Full Council Minutes 20th February 2007
AT A MEETING of HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
held at THE GUILDHALL, HARWICH, ESSEX on
TUESDAY 20 th FEBRUARY 2007 at 6.58pm.
PRESENT
The Mayor of Harwich Councillor J Thurlow in the Chair
Councillors:
W Bleakley
V Williams
L Double
M Gardner
W Rose
P Brand
M Gibbins
D Rutson
H MarkhamLee
L Payne
GJ Ford
G Calver
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 The Deputy
Mayor, Councillor McLeod and Councillor Henderson
129/06 REPRESENTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
None
130/06 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor MarkhamLee declared that he is a member of the Licensing Committee. Councillor Calver declared an interest regarding the sea defence gates and beach huts.
Councillors Double and Brand declared a personal interest in Harwich Connexions Tourist Information Centre.
131/06 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave details of engagements undertaken since
the last meeting.
132/06 MINUTES
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on the 9th January 2007 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman and signed as a true record.
133/06 REMOVAL OF ROSE BEDS
Reference minute 114/06, the response from Tendring District Council was noted.
134/06 PUBLIC CONVENIENCES DOVERCOURT SEAFRONT
Further to minute 115/06, Councillors noted the response from Tendring District Council. An email from the Beach Hut Association was read out and councillors agreed with the comments. RESOLVED: to write to Mr. Stephen Sparrow, Assistant Head of Environmental Services at Tendring District Council, thanking him for his letter, enclosing a copy of the email and advising him that this council concur with the proposals of the Beach Hut Association. Also stating that Harwich Town Council is open to further consultation as the scheme progresses.
135/06 CARS FOR SALE TOP OF AINGER ROAD
Further to minute 117/06, the response from Tendring District Council was noted and members thanked Councillor Rose for his efforts in resolving this problem.
136/06 SEA DEFENCE GATES
With reference to minute 119/06, the reply from Tendring District Council was considered and it was
RESOLVED: to write to Tendring District Council pointing out that not all the issues in the request from this council have been addressed. Also, again asking for consideration of a reduction in costs to beach hut owners.
137/06 NORTH EAST ESSEX PRIMARY CARE TRUST
Members were advised that Dr. Paul Zollinger Read has agreed to a meeting with Harwich Town Council on 20th March, 2007.
138/06 NHS COMMISSIONERS
A member informed the council that nonexecutive directors were now being appointed and that there is a possibility that none will be from Tendring. The Clerk advised the meeting 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 and it was RESOLVED: to write to the NHS Commissioners asking if Tendring is represented on the new PCT.
139/06 HANDRAILING AT HARWICH PROMENADE
Reference minute 69/06; the notification of installation of handrailing was read to members.
140/06 PETANQUES TERRAIN
Members considered the update regarding the bid for funding for a petanques terrain and expressed thanks to Councillor Double and Harwich Connexions on their efforts for this and other schemes within the town. It was noted that the petanques, which can be enjoyed by all ages, will be an extension to the leisure facilities administered by Harwich Town Council.
RESOLVED: for this council to provide £4000 in addition to £5000 from Essex County Council’s East Area Forum and £2500 from Harwich Connexions/EEDA. Also, to write to Harwich Connexions, thanking them for their work on the ‘Beside the Seaside’ project.
141/06 MOBILE LIBRARY
The notification from Essex County Council regarding revised criteria for a review of the mobile library provision was noted.
142/06 ENVIRONMENT AND HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE
Councillor Williams presented the minutes of the meeting held on 23rd January, 2007.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
143/06 ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
Councillor MarkhamLee presented the minutes of the meeting held on 6 th February. 2007.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
144/06 HARWICH REGENERATION GROUP
A member advised the meeting that there will be another public consultation regarding the Harwich Streetscape Design. The Clerk advised the meeting 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 and it was RESOLVED: to write to Councillor Payne advising that the partnership may use the Guildhall, providing it is available, for the display for the public consultation.
145/06 INTERNAL AUDITORS REPORT
The Internal Auditors Report (previously circulated) was noted.
146/06 FINANCIAL UPDATE
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets and earmarked funds were noted.
147/06 THE LICENSING ACT 2003
Applications in respect of open land (Harwich Green, Cliff Park, The Retreat and Low Road recreation ground and greensward were noted.
148/06 REVISED MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY MEMBERS
Noted.
149/06 PARTY IN THE PARK
Councillors were advised of the proposed date of 4th August 2007 for Party in the Park which would coincide with BBC Essex Pirate Station’s 40 years celebration, and that this would be the theme.
RESOLVED: to support the event which is free to the public.
150/06 HARWICH CONNEXIONS TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE
The Tourist Information Centre Budget 2006/2007 was considered. RESOLVED: that Harwich Town Council is minded to fully fund, if necessary, the £14000 shortfall. This council will fund £7000 of this immediately with a request to Tendring District Council to matchfund. If this is not offered, Harwich Town Council will underwrite the shortfall from its S137 budget.
151/06 PEOPLE’S GARDEN DOVERCOURT SEAFRONT
A member raised the possibility of creating a Memorial Garden on the cliffs at Dovercourt seafront.
RESOLVED: to write to Tendring District Council requesting consideration of such a scheme where townsfolk could plant a rose, for example, with adjacent plaques to be viewed from Marine Parade.
152/06 MEETINGS AT THE GUILDHALL
Requests from Nacro Support and Advice Group and The Harwich Conservation Panel to hold meetings at the Guildhall during 2007 were considered.
RESOLVED: to allow use of the Guildhall for the meetings as requested.
153/06 LOCAL ELECTIONS
A member informed the meeting that he understands it is the intention of Tendring District Council to centralise the count for the local elections on May 3 rd at Clacton Leisure Centre, forcing Harwich Town Council to go to Clacton for the results. The Clerk advised the meeting 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 and it was RESOLVED: to write to the District Council advising them that this has been brought to the notice of Harwich Town Council and that this council is absolutely opposed to such a decision and considers it an affront the dignity of the town. Also, to state that it is the expectation that the count for this area takes place on the night of the election.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.48pm.