Environment Minutes 15th July 2014
MINUTES of the Meeting of the ENVIRONMENT & COMMUNITY COMMITTEE
held at
The Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich
on
Wednesday 15th July 2014 at 7.00pm
| Present: | Councillors Brown (arrived at 7.15pm), F Powell, Flavell, King, and McLeod |
| In the Chair: | Councillor Fowler |
| Clerk: | Mrs Michelle Townsend |
| Also present: | Horticultural Adviser Paul Preece and Councillor G Calver No members of the public or press |
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME:
None
| E17/14 | APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Apologies were received from the Horticultural Adviser Chris Greenfield and Councillors I Henderson, Day, Todd and Thompson. |
| E18/14 | DECLARATIONS OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS None |
| E19/14 | MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING RESOLVED that the minutes of the Environment & Community meeting held on 20th May 2014(previously circulated) be approved by the Committee and signed by the Chairman as a true record. |
| E20/14 | MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES E06/14 – Tree Planting & Outdoor Spaces – TDC have confirmed that 1 tree has been planted in Wellington Road Car Park opposite The Esplanade School and has asked HTC to identify a further planting location for an additional tree to be planted in the autumn. E07/14 – Asset of Community Value – Full Council ratified the decision of the E&C Committee to nominate the Trafalgar Public House as an Asset of Community Value. Clerk is working with a representative of CAMRA to compile and submit justification. E08/14 – Putting Green (lifting of parking restrictions) – Ian Taylor has indicated that support would be given but would need to follow the correct procedures for submitting a Traffic Regulation Order request to the NEPP who will then consult with TDC. TRO submitted 9th July 2014. E11/14 – Cycling in Harwich & Dovercourt – Reply from TDC was noted regarding request for a thorough clean of the cycle route to be undertaken. |
| E21/14 | MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES E62/13 – Community Notice Board – Installed and successfully being utilised by local organisations to promote their events. E73/13 – Harwich Signage on A120 – Request for sign and costs were submitted to ECH. Members reviewed the reply received and considered the viability of the project but felt that no further action was appropriate. . E71/14 – LHP Referral Change of Priority – Church Street – Submitted to the Local Highways Panel. Next meeting is scheduled for 18th September 2014 |
| E22/14 | TREE PLANTING & OUTDOOR SPACES Paul Preece confirmed that all trees recently planted are doing well with the exception of the tamerous along the sea front which is showing no life at all. PROPOSED: Clerk to send a letter to TDC requesting the tree to be replaced.Following the issues with replacing the tree which was situated in St Austin’s Lane Car Park, TDC has agreed to provide and plant an additional tree. RESOLVED: To request TDC to plant a tree of their choice in Cox’s Pond by the memorial bench. Clerk gave Members a brief update on future ideas currently being worked on by Chris Greenfield which will also include planting to commemorate WW1. |
| E23/14 | BROOKLYN ROAD/OAKLAND ROAD Councillor Calver briefed Members over concerns raised by local residents regarding the traffic layout and public safety and requested for the matter to be referred to the LHP for an investigation to be conducted of the area to assess what improvements could be made to traffic flow and safety. RESOLVED: In consultation with Councillor Calver, Clerk to submit a referral to the Local Highways Panel. |
| E24/14 | PUTTING GREEN Due to work constraints, TDC were unable to provide time to secure firm costings for HTC’s wish list, however, work on this project will be schedule for late August. |
| E25/14 | WINTER SALT BAG SCHEME Members wished to partake in this scheme however, storage at the Kingsway Hall would not be possible this year. Suggested new locations were provided and the Clerk agreed to pass to Lesley Pollard, H&D Partnership.RESOLVED: In consultation with Mrs Pollard, a new location is to be secured and proceed with submitting application for the Winter Salt Bag Scheme. |
| E26/14 | LOCAL HIGHWAYS PANEL The next meeting of the LHP will be on 18th September 2014. Councillors expressed their dissatisfaction with proposed projects which do not seem to coming into fruition.PROPOSED: Clerk to write to the LHP expressing HTC’s disappointment with the lack of action taken and request implementation dates. |
| E27/14 | TDC EMERGENCY PLANNING MEETING The Chairman gave brief feedback following the last meeting attended. Cllrs McLeod and King agreed to attend the next meeting on 9th September and represent HTC.RESOLVED: Cllrs Fowler and F Powell to design an Emergency Planning information page for HTC and set out template for contents. Costs for creation and publication to the website to be obtained and passed to F&GP Committee for consideration. |
| E28/14 | EMERGENCY PLANNINGThe working party confirmed that they have collated emergency/essential contacts and worked out a suggested communication tree for HTC to cascade information. The next meeting is scheduled for 31st July and will be attended by Damian Williams to complete the draft plan and discuss the way forward with the flood siren.
RESOLVED: Cllr Flavell to chair the Emergency Planning Working Party. |
| E29/14 | RURAL PROJECTS PANELMembers reviewed and noted correspondence received regarding the Rural Projects Panel. It was agreed that there were no issues to be submitted at present. RESOLVED: Clerk to reply thanking TDC for the update. |
| E30/14 | PROPOSAL FOR BUOY AT GAS HOUSE CREEK The Clerk updated Members with ECH’s list of conditions in relation to the planning application. RESOLVED: To request an extension for the planning application and enquire whether permission can be granted with conditions. FURTHER RESOLVED: Clerk to arrange a meeting with relevant parties to include a representatives from HTC, ECH, TDC and Trinity House. |
| E31/14 | CYCLING ALONG THE SEAFRONTCllr Flavell wished to continue promoting and improving cycling in our area and asked for support with requesting TDC to re-evaluate the cycling restrictions along the sea front.
PROPOSED: Clerk to write to TDC and ask for a meeting to be held with a HTC representative to discuss and consider a review of the current restrictions. |
| E32/14 | PLACEMENT OF ADDITIONAL PICNIC TABLES ON HARWICH GREEN Cllr Flavell confirmed that he had discussed in principle, HTC purchasing a picnic table to be placed on Harwich Green and TDC have agreed to install. RESOLVED:Clerk to obtain approval from TDC for the siting and style of picnic bench. FURTHER RESOLVED: Once relevant approvals have been obtained, Clerk to place an order for agreed bench up to the value of £400 and liaise with TDC for the installation. |
| E33/14 | MATTERS RECEIVED IN THE POST OR RAISED BY MEMBERS•Cllr J Henderson, Flavell and Fowler will be attending the TDC Seafronts User Group on Thursday. Cllr McLeod asked them to gain an update on the application for additional beach huts along the seafront. |
| E34/14 | DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Environment & Community Committee will be held at the Guildhall, Church Street, Harwich on 23rd September 2014 at 7pm. |
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.42pm