Environment Minutes 12th March 2014
MINUTES of the Meeting of the ENVIRONMENT & COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
held at
The Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich
on
Wednesday 12th March 2014 at 7.00pm
| Present: | Councillors Todd, McLeod, Brown, I Henderson, C Powell, Flavell, King, F Powell and Day |
| In the Chair: | Councillor Fowler |
| Clerk: | Mrs Michelle Townsend |
| Also present: | Paul Preece, Horticultural Adviser No members of the public or press |
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME:
None
| E66/13 | APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were received from the Horticultural Adviser Chris Greenfield |
| E67/13 | DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS None |
| E68/13 | MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING RESOLVED that the minutes of the Environment & Community meeting held on 8th January 2014(previously circulated) be approved by the Committee and signed by the Chairman as a true record. |
| E69/13 | MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES E61/13 – A replacement tree will be planted in St Austin’s Lane Car Park within the next month. E62/13 – Community notice board has been delivered to TDC. They intend to install the notice board at the agreed location in Main Road, along with 2 benches and a pathway. Work to be carried out early in the next financial year. E64/13 – Alleyways – Bathside – Following information received from Essex Highways, TDC have confirmed that ECC are responsible for weeding and surface maintenance and TDC are responsible for clearing fly tipping and street sweeping. Members thanked Councillor Todd for his efforts with this matter. E64/13 – It was agreed at Full Council that HTC would fund an additional Tourism Map to be sited on the wall of the Amusement Arcade. |
| E70/13 | PUTTING GREEN Councillor C Powell confirmed that specifications for the new shed had been submitted to TDC and members were advised of the approximate costs for the shed, flag pole and soft tennis area. Recommendations from the working party were discussed. RESOLVED: Clerk to write letter to ECH /Parking Partnership to request the parking restriction to be lifted in The Drive and Seafield AvenueFURTHER RESOLVED: To request F&GP Committee to consider running a promotion/loyalty card to encourage regular use of the putting green facility. |
| E71/13 | LOCAL HIGHWAYS PANEL Councillor I Henderson updated Members on the projects being dealt with by the panel. Members agreed for Councillor Flavell to represent Harwich Town Council at the next LHP, where the issue of traffic calming measures for Historic Harwich area would be reviewed. Councillor Flavell wishes to ask the panel to consider 20mph advisory signage, which although police cannot control, it will aid as a warning. Members agreed with the proposal to site 20mph signs in strategic places to act as a traffic calming measure.Councillor McLeod raised the lack of visibility at the end of Church Street and proposed that the Committee submit a request for the priority to be changed from Wellington Road to Church Street. Councillor C Powell abstained from the vote. RESOLVED: Cllr M Fowler to produce photos of the area and Clerk to submit report to the County Councillor for consideration at the next LHP. Councillor Bass’ reply regarding the effectiveness of the LHP was noted. Councillor I Henderson asked the Committee to consider a ‘Speed Watch Group’ at a future meeting. RESOLVED: Information to be gathered and placed on the next agenda for consideration. |
| E72/13 | EMERGENCY PLANNINGThe Chairman and Clerk provided feedback following their attendance on a workshop run by EALC. Consideration was given on how HTC can support the District Council, Emergency Services and the Environment Agency. RESOLVED: Working Party established to compile HTC’s Emergency Plan. Working party to include Cllr McLeod, Cllr Flavell, Cllr I Henderson and Cllr R Day and an invitation to be extended to Damian Williams (TDC). |
| E73/13 | HARWICH SIGNAGE ON A120Members reviewed feedback from ECC regarding the possibility of siting a tourist sign on the A120 to promote Dovercourt Bay and Historic Harwich. RESOLVED: Cllr M Fowler to produce a ‘design’ and Clerk to obtain approximate costs. |
| E74/13 | CYCLING IN HARWICH & DOVERCOURT Continuing with the success of Tour de Tending, the launch of Harwich Festival of the Arts and the Women’s Cycle event, Councillor D Flavell asked members to put forward suggestions for encouraging and promoting cycling in our area which can then be considered at the next committee meeting. |
| E75/13 | CLOSURE OF TRINITY HOUSE CAR PARK AT WEEKENDS & PUBLIC HOLIDAYSFollowing the closure to the public of this well used car park, Councillor Flavell asked members to consider asking Trinity House to open the car park for certain local events.
RESOLVED: Clerk to write to Trinity House. |
| E76/13 | TREE PLANTING & OUTDOOR SPACESFollowing concerns raised by Cllr J Henderson, Mr Preece highlighted the poor state of the hedging surrounding the putting green, damage predominately caused by flooding in that area and people using it as a short cut.
Paul Preece updated members with details of the outstanding planting budget and his suggestions for future planting at the putting green and Victoria Gardens. Members were made aware that TDC were unable to maintain the planting in Victoria Gardens, however the Horticultural Adviser confirmed that he had gained the support from a group of local volunteers. RESOLVED: Clerk to proceed with ordering and planting the recommended hebe plants from TDC at a cost of £190.50. FURTHER RESOLVED: HTC to provide TDC with £600 towards the cost of planting at the putting green on the following conditions: – TDC will plant the new hedging and remove any dead wood – Any plants stolen or damaged in the future are replaced Members thanked Paul and the Assistant Clerk their time and recommendations submitted. |
| E77/13 | PROPOSAL FOR BUOY AT GAS HOUSE CREEK The Clerk and Councillor Flavell provided a progress report and highlighted the problems encountered with obtaining the relevant confirmation of ownership/control of the land and relevant approvals for the siting. ECH had now confirmed ownership of the land which will allow the planning permission to be submitted.RESOLVED: Councillor Flavell and Assistant Clerk to continue progressing with the project and submit the relevant applications for permissions. |
| E78/13 | MATTERS RECEIVED IN THE POST OR RAISED BY MEMBERS • Cllr McLeod expressed his dissatisfaction with the repair work to the speed management hump situated along the seafront. |
| E79/13 | DATE OF NEXT MEETING To be advised. |
The Chairman closed the meeting at 20.52pm