Full Council Minutes 9th June 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
9th JUNE 2010 at 7.00pm
at THE 1912 CENTRE, COW LANE, HARWICH
Present: Councillor S Henderson, in the Chair
Councillors J Brown, P Burke, R Callender, G Calver, A Colbourne,
B Howlett, D McLeod, A Morrison, L Payne and J Wares
Clerk to the Council, Mrs S Anderson
Also present:
2 members of the press and 12 member’s of the public.
Mrs Bradnum asked why the kiosk, built within the new toilet block in Dovercourt
Park, was not open. Councillor Henderson to reply direct to Mrs Bradnum.
Mr David Flavell asked why the Guildhall not used to hold meetings. Councillor
Henderson stated that the Guildhall is not disabled friendly and requested the question
be answered by Councillor Tyrer. Councillor Calver stated that the Council were
awaiting a response from English Heritage regarding alterations to make the Guildhall
disabled friendly and once the information was received a meeting would take place to
decide the way forward.
Mrs Bradnum stated that there are lots of pot holes in West End Lane, Dovercourt
caused by lorries travelling to the tip. Councillor Callender confirmed that he, and an
officer of Essex County Highways, had surveyed the condition of roads throughout the
town and would contact her once the report was finalised.
Prayers were said by Reverend Peter Mann
01/10 CHAIRMAN
The Clerk informed the Committee that the Chairman, Councillor S Tyrer
was unable to attend the meeting then asked for nominations to chair the
meeting.
RESOLVED: that Councillor S Henderson chair the meeting.
02/10 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors B Brown,
L Double, M Gardner, D Rutson and S Tyrer.
03//10 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
None.
04/10 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
05/10 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on
12th May and 20th May 2010 (previously circulated) be approved by the
Chairman and signed as a true record.
06/10 BRITISH ARMED FORCES FLAG
The Clerk asked if the Council would take an emergency item to give
permission for the purchase of a British Armed Forces flag in readiness for
Armed Forces Day on 26th June 2010. RESOLVED: unanimously to
purchase the flag.
07/10 TOUR OF GULDHALL ON 17th JUNE 2010
The Clerk asked for a further emergency item of a request to visit the Guildhall
Mrs T MacLeod, Head Teacher of St Joseph’s School on 17th June, 2010 at
1.30pm. The party will consist of thirteen teachers from Ghana and eleven
hosts, Mrs MacLeod also requested the attendance of Harwich Town Council
and Mr Ray Plummer the Honorary Archivist. RESOLVED: that permission
be granted.
08/10 ESSEX LEISURE AND TRAVEL SHOW
Councillor Calver provided copies of an article printed in the Telegraph
promoting Harwich which arose from the Harwich Society’s attendance at the
annual Essex Leisure and Travel Show. The Council agreed that a letter of
thanks be sent to the Harwich Society.
09/10 HARWICH MAGISTRATES COURT, MAIN ROAD, DOVERCOURT – BOUNDARY FENCE
The Council noted a letter from King Sturge LLP who are property advisors to
Her Majesty’s Court Services who are proposing to reposition the boundary
fence at the rear of the Magistrates Court. RESOLVED: that the Hill School
site be discussed at the meeting of Finance and General Purposes Committee
on 23rd June 2010.
10//10 MILTON ROAD CAR PARK
The Council discussed the motion to request that Tendring District Council
reinstate the 10p car parking charge at Milton Road Car Park. RESOLVED:
unanimously to allow Councillor Payne to request, at the next meeting of
Tendring District Council, reinstatement of the 10p parking charge at Milton
Road.
11/10 20 MPH ZONES
Councillor Payne suggested that the Council contact Essex County Council to
investigate and instigate a 20 mph through old Harwich. RESOLVED: to
contact Essex County Council to investigate the possibility to instigate a
20 mph zone from the light house, George Street, West Street throughout old
Harwich.
12/10 MINUTES OF THE ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Allotments Meeting held
on 13th May 2010 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman and
signed as a true record.
13/10 ACCOUNTS
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets and
earmarked funds were noted.
RESOLVED:
(a) to authorise payments as listed Appendix A.
(b) to approve the Annual Return year end March 2010 and noted that there is
a sound system of internal control in place.
(c) to approve the Internal Audit dated 18th May 2010
14/10 THE HARWICH FESTIVAL
The Council noted a letter of thanks from The Harwich Festival for receipt of
a grant of £1500.
15/10 HARWICH SHANTY FESTIVAL
The Council noted a letter of thanks from the Harwich Shanty Festival for
receipt of a grant of £500.
16/10 BRIEF REPORTS OF MEMBERS
Councillor Callender reported to members on all projects undertaken by Essex
County Council.
a) Involvement in the Mayflower Project
b) Town Centre market
c) Piling at Harwich
d) Highway as to whether Pattricks Lane has been adopted/unadopted.
e) Roundabouts and more signage along the A120
f) Powerboat Festival weekend promoting Harwich
A member asked if Essex County Council was still funding the Mayflower
Project. Councillor Callender confirmed that it was initially, but was now
funded by English Heritage.
A member requested reports from District Councillors at Full Council
meetings. It was agreed that no reports would be received from the seven
District Councillors as it was deemed unworkable.
The Council discussed the current condition of the Dovercourt Boating Lake
and a member reported that a proposal from Tendring District Council to
spend £50,000 would go to Cabinet on Wednesday 16th June 2010.
17/10 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Harwich Town Council will be held on Wednesday 21st
July 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 7.50pm.