Full Council Minutes 16th February 2011

HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
Acting Clerk: Ms Lesley Keeley
Guildhall, Church Street Harwich CO12 3DS
Telephone: 01255 507211
email: harwichtown_co@btconnect.com
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF
HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
held on Wednesday 16th February 2011 at 7.45 pm
at The 1912 Centre, Cow Lane, Harwich
Present: Mayor Councillor S Tyrer – Chair
Deputy Mayor Councillor B Brown
Councillors G Calver, A Colbourne, L Double, S Henderson,
D McLeod, A Morrison, L Payne, P Burke, D Rutson and J Wares
Acting Clerk to the Council Ms L Keeley
Also present: Reverend Peter Mann, High Steward C Strachan, 10 members of the public
and 1 member of the press
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Mrs B Holbrook asked whether halving the number of Harwich Town Councillors
would assist in cutting down expenditure and reduction of debt. Mrs Holbrook was
informed that the Council is not in debt and that cost to the rate payer is minimal.
Mrs Holbrook also asked for information as to Councillors’ attending during the past 3
years at Full Council meetings and RESOLVED the Clerk to make this information
available for the next meeting.
Prayers were said by Reverend Peter Mann.
The Chairman informed members of two additional items for the Agenda

Resignation of Chairman of Guildhall Committee and

Letter from Paul Skeet regarding Establishment of a Friends’ Group for Restoration and
Improvement of Cliff Seafront.
141/10 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Brown, M Gardner and
R Callender.
142/10 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Councillor Payne declared prejudicial interest at agenda items 11 and 12 as
Director of ACE.

142/10 MAYOR’S ANNOUCEMENTS
The Mayor gave a report on engagements carried out since last meeting.
143/10 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on
5th January 2011 (previously circulated) be approved by Council and signed by
the Mayor as a true record.
144/10 FLOOD WARNING SIRENS
Further to minutes 89/10 and 122/10, Councillor Tyrer awaits response from
Bernard Jenkin MP.
RESOLVED: Matter for Agenda at next meeting.
145/10 MACE PARK
Further minute 130/10, letter from Play Officer, TDC, dated 21 January 2011,
confirming plans to form a disabled access route through Mace Park was noted.
146/10 FINANCIAL UPDATE
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets and
earmarked funds were noted.
RESOLVED: To authorise payments as listed in Appendix A.
147/10 RESIGNATION OF CHAIRMAN OF THE GUILDHALL COMMITTEE
Councillor S Henderson announced his resignation as Chairman of the Guildhall
Committee. Elections being soon it was agreed for the Committee to function
without a Chairman for the interim period and for Councillor Calver to lead as
Vice Chairman. Councillor Calver called for a meeting of the Guildhall
Committee on Thursday, 24th February, 2011, at 7 pm at the Park Pavilion Board
Room.
RESOLVED: The Clerk to notify all members of the meeting and that disabled
access at the Guildhall will be included for discussion.
148/10 ESTABLISHMENT OF A ‘FRIENDS’ GROUP FOR THE RESTORATION AND IMPROVEMENT OF CLIFF SEAFRONT
Councillor Tyrer read a letter from Paul Skeet, dated 7th February 2011, with
information on setting up a ‘Friends Group’ or similar.
It was agreed to seek a meeting of a co-ordination committee to assist interested
parties in moving something tangible forward and RESOLVED to ask the
Harwich and Manningtree Standard to run an article highlighting opportunities
for the Town and call for volunteers to contact Harwich Town Council.
149/10 HOOK OF HOLLAND EXCHANGE VISIT
Further to minute 125/10, in consideration of the length of deferment and no
further response received it was RESOLVED to close the matter.
It was agreed that formation of links between the Councils is beneficial to both
communities and to tourism and consideration given to re-introducing links in
the near future.

150/10 CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU HARWICH
A letter was received from the Chief Executive Officer, CAB Tendring, dated
30th January 2011, (previously circulated), and application form for financial
assistance towards legal expenses in relocating premises in Harwich. TDC is
cutting back CAB Tendring’s core grant in 2011/2011 which puts at risk the
continuation of the Harwich Bureau post 31st March 2011. Fortunately, Harwich
Connexions has offered to gift the TIC portacabin to the CAB Tendring and
Morrisons plc has agreed a long term site lease at a peppercorn rent. It was
agreed highly beneficial that a Bureau remains in the Town and RESOLVED to
approve the grant application for financial assistance of £4000 subject to
completion of business with Harwich Connexions and site lease with Morrisons
plc.
Further RESOLVED for the Clerk to write a letter of thanks to Harwich
Connexions and to Morrisons plc for their help in retaining a Bureau in the
Town.
151/10 WIND PORT SUMMIT
A letter was received from Bernard Jenkin MP dated 31st January with
apologies for a mis-quotation in the local press regarding invitations to a wind
port summit chaired by Mr Jenkin. The quote in the press read “…. all Harwich
Councillors were invited” and Mr Jenkin intended the quote to read “… invited
Harwich Councillors of all political parties”.
It was agreed important that communications remain open between management
of the wind farm and the community and RESOLVED for the Clerk to write to
Bernard Jenkin MP asking if he would attend a meeting of Harwich Town
Council for open discussion.
152/10 HERITAGE OPEN DAYS
A communication was received from English Heritage (previously circulated)
inviting applications by national and regional organisations who can demonstrate
their ability to co-ordinate a large-scale, high profile programme and to show
interest by 8th April 2011.
RESOLVED: The Clerk to respond indicating that Harwich Town Council is
very supportive and, as in previous years, the Guildhall will be open for an
exhibition entitled ‘Festival of Britain 1951’ during Heritage Open Days period
8-11 September 2011 as will many other local historic sites.
Councillor Payne left the meeting for discussion of the following two matters.
153/10
ORTH EAST ESSEX GP COMMISSIONING PCC
Public and Patient Engagement Strategy Discussion Document and questionnaire
was received from North East Essex GP Commissioning dated 21st January 2011
(previously circulated). for response by 13th March 2011.
RESOLVED: The Clerk to send a response asking re-assurance that no
commissioning decision be made until all consultation bodies are in place to
make these decisions.

154/10 FRYATT HOSPITAL
It was RESOLVED for the Clerk to write and invite Dr Gary Sweeney, GP from
Clacton elected by Tendring GPs as their representative on the Commissioning
Board, to a special meeting of Harwich Town Council in order to explain the
process and how they see the future for Fryatt Hospital.
Standing Orders will be suspended for this meeting.
155/10 HARWICH RBL BRASS BAND
A letter was received from the Harwich Royal British Legion Brass Band asking
if Council is willing to donate a suitable gift to be presented to their friends at
Harwich MA during a tour with the RBL Victory Brass Band (Portsmouth) in
July/August 2011.
RESOLVED: The Mayor and Deputy Mayor to purchase an appropriate gift to
the value of £150 purely because the visit is to Harwich MA.
156/10 BIG SOCIETY AND POSSIBLE FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
A letter was received from Executive Leader and Deputy Executive Leader TDC
dated 27th January 2011 regarding a £500,000 Big Society Fund offering
opportunity to bid for a share of the cash.
Councillor Payne said this is a good opportunity to help the Electric Palace
Cinema Harwich in purchasing necessary digital projection equipment which is
necessary as from 2012/2013 to ensure continuation of the local Cinema.
RESOLVED: The Clerk to write to the Executive Leader informing him that
Harwich Town Council welcomes an opportunity to benefit the community and
help deliver a service better and more cheaply and recommends funding of
£45,000 be considered towards the cost of a digital projector for the Electric
Palace Cinema.
156/10 MINUTES OF THE ENVIROMENT AND PLANNING COMMITTEE
RESOLVED: Minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Highways
Committee held on 3rd February 2011 (previously circulated) were received and
noted by the Council.
157/10 MINUTES OF THE ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
RESOLVED: Minutes of the meeting of the Guildhall Committee held on 7th
February 2011 (previously circulated) were received and noted by the Council.
158/10 BRIEF REPORTS BY MEMBERS
Councillor Morrison said many users of the train line to and from Harwich are
finding the changed time-table unaccommodating due to the short time period
between connecting trains at Manningtree and it was RESOLVED for the Clerk
to write to the MD National Express with these comments.
Councillor Double informed the Committee that members of “Museums in
Essex” are meeting at the Guildhall on Wednesday, 23rd February, 2011.

Councillor Burke was pleased to announce her success in obtaining a venue at
Fryatt Hospital and instructor to enable gym sessions for the elderly
commencing at the end of March. Councillor Burke said that Bernard Jenkin
MP was instrumental in obtaining a suitable room at the Hospital.
159/10 MATTERS RECEIVED IN THE POST OR RAISED BY MEMBERS
Members noted letters of thanks received as listed at Agenda item 18.
160/10 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Harwich Town Council will be held on Wednesday
30th March 2011 at Esplanade Hall, Wellington Road, Harwich at 7 pm, or at the
rise of the Town Planning Committee, whichever is the latter.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.30 pm.