Full Council Minutes 24th November 2010

HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
Clerk: Susan Anderson
Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich CO12 3DS
Telephone: 01255 507211
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
HELD ON
24th NOVEMBER 2010 at 7.50pm
at
THE 1912 CENTRE, COW LANE, HARWICH
Present: The Mayor, Councillor S Tyrer in the Chair
The Deputy Mayor, Councillor B Brown
Councillors J Brown, R Callender, G Calver, A Colbourne, L Double,
S Henderson, D McLeod, L Payne and D Rutson.
Clerk to the Council, Mrs S Anderson
Also present: Reverend Peter Mann, 14 members of the public and 1 member of the press.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mr Rogers asked the committee what criteria will be used to measure the success
of the local Friday market. The Committee suggested the question should be
directed to Essex County Council but it had been suggested to Harwich and
Dovercourt Traders Association that they monitor the results from neighbouring
shops.
Mrs Steele asked who was responsible for the decision to stop sounding the
flood sirens. Councillor Payne stated that the Environment Agency is
responsible for flood warnings. Councillor Callender offered to speak with
Tracy Chapman, the Portfolio Holder of Essex County Council Environment,
and will advise Mrs Steele of the response.
Mr Flavell requested the Council ask Mr Nick Turner from Tendring District
Council for a complete parking review in Old Harwich. Councillor Rutson
stated that this matter was on the agenda to be discussed, and meeting his
comments would be taken into account.
Ray Lovett, a local fisherman, expressed his concern regarding the proposed
lack of parking spaces on Harwich Quay and asked members if Tendring District
Council would consider issuing parking permits to overcome this situation.
Prayers were said by Reverend Peter Mann.
85/10 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B Howlett,
M Gardner, P Burke, A Morrison and J Wares.

86//10 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
None.
87/10 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councillor Double read, on behalf of the Mayor, a summary of her engagements
carried out since the last council meeting.
88/10 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on
13th October 2010 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman and
signed as a true record.
89/10 FLOOD WARNING SIRENS
The Mayor agreed to take this matter as an emergency item.
Councillor Payne informed members of the decision by the Environmental
Department of Essex County Council not to replace the flood warning siren on
top of the Harwich Police Station. The Council RESOLVED: to write to the
Environmental Portfolio Holder at Essex County Council to request to a new
one.
90/10 ELECTRIC PALACE
Further to Minute 71/10, Councillor Payne informed members that the Electric
Palace Trust was delighted with the generous one-off grant of £20,000.
Members noted an invitation from Mr Chris Strachan to a tour of the Electric
Palace.
91/10 HARWICH QUAYSIDE DESIGN
Further to Minute 69/10, the matter was discussed in the Planning Meeting under
Minute P55/10. It was RESOLVED: to write to EDI, copy to Essex County
Council, requesting the proposal is not determined until meaningful discussions have
taken place with Harwich Town Council and for questions to be allowed from members
of the public.
92/10 REGISTRY OF BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES
Members were informed that a new Registry Office is to be installed at the
Fryatt Hospital, Dovercourt in December 2010.
93/10 HARWICH MAYFLOWER PROJECT
Further to Minute 75/10, the Council RESOLVED: that the request to use
images of Harwich Town Charters within The Records Office online catalogue,
be granted.
94/10 £85,000 ALLOCATED S106 MONEY
Further to Minute 68/10, Councillor Calver thanked The Mayor for her
comprehensive report regarding the s.106 money which currently stands at
£102,234.17 and needs to be spent by 13 January 2014.
Members noted the letter received from Mr Matthew Hill, Managing Director of
INTend and his intention to attend a council meeting at a later date. Councillor
Henderson stated that he had attended a presentation recently where the monies
have been applied, which will give a great boost to the town.

Councillor J Brown informed members that he had attended a presentation given
by Hutchison Ports regarding changes within the container port to encompass the
wind farm for the next 10 years. Councillor J Brown suggested that a public
meeting be held either 10th, 17th or 21st January 2011. RESOLVED: for the
Clerk and Councillor J Brown to organise a presentation and a notice to be
placed in the local newspaper.
95/10 WELLINGTON ROAD, HARWICH – PARKING CONGESTION
The Council discussed the urgent need of a thorough review of parking
requirements in old Harwich. RESOLVED: that letters be sent to
Mr Nick Turner and Mr Ian Taylor at Tendring District Council, requesting an
immediate review of the parking strategy in old Harwich.
96/10 ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL SALT BAG PILOT SCHEME
Members supported the scheme in principle and RESOLVED: for the item
to be discussed at the next Environment and Highways Committee meeting.
97/10 PROPOSED MUSICAL EVENT “C AND SONGS”
An invitation for councillors to participate in the proposed musical event
“C & Song” scheduled for summer 2011, was noted.
98/10 SEX ESTABLISHMENT POLICY
The Council noted notice from Tendring District Council regarding the changes
in the legislation and introduction of a new policy.
99/10 GUILDHALL CLOSURE
Members RESOLVED: that the Guildhall will be closed from 28th December
2010 and re-open on 4th January 2011.
100/10 MINUTES OF THE ENVIROMENT AND HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Environment and
Highways Committee held on 7th October 2010 (previously circulated) be
approved by the Chairman and signed as a true record.
101/10 ACCOUNTS
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets and
earmarked funds were noted. RESOLVED: to authorise payments as listed
Appendix A.
102/10 BRIEF REPORT OF MEMBERS
Councillor Double reported his attendance at the recent Annual General Meeting
of Museums in Essex where a working party has been set up to source funding.
Councillor Rutson expressed his concern regarding the lack of Christmas lights
in Dovercourt Town Centre. Councillor Calver stated that the Harwich and
Dovercourt Partnership had experienced problems which have been sorted with
the help of Councillors McLeod and Payne.
Further to Minute 79/10 and Councillor Calver’s request for any outstanding
projects should be placed on the agenda for a conclusion or, for the proposal to
be dropped. The following items were discussed.

Councillor Rutson was asked to comment on the situation regarding a new
Community Centre within the Mayflower School grounds. Councillor Rutson
stated that he was still awaiting answers.
Councillor Callender was asked for an update regarding enhancing a local
roundabout. Councillors Callender informed members that there was no funding
therefore the project would have to be dropped.
Councillor Rutson was asked to comment on the 10,000 Euros pledged by the
Hook of Holland Council in May 2009 Minute 11/09, for tourism projects in
Harwich. Councillor Rutson stated that the project was taken over by the next
Mayor, Councillor J Wares. RESOLVED: for the item to be discussed at the
next meeting.
Councillor L Payne asked if there was any further news regarding the Council
holding a future meeting at the Harwich School as suggested in Minute 43/09
because this is a good opportunity to get very young people motivated in
politics. RESOLVED: Clerk to check the minutes.
103/10 HARWICH SOCIETY
The Council noted a letter of thanks from The Harwich Society for the grant of
£248.50 towards the Cliff House plaque in Cliff Park, Dovercourt.
104/10 HARWICH AND DISTRICT CRIME PREVENTION PANEL
The Council noted a letter of thanks from Harwich and District Crime
Prevention Panel for the grant of £250.00 towards the Primary Schools Garden
Competition 2011.
105/10 HARWICH AND DISTRICT RAIL SOCIETY
The Council noted a letter of thanks from the Harwich and District Rail Society
for the grant of £200.00 towards costs to hold an exhibition February 2011.
106/10 TEEN TALK
The Council noted a letter of thanks from Teen Talk for the grant of £10,000.00
toward the new “drop-in” programme.
107/10 CHANGE OF MEETING VENUE
The Clerk informed members that the Planning meeting 9th March and Planning
and Full Council meeting 30th March 2011 will be held at Esplanade Hall,
Harwich.
108/10 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Harwich Town Council will be held on Wednesday
5th January 2011 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 the meeting at 9.00pm.