Full Council Minutes 15th February 2012

MINUTES of the Meeting of HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL held at The 1912 Centre, Cow Lane, Harwich on Wednesday 15th February 2012 commencing at 7.00 pm

HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich, Essex CO12 3DS
Tel: 01255 507211

Present: Councillors C Callender, R Callender, Calver, Day, Double, Flavell, Gibbins,
King, McLeod, Thompson, Thurlow and Todd

In the Chair: Councillor B Brown

Clerk: Assistant Clerk – Mrs Michelle Townsend

Also present: 2 members of the public and 1 member of the press

Prayers were said by Reverend P Mann.

Cllr Brown asked members to stand to remember Andy Morrison who has sadly passed away. Andy Morrison served as a Harwich Town Councillor from 1993 until 2011 and was Mayor on three occasions. Cllr Brown and Cllr Double made reference to how highly respected he was within the community, a genuine gentleman who will be sadly missed.

Cllr Brown advised members that in accordance with standing order 9f, Item 7 on the agenda would not be considered and that an emergency item has been added, 13a. Portas Pilot Scheme, due to time frames given for action.

136/11 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs J Henderson and I Henderson.

137/11 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
None

138/11 PUBLIC QUESTIONS
Dr Terry Rogers asked members if it was the view of HTC that all of the matters raised by the public at the Annual Town Meeting on 19th April 2011 have been dealt with according to the resolutions taken and to the satisfaction of those who asked the questions.
Cllr Brown re-examined each agenda item and informed Dr Rogers of the outcome or current position of each item raised. Dr Rogers agreed that the matter of the jet skis had subsequently been discussed at Full Council meetings, however, the request for HTC to act as co-ordinators in encouraging those with enforcement powers to act against irresponsible actions taken by jet ski users within the designated area in Dovercourt Bay has not been actioned. Cllr Brown informed Dr Rogers that TDC had notified HTC that no further complaints regarding the jet skis have been made with the exception of a complaint regarding parking.
Mrs Betty Holbrook wished to highlight the poor state of the pavement in Bathside by the new flats which has been brought to the Council’s attention approximately 1 year ago. Cllr R Callender agreed to pursue.

139/11 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave an account of some of the 17 engagements and meetings attended since the last meeting including press interviews and updates on the West Street fire. He informed members that the total raised by the community exceeded £19,000 and the final disbursements were due to be paid along with letters of thanks and appreciation. He spoke about the official opening of the charging point for electric cars at the Harwich International Port and the Pride of Tendring Awards where Mr Chris Scott, from the Rock School was recognised, along with his Apprentice Scheme and deserves congratulations from HTC. This period also saw the arrival of Essex Oak suitable for the construction of the Mayflower Keel, but more importantly there was an opportunity to meet apprentices now based in the Old Harwich Station.

140/11 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on 4th January 2012 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman and signed as a true record.

141/11 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
Further to Minute 124/11, members noted that the Environment Agency are not the responsible body for the Flood Siren and therefore the meeting to be held with the Environment Agency would not attain the answers for the concerns raised for both the ‘Flood Line’ and the Siren.
RESOLVED: Clerk to take up Bernard Jenkin’s offer to arrange a round the table discussion with the Environment Agency and ECC.

142/11 KINGSWAY PARKING
Cllr Calver informed the members that he had submitted a FOI request for the number of penalty charge notices issued in Station Road and Kingsway on Fridays only from 1st April 2011 to 31st December 2011 and then every day in the same period to highlight the significant difference of tickets issued on Friday since North Essex Parking Partnership took over responsibility for parking for ECC. Cllr Calver was particularly concerned with the statement issued in the Standard from Tracey Chapman stating that the tickets issued on a Friday were not demonstrably higher than any other day. However, Cllr Calver informed the members that 531 tickets have been issued on Fridays for this period with a total of 14 for the other 6 days for this same period and proposed that HTC write and ask why she made this statement. Cllr R Callender agreed to raise this matter at his next meeting with Tracey Chapman whilst Cllr Flavell confirmed that there are still parking issues elsewhere in Harwich which are not being policed.
RESOLVED: to send letter to Tracey Chapman requesting an explanation for her inaccurate statement. FURTHER RESOLVED: to forward all correspondence to the MP asking for his active involvement.

143/11 POUNDFARM
Following receipt of the reply from the Planning Portfolio Holder regarding Pound Farm, Cllr Calver raised concerns for the safety of listed buildings on the ‘at risk’ register and that TDC should have a responsibility for their wellbeing. Cllr Calver proposed to write to the Temporary Head of Planning Services and ask for clarification of the legal status when dealing with a listed building which is at risk with a copy to Pipa Colchester, Historic Building Adviser.
RESOLVED: to write to Sarah Stevens and copy to Pippa Colchester.

144/11 CAROS
Cllr Calver confirmed that is has been a delight to sit on HTC and that we need to respect each other’s decisions. He welcomed the MP’s intention to spearhead the campaign and proposed that HTC thank him for his intervention and assure him of our support.
RESOLVED: to forward copies of all correspondence to the MP and ask him to keep us informed of his progress.

145/11 MINUTES OF THE LAST ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Allotments Committee held on 12th January 2012 (previously circulated) be received.

146/11 MINUTES OF THE LAST GUILDHALL COMMITTEE MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Guildhall Committee held on 16th January 2011 (previously circulated) be received.

147/11 MINUTES OF THE LAST ENVIRONMENT and HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Environment and Highways Committee held on 19th January 2012 (previously circulated) be received.
Cllr McLeod referred to a specific item in relation to Patrick’s Lane and during this discussion Cllr Calver left the room.

148/11 PORTAS PILOT
Assistant Clerk gave members a brief overview of the Portas Pilot to seek members approval for HTC’s involvement. Town Teams will be expected to provide a vision and strategic management for their local high street and bid to become one of the pilots by 30th March 2012. All members felt that HTC should be proactive and show support although concerns were raised with the timescale.
RESOLVED: Cllr Brown and Cllr McLeod to represent HTC at forthcoming meetings.

149/11 ACCOUNTS
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets and earmarked funds were noted.
RESOLVED: to authorise payments as listed Appendix A

150/11 BRIEF REPORTS FROM MEMBERS

• Cllr Thompson informed members of the financial position of the Royal British Legion Services due to lack of membership.
• Cllr Flavell confirmed no meeting of the Harwich Conservation Panel.
• Cllr Thurlow confirmed a new rent scheme which saw rents double.
• Cllr Todd confirmed that the Merchant Navy Welfare Board will be meeting next month.
• Cllr King confirmed no meeting of the HandD Community Association.
• Cllr Brown confirmed attendance of the Crime Prevention Panel and updated members on the proposed school visits and other initiatives and confirmed that the CCTV will be up and running by the end of February.
• Cllr Mcleod no meeting of the Chamber of Trade.

151/11 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED IN POST OR RAISED BY MEMBERS

• The letter of thanks from Mr C Townsend, one of the residents involved in the West Street fire, was kindly noted.
• Cllr Double informed members that the decision to participate in the Community Flower Festival is the Mayor’s function.
  RESOLVED: Clerk to liaise with Mayor to progress HTC’s contribution in the Community Flower Festival.
• Cllr Double informed members that Harwich Connections Community Trust is currently giving allocating £3000 worth of grants to young community groups. Details will be advertised in the press.
• Cllr Flavell wished to thank Lawrie Payne for the successful Flood Memorial which is now complete following planting carried out by local school children.
• Cllr Flavell informed members that the working party for improving the telephone box will be meeting on 20th February 2012.

152/11 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Harwich Town Council will be held on Wednesday 28th
March 2012 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 8.40pm.