Environment & Community Minutes – 19th November 2020

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Environment & Community meeting held on
20^th July 20 (previously circulated) be approved by the committee and signed by the Chairman as a true record.

Cheryl Thompson provided the following report:
• Cliff Park retained its Green Flag.
•There is a new way of working for the TDC horticultural team.  If Clacton is turning out summer plants and planting for winter, then all the teams assemble to help in Clacton.  Likewise, if the same tasks are done in Harwich, they will all assist.
•The area which was at one time the site of The Royal flats, close to the Old Bank, is now going to be planted by the TDC team on a regular basis.  The new Mayflower information notice board may be moved somewhere else.
•The Mayflower willow ship has not showed any signs of life even after five inches+ of rain this October.  The TDC team are not aware of anything planned for its future.
•There are quite a lot of brown tail moth caterpillar ‘tents’ in evidence around Harwich and Dovercourt.

Members asked for the following feedback to be passed to TDC along with confirmation of the points also listed below:

•HTC welcome the improvements and give consent for the memorial to be moved to the centre of the circular design.
•Design to include an audio post, with plaque confirming that the post was funded by Harwich Haven Authority.

•TDC to confirm that they will take responsibility for the maintenance, upkeep, and tidiness of the site.

•Confirmation of proposed date for commencement of work and completion of the project.  HTC would like to see this project started imminently.

•HTC to receive regular updates and all parties involved (HTC and HHA) to be included with information sourcing, and community involvement/publicity.

•HTC to provide £3700 funding towards the improvements to this area plus £1300 donated by Harwich Haven Authority, subject to an audio post (with a plaque confirming that the post was funded by HHA) being incorporated in to the design and installed.

RESOLVED:  £1000 from Environment Schemes/Project budget to be transferred to the Flood Memorial earmarked fund.

FURTHER RESOLVED:  Clerk to write to Harwich Haven Authority to confirm that they consent to their donation of £1300 (which was made to the Memorial Garden Project), to be earmarked for an audio post, with a plaque confirming HHA involvement.

FURTHER RESOLVED:  HTC to confirm to TDC that they will provide £3700 funding towards the improvements to this area plus £1300 donated by Harwich Haven Authority, subject to an audio post (with plaque confirming that the post was funded by HHA) being incorporated in to the design and installed, and the above points being confirmed to Harwich Town Council’s satisfaction.

RESOLVED: To request consideration by F&GP committee to investigate a process whereby funds (suggested £1000) could be released immediately in the event of a local or nation emergency.

RESOLVED: Clerk to write to the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Cllr Kevin Bentley and Tom Eng, Assistant Highway Liaison Officer to request a review and change to the current strict criteria which indicated which streets/areas are eligible for traffic calming measures.

RESOLVED: To defer further planting until autumn 2022.

The Clerk provided members with an update on budgets spent year to date and
expenditure due to be incurred for 2020/2021.  Members discussed possible future
projects and proposed budgets for 2021/22.
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND: Budget for the Municipal Year 2021/22

MEMORIAL EARMARKED FUND                                       £     0
(no transfer in, balance to remain at £5115)

ENVIRONMENT SCHEMES/PROJECTS                           £2000
TREE & SHRUB PLANTING                                                £ 300
for emergency replacement/maintenance

EARMARKED FUND – FLOOD MEMORIAL GARDEN      £     0
(no transfer in, balance to remain at £5000 which

includes £1300 gifted by Harwich Haven Authority)

The following update was provided by Cllr I Henderson;

Date of last LHP meeting – 19^th November 2020

•20’s Plenty by Local Schools –

St Joseph’s, The Drive – Cllr Henderson dispute the findings.  The LHP has advised that the location does not meet the criteria as the school’s entrance does not front on to the carriageway. Unfortunately, a decision has been taken by Essex Highways that it will not go ahead.

All Saints, Main Road – Colleagues in the Road Safety Education Team have attempted to contact the school but have not yet had a response.  Due to lack of involvement from the school, a blank sign will be installed.  Guildhall staff have assisted with chasing the missing contact/correspondence.

Harwich & Dovercourt High School, Hall Lane – Colleagues in the Road Safety Education Team have attempted to contact the school but have not yet had a response. Guildhall staff have assisted with chasing the missing contact/correspondence.

Harwich Community, Barrack Lane – Validation recommends proceeding with the design and implementation.  Exact locations to be identified at the design stage.  Funds for this project will come from next year’s budget.

•Parkeston Road – Installation of Zebra Crossing – Awaiting findings from design.  The consultation has taken place however objections have been received.  It will therefore be held up until March/April as the legal team will need to carry out a review and then seek approval from the Portfolio Holder.  As there is no school crossing patrol presently, control lights may need to be installed temporarily.

•Low Road Speed Survey – Still issues with speeding.  This project has now been transferred to TDC because of a new development being built in Low Road.  It is only right and proper that the developer pays for the necessary changes to road layout.  Essex County Council are looking at creating further cycle routes as part of the Government’s Cycle Way initiative and Cllr Henderson has suggested that Low Road is included.

•High Street/Kingsway – In validation.  Speed and volume surveys currently on hold as they would not give a true reflection of normal traffic usage due to Covid-19 and reduction in road use.  Cllr I Henderson has also asked for the team to review the island close to the bend as this is regularly in use and quite dangerous.

Cllr I Henderson wish to thank the Assistant Clerk and Administrative Assistant for their work with the ‘Member Led Pothole Project’.  This took time to collate but has been very successful as most of the highlighted repairs have been carried out.