Harwich Town Council

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Full Council Minutes 8th June 2011

MINUTES of the Meeting of the HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL held at The 1912
Centre, Cow Lane, Harwich on Wednesday 8th June 2011 commencing at 7pm
Present: Councillors C Callender, R Callender, Calver, Day, Flavell, I Henderson, J
Henderson, King, McLeod, Morrisson, O’
eill, Thompson and Todd and
Thurlow
In the Chair: Councillor B Brown
Clerk: Mrs L Ballard
Also present: 5 members of the public and 1 member of the press
Mrs B Holbrook referred to an article in the EADT regarding £123k, which includes
S106 money, to be spent on 2 play areas in the Harwich area. In relation to Harwich
Green she asked the intention for the use of the money. Cllr Thurlow suggested it was
for new swings. Cllr I Henderson added that it might be used on a maritime theme.
Cllr Calver said Tendring District Council had received a press release about this and
understood that the money would be spent on replacing/upgrading equipment within
the existing play area only. Mrs Holbrook said she’d contacted both TDC and Essex
County Council about a public enquiry as she is concerned about it being used for
parking. Cllr I Henderson added that the fencing needed attention also, and perhaps
could be added to any requests. Cllr Brown agreed to look into the situation and try to
obtain further information from TDC. Cllr McLeod said the improvements should be
welcomed.
Mr Bunton from Lime Avenue raised concerns about the noise from the Rock School
over the past 2 ½ years and provided the Chair with copies of correspondence sent to
TDC. He confirmed he has no objection to the rock school but would like them to
improve insulation.
Mr Woods, who is a trustee of the rock school, said TDC had conducted a full
investigation of the insulation levels and spent £5k on improvements such as boarding
and sealing. Following further checks, it was deemed the noise levels were
reasonable/acceptable and confirmed the rock school are doing everything they can, as
have the Environmental Agency, who has complied with all necessary requirements. Mr
Bunton said there has been no improvement. Cllr I Henderson suggested that perhaps
the doors has been left open and Mr Woods said he’d make enquiries and offered to
show Mr Bunton the works already carried out to alleviate the problem. Mrs Holbrook
praised the rock school.
Prayers were said by Reverend Peter Mann

10/11 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Double.

11//11 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
None.

12/11 MAYOR’S ANNOUCEMENTS
The Mayor thanked everyone for a great Mayormaking and confirmed his
diary is filling fast and will have more to report at the next meeting.

13/11 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on
30th March 2011 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman and
signed as a true record.

14/11 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 19th April 2011 (previously
circulated) were received.

15/11 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL STATUTORY MAYOR MAKING MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Annual Statutory Mayormaking meeting
held on 26th May 2011 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman
and signed as a true record.

16/11 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Further to minute 176/10 Cllr I Henderson informed members of incidences
when passengers using the 8.28am from Harwich National Express East
Anglia rail service had previously been asked to leave the train further up the
line because their Cheap Day tickets didn’t apply at these times, despite a
dispensation that allows this. Cllr Henderson wrote to NXEA and has since
received confirmation that these tickets do apply and passengers departing
from the Harwich line can continue to use these services in order to arrive in
London at a decent time, using the Cheap Day tickets.
Further to minute 175/10 Cllr Calver asked if any progress has been made in
obtaining information about the Dovercourt Town study. The Clerk confirmed
that she had contacted TDC and was awaiting a response.
Further to minute 122/10 Cllr I Henderson said that he was still receiving
complaints/concerns about the decision to decommission the Flood siren in
Harwich and that the issue should be pursued. It was RESOLVED to write to
Anglian Water to seek assurance that the Fernlea Road flood pump houses
were still in working order.

17/11 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 2011 complete the Annual
Return.
(c) to approve the Internal Audit dated 21st May 2011 and noted that there is a
sound system of internal control in place.

18/11 INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL
Members discussed the recommendations of the IRP for Councillors’
allowances and it was RESOLVED to accept the level recommended of £744
for the ensuing year as detailed in Appendix B and FURTHER RESOLVED
to freeze the allowance for the lifetime of this council so that no increases
would be proposed until after the next election.

19/11 SUBSCRIPTIONS
Members discussed the various organisations to which HTC belong and the
benefits of membership.
RESOLVED: to approve annual subscriptions as listed in Appendix C.

20//11 TENDRING DISTRICT ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL COUNCILS
The Chair called for nominations for a representative for the TDALC.
RESOLVED: to elect Councillor Todd as HTC representative for the ensuing
year. action

21/11 HARWICH INSPIRED YOUTH FORUM
Councillor Calver provided members with an overview of the HIYA and their
need for a meeting place.
RESOLVED: to offer free use of the Guildhall for HIYA meetings on the
understanding that 1 adult is always present and that times are mutually
agreeable and to ensure the availability of the Caretaker, Fraser Morrison.

22/11 LIGHTHOUSE WALK
Councillor Calver provided background information on the charity walk in aid
of St Helena Hospice.
RESOLVED: to write to the organisers to express the full support of HTC and
that if the council can assist in any way that it will.

23/11 EIGHBOURING NETWORK MEETINGS
Members discussed the issue of meeting with neighbouring councils to discuss
ideas.
RESOLVED: to seek further information as to the issues to be discussed to
ensure there is no overlap with the TDALC.

24/11 BLACKEBERG STUDENTS’ VISIT
Councillor Brown informed members of the forthcoming bi-annual visit to the
Guildhall from students from Blackeberg Gymnasium and asked if HTC would
be willing to gift each student with a copy of ‘The Harwich Story’ book.
RESOLVED: to defer to a meeting of the Finance and General Purposes
committee.

25/10 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Members discussed a request from Mr D Rutson to investigate the spend of
funds provided by HTC for Christmas lights in conjunction with information
obtained from TDC.
RESOLVED: (a) to accept the findings of TDC’s investigation
(b) to write to Mr Rutson to inform that the independent
enquiry he requested has already been carried out by TDC and
the findings accepted.

26/11 BRIEF REPORTS OF MEMBERS
Councillor Flavell reported that he’d recently attended a meeting of the
Harwich Conservation Panel and mentioned that TDC had informed the Chair
(Mrs B Holbrook) that they objected to the registration of Harwich Green as
Common Land and a public enquiry is likely next year. Cllr Flavell also
informed members that consultants for Hutchinson Whampoa had submitted
detailed proposals to TDC for the work necessary to restore/maintain the Train
Ferry Gantry following an agreement to allow an extension of permission to
develop Bathside bay.

27/11 POLLING STATIONS
Councillor Calver informed members of a resident’s concern over the closure
of Spring Meadow School to use it as a polling station on Election Day. It was
suggested that a working party, comprising the Mayor and 4 further members
(to be advised), be set up to discuss appropriate locations for future polling
stations, making recommendations to Full Council and then to TDC.

28/11 HARWICH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
The Council noted a letter of thanks for receipt of a grant of £2500

29/11 HARWICH SOCIETY
The Council noted a letter of thanks for receipt of a grant of £1200

30/11 OFFICE FOR NATIONAL STATISTICS
The Council noted a letter of thanks for the free use of the Guildhall for
weekly meetings following the 2011 Census.

31/11 CAR PARKING
The Council noted a letter from Mr Elwyn Morris written to TDC. Members
discussed previous assurances by TDC to tackle the parking problem in
Harwich but have yet to do so. Councillor R Callender confirmed that TDC
were trying to secure Harwich Station but have experienced holdups.
It was proposed to write to TDC immediately reminding them of the
assurances they’ve made and provide a comprehensive announcement of what
action they’ve taken, to be reported at a Special Meeting of the Council
following the next Planning Committee meeting. It was further proposed to
write to both Harwich Haven Authority and Navy yard Wharf to ask if they are
able to assist in alleviating the problem.

32/11 WIND FARM
Members noted an offer from Bernard Jenkin MP to attend a future meeting of
the Council to discuss the Wind Farm Developments.

33/11 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Harwich Town Council will be held on Wednesday 20th
July 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 8.11pm.

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