Full Council Minutes 1st September 2010
HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
Clerk: Susan Anderson
Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich CO12 3DS
Telephone: 01255 507211 email: harwichtown_co@btconnect.com
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
HELD ON
1st SEPTEMBER 2010 at 7.05pm
at
THE 1912 CENTRE, COW LANE, HARWICH
Present: The Mayor, Councillor S Tyrer
The Deputy Mayor, Councillor B Brown in the Chair
Councillors R Callender, A Colbourne, G Calver, L Double,
S Henderson, B Howlett, D McLeod, A Morrison, L Payne, D Rutson and
J Wares
Clerk to the Council, Mrs S Anderson
Mrs Janet Heath (Lay Minister)
Also present: 1 member of the press and 13 members of the public
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mr Flavell asked where could he obtain current information regarding
the regeneration of Harwich Quay, as the information on Tendring
District Council website was dated October 2007 and plans, since this
date, had been substantially changed. Councillor Tyrer confirmed that
Essex County Council has completed a survey of the whole area which is
in the process of being finalised that will put to the members of the public
for their comments.
Councillor Payne stated that as Essex County Council does not appear to
be consulting with members of the public and as no final approved plans
have been received, members agreed that the Clerk contact Essex County
Council to request copies of plans to allow comments to be made on the
proposals.
Mr Flavell stated that a car park has been built on Gas House Creek and
asked what is the plan? Councillor Callender confirmed that the matter
is to be discussed at a meeting on 18th September 2010 and the outcome
will be reported at the next full council meeting.
Cheryl Thompson asked if the LV18 will still be sited at Harwich Quay?
Councillor Henderson confirmed that the subject has been discussed in
“blue pages” at Tendring District Council.
Cheryl Thompson referred to a request given to Councillor Colbourne for
more litter bins to be placed on the railings in front of the Cliff Hotel.
Councillor Colbourne confirmed that Tendring were currently looking at
the positioning of litter bins in the Harwich area. The Mayor offered to
investigate the current position with Tendring District Council.
Cheryl Thompson stated that local jet skiers were forming their own club,
but between the hours of 07.30am to 08.00am some are not abiding by the
regulations and expressed concerns about noise pollution caused to beach
hut owners.
Prayers were said by Mrs Janet Heath, Lay Minister.
46/10 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors P Burke, J Brown and
M Gardner.
47//10 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Councillors Henderson and Rutson declared a personal interest in Minute
55/10 – Tennis Courts, Lower Marine Parade. Councillor Calver declared a
personal interest in Minute 61/10.
48/10 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave a comprehensive report on engagements undertaken since the
last council meeting with special mention to the recent visit of the Black
Watch cruise ship to Harwich which resulted in an enormous amount of
visitors to the Guildhall and thanked Fraser, the Caretaker, for the impromptu
guided tours on that day.
49/10 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on 9th
June 2010 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman and signed as
a true record after an amendment to the wording was made to Minute 27/10 to
remove ‘The email was noted’ and replace with ‘The email, from the Deputy
Monitoring Officer of TDC, confirmed that the outcome of Councillor
Rutson’s hearing could not have altered the balance of power at TDC. The
email was noted.’
50/10 JET SKIS
Further to Minute 28/10, Councillor Calver informed members of a response
received from Tim Sutton of Tendring District Council of what was in place,
and was going to be in place, for the use of jet skis next year and stressed that
it is vital to get this right for the both the public and jet ski users.
Councillor Payne stated that if one jet skier ignores the channel markers, then
an accident could result but was pleased to see what has been put in place by
Tendring District Council.
51/10 DOVERCOURT BOATING LAKE
Further to Minute 24/10 Councillor Calver stated that as no response has been
received from Tendring District Council to open the boating lake for the
summer, there was no point pursuing the matter further.
52/10 MILTON ROAD CAR PARK
Further to Minute 25/10 the Council were informed that no response has been
received from Tendring District Council regarding reinstating the 10p first
hour car parking charge at Milton Road. RESOLVED: to write to Tendring
District Council to request that Milton Road car park be “free of charge” or
10p only, in order to help support the forthcoming Dovercourt street market.
53/10 MEMORIAL FOR 1953 FLOOD VICTIMS
Councillor Payne informed members of his proposal to have a small memorial
for the 1953 flood victims, namely a sun dial, inscribed with names of who
died and placed on the grass area opposite Timberfields, Harwich.
Councillor Payne confirmed that the matter had been raised at a previous
Environment and Highways meeting and requested (1) that Harwich Town
Council support the proposal and help meet the cost of plans for the project
and (2) as Tendring District Council will not support this scheme if there is
any future possibility of maintenance costs, to ask for funds to be earmarked
from the Environment and Highways budget. RESOLVED: Harwich Town
Council agreed to meet the cost of the planning application which will be
discounted by 50% and for the matter to be discussed at the next Environment
and Highways meeting.
54/10 STANDING ORDERS
Further to Minute 36/10, members agreed that a small working party be set up
to review the Standing Orders. RESOLVED: that Councillors B Brown,
Double, Henderson and Tyrer review and submit, revised Standing Orders
after the Planning Committee meeting scheduled on 22nd September 2010 and
these be formally adopted at the Full Council Meeting on 13th October 2010.
55/10 TENNIS COURTS, LOWER MARINE PARADE
Members considered proposals from Tendring District Council for the future
use of land, buildings and tennis courts at Lower Marine Parade.
RESOLVED: to return the management of the leased tennis courts back to
Tendring District Council.
Councillor Rutson left the meeting at 7.55pm
56/10 REVIEW OF THE REVISED STATEMENT OF LICENSING POLICY
The Council noted the revised Statement of Licensing Policy received from
Tendring District Council.
57/10 CONCESSIONARY TRAVEL BUS PASSES
The Mayor asked members to consider placing a unified response to Essex
County Council for free bus travel to remain as present with a 09.00 start –
24.00 finish. Members fully agreed the proposal and RESOLVED: that the
Mayor drafts a letter for approval by full council.
58/10 MINUTES OF THE ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE MEETINGS
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meetings of the Allotments Committee
held on 15th July 2010 and 19th August 2010 (previously circulated) be
approved by the Chairman and signed as a true record.
59/10 ACCOUNTS
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets and
earmarked funds were noted. RESOLVED: to authorise payments as listed
Appendix A.
60/10 ELECTRIC PALACE CENTENARY
A letter received from the Harwich Electric Palace Trust requesting the
participation of Harwich Town Council in an exhibition about the Electric
Palace scheduled to take place on both weekends of the Harwich Festival.
The Council were in full agreement with the proposals outlined in the letter
and RESOLVED: to support the Archivists with the exhibition and request
they deal direct with the local press.
Councillor Payne requested that members discuss donating a large grant to the
Electric Palace Trust towards the purchase of a digital projector for the
Centenary Year November 2011. FURTHER RESOLVED: for the matter to
be discussed at the next meeting of Harwich Town Council 13th October 2010.
61/10 TOURIST AND LEISURE SHOW
The Clerk read an email received from The Harwich Society regarding an
overpayment for the stand at the Tourist and Leisure Show. The Harwich
Society approached the Council requesting a donation towards the Visit Essex
fee of £227. RESOLVED: to re-issue cheque for £505.25 and for the Clerk to
discuss the matter with the Harwich Society in readiness for next year. It was
FURTHER RESOLVED: to inform Harwich Society that it is the policy of
Harwich Town Council that a charity is allowed only one grant per year,
therefore their request was denied.
62/10 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Harwich Town Council will be held on Wednesday
13th October 2010 at The 1912 Centre, Cow Lane, Harwich at 7.00pm, or at
the rise of the Town Planning Committee, whichever is the later.
The Chairman closed this part of the meeting at 8.30pm.