Full Council Minutes 14th November 2007
AT A MEETING of HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
held at 1912 CENTRE, HARWICH, ESSEX
on WEDNESDAY 14th November at 7.15pm.
PRESENT
The Mayor Councillor D McLeod in the Chair
The Deputy Mayor Councillor D Rutson
Councillors:
B Brown
J Brown
S Tyrer
J Wares
L Double
A Colbourne
G Calver
M Gardner
L Payne
Assistant to the Clerk to the Council Mrs S Anderson
Also present were one member of the press and three members of the public.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Henderson, Morrison, Callender, Howlett and Burke
Prayers were said by the Reverend E Lammens.
97/07 REPRESENTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
None
98/07 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
99/07 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave details of engagements undertaken since the last meeting including his recent visit to Mayflower School to receive a £250 donation towards Christmas lights.
RESOLVED: to write a letter of thanks.
100/07 MINUTES
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meetings held on the 3rd October and 1st November 2007 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman and signed as a true record.
101/07 RHYME AGAINST CRIME
The meeting was advised that, 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. A member formerly announced the closure of ‘Rhyme Against Crime’. Councillor Calver advised the Committee that although the scheme had been successfully running for 12 years, the schools have proposed to try running another Crime Prevention initiative of a similar nature. The Committee gave a vote of thanks to Councillor Calver for all his efforts and hard work over the last 12 years.
RESOLVED: to write letters of thanks to everyone concerned who has been involved in the success of ‘Rhyme Against Crime’ over the last 12 years.
102/07 CCTV COVERAGE AT STATIONS SERVING HARWICH
A letter from One Railway, addressing issues raised by the Committee, was read to the meeting.
103/07 ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
Councillor J Brown presented the minutes of the meeting held on the 25th October 2007.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
104/07 FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE
Councillor Wares presented the minutes of the meeting held on 29th October 2007.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted with amendments to: F26/07 to delete all of the wording after the figure (£500). F27/07 The committee requested for Councillor Wares to arrange a meeting with Teen Talk and to take whatever urgent action was necessary before 31st December. F28/07 to amend the resolution to recommend as follows: s.137 funding of £2280.00.
105/07 SPECIAL MEETING OF HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
Councillor McLeod presented the minutes of the special meeting held on the 1st November 2007.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
106/07 BRIEF REPORT OF MEMBERS
Councillor Colbourne gave details of the Merchant Navy Association meeting and thanked the committee for use of the Guildhall.
Councillor B Brown read a report, on behalf of Councillor Howlett, as to the current position of Teen
Talk. Councillor Calver raised concerns of the failure of Harwich Town Council’s representative to inform the council of the crisis and confirmed that the Council did not criticise Teen Talk at their last meeting.
Councillor Wares confirmed that Harwich and District Community Association had no problems and were doing a wonderful job.
Councillor Tyrer gave a report on a recent meeting with the Harwich Conservation Panel covering various issues.
Councillor Rutson gave a brief report on a meeting with Tourist Information Centre.
107/07 HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL NEWSLETTER
Councillor Double advised the meeting that as the Clerk has passed her CiLCA examination, the Harwich Town Newsletter would be the last link in the chain to achieve Parish Council Status. RESOLVED: that a small editorial board be formed, consisting of three Councillors and the Clerk. RESOLVED: for the item be referred back to the Finance and General Purposes Committee.
108/07 HIGH STEWARD OF HARWICH – PERSONALISED NOTEPAPER
The Committee considered the request from the High Steward to use Harwich Town Council crest on personalised notepaper. RESOLVED: to agree to the request.
109/07 FINANCIAL UPDATE
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets and earmarked funds were noted.
110/07 THE LICENSING ACT 2003
Application for variation of premises licence from The Billy, 65 West Street, Harwich was noted.
RESOLVED: to contact Tendring District Council objecting to the variation.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.50pm