Environment Minutes 14th June 2010

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE
HELD ON
MONDAY 14th June 2010 at 6.30pm
HELD AT THE PARK PAVILION BOARD ROOM, BARRACK LANE, HARWICH, ESSEX

Present: Councillor D McLeod in the Chair
Councillors L Payne, R Callender, J Brown,

Assistant to the Clerk to the Council, Mrs L Keeley

Also present: The Mayor Councillor S Tyrer, Councillor B Brown, Tree Wardens – Mrs M Lungley, Ms S Atkinson and three members of the public.

Public Question Time of 15 minutes:
Mrs Bradnum expressed concern regarding –

• the road markings at the junction in George Street/Main Road at the entrance to
  the bus station which is confusing and potentially hazardous
• the sign indicating no exit to Church Street in Church Lane Harwich is broken
  was previously eroded to an extent of being unreadable and now no sign is
  apparent
• the Harwich Town Council website is not kept current
  RESOLVED: Councillor Callender will include the matter of road markings and
  signage at his next meeting with ECC.
  Mr Salter asked why the Harwich Town Council website is inconsistent regarding dates
  of meetings, minutes, etc., and that no events are shown since 2007.
  The Committee informed Mr Salter that minutes of meetings are put onto the website
  following approval at full Council meetings and revision/update of the website is
  currently in hand.
  RESOLVED: The Clerk and Assistant to the Clerk will ensure that dates of all meetings
  are entered onto the website in future and continue with work in bringing the website up
  to date.

E01/10 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence received from Councillor D Rutson and Councillor A Colbourne.

E02/10 APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
Councillor D Rutson was elected as Vice-Chairman for the municipal year and nominated by Councillor R Calender and seconded by Councillor J Brown

E03/10 DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS
Councillor B Brown declared a personal interest in Chase Lane School (Agenda item 11).

E04/10 MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Environment and Highways Committee meeting held on 2nd February 2010 (previously circulated), be accepted as a true record.

E05/10 CONSIDERATE PARKING INITIATIVE (CPI)
Further to Minute E21/09 Councillor Tyrer said that she has informed Ian Taylor (TDC) that Councillor McLeod is Committee Chairman for the municipal year and, as such, Liaison Officer on behalf of the Harwich Town Council for this scheme. No response or current information is received regarding the CPI.

E06/10 TREE PLANTING PROGRAMME 2009/2010 – 2010/2011
Further to minute E22/09 the Committee would like the tree wardens, Mrs Marianne Lungley and Ms Susan Smith, and Councillor Tyrer, to look at the possibility of planting trees near to the Lifeboat Museum in Harwich and on the piece of land at the rear of the Putting Green in Dovercourt with a view that this be included in the 2010/2011 Programme. The tree wardens commented as to how few trees are planted on roadsides/pathways in this area. They also informed the Committee that wild plants, which had traditionally been left to grow until seeded near to the redundant toilets building at Dovercourt Park, are now being cut before flowering and requested that TDC be asked if they would cut in this area just once or twice each year for the benefit of
wildlife and the environment.
RESOLVED: Councillor Tyrer said that she and the tree wardens are meeting with Trevor Mills (TDC Parks and Gardens) in the near future and will includes these matters for consideration.

E07/10 RE-SITING OF ZEBRA CROSSING
Further to minute E24/09 Councillor Tyrer and Sergeant M Leach met with Jenny Hill (HT Engineer at ECC). Jenny Hill said that the Highways Department will not site a zebra crossing so close to a roundabout and that nothing is planned pending what may be built upon the redundant Harwich Hospital and Health Centre sites.
RESOLVED: To retain the matter on the Agenda for the foreseeable future.

E08/10 HARWICH IN BLOOM
Further to minute E25/09 grant approved and given to the Harwich Society for £1200.

E09/10 TRAFFIC SPEEDS IN BARRACK LANE, HARWICH
A speed survey was undertaken by Highways and Transportation ECC and results were sent to Councillor J Brown on 18th March 2010. The survey showed no significant speeding problem but the outcome is not conducive to reports received by the Town Council. The question was raised as to whether the surveillance had taken place in areas less problematic.
RESOLVED: Councillor Payne said he will include this area for discussion with Highways and Transportation.

E10/10 ROUNDABOUT IMPROVEMENTS
Councillor Callender said that because local sponsorship is not found to be a satisfactory solution he will speak with “Heritage and Arts” regarding potential investment/interest and also make enquiries with a specialist company.
RESOLVED: Councillor Callender to investigate as above.

E11/10 EXTRA LITTER BINS
A letter from Mr David Smith was passed on to this Committee from full Council regarding generated litter by pupils on their way to and from the Harwich School in Hall Lane, Dovercourt. Councillor Tyrer said that she is aware of similar problems at schools elsewhere and where students have been asked to assist in clearing rubbish in the vicinity of their school and perhaps this idea may be adopted at Harwich School.
RESOLVED: The Clerk to write to the Headmaster at Harwich School informing him of complaints from residents and ask whether the School may take part in organising clearance on a regular basis.

E12/10 HIGHWAYS AND SIGNAGE HARWICH AND DOVERCOURT
In many cases the signage is broken, unclear or wrongly positioned.
RESOLVED: Councillor Callender will include in talks with TDC.

E13/10 BUS SHELTERS
Reparation of damaged shelters is ongoing by TDC but the problem of vandalism continues and discussion ensued as to whether T DC may use a more vandal-proof material.
RESOLVED: Councillor Callender to speak to the appropriate department at TDC.

E14/10 TEMPORARY ROAD CLOSURES
It was noted –

• Harwich Rotary Club Sea Festival 0700 hours – 1900 hours on Sunday 25th July
• Harwich Childrens’ Carnival 1430 – 1530 hours on 9th July

E15/10 MATTERS RECEIVED IN POST

• Letter received from ECC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation (24th
  May) regarding the Highways Community Initiative Scheme informing Town
  Councillors that the Scheme was envisaged for a limited period and has met demand
  for a number of local schemes and, as the objective is now largely achieved, the
  Scheme will cease following delivery of this year’s programme.
• Letter from ECC Highways Manager regarding disabled parking spaces was passed
  to Committee members and further perusal available the Town Clerk’s office
• Letter from ECC Highways Manager regarding proposed build-outs, school crossing
  patrol site at Chase Lane, circulated and it was agreed to be a positive way forward in
  slowing traffic.

E16/10 SUNDIAL FOR 1952 FLOOD VICTIMS
Councillor Payne informed the Committee that a memorial sundial for 1953 flood victims was to be sited in the garden surrounding Harwich County Primary School (budget approximately £1000) but permission has been denied by ECC Highways Department. Councillor Payne said that the grassed area at Timberfields, opposite the 1912 Centre, in Wellington Road, Harwich, is being considered as an alternative site.
RESOLVED: Councillor Payne will endeavour to gain permission from the Highways Department as above.

E17/10 DATE OF EXT MEETING
A date for the next meeting is yet to be identified.

The meeting closed at 7.40 pm.