Full Council Minutes 5th August 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
5th AUGUST 2009 at 7.15pm
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, L Double, G Calver, A Colbourne,
D Rutson, R Callender, P Burke, M Gardner, B Howlett
and D McLeod
The Clerk to the Council, Mrs E Novorol
Also present: 1 member of the press and 7 members of the public
38/09 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors A Morrison, L
Payne, S Henderson and J Brown.
39/09 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Councillors Double and Calver declared a personal interest in Harwich
and Dovercourt Cricket Club. Councillor Rutson declared he is a
member of Tendring District Council’s Licensing Committee.
40/09 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave details of engagements she has recently undertaken
including the Harwich Festival of the Arts and the Sea Festival. She
thanked the organisers for their hard work in promoting the town.
41/09 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETINGS
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council
held on 24th June 2009 (previously circulated) be approved by the
Chairman and signed as a true record.
42/09 450th ANNIVERSARY OF THE VISIT TO HARWICH BY QUEEN ELIZABETH I
Reference minute 24/09, the Mayor advised that the first meeting of the
Working Party had taken place and relevant organisations have been
invited to take part in the events. A further meeting has been arranged
for 12th August to progress the ideas put forward.
43/09 COUNCIL MEETING AT THE HARWICH SCHOOL
Further to minute 29/09, Councillor Rutson informed members that he

has contacted the school with a view to arranging a council meeting at
the Harwich School site but did not expect a response until the start of
the academic year in September.
44/09 HOOK OF HOLLAND EXCHANGE VISIT
The meeting was advised that Mr Paddy Roomer cancelled his visit
planned for 14th July, indicating that he would come to Harwich during
August. The Clerk confirmed that no date has been put forward as yet.
45/09 PROJECTS IDENTIFIED IN RETIRING MAYOR’S SPEECH
a) REPLICA OF THE MAYFLOWER
Members were informed that Mr Tom Daly has agreed to speak to the
Council on 26th August 2009 at 7.00pm, regarding the proposal to
construct a replica of the Mayflower.
b)
EW COMMUNITY CENTRE – FEASIBILITY STUDY
Councillor Rutson informed the meeting that he could not give further
details at present as he was awaiting the report from Ingleton Wood.
46/09 HARWICH MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT: CONSTITUENCY NEWSLETTER
Ref. minute 33/09, the response from Douglas Carswell MP, regarding
distribution of his constituency newsletter, was read to the meeting.
RESOLVED: to write to Mr Carswell asking that he immediately
ensures that the Harwich area and surrounding villages receive his
newsletter and to confirm to Harwich Town Council that he will do so.
47/09 MINESWEEPERS MEMORIAL
Councillor Double asked for a vote of thanks to the Guildhall staff and
in particular, to Susan Anderson, for their perseverance and hard work
in achieving the restoration of the Minesweepers Memorial.
48/09 COU
CILLOR PETER HALLIDAY, PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR FINANCE: TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCIL
Councillor Peter Halliday invited councillors to put forward their
questions.
Councillor Double asked why the Conservative and Community
Representative administration has chosen to cancel the projects which
were to enhance leisure facilities in Dovercourt.
Councillor Halliday replied that he does not believe in borrowing
£1.25million to build ‘flagship leisure sites’. He stated his belief that
gyms should be with the private sector and not be a council scheme.
Councillor Burke asked what facilities for the disabled and elderly will
be provided in Harwich and Dovercourt.
Councillor Halliday advised that he is looking to work with Harwich
Hospital in providing such a facility.
Councillor McLeod questioned the condition of the Boating Lake and
Skating Rink and asked what could be done to improve these.
Councillor Halliday advised that there are no costings or proposals in
place and that, if there had been, the new administration would not
have stopped them
Councillor Calver referred to the Harwich Annual Town Meeting when
Counillor Henderson confirmed his support for proposals to restore
these sites, stating that he had been assured all such projects were
going ahead.
Councillor Halliday responded that decisions will be made based on
figures.
Councillor Tyrer queried reports that the District Council is paying for
Blackberrys and tickets to Clacton Air Show for its members. She also
raised concerns that money could not be found to provide soap in
public toilets remarking that Harwich is fed up with being treated as 3rd
class citizens.
Councillor Halliday again emphasised that he does not believe
borrowing money to finance a leisure centre would help Harwich. He
added that the new administration disagrees with much of the Harwich
Masterplan: building flats and houses was not the best way forward.
Councillor Howlett referred to efficiencies and savings to increase
future spending. Councillor Halliday replied that there is already a
deficit for next year’s budget which can be plugged using previous
underspend. A discussion regarding national expenditure and
borrowing followed.
Councillor Calver stated that there is no better case in the district for
development than Dovercourt swimming pool and asked if, as the
previous administration intended to go ahead, was the present one
choosing not to do so? Councillor Halliday said he would not borrow
for these projects and mentioned excessive money spent by the
previous administration.
Councillor Tyrer stated that investment not made in the swimming
pool could result in health and safety issues and asked if the District
Council could ensure this will not happen. Councillor Halliday stated
that the maintenance budget will be used to cover any work needed.
Councillor Burke asked how long it will be before local residents can
use the gym at the hospital which was promised for April 2009.
Councillor Halliday will deal with this as soon as possible.
The Mayor, Councillor Wares asked Councillor Halliday to join her in
a visit to Dovercourt swimming pool to assess its condition.
49/09 PROJECTS IN HARWICH AND DOVERCOURT PROPOSED BY THE PREVIOUS TENDRING DISTRICT COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION
Councillor McLeod gave a statement regarding projects in Harwich
and Dovercourt which had been previously proposed. Councillor
Double advised that plans had been put forward by officers and not by

members. Councillor Colbourne raised his concerns regarding parts of
the Harwich Masterplan. Councillor Colbourne mentioned that projects
which were to have happened in April were not going ahead under the
new administration.
RESOLVED: to invite Councillor Steven Mayzes, the Portfolio
Holder for Leisure, together with the previous holder, Councillor Pierre
Oxley, to attend a future meeting of Harwich Town Council to discuss
leisure facilities in Harwich.
50/09 MINUTES OF THE GUILDHALL COMMITTEE
Councillor B Brown presented the minutes of the meeting held on 15th
July 2009 (previously circulated).
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
51/09 MINUTES OF THE ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
Councillor A Colbourne presented the minutes of the meeting held on
16th July 2009 (previously circulated).
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
52/09 MINUTES OF THE FINACE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
Councillor L Double presented the minutes of the meeting held on 29th
July 2009 (previously circulated).
RESOLVED: that the minutes and all recommendations, be adopted.
53/09 ESSEX REGISTRATION SERVICE – MODERNISATION CONSULTATION PROCESS
Members considered responding by 31st August 2009 to the Essex
County Council consultation document and questionnaire on proposals
to reorganise the service from 1st December 2009.
RESOLVED: that members will make their own individual responses.
54/09 GENERAL PRACTIONERS’ PRESCRIPTIONS ON SUNDAYS
Members considered the inability of local residents to obtain
prescribed medicines on a Sunday.
RESOLVED: to write to Dr Zollinger-Read advising that Harwich
Town Council has become aware of this, expressing the Council’s
extreme concern and requesting immediate action.
55/09 MEN’S HEALTH CLINIC AT THE FRYATT HOSPITAL, HARWICH
Councillor Rutson reported that members of the Primary Care Trust
wish to talk to Harwich Town Council at an informal meeting to be
held on 13th August at 2.30pm at the Park Pavilion. Members of the
Fellowship of the Sick would be invited and any Councillors who wish
to attend would be welcome.
56/09 REPORTS OF UNPROVOKED ATTACKS IN HARWICH AND DOVERCOURT
Councillor Calver raised concerns regarding attacks on and
intimidation of members of the public around Cliff Park. He mentioned
that there is fear in the town and that nasty incidents involving a gang
of young thugs have taken place. Members were informed that, in just
two days, a petition signed by 250, had been collected indicating the
widespread fears of such attacks. RESOLVED: to write to Harwich
police advising that Harwich Town Council requires them to ensure
they receive resources to deal with the problem and then to confirm
that they will deal with it.
ADDENDUM: to ask for an immediate response which is adequate
and, if necessary, for the Mayor and the Clerk to arrange an emergency
meeting of the council and the police.
57/09 BRIEF REPORTS OF MEMBERS
Councillor Colbourne informed members that he will not be paying his
subscriptions to the Community Representatives Party and that he has
advised Councillor Henderson of this. He stated that he will continue
to work as an Independent member.
58/09 ACCOUNTS
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against
budgets and earmarked funds were noted.
RESOLVED: to authorise payments as listed in Appendix A.
59/09 THE LICENSING ACT 2003
Members noted:
a) Application 09/00952/PREMVA ‘to extend the hours of sale of
alcohol by one hour Mondays to Saturdays’ – Somerfield, 270 High
Street, Harwich.
b) Application 09/00611/PREMGR ‘to sell/supply alcohol for
consumption off the premises Mondays to Saturdays from 08.00
hours to 23.00 hours and Sundays 10.00 hours to 22.30 hours’ –
Iceland, 126-250 High Street, Harwich. Members asked to defer
comments until in receipt of clarification.
60/09 TEE
-TALK (HARWICH)
The meeting noted details of Teen Talk’s work and the invitation to
attend its Annual General Meeting on 18th November 2009.
61/09 DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Harwich Town Council will be held on
Wednesday 16th September 2009 at The 1912 Centre, Harwich at
7.00pm, or at the rise of the Town Planning Committee, whichever is
the later.

62/09 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
That the press and public be excluded from discussion of this item
because of the likelihood that confidential information could be
disclosed:
Minutes of the meeting of the Finance and General Purposes
Committee held on 29th July 2009.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.44pm.