Full Council Minutes 5th September 2006
AT A MEETING of HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL held at THE GUILDHALL, HARWICH,
ESSEX on
TUESDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2006 at 7.40pm.
PRESENT
The Mayor of Harwich Councillor J Thurlow in the Chair
The Deputy Mayor Councillor D McLeod
Councillors:
L Payne
L Double
M Gardner
W Rose
D Rutson until 8.52pm
P Brand
G Calver
M Gibbins
H Markham-Lee
Clerk to the Council Mrs E Novorol
Also present was one member of the press.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ford, Bleakley, Henderson,
Williams and Morrison
42/06 PRAYERS
Prayers were said by Reverend Erwin Lammens
43/06 REPRESENTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
None
44/06 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
45/06 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave details of engagements undertaken since the last meeting.
46/06 MINUTES
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on the 15th August 2006 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman and signed as a true record, except to amend.
47/06 GRASS CUTTING DOVERCOURT SEAFRONT
Further to minute 21/06, a letter from Tendring District Council explaining their policy of collecting grass cuttings was considered.
RESOLVED: to write to Tendring District Council advising them of this
council’s concerns regarding health and safety issues resulting from this policy. Also, to
express the view that these cuttings are unsightly and not in keeping with the promotion of
the seafront as a tourist area.
48/06 FRIENDS OF THE EARTH – UPGRADING OF A120
Further to minute 23/06, a response from Friends of the Earth detailing their views on any upgrading of the A120 was considered. Statistical information provided by Essex Police on collisions on the stretch of the A120 in question was read out to members.
RESOLVED: to send a copy of these statistics to Friends of the Earth and write again, asking if they are willing to reconsider their views.
49/06 TOILET FACILITIES
With reference to minute 24/06, the response from Tendring District Council was noted. RESOLVED: to write to Tendring District Council demanding that the proposed budget of £25,000.00 which has been set aside to provide a toilet attendant at Frinton be, instead, spent on providing two new portacabin toilets at the West End and the low lighthouse sites in Dovercourt until the long-awaited and overdue new permanent toilets are built.
50/06 NOMINATIONS TO ATTEND BUCKINGHAM PALACE GARDEN PARTY
RESOLVED: to nominate Councillor D McLeod to go into the draw as representative of Harwich Town Council.
51/06 SEAFRONT SAFETY
A member of Harwich Town Council advised the meeting that he had reported to Tendring District Council that there was no lifebelt between the Stone Pier and the Harwich Maritime Museum (the umbrella lighthouse) and this has now been provided. The member also voiced concerns that no handrail is provided on this same stretch of seafront raising health and safety issues.
RESOLVED: to write to Tendring District Council thanking them for their prompt action in providing the lifebelt but informing them of this council’s view that a handrail should be provided as this length of promenade is unsafe and there is a risk of serious injury or even fatality. Also, to request they visit the issue that the railings are as safe as they need to be with particular attention to disabled
and wheelchair users.
52/06 LEVEL OF FUNDING FOR DENTISTRY
A member informed the meeting of concerns that the level of funding for dentistry in Harwich and Dovercourt will be insufficient to meet demand.
RESOLVED: to write to Tendring Primary Care Trust and request that sufficient funds be made available to meet the demand.
53/06 ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
Councillor Markham-Lee presented the minutes of the meeting held on 12th July 2006.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
54/06 HILL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Councillor Brand presented the minutes of the meeting held on 25th July 2006. RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
55/06 BRIEF REPORT OF MEMBERS
Councillor Gardner reported that all the lights on Harwich seafront had now been replaced and tested.Councillor Double reported that Petrochem Carless have adopted Harwich Beach and will conduct litter collection and maintenance at regular intervals.
56/06 FINANCIAL UPDATE
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets and earmarked funds were noted.
57/06 INVESTMENT FOR HARWICH
Motion pursuant to standing order number 18.This council seeks assurances from Tendring District Council regarding it’s commitment to the retention and future enhancement of tourist and leisure facilities and amenities within Harwich and Dovercourt. This council also seeks an explanation as to
why leisure facilities within Harwich and Dovercourt have been sold by TDC in order to finance projects in Frinton and Clacton at a time when Dovercourt’s seafront toilet facilities are substandard and inadequate. Proposed Cllr Les Double. Seconded Cllr Lawrie Payne 15th August 2006.
RESOLVED: to write to the Executive Leader of Tendring District Council with this Motion and provide a list of some of the needs of Harwich.
58/06 WREATH FOR CAPTAIN FRYATT
RESOLVED: to agree to the expenditure of £25.00 for a wreath laid at the Memorial Service for Captain Fryatt.
59/06 HARWICH MASTER PLAN PUBLIC REALM DESIGN GUIDE
Details of the Public Consultation were noted.
60/06 THE HARWICH SOCIETY – FOUNDING OF JAMESTOWN
The Certificate of Recognition was noted.
61/06 DOVERCOURT LAWN TENNIS CLUB
A copy of a letter from Dovercourt Tennis Club to Tendring District Council regarding concerns raised by the sale of The Squirrels Sports and Social Club were noted.
RESOLVED: to send a copy of the letter to Tendring District Council together with a copy of their own response to the concerns of Harwich Town Council expressed at a meeting in November 2005 in relation to this same matter. Also, to ask Tendring District Council to explain how they can reconcile the two situations.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.07 pm