Full Council Minutes 28th October 2009

HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
Acting Clerk: Susan Anderson
Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich CO12 3DS
Telephone: 01255 507211
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
HELD ON
28th OCTOBER 2009 at 7.00pm
at THE 1912 CENTRE, COW LANE, HARWICH
Present: The Mayor, Councillor J Wares, in the Chair
The Deputy Mayor, Councillor S Tyrer
Councillors B Brown, J Brown, P Burke, R Callender, G Calver,
A Colbourne, L Double, M Gardner, B Howlett from 7.05pm, D
McLeod, A Morrison from 7.40pm, L Payne and D Rutson
Acting Clerk to the Council, Mrs S Anderson
Also present: Mr T Daly (Guest Speaker), Inspector K Griggs (Harwich Police Force),
1 member of the press and 10 members of the public.
A question was raised by Mrs Cheryl Thompson regarding the lack of litter bins in
Dovercourt town centre and by the memorial garden situated opposite The Cliff Hotel in
Marine Parade. The Committee agreed to write to the Environment Department of Tendring
District Council requesting provision of more litter bins for the High Street and one in
Marine Parade, Dovercourt.
85/09 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S Henderson and
Reverend E Lammens.
86/09 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Councillor Rutson declared a personal interest on Minute 92/09 as he is an
allotment tenant. Councillor J Brown declared a personal and prejudicial
interest in Minute 97/09.
87/09 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave details of engagements she has recently undertaken and
requested that the press and public be excluded at the end of the meeting
because of the likelihood that confidential information could be disclosed.
88/09 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETINGS
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on
16th September 2009 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman
and signed as a true record.

89/09 EW COMMUNITY CENTRE – FEASIBILITY STUDY
Further to Minute 69/09, the Council agreed to defer this item until a report
was received from Ingleton Wood.
90/09 GENERAL PRACTITIONERS’ PRESCRIPTIONS ON SUNDAYS
The Acting Clerk reported that no response had been received from Harmoni.
RESOLVED: to write to Harmoni expressing the Council’s disappointment
and to request a response before the next meeting.
91/09 MEN’S HEALTH CLINIC AT THE FRYATT HOSPITAL, HARWICH
A report of a recent meeting, to discuss the proposal of a Men’s Health Clinic
at The Fryatt Hospital was read.
The Mayor allowed Mrs Cheryl Thompson to address the meeting.
Mrs Thompson, reported that Harwich and District Fellowship of the Sick has
pledged a large sum of money towards this project and asked councillors to
join her at the East Essex Area Forum meeting on 3rd November 2009 at
Colchester Football Ground 2.00pm.
The Council gave their full support and, after lengthy discussion,
RESOLVED: to invite Dr P Zollinger-Read and Professor C Booth to attend
the next Council meeting, when Standing Orders will be suspended to allow
public participation.
92/09 MINUTES OF THE ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING
Councillor A Colbourne presented the minutes of the meeting held on 24th
September 2009 (previously circulated).
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted and Plot 15 Boatswains Call to be
discussed at the next meeting.
93/09 REPLICA OF THE MAYFLOWER
The members welcomed Mr Tom Daly who gave a comprehensive
presentation on a proposal to build a replica of The Mayflower. The Council
were informed that the project would create jobs and training for the town, it
would also, when finished, be used for academy training.
The replica will be made of oak at an estimated building cost of £4 Million
and charity registration status was currently being sourced.
The Council supported the project and agreed that the Mayor of the day will
represent Harwich Town Council when relevant meetings occurred. The
Mayor thanked Mr Daly for his informative presentation.
94/09 HARWICH MASTER PLAN
A member raised concerns that funding, earmarked for car parking at Gas
House Creek, was no longer available and had been withdrawn. Councillor
Double expressed his concern that Councillor Payne, as the Council’s
representative of the Harwich Master Plan committee, had not been invited to
a recent working party meeting. RESOLVED: to invite Councillor N Stock,
Portfolio Holder to attend the next meeting to give an update on the Harwich
Master Plan.
95/09 HARWICH AND DOVERCOURT PARTNERSHIP
RESOLVED: s.137 Grant of £5000 for purchase of Christmas Lights and
installation of new fitments to enable use of throughout the year, subject to
provision of expenditure to Harwich Town Council in accordance with
Clause 9 of the Grant Aid Policy form.
96/09 ANNUAL ARRIVAL OF SAINT NICHOLAS AT HARWICH QUAY
RESOLVED: s.137 Grant of £100 to part-fund the cost of sweets.
97/09 DOVERCOURT LEISURE FACILITIES
Councillor McLeod expressed concerns regarding the cutbacks in funding for
leisure facilities in Dovercourt. The Council discussed at length the lack of
improvements to the swimming pool, sports hall and the current condition of
the skating rink. RESOLVED: to write to Councillor S Mayzes, Leisure
Portfolio Holder requesting improvements to Dovercourt leisure facilities.
98/09 MUSIC FESTIVAL PROPOSAL – JUNE 2010
The Council supported, in principle, the idea of a proposed Music Festival in
June 2010, received from Mr B Woods, and looked forward to hearing news
from him as his plans progressed.
99/09 ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL – INVESTMENT INTO HIGH STREETS
Councillor Calver expressed his concerns over the recent article in The
Gazette regarding a £2.88 Million spend intended for Connaught Avenue,
Frinton and posed the question why this money could not have been invested
in Dovercourt High Street. RESOLVED: to invite Lord Hanningfield,
Leader of Essex County Council to attend the next Council meeting to
discuss to explain Essex County Councils policy on investment into High
Streets. armo
100/09 ROYAL NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF THE BLIND
The Council noted a letter from the RNIB requesting the Council’s support
regarding a campaign on the dangers of cars parking on and blocking the
pavement. RESOLVED: to write to the Chief Constable Barker-McCardle
supporting the campaign.
101/09 BRIEF REPORTS OF MEMBERS
Councillor J Brown attended a presentation regarding wind turbines and
handed out leaflets to all councillors.
Councillor Morrison gave details of a recent meeting of Harwich
International Port Liaison Committee and the proposal of only 23 cruise ships
visiting Harwich next year. It was agreed that Councillor Double be
nominated as a representative on the Harwich International Port LALC at the
next Full Council Meeting.
Councillor Rutson attended a Tourist Board meeting where it was confirmed
that the drop in cruise ships was due to the recession.
102/09 ACCOUNTS
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets
and earmarked funds were noted.
RESOLVED: to authorise payments as listed Appendix A.
103/09 LANDSLIP BETWEEN MANNINGTREE AND HARWICH RAILWAY
A member reported that a landslip had occurred on the railway between
Manningtree and Harwich causing the track and overhead power lines to
move therefore disrupting passenger services. RESOLVED: to write to
Network Rail regarding the disruption and inconvenience to commuters.
104/09 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Harwich Town Council will be held on Wednesday 9th
December 2009 at The 1912 Centre, Harwich at 7.00pm, or at the rise of the
Town Planning Committee, whichever is the later.
105/09 EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS
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 under
mentioned business:
Part ‘B’ by Chairman of Finance & General Purposes Committee, Councillor
L Double, to discuss personnel issues.

PART ‘B’

105/09 REVIEW OF PERSONEL ISSUES
Personnel Issues
Councillor Double opened discussion with regard to the recruitment of a new Clerk
and Responsible Finance Officer for the council. After discussion it was agreed to fill
the position by internal promotion offering the substantive position to
Mrs Susan Anderson who is presently Acting Clerk and Responsible Finance Officer.
The terms and conditions attached to the position being as for the present acting up
role. Agreed unanimously.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.45pm.