Full Council Minutes 3rd October 2007
AT A MEETING of HARWICH TOWN COUNCIL
held at 1912 CENTRE, HARWICH, ESSEX
on WEDNESDAY 3rd OCTOBER at 7.30pm.
PRESENT
The Mayor Councillor D McLeod in the Chair
The Deputy Mayor Councillor D Rutson
Councillors:
B Brown
J Brown
S Tyrer
J Wares
S Henderson until 9.00pm
L Double
A Colbourne
G Calver
A Morrison
R Callender
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 Howlett, Payne, Gardner and Burke
Prayers were said by the Reverend E Lammens
74/07 REPRESENTATIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
None
75/07 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Henderson declared a personal interest in the matters relating to The Licensing Act 2003.
76/07 MAYOR’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Mayor gave details of engagements undertaken since the last meeting including his recent visit to Jamestown in the United States.
77/07 MINUTES
RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on the 22 nd August 2007 (previously circulated) be approved by
the Chairman and signed as a true record.
78/07 CCTV COVERAGE AT STATIONS SERVING HARWICH
Members noted the response from One Railway but raised concerns that the question regarding periods when CCTV has not been operational at Manningtree Station has not been answered.
RESOLVED: to again write to One Railway , thanking them for the detailed reply but requesting they address the issues raised in the original letter from Harwich Town Council.
79/07 A120 HARE GREEN TO HARWICH
Statistical data, provided by Essex Police, regarding collisions on the A120 between Hare Green and Harwich was considered by members. Also, Councillor Morrison advised the meeting that a proposal for Longer Heavier Vehicles is currently being considered by the government.
RESOLVED: to write to the Highways Agency requesting that the double white lines currently marked on this stretch of road are extended and further requesting that variable speed cameras are permanently installed with a speed limit of 50 miles per hour imposed.
FURTHER RESOLVED: to write the Department of Transport asking that the proposal for Longer Heavier Vehicles is rejected.
80/07 PRESENTATION EVENING FOR PREVIOUS MEMBERS
The Mayor advised the meeting that a Presentation Evening for previous members will be held at 7.00pm on 12th December, 2007 at the 1912 Centre and that invitations will be sent out in the near future.
81/07 ENVIRONMENT AND HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE
The Deputy Mayor, Councillor D Rutson, presented the minutes of the meetings held on 4th July 2007 and 21st August 2007. RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
82/07 ALLOTMENTS COMMITTEE
Councillor J Brown presented the minutes of the meeting held on 30th August 2007.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
83/07 GUILDHALL COMMITTEE
Councillor G Calver presented the minutes of the meeting held on 12th September 2007.
RESOLVED: that the minutes be adopted.
84/07 BRIEF REPORT OF MEMBERS
The Mayor read the report from Mr J Thurlow regarding Harwich and District Pensioners Association. Councillor Tyrer gave details of the last meeting of the Conservation Panel. Councillor Calver raised concerns that no report has been received from Harwich Town Council’s representative on Teentalk at a time when the organisation is in crisis.
RESOLVED: to invite representatives of Teentalk to a special meeting with Harwich Town Council to discuss their situation.
FURTHER RESOLVED: to write to Councillor Howlett requesting an explanation as to why no report has been received from him regarding Teentalk. Councillor B Brown advised members that he would be attending the next meeting of the Environment Liaison Group at Petrochem Carless. He also gave brief reports on his attendance of the EALC Making the Links meeting
and a recent event at Chase Lane Primary School where the Headteacher, Mrs Carter, passed on thanks to this council for the funding of their new cycle lockers.
85/07 FINANCIAL UPDATE
Payments and receipts, current balances, financial activity against budgets and earmarked funds were noted.
86/07 EXTERNAL AUDIT
The Annual Return of the External Audit for the year ended 31st March 2007, which has been signed off by the external auditors, was noted.
87/07 THE LICENSING ACT 2003
Applications for variation of premises licence from The Royal, 387 Main Road, Dovercourt and Kings Arms, 178 High Street, Dovercourt, were noted.
88/07 TEENTALK
RESOLVED: to offer free use of the Guildhall Council Chamber for Teentalk to hold a crisis meeting on 9th November 2007.
89/07 PIRATE BBC ESSEX BROADCAST
A letter from Steve Scruton of BBC Essex, thanking Harwich Town Council for their support regarding the broadcast marking the 40 th Anniversary of the Marine Offences Bill, was read to the meeting.
90/07 HARWICH HAVEN AUTHORITY
Notification of the Harwich Haven Harbour Revision Order/Financial Provisions was noted.
91/07 CERTIFICATE IN LOCAL COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION
The meeting was advised that the Clerk to the Council has passed the Certificate in Local Council Administration.
92/07 EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC AND PRESS
RESOLVED: that pursuant to Section 1of Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960, the meeting is closed to the Press and Public for the transaction of the undermentioned business:
Minutes of the Guildhall Committee meeting held on 12th September, 2007.
The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.20pm.