Full Council Minutes 17th October 2006
AT A MEETING of HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
held at THE GUILDHALL, HARWICH, ESSEX on
TUESDAY 17 TH OCTOBER 2006 at 7.05pm.
PRESENT
The Mayor of Harwich Councillor J Thurlow in the Chair
The Deputy Mayor Councillor D McLeod
Councillors:
W Bleakley
A Morrison
V Williams
L Double
M Gardner
W Rose
J Ford
P Brand
G Calver
M Gibbins
H MarkhamLee
Clerk to the Council Mrs E Novorol
Assistant to the Clerk to the Council Mrs S Anderson
Also present was one member of the press
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Payne and Henderson
62/06 PRAYERS
Prayers were said by Reverend Erwin Lammens
63/06 REPRESENTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
None
64/06 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
65/06 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave details of engagements undertaken since the last meeting.
66/06 MINUTES
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on the 5 th September 2006 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman and signed as a true record.
67/06 GRASS CUTTING DOVERCOURT SEAFRONT
Further to minute 47/06, a letter from Tendring District Council was considered. RESOLVED: to write to Tendring District Council asking if there is a set schedule for grass cutting and if so, requesting a copy.
68/06 PUBLIC CONVENIENCES DOVERCOURT SEAFRONT
Further to minute 49/06, a response from Tendring District Council was read out to members.
RESOLVED: to write to Tendring District Council expressing this Council’s belief that Harwich has been treated unfairly in having its overwhelming need for new toilets set aside in favour of Frinton. The letter is to request that funding to provide Dovercourt Bay with a new seafront toilet block be allocated within the next budget.
69/06 SEAFRONT SAFETY
With reference to minute 51/06, the response from Tendring District Council regarding provision of hand railing on promenades at Harwich was noted. Appreciation of the amount of detail contained within the letter was expressed.
70/06 FUNDING OF DENTISTRY
A response from Tendring NHS Primary Care Trust regarding minute 52/06, funding of dentistry, was read to members.
RESOLVED: to write to the PCT, enclosing a copy of their reply, and ask what level of service can
Clearsprings practice provide to residents of Harwich and Dovercourt through the allocated funding. Also, to write to the new body, North East Essex PCT, and request that their Chief Executive visit a future meeting of Harwich Town Council.
71/06 INVESTMENT FOR HARWICH AND DOVERCOURT
Further to minute 57/06, a reply from the Leader of Tendring District Council was considered.
RESOLVED: to reply, enclosing a copy of the letter from Tendring District Council dated 15 th December 2005, advising the Leader of the Council that the recent response does not square with the former comments.
72/06 COX’S POND
Reference minute 22/06, the response from Tendring District Council was noted.
73/06 FRIENDS OF THE EARTH/UPGRADING OF THE A120
Councillors were advised that no response has been received from Friends of the Earth since providing them with a copy of the statistics on collisions on the A120.
RESOLVED: to again write to Friends of the Earth, marking the letter for the attention of Mr Tony Juniper, demanding a response.
74/06 PROVISION FOR PETANQUES
The meeting was advised that an opportunity had arisen to obtain funding for the provision of a petanque facility at the putting greens.
RESOLVED: that Councillor Double can bid for funding from the East Area Forums and utilise the budget surplus from this season’s leisure facilities to go ahead with this initiative.
75/06 LIME COURT/STAFFING ISSUES
Members considered a letter from staff employed at Lime Court outlining the situation with new contracts of employment under TUPE transfer. Subject to the Local Government Act 1972 and supporting case law, a council cannot lawfully decide any matter not specified on the agenda. The Chairman agreed to take the item and after a full debate on the contents of the letter and a recent
motion carried at a meeting of the County Council it was RESOLVED: to write to Essex County Council advising them that Harwich Town Council totally support the enquiry into this situation and request for it to be as rigorous and open as possible. Also, to write to Excelcare, with a copy to Lime Court Dovercourt Healthcare Ltd., requesting that no further action regarding contracts and terms of employment be taken until Essex County Council’s enquiry is completed.
FURTHER RESOLVED: to write to both the proposer and seconder of the County Council motion advising of the support of Harwich Town Council.
76/06 ENVIRONMENT AND HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE
Councillor Williams presented the minutes of the meeting held on 19 th September 2006. RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
77/06 CARS FOR SALE MAIN ROAD/TOP AINGER ROAD DOVERCOURT
Reference minute E07/06, Harwich Town Council welcome Essex County Council’s decision.
RESOLVED: to write to Harwich Police asking them to ensure that there is no obstruction at this junction until Essex County Council have taken action.
78/06 TREES IN HARBOUR CRESCENT
Reference minute E20/06, damage to pathways and the highway by trees in Harbour Crescent was considered.
RESOLVED: It was agreed that remedial action was needed with a scheme for replacing any lost trees, possibly on the grass area in front of the wooden ‘Norwegian’ houses and the mound adjacent Old London Road. Councillor Double to pursue the matter with Essex County Council.
79/06 HILL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Councillor Brand presented the minutes of the meeting held on 27 th September, 2006. RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
80/06 ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
Councillor Markham Lee presented the minutes of the meeting held on 27 th September, 2006.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted except to amend minute A30/06, Vacant Positions for CoOpted Members to read minute A30A/06.
Councillor Double declared a personal interest in A27/06.
81/06 FINANCIAL UPDATE
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets and earmarked funds were noted.
82/06 EXTERNAL AUDIT
The Clerk advised that the Annual Return of the External Audit for the year ended 31 st March 2006 has been signed off by the external auditors with two comments. A review of the Standing Orders/Financial Regulations and a Financial Risk Assessment to be carried out before the end of the current financial year.
83/06 RETIREMENT OF MR BADEN RUDLAND CRUCIFER OF ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH
A letter from Mr Baden Rudland, advising of his retirement as Crucifer of St. Nicholas Church was read to members.
RESOLVED: to ask Mr Rudland to attend the next meeting of the Full Council, when he will be
presented with a Town Plaque by the Mayor and the High Steward.
84/06 NALC ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Clerk gave a brief report on her attendance of the Annual Conference of the NALC. Councillors were also advised that the Clerk had attended a short course on Budgets and Precepts and the Annual Conference of the SLCC.
RESOLVED: that the Clerk register for the Essex Equals Five course to obtain the CiLCA qualification and subsequently Quality Parish Status for Harwich Town Council.
85/06 EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC AND PRESS
RESOLVED: that pursuant to Section 1 of Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, the meeting is closed to the press and public for the transaction of the under mentioned business:
Recruitment of the Assistant to the Clerk to the Council.