Full Council Minutes 2nd April 2008

AT A MEETING of HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
held at 1912 CENTRE, HARWICH, ESSEX
on WEDNESDAY 2 nd APRIL 2008 at 7.25pm
PRESENT
The Mayor Councillor D McLeod in the Chair
The Deputy Mayor Councillor D Rutson
Councillors:
B Brown
J Brown
S Tyrer
L Double
B Howlett
G Calver
P Burke
L Payne
R Callender until 8.15 pm
J Wares
S Henderson
Clerk to the Council Mrs E Novorol
Also present were one member of the press and two
members of the public.
Apologies for absence were received from
Councillors Gardner, Morrison and Colbourne
149/07 REPRESENTATIONS
FROM MEMBERS OF
THE PUBLIC
A representative of Parkeston Welfare Park requested
that Harwich Town Council reconsider its request for the
return of grant funding as surplus to the project’s needs.
Members advised that this was not possible as a
resolution had been passed to request the grant’s return
and a cheque for £500 was handed to the Clerk.
150/07 DECLARATIONS OF
INTEREST
Councillor J Brown declared an interest in the item
regarding the Parkeston Welfare Park and Councillor
Calver declared a personal interest in E62/07 and item 16
of the Full Council agenda and a prejudicial interest in
E56/07 and item 13 of the Full Council agenda.
151/07 MAYOR’S
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave details of engagements undertaken since
the last meeting including the visit of Dutch councillors
and business representatives and the opening of the new
Teen Talk (Harwich) centre in Clacton.
152/07 MINUTES RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on the
20 th February 2008 (previously circulated) be approved
by the Chairman and signed as a true record.

153/07 NEWSPAPER REPORT
REGARDING REQUEST
TO ABOLISH
HARWICH TOWN
COUNCIL
Councillor Calver raised concerns regarding a newspaper
report of Councillor Callender’s comments that Harwich
Town Council should be abolished. 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
members discussed many of the duties and
responsibilities carried out by Harwich Town Council.
Councillor Callender was invited to comment and
advised members that he had spoken in the heat of the
moment and apologised for his comments. Councillor
Callender then left the meeting (8.15pm).
154/07 HARWICH AND
MANNINGTREE
STANDARD
Further to minute 136/07, an email from the editor of the
Harwich and Manningtree Standard, advising that
reporters’ notes are never disclosed to third parties, was
noted.
155/07 ESSEX AREA FORUMS Reference minute 147/07, members discussed the
importance of representation at Essex Area Forums and it
was RESOLVED: that the Clerk to the Council will
attend future meetings.
156/07 ENVIRONMENT AND
HIGHWAYS
COMMITTEE
Councillor D Rutson presented the minutes of the
meeting held on the 27 th February 2008.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
157/07 HILL SCHOOL
COMMITTEE
MEETING
Councillor Henderson presented the minutes of the
meeting held on 12 th March 2008.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
158/07 FINANCE AND
GENERAL PURPOSES
COMMITTEE
Councillor Wares presented the minutes of the meeting
held on 19 th March 2008. RESOLVED: that the minutes
and all recommendations, including disbanding the Hill
School committee and referring its matters to this
committee, be adopted.
159/07 HORSLEY CROSS
DEVELOPMENT
Members considered the Public Inquiry regarding
application 06/00891/OUT, commencing on 22 nd July
2008. Councillor Double advised that he will be
attending. RESOLVED: that Councillor Henderson, as
representative of Harwich Town Council, will also attend
160/07 THE HARWICH
SOCIETY
A request to use the Mayflower Avenue access to the
Redoubt on 26 th May 2008 was considered.
RESOLVED: to agree to the request.

161/07 BRIEF REPORTS OF
MEMBERS
Councillor Howlett advised members of the current
situation regarding Teen Talk (Harwich) and the
successful fundraising
of the organisers. RESOLVED:
to write to Teen Talk (Harwich) and congratulate them on
this achievement and assure them of the continued
support of Harwich Town Council.
162/07 450 th ANNIVERSARY OF
VISIT TO HARWICH BY
QUEEN ELIZABETH I
Councillor Calver advised the meeting that 2011 will
mark the 450 th anniversary of the visit to Harwich by
Queen Elizabeth I. RESOLVED: that a working party,
consisting of the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairman of the
Finance and General Purposes Committee, Chairman of
the Guildhall Committee and Councillor Calver is
established to arrange commemoration of the occasion.
163/07 ESSEX TOURISM AND
LEISURE
ASSOCIATION
Councillor Payne advised councillors of the benefits of
becoming a member of the Essex Tourism and Leisure
Association to promote tourism throughout Harwich.
RESOLVED: to refer the matter to the Finance and
General Purposes Committee.
164/07 LAND TO THE REAR
OF THE HILL SCHOOL
SITE
Councillor Calver request that the Council consider
possible access onto land to the rear of the Hill School
site for the Harwich Detached Team c/o Vibe Youth
Club. RESOLVED: to refer the matter to the Finance
and General Purposes Committee and to investigate if the
land can be used as a shortterm
solution for Vibe and to
further investigate whether the land can be used as a play
area.
165/07 LOCAL AREA
AGREEMENT PROJECT
Councillors considered the information regarding Local
Area Agreement Priority 12 – Cleaner Streets. Members
noted that this is a proposal only and would include all of
East Ward, Harwich. Councillor Payne advised that it
will be an active programme which can be amended as it
progresses.
166/07 NEWSLETTER Members considered the example of the proposed
newsletter and the costings provided by the Clerk.
RESOLVED: for the Clerk, together with the Chairman
of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, to go
ahead with production and distribution of the newsletter.
167/07 FINANCIAL UPDATE Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity
against budgets and earmarked funds were noted.
RESOLVED: to authorise payments as listed.

168/07 RELOCATION OF THE
FOOTBALL CLUB
Councillors noted a letter from a local resident advising
of concerns regarding the possible relocation of Harwich
and Parkeston Football Club. Members considered that
there are no plans for this at present but that Harwich
Town Council would expect to comment should such a
planning application be submitted.
169/07 EXCLUSION OF THE
PUBLIC AND PRESS
RESOLVED: that pursuant to Section 1 of Public Bodies
(Admission to Meetings) Act, 1960, the meeting is closed
to the press and public for the transaction of the undermentioned
business.
Minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee
meeting held on 19 th March 2008.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 10.00pm