Full Council Minutes 3rd April 2007
AT A MEETING of HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
held at THE GUILDHALL, HARWICH, ESSEX
on TUESDAY 3rd APRIL 2007 at 7.20pm.
PRESENT
The Mayor of Harwich Councillor J Thurlow in the Chair
The Deputy Mayor, Councillor D McLeod
Councillors:
V Williams
L Double
M Gardner
W Rose
P Brand
D Rutson
H Markham-Lee
L PayneGJ Ford
G Calver
S Henderson
A Morrison from 7.25pm
Clerk to the Council Mrs E Novorol
Also present was one member of the press
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Gibbins
A one minute silence in memory of Councillor William Bleakley was observed.
154/06 PRAYERS
Prayers were said by Reverend Erwin Lammens.
155/06 REPRESENTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
None
156/06 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Calver declared an interest regarding the sea-defence gates and beach huts. Councillor Double declared a personal interest in Harwich Connexions Tourist Information Centre.
157/06 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave details of engagements undertaken since the last meeting.
158/06 MINUTES
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on the 20th February 2007 (previously circulated) be approved by the Chairman and signed as a true record.
159/06 PUBLIC CONVENIENCES DOVERCOURT SEAFRONT
Further to minute 134/06, Councillors noted the response from Tendring District Council.
RESOLVED: to write to Tendring District Council, advising them of this Council’s concerns with the latest proposals and requesting a meeting for consultation regarding what is needed. The invitation is for a working party to meet with Harwich Town Council to ensure that the solution is the correct one.
160/06 SEA-DEFENCE GATES
With reference to minute 136/06, the reply from Tendring District Council was considered and it was RESOLVED: to write to Tendring District Council pointing out that although there may be other areas where beach huts are vulnerable to flooding, the situation at Dovercourt has changed with the loss of the sea-defence gates. The District Council could maintain the gates if no recompense is to be made to beach hut owners who, along with visitors, are going to have to pay
car-parking fees. Also, to advise that these charges are detrimental to local people and visitors and result in an under-used car park and parking in nearby streets.
161/06 HARWICH CONNEXIONS TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE FUNDING SHORTFALL
With reference to minute 150/06, the letters of thanks from the Tourist Information Centre were noted and the response from Tendring District Council was considered. RESOLVED: to write to the District Council expressing the disappointment and
disgust of Harwich Town Council. Also, to ask why large shortfalls at Clacton are funded from reserves but the same cannot be done for this relatively small amount requested by Harwich as the Tourist Information Centre serves not only this town, but the whole of the county. This Council also wishes to know if this funding will be provided in the budget for 2008/09.
162/06 PEOPLE’S GARDEN
Further to minute 151/06, the letter from Tendring District Council was considered.
RESOLVED: to invite Mr Kevin Harkin of the District Council to meet with the Environment and Highways Committee to discuss the concerns of Harwich Town Council and possible solutions.
163/06 LOCAL ELECTIONS
Reference minute 153/06, members considered the response from the Returning Officer regarding the withdrawal of the count from Harwich.
RESOLVED: to write to the Returning Officer and ask him to re-visit his decision for this year. Harwich Town Council feels the decision was taken without considering the impact to the dignity, history and feelings of the town and would like an explanation with regard to the awful nature of the manner in which this Council was informed of the outcome.
164/06 NORTH EAST ESSEX PRIMARY CARE TRUST
A member referred to minute 137/06 and the subsequent visit by Dr. Paul Zollinger-Read to the Guildhall.
RESOLVED: to write to Dr. Zollinger-Read thanking him for his prompt action in issuing reassurances to the media and press regarding the future of Harwich hospital.
165/06 MILTON ROAD CAR PARK
Further to minute 116/06 and the matter of one-hour free parking, members were informed that fencing and gates have been installed at the Milton Road site.
RESOLVED: to ask Tendring District Council to explain why Harwich Town Council was neither informed nor consulted on this and to point out that it may have cost more than a free-parking pilot scheme. Also, to ask at what time the gates are closed and by whom.
166/06 HILL SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Councillor Brand presented the minutes of the meeting held on 13th March, 2007.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
167/06 GUILDHALL COMMITTEE
Councillor Calver presented the minutes of the meeting held on 13th March, 2007.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
168/06 ENVIRONMENT AND HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE Councillor Williams presented the minutes of the meeting held on 26th March, 2007. RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
169/06 FINANCE AND GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE Councillor Double presented the minutes of the meeting held
on 28th March, 2007. RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
170/06 BRIEF REPORT OF MEMBERS
Councillor Morrison gave a brief report on the Harwich International Port Liaison Committee meeting.Councillor Double
advised members that the Annual General Meeting of the Harwich and District Community Association will be held on 25th April, 2007.
171/06 FINANCIAL UPDATE
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets and earmarked funds were noted.
172/06 THE HARWICH SOCIETY A request to use the Mayflower Avenue access to the Redoubt on 28th May was considered.
RESOLVED: to agree to the request.
173/06 WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH
A request to add a name to the memorial in St. Nicholas church was considered.
RESOLVED: to advise Mr. Stokes that this Council fully supports his request.
174/06 DISABLED ACCESS CHIROPODY DEPARTMENT
Councillor Williams informed the meeting that there is a great need for a disabled access to the chiropody unit at
Harwich hospital and advised that she had received a letter to this effect from a Parkeston resident.
RESOLVED: to write to the PCT requesting that this problem is dealt with and to reply to the resident of Parkeston advising that it is crucial for their own Parish Council to do the same.
175/06 APPOINTMENT OF HEAD TEACHERTHE HARWICH SCHOOL
Councillors were pleased to note the formal appointment of Mr Nigel Mountford as head teacher at the Harwich School and RESOLVED: to write to the Chair of the school governors advising that Harwich Town Council is pleased to hear of this appointment.
176/06 VOTE OF THANKS TO RETIRING COUNCILLORS
The Mayor invited members to join him in a vote of thanks to retiring councillors. Tributes were paid to Councillor
Brand for his long service to the Town Council and to Councillor Ford for his contribution as Mayor for 2005/2006. Members were unanimous in their tributes to Councillor Bleakley and expressed their great sadness at his passing.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.15pm.