Full Council Minutes 28th January 2009

HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
Clerk: Elaine Novorol
Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich CO12 3DS
Telephone: 01255 507211
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
HELD ON
28th JANUARY 2009 at 7.02pm
at the 1912 CENTRE, COW LANE, HARWICH
Present: The Mayor, Councillor D Rutson, in the Chair
Councillors: B Brown, L Double, G Calver, A Colbourne,
A Morrison, S Henderson, B Howlett, J Wares, S Tyrer,
R Callender, P Burke and M Gardner
The Clerk to the Council, Mrs E Novorol
Also present: 1 member of the press and 12 members of the public.
Mr G Wallington-Hayes, Chairman of Harwich and District Community
Association, referred to the item regarding a proposed feasibility study at the
Mayflower School Site. He stated that the present community facilities at the
Park Pavilion are not fit for purpose and that he would support a development
at the new site. Debbie England gave her support for the feasibility study and
mentioned the advantages of location and space which she believes are better
than offered at the present site.
Prayers were said by the Reverend E Lammens
133/08 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Brown, D
McLeod and L Payne
134/08 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Councillor Double declared a personal interest in the Harwich and
District Community Association. Councillor Rutson declared a
personal interest, as previous owner of land in Ashley Road close to
the Mayflower School site.
135/08 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave details of engagements he has recently undertaken.
Councillor Double raised concerns that recent articles in the local
newspaper had referred to the Harwich Town Mayor, pictured in civic
robes, when reporting matters which had taken place prior to
Councillor Rutson’s year in that position.
136/08 MI
UTES OF THE LAST MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meetings of the Town Council
held on 17th December 2008 and 7th January 2009 (previously
circulated) be approved by the Chairman and signed as a true record.
137/08 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS, HIGH STREET, DOVERCOURT
Further to minute 112/08, the response from Mr Terry Howlett of
Dovercourt Bay Traders was noted. A letter from Councillor Martyn
Donn (Ramsey and Parkeston Parish Council) was read to the meeting.
Councillor B Brown requested that, as the response was only received
on 26th January, the matter should be deferred to the next meeting of
this council. Councillor S Tyrer stated that she wished to deal the
matter at once and read a statement detailing her concerns that there
had been a motivated attack on an individual councillor and that
members of the public had been used for the political purposes of
raising profiles. Councillor Tyrer also read an extract from a signed
statement provided by a local trader. Councillor Calver asked for a
response from the Community Representatives Party.
Councillor Henderson requested and it was RESOLVED: to defer the
matter to the next meeting of this council to allow all those involved
the opportunity to respond and for Councillors McLeod and Donn and
Mr Dave Smith to be able to give a statement.
138/08 THE FRYATT HOSPITAL
Further to minute 131/08, Councillor Rutson advised members that all
local doctors were fully supportive of the proposal to provide a drop-in
centre for men’s health problems at the local hospital and thanked
everyone on Harwich Town Council for their support. Councillor Tyrer
referred to the agenda of the meeting held on 7th January and the
allegations made by Councillor Henderson. She asked if any evidence
to substantiate these allegations could be provided: Councillor
Henderson declined to comment but following a request from
Councillor Calver, offered to bring further information to a later
meeting of this council.
139/08 MINUTES OF THE ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
Councillor A Colbourne presented the minutes of the meeting held on
19th January 2009 (previously circulated) and, reference A96/08,
thanked Councillor Double for his work regarding proposals for the
Willow Way site.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
140/08 INtend – TENDRING REGENERATION LTD
Councillor David Lines and Mr Mike Bateson gave a presentation
regarding INtend, detailing how the company functions and the
services it will deliver. Following questions from Harwich Town
Councillors, the meeting was advised that INtend will publish an

Annual Report on 22nd July and that the website will provide further
information.
141/08 FEASIBILITY STUDY, MAYFLOWER SCHOOL SITE
The Mayor, Councillor D Rutson, presented information regarding a
feasibility study and the development of a new community centre. A
discussion regarding funding from Harwich Town Council followed.
RESOLVED: to contribute £1733 towards the feasibility study for a
new community centre for Harwich and Dovercourt, providing the
required balance of £4000 has been received and that the necessary
process to deal with VAT had been carried out.
142/08 WAITING RESTRICTIONS – PROPOSALS FOR HARWICH
Members noted the proposals for waiting restrictions (previously
circulated) and the opportunity to comment directly to Essex County
Council. Councillor Tyrer emphasised the importance of parking
restrictions in Kingsway and the need to provide spaces for shoppers.
143/08 BRIEF REPORTS OF MEMBERS
Members gave details of meetings attended and Councillor Calver
reported that Councillor Payne had recently attended the meeting of
the Harwich Masterplan working party. Councillor B Brown gave
details of the St. Nicholas Church Annual Pancake Race to be held on
21st February at 12 noon and the invitation to Harwich Town Council
to enter a team.
144/08 FINANCIAL UPDATE AND RECORD OF PAYMENTS
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against
budgets and earmarked funds were noted.
RESOLVED: to authorise payments as listed in Appendix ‘A’.
145/08
EW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS, HARWICH QUAY
Councillor Calver advised the meeting that there had been excellent
feedback regarding the fireworks and that local people had enjoyed a
good evening. RESOLVED: to write to the Harwich Quay Fireworks
Display organisation, thanking it for the hard work in providing the
entertainment and advising that Harwich Town Council will be minded
to support the event at the end of this year.
146/08 ELECTRIC PALACE (HARWICH) LTD
Members considered the request for funding towards the planning and
delivery of the ‘Electric Silents’ film festival. RESOLVED: s.137
grant funding of £1000, payable immediately, with an agreement to
underwrite up to a further £1000 should there be any losses.
39
147/08 COMMUNITIES IN CONTROL: A CONSULTATION

Members noted the opportunity to comment (to Communities and
Local Government) on the code of recommended practice on local
authority publicity by 12th March 2009 and that information was
available at the Guildhall.
148/08 HARWICH INTERNATIONAL PORT LOCAL AUTHORITY LIAISON COMMITTEE
The meeting noted the invitation to appoint three representatives to the
Harwich Internation Port LALC. RESOLVED: that Councillors
Morrison, Tyrer and Callender are appointed as representatives.
149/08 THE ROYAL AIR FORCES ASSOCIATION
A letter of thanks for the grant funding of £360 towards the cost of the
meeting venue was noted.
150/08 HARWICH AND DISTRICT RAILWAY SOCIETY
A letter of thanks for the grant funding of £150 towards the Society’s
exhibition was noted.
151/08 HARWICH AND DISTRICT CRIME PREVENTION PANEL
A letter of thanks for the grant funding of £250 towards the local
schools’ Gardening Competition was noted.
152/08 HARWICH SEA FESTIVAL – 26th JULY 2009
Members noted the invitation from Harwich and Dovercourt Rotary
Club to offer ideas as to how the Sea Festival could be made more
attractive to people and better represent Harwich’s interests.
153/08 MINERALS AND WASTE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK
The meeting considered the invitation from Essex County Council to
respond to the Minerals Development Document by 12th March 2009.
RESOLVED: to delegate the matter to the Environment and
Highways Committee and to request an extension to the deadline, if
required.
154/08 STREET CLEANING, HARWICH AND DOVERCOURT
A statement provided by Councillor McLeod, regarding comments in
the local press that local streets are not being cleaned and that a
member of Harwich Town Council had stated that ‘Councillors should
be taking more responsibility for their wards’ was read out.
RESOLVED: to defer the matter to the next meeting of this council.
155/08 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Harwich Town Council will be held on 11th
March, 2009 at the 1912 Centre, Cow Lane, Harwich at 7.00pm or at
the rise of the Planning Committee, whichever is the later,
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.55pm.