Essex County Council, enclosing completed questionnaire.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.10pm