Full Council Minutes 11th July 2007
AT A MEETING of HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
held at 1912 CENTRE, HARWICH, ESSEX
on WEDNESDAY11th JULY at 7.55pm.
PRESENT
The Mayor Councillor D McLeod in the Chair
The Deputy Mayor Councillor D Rutson
Councillors:
B Brown
B Howlett
S Tyrer
P Burke
J Wares
M Gardner
L Payne
A Colbourne
The Clerk to the Council Mrs E Novorol
Also present were one member of the press and one member of the public.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L Double, J Brown, R Callender, G Calver, A Morrison and S Henderson
Prayers were said by the Reverend E Lammens
38/07 REPRESENTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
None
39/07 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
40/07 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave details of engagements undertaken since the last meeting.
41/07 MINUTES
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on the 30th May 2007 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman and signed as a true record.
42/07 SEA DEFENCE GATES AND CAR PARKING
Further to minute 16/07, the response from Tendring District Council was considered.
RESOLVED: to keep all correspondence regarding this matter on file for future reference.
43/07 LOCAL ELECTIONS
Ref. minute 19/07, the response from the Returning Officer was noted.
44/07 MILTON ROAD CAR PARK
Reference minute 20/07, the reply from Tendring District Council was noted.
45/07 HIGH STEWARD OF HARWICH
Further to minute 24/07, a letter from Mrs Molly Bleakley regarding the appointment of a new High Steward was read to the meeting with many members expressing appreciation of her comments. A letter from Mr Chris Strachan, accepting the offer of the new appointment was also read.
46/07 INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL
RESOLVED: to accept the recommendations regarding an increase in the members’ allowance to £726.00.
47/07 HILL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Councillor B Howlett presented the minutes of the meeting held on 20 th June, 2007.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
48/07 GUILDHALL COMMITTEE
Councillor M Gardner presented the minutes of the meeting held on 20th June, 2007.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
49/07 ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
Councillor M Gardner presented the minutes of the meeting held on 27th June, 2007.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
50/07 BRIEF REPORT OF MEMBERS
Councillor D Rutson reported that he had attended the concert given by the Dutch Choir and the Firefighters award evening. Councillor B Howlett reported on his attendance of the meeting of the Museums in Essex at Wakes Colne. A discussion regarding the value of Harwich Town Council being a member of this organisation followed and Councillor Howlett advised the meeting of the forthcoming link between the County Council and China with the potential of to involve local schools.
51/07 INTERNAL AUDIT
The Internal Auditor’s report was noted.
52/07 FINANCIAL UPDATE
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets and earmarked funds were noted.
53/07 A120 HARE GREEN TO HARWICH
Councillor D McLeod reminded members of the ongoing concerns of Harwich Town Council regarding the need for upgrading of the A120.
RESOLVED: to write to the Highways Agency asking them to expedite improvements for the safety of all users and for the benefit of the port.
54/07 FUTURE OF THE MAYORAL SELECTION PROCESS
Councillor B Howlett advised the meeting that, during his election campaign, he had received enquiries from local residents regarding the nature of the process of selecting the Mayor and comments that it was not democratic and was carried out behind closed doors. Councillor J Wares referred to the Charter outlining the rules that the Mayor should be an elected member of the Council. Councillor L Payne pointed out that the process cannot be changed without changing the law. The Clerk to the Council quoted Part I, section 15 (1) of the Local Government Act 1972, which states that ‘The chairman of a parish council shall be elected annually by the council from among the councillors’.
55/07 MAYOR’S VISIT TO JAMESTOWN, U.S.A.
Councillor D McLeod, in referring to his intended visit to Jamestown in September 2007, asked for the backing of the Council to attend as Mayor of Harwich.
RESOLVED: that Harwich Town Council supports the visit as Mayor of Harwich providing that a formal invitation has been received from Jamestown.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.47pm.