Full Council Minutes 21st November 2012
HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich, Essex CO12 3DS
Tel: 01255 507211
email: info@harwichtowncouncil.co.uk
MINUTES of the Meeting of HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
held at The 1912 Centre, Cow Lane, Harwich
on Wednesday 21st November 2012 commencing at 7.05 pm
Present:
Councillors Brown, Calver, Day, Double, Flavell, King, McLeod, C Callender, R Callender, Fowler, J Henderson, Thompson and Todd
In the Chair:
Councillor J Thurlow
Clerk:
Mrs Michelle Townsend
Also present:
7 members of the public and 1 member of the press
Prayers were said by Rev Mark Windsor
096/12 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr I Henderson and Gibbins
097/12 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Cllr Fowler declared an interest regarding the grant application for Harwich Quay Fireworks as she sits on the committee.
098/12 PUBLIC QUESTIONS
Betty Holbrook made reference to the future development of Main Road School and asked members to consider what the S106 money could be spent on within the ward. Cllr Double informed Mrs Holbrook that the money could also facilitate the whole of the town.
Mr D Rutson asked members if they had read the constitution of Standing Orders to which a couple of members gave replies and the Chairman agreed for the Clerk to forward to all members. He then asked why members were not aware that our standing orders state that Sub Committees are open to the press and public.
Hugh Tisdale enquired whether there were any further information/developments regarding 20 Market Street. Cllr Flavell confirmed that an update would be given under matters arising from minutes.
099/12 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave an account of some of the engagements attended since the last meeting, which included the Discovery Fun Run where 200 Dutch friends came over to Harwich, the Light House walk in aid of St Helena Hospice, Royal British Legion poppy appeal shop launch, Electric Palace archive film night, 100th birthday celebrations for a local resident, annual sausage throwing completion, a well supported Hoody Festival, Mayoress’ Charity Concert in the Park Pavilion and a tree planting ceremony at Low Road to commemorate the storm in 1987 and say thank you to a retired tree warden.
The Deputy Mayor informed members that he had attended the High Sheriff Justice service and Red Cross Essex branch assembly on behalf of HTC.
100/12 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on 10th October 2012 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman and signed as a true record.
101/12 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
20 Market Street – Cllr Flavell notified members of an update received from Andy Knowles today and gave assurances that he will monitor progress
102/12 HARWICH FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS COMMITTEE
Cllr Fowler notified members that due to personal circumstances she will be standing down and would like to propose Cllr Flavell as HTC’s representative
RESOLVED: Cllr Flavell was appointed as HTC’s representative.
103/12 HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL’S NEW WEBSITE
The Clerk confirmed that the new website will be launched on Monday 26th November 2012 and updated members on some of the new sections which include a news feed, new search system to determine who your ward councillor is and public guidance for meetings and public speaking. Members suggested asking for assistance from the press to increase public awareness and a ‘feedback’ section within the website. Clerk agreed to action.
104/12 LOCAL PLAN
Members were concerned that there was not enough publicity and previous exhibitions have been poorly attended. The time allocated does not accommodate those residents who work. Clerk confirmed that HTC had arranged to display posters at the Post Office, Morrisons, Harwich Library and the Guildhall as well as publicity organised by TDC.
RESOLVED: Clerk to request TDC to extend the exhibition from 4.30pm to 8pm and ask that the local paper runs an article to promote the exhibition to the public.
105/12 POLICING IN HARWICH
Members noted the correspondence received from ACC Julia Wortley. Cllr Calver felt that although there was good news as re-rostering is due to be carried out in Jan which should result in 24 hour cover in Harwich, concerns were raised over response times from Clacton.
RESOLVED: Clerk to invite Inspector Willis to attend the next meeting of HTC to seek an explanation for the anomalies within the response times, the lack of briefing to inform the Council of the changes in police cover and what impact the upgrade of the CCTV has had.
106/12 GRANT REQUEST FROM HARWICH QUAY FIREWORKS
RESOLVED: To grant £1000 s137 money
107/12 FLOOD SIREN WORKING PARTY
Cllr Day confirmed that they had had a further meeting with Trinity House. It was suggested that the siren should be placed at the back of their buoy yard building which will result in better coverage for the town and the need for only 1 siren. Costings have been reviewed although quotations will be sought from other suppliers. Following discussions with the siren supplier, a single solution has been determined subject to further scrutiny. The budget to be allowed would need to be in the region of £25,000 to cover the cost, installation and some contingency.
RESOLVED: Costings to be taking into consideration when setting the precept for 2013/14.
108/12 HILL SCHOOL SITE
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Hill School Sub Committee held on 22nd October 2012 (previously circulated) be received.
Cllr Thompson clarified that all members had received a copy of the minutes, along with the update which detailed progress made at the Hill School site and requested agreement to proceed with the recommendations made by the sub committee members on 22nd October. Cllr Thompson further requested agreement of the spend of approximately £19,000, including where the funds should be transferred from and for the Hill School site to have specific delegations. Cllr Double felt that the funds should come from the earmarked funds for the Neighborhood Plan and under-spends. Members debated the stated delegated powers and it was felt that it was better to proceed with the first detailed delegation and review the remainder in the future.
RESOLVED: To agree the recommendations made by the Sub committee and the spend for the new access. Funds to be allocated from the Neighborhood Plan and general under-spends.
FURTHER RESOLVED: To agree the following delegation to the Hill School Sub Committee – To discharge all Council matters in respect of: Management and decision making in relation to the new access to the Hill School site.
109/12 MINUTES OF LAST ENVIRONMENT & HIGHWAYS MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Environment & Highways Committee held on 6th November 2012 (previously circulated) be received.
FURTHER RESOLVED: Cllr Flavell to investigate possible events to commemorate the anniversary of the flood.
110/12 MINUTES OF LAST GUILDHALL MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Guildhall Committee held on 19th November 2012 (previously circulated) be received.
111/12 ACCOUNTS
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets and earmarked funds were noted. Cllr Double made a request for the appropriate transfers made into the earmarked funds at the beginning of the financial year to be detailed.
RESOLVED: to authorise payments as listed Appendix A
112/12 BRIEF REPORTS FROM MEMBERS
Cllr Day confirmed his attendance (not as a HTC representative) at the Galloper Wind Farm Public Infrastructure Inquiry and was disappointed to note that there was no representation from HTC, TDC and ECC. Cllr Day informed members that Dr Rogers made a positive and eloquent presentation for the town and wished to express his thanks.
113/12 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED IN POST OR RAISED BY MEMBERS
- Draft Water Resources Management Plan and Strategic Direction Statement Affinity Water – noted, no comment.
- Draft Administration Strategy – Local Government Pension Scheme (Administration) Regulations 2008 Essex Pension Fund – noted, no comment.
- Dr Rogers – Collective Gas Supplies – Dr Rogers informed members of a collective buying scheme giving details of the approximate savings should Harwich Town residents collectively pull together. Members discussed the advantages but felt that HTC were not in a position to action and did not have the expertise or resources required but would support any group who wished to take this project forward.
114/12 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of Harwich Town Council will be held on Wednesday 2nd January 2013 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 8.38pm.